Refugees and Asylum Seekers 

Introduction to QSA’s work and approach to supporting refugees and asylum seekers

Aubrey and his wife, Jean, left funds to QSA in 2016 to support refugees and asylum seekers. The bequest enables QSA to fund projects that promote well-being, resilience, skills development, and protection for people in need of safety and support, in keeping with QSA’s commitment to dignity, non- discrimination, and the principle of “do no harm.”

Funded projects are safe, sustainable and aligned with QSA’s strategic focus on building positive peace. For QSA, positive peace means actively promoting justice, reconciliation and the well-being of all people by addressing the root causes of inequality, fostering inclusive communities and supporting strong, participatory civil institutions.

These two projects were supported by QSA funds through the Aubrey Bequest.

World with War Assisting Afghan Peace Volunteers

Photo Credit: Barakat Leiria, Portugal.

World Beyond War Australia received funds to complete the resettlement of 20 young Afghan Peace Volunteers (APVs) and one child from Pakistan to Portugal.

These remarkable young people had dedicated themselves to non-violence, equality, and community service in Kabul, running projects for street children, refugees, and families in poverty. After the Taliban takeover in 2021, their commitment to peace, their Hazara background, and their international links placed them in grave danger, forcing them to flee to Pakistan. Since then, international partners – including Australian Quakers – have supported them with safe housing and worked tirelessly to secure pathways to safety.

This final group of APVs has been waiting in Pakistan for resettlement for over three years. They are the final cohort of a larger program that has included three resettlement programs: two in Portugal and one in Spain. As part of the resettlement program, the APVs take Portuguese language classes, participate in vocational training and other educational opportunities, and explore creative activities such as art and community programs. The combination of language, education and cultural engagement equips them with practical skills, fosters personal growth and helps them integrate into a new community. Unlike previous cohorts, this group began their language training while still in Pakistan, which should further assist their successful resettlement.

Resettlement in Portugal not only ensures their safety but will allow them to rebuild their lives and continue contributing to their new communities, just as earlier groups have done.

This is the final step in a multi-year humanitarian effort. It has given an inspiring group of young peacebuilders a chance at a safe and hopeful future.

Bangladesh Association for Sustainable Development

Unwrapping the Earth Restorers’Guide to Permaculture at the Pre-Christmas Program, 2024  Photo credit: BASD

Bangladesh Association for Sustainable Development (BASD) received funds to translate Rosemary Morrow’s seminal work, Earth Restorer’s Guide to Permaculture, into the Bangla language. Titled Permaculture: Prithibi Punarudharkarir Pothprodhorshok, the book provides an accessible, practical guide to permaculture design, covering earth, water, air, and ecological practices essential for sustainable living.

BASD worked closely with the author and Melliodora Publishing to produce 500 copies of this invaluable resource, enabling thousands of trainees, farmers, educators, and community leaders to apply permaculture principles in Bangladesh. The launch in December 2024 brought together 48 distinguished guests to celebrate the translation’s potential to transform local communities.

Since its release, the book has inspired training programs and hands-on workshops across the country, including mini Permaculture Design Courses and community-based projects with tree planting, organic farming, and ecological restoration. Participants from NGOs, educational institutions, and religious organisations have shown strong interest in further permaculture training, demonstrating the growing impact of this work.

Thank you to Rowe Morrow for permission to translate, print, and distribute her book.