Husein’s Story
Husein - Soft Landing Smithfield Leading Hand
From Refugee to Soft Landing Smithfield Leading Hand
Husein grew up in Yangon, Myanmar, as part of the Rohingya Muslim community. In 2013, he and his family fled their home country.
“It was very dangerous for us in Myanmar – we couldn’t live there,” Husein says. “My grandma, mum, siblings, uncle and aunty ran away to Australia. We lived on Christmas Island and in Nauru for five years before we were released in Australia.”
It was a time of uncertainty, but everything changed when Husein gained his work visa, and a friend told him about Soft Landing.
“My friend worked here before and he said, ‘Soft Landing is good, they help refugee people.’” Husein spoke to his Settlement Services International (SSI) caseworker, who connected him with the Smithfield team. “One week after the interview, I got the job. It was very quick.”
Husein’s first job was cutting mattresses on the floor. Within months, he was offered a permanent role, and Smithfield Team Manager Jacob Stons asked if he wanted to learn computer skills and try office work. “I had never used a computer,” Husein says. “But Jacob taught me everything – step by step. He told me, ‘If you like it, you can stay in the office.’”
Four years on, Husein is thriving as Soft Landing Smithfield’s Leading Hand. “Now I look after everyone in the warehouse,” Husein says. “I supervise, unload trucks and check safety. It’s been three years since I cut a mattress!”
The job has given Husein stability, allowing him to support his mum and cover household costs now that most of his siblings have moved away and he is the sole provider. “I can pay rent, buy food, and cover my mum’s medicine. And if I need a day off to look after my mum, Jacob says, ‘No problem.’”
Just as important is the sense of pride and community he has found at Soft Landing. “I’m happy every day. I like looking after people, joking around and laughing. We give each other respect. We’re like a family,” Husein says. “Doing our job – recycling mattresses – helps clean our city and our planet.”
Earlier this year, Husein proudly represented Soft Landing at Admiralty House in Sydney, meeting Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of Australia – our organisation’s patron. “I was very excited and nervous. I’m a lucky man,” he says. “The guys at work said, ‘Congrats, you are the boss now. You are climbing the ladder!’”
Looking ahead, Husein dreams of becoming an Australian citizen, travelling, getting married, having kids, and continuing to work at Soft Landing. With a laugh, he says, “Maybe I’ll take Jacob’s job one day.”
Husein’s advice for people finding it difficult to gain work: “Never be hopeless. Never say, ‘I can’t do it.’ If I can do it, you can do it. Step by step – you can do it.”
Husein Soft Landing Smithfield
