The 1000 NSW Public Sector Apprentices and Trainees Program

My name is Berivan Qari. 

I'm a proud Yazidi woman. 

I was born and raised up in Sinjar, Iraq. 

Life was simple, but it was joyful.  

Until everything changed. 

That day ISIS came to my people. 

We had no choice but go to the mountains. 

We spent three days without food and water, hiding in a field. 

My father risked his life to save us. 

And then on the 28th of May we were in Wagga Wagga.  

Wagga Wagga has the largest population of Yazidi people living in New South Wales. 

But starting over, it wasn't easy because I didn't speak English, and my mum and my dad didn't speak English. 

Even though me and my siblings didn't give up. Because it was our dad’s dream to see us working in healthcare.  

Now, I'm working at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital as a part of my traineeship. 

I'm so excited about the future. 

Awesome. Where have you applied? 

Charles Sturt University. 

I'm going to do medicine after nursing.  

I want to specialise in cardiology because my father passed away from a heart attack. 

About the traineeship? I love everything. 

It’s changed my life. 

To anyone thinking about starting a traineeship, never underestimate yourself. 

I take the first step and change my life. 

My name is Berivan Qari. 

I'm a proud Yazidi woman. 

I was born and raised up in Sinjar, Iraq. 

Life was simple, but it was joyful. Until everything changed. 

That day ISIS came to my people. 

We had no choice but flee to the mountains. 

We spent three days without food and water, hiding in a fear. 

My father risked his life to save us. 

ISIS tried to stop us, but he didn't stop. 

He drove fast and we survived. 

During that time I saw a pregnant woman giving birth with no medical assistant. And children were dying because of hard conditions. 

That time, I promised myself if I survive from this war, I would dedicate my life to helping others.  

After reaching Kurdistan, a friend of my grandfather opened a small school for displaced families. 

We were a family of nine living in one small classroom. 

It was really hard, but we survived. After living in that school for six months, 

then we went to the refugee camp. 

We lived there about 5 years and life it was incredibly hard.  

In 2017, my mum and her family came to Australia, and they tell us they finally found a safe place. 

When my dad shared the news, he's smiled and said: “Guess what? We are going to Australia.” 

We didn't believe it. 

It felt like a dream. And then on the 28th of May we were in Wagga Wagga.  

Wagga Wagga has the largest population of Yazidi people living in New South Wales. 

But starting over, it wasn't easy because I didn't speak English, and my mum and my dad didn't speak English. 

On 1 of July 2023, in the morning, I remember my dad dropping me off to work. 

He was smiling, full of life. 

But then everything changed. 

He came to the home with just a headache. 

We tell him “let's go to the hospital.” 

He just said “it's just a normal headache, my lovely daughters.” 

Then at 11:05 PM I had to call the ambulance and I saw my dad, tears coming out on his cheek. 

I held his hands and I said “you will be okay.” 

But that night I’d just seen my dad taking his last breath. And I will never forget that day in my life. 

Even though me and my siblings didn't give up. Because it was our dad’s dream to see us working in healthcare. Now, I'm working at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital as a part of my traineeship. 

I'm so excited about the future. 

Awesome. Where have you applied? 

Charles Sturt University. 

I'm going to do medicine after nursing.  

I want to specialise in cardiology because my father passed away from a heart attack. 

About the traineeship? I love everything. 

It’s changed my life. 

I do observation, I do hospital bed, I talk to the patients. If they need anything, I just give it to them.  

I've got a glass of water for you. 

I was honoured to be nominated for 2025 New South Wales Training Awards. Even though I didn’t win, being recognised it reminds me of my journey, which started with fear and struggle.  

Now it's giving people hope and meaning. 

Thanks to the Riverina Murray Training Awards Committee, I had the opportunity to tell my story and to inspire others in my community. 

I was also awarded a scholarship to continue my study. 

They said there’s an opportunity for a scholarship would you like to apply? 

So I applied for it. And guess what? Yesterday they called me, and they said “you win it” 

Being a trainee with the New South Wales Government, it's opened so many doors. 

These pathways helped me to enter to the healthcare system.  

It's not just a job, it's a start of a career that I'm passionate about. 

To anyone thinking about starting a traineeship, never underestimate yourself. 

I never imagined I’d be here, let alone nominated for an award. But I took the first step and it changed my life. 

I do it for my grandmother. 

I do it for my father. 

I do it for that pregnant woman I saw in the mountains. 

I do it for every child who didn't survive.