No matter who you are, getting a job can be difficult; but for women with disabilities, becoming employed can hold even greater challenges.
Good Sammy Participants and employees, Kaizeen and Addie, have come forward to share their journey and the barriers they both had to overcome to gain employment.
Kaizeen grew up in Dubai where she was fortunate to have fond memories of her childhood and school life. Although, when it came to transitioning to employment, she says “Finding a job as a woman with disability was difficult. I felt like I had no future in Dubai when it came to employment.”
Kaizeen states, “Disability was not recognised [in Dubai]. There was no information on NDIS or jobs for people with disability. People there didn’t like things that they didn’t understand.” Kaizeen was determined to get a job, and knew she had to say goodbye to her home in Dubai to achieve her employment goals.
When her parents made the move to Perth, Kaizeen faced knew challenges of a new place without knowing anyone.
“At first I wanted to leave, but my parents said ‘Just give it a try. There are so many opportunities here.’ I have since worked many jobs such as at Crazy Clarks, Spotlight, and jobs in gardening and cooking. Now I work at Good Sammy in the warehouse with all of my friends. It’s such a great atmosphere to be in!” - Kaizeen 2022
Kaizeen mentions her journey has been thanks to strong women in her life, like her mum and grandma, who have given her the courage to give new things a try and stand up for herself and what she believes in.
Addie was only 5 months old when her parents left Christmas Island with nothing but a suitcase and a passport. Growing up, Addie found school difficult to navigate with her mental illnesses and had to cease her studies because of them.
When Addie eventually sought out employment, the jobs she worked in were unfulfilling. “I first worked in a sheltered workshop. I felt like I was standing there doing nothing all day. It was so boring...” Despite her rough start, Addie was determined to continue working and to find a job where she felt valued and accepted.
Addie now works throughout the Good Sammy social enterprises; part-time in the Canning Vale warehouse, the Willetton Good Sammy store where she is developing transferrable retail skills, and has also started work experience in the Good Sammy Online Store where she is practicing skills in e-commerce.
“Since being at Good Sammy, I’ve become a lot more confident and independent at work.” – Addie
Addie even likes to branch out of her comfort zone, she boasts “Just recently I went to UWA to help with the Pop Up Op Shop. I was thrown in the deep end and had to figure out the Eftpos machine. It was awesome! I found it so easy.”
Reflecting on her journey to employment, Addie states “I feel so supported at Good Sammy. My mentors, supervisors, journey coordinators and friends all help me feel more comfortable and like I belong.”
International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate women who have overcome barriers and challenges in life. Good Sammy thanks Addie and Kaizeen for being brave enough to share their stories, as it is stories like these that spark confidence in others that they too can achieve their goals.
