A Traveller is the person who will be finding storytellers and guest speakers who are willing to be interviewed. The Traveller records the interview, obtains informed consent for recording and publication from the storytellers and guest speakers, submits the recording for quality checking, and helps the National Team to promote the Speak My Language program and the interviews, particularly (but not only) using social media. Some Travellers may be selected to develop and broadcast content on community radio.
Nazim Ahmed was born in Sudan. He is a strong advocate for empowering people who face social disadvantage, seeing it as his moral obligation to make the world a more fair place for everybody. His equitability and empathy has driven Nazim's participation in the Speak My Language program, where he has used podcasts to empower Sudanese Australian people living with disability, and to bring about a more inclusive Sudanese Australian community. In his free time, Nazim enjoys writing short stories, singing and producing political articles. Nazim's role with Speak My Language was with the Ethnic Communities' Council of QLD.
Fida has lived in Australia for over 15 years and no matter what town she was in, she always made sure that she was involved in the community services sector in one way or another. As she explained, "from working in childcare services, to being a Bicultural Support worker, I am proud of our Australian multicultural communities." Fida speaks and writes Arabic and French. Her multilingual skills have allowed her to work in research, where she investigated racial discrimination experienced when people seek to access rental properties in real estate. Speak My Language enabled her to use her language abilities and cultural understanding to highlight positive and inclusive stories through podcasts. She has enjoyed "shining a light on people of CALD backgrounds with disabilities, to help change negative attitudes, and bring more understanding and awareness into all of our lives." Fida's role with Speak My Language was with the Ethnic Communities' Council of NSW.
Galia migrated to Australia from Syria in 2012. She is a strong advocate for human rights, and enjoys supporting individuals from all backgrounds. She completed her first Degree in Arts with a double major in Sociology, and Politics and Policy (University of Tasmania) and is now working towards a Bachelor of Law (La Trobe University). She has worked in the community sector for many years, for organisations like the Australian Red Cross, Migrant Resource Center (TAS), interpreting agencies and local government. In 2017, Galia founded the Welcome Dinner, an event that supports and welcomes new arrivals to Tasmania. She is the recipient of the Tasmanian Human Rights Youth Award (2017) and has won the Australian Housing Institute Awards - Tenant Led Initiative Award (2019). She has enjoyed meeting people through the Speak My Language podcast series, using the platform to share their stories. Outside of work, she enjoys sport and learning new skills, which have recently included ice-skating, dancing and swimming. Galia's role with Speak My Language was with the Multicultural Council of TAS.