Afghan Doctor Finds New Beginning at St Elizabeth’s School in Tarragindi

St Elizabeth’s School in Tarragindi has welcomed former Afghan doctor and teacher Dr Masooma Karimi, who has joined the school community as a staff officer after arriving in Australia on a humanitarian visa. Her journey from Kabul to Queensland reflects both personal resilience and the wider efforts of schools and organisations to support refugees in building new lives.

Read: Emily Drummond Swimming Helps Local Families Access Affordable Lessons

From Kabul to Queensland

Dr Karimi was forced to leave Afghanistan after the Taliban regained control in August 2021. As an educated woman, she faced the reality that continuing her profession in her homeland was no longer possible. She and her family fled to Pakistan, where they endured crowded conditions, but she continued to serve her community by working as a doctor. After years of uncertainty, she and her family were granted Australian Humanitarian Visas in August 2024.

Finding community in education

Her appointment at St Elizabeth’s School came through the Work and Welcome program, a partnership between Brisbane Catholic Education and Multicultural Australia. The initiative, funded through staff contributions, offers refugees and asylum seekers meaningful employment opportunities across Catholic schools and offices in Queensland.

Principal Jenna Webb said Dr Karimi quickly made an impact on students and staff. During a staff formation day in September, she shared her experiences of displacement and her earlier career as both a teacher and medical graduate from Kateb Medical University. Staff described her story as eye-opening, giving the school community a chance to reflect on global challenges of safety and education.

Continuing Her Medical Career

Although Dr Karimi now works in education, her long-term goal remains within medicine. She aspires to continue her medical career in Australia with a specialisation in cardiology. She expressed gratitude for the chance to regain confidence in a new country while contributing to the life of her school community.

Read: Tarragindi School Delivers Message Through Community Street Art

Her journey underscores how community-focused initiatives like Work and Welcome can support skilled professionals in re-establishing careers while also enriching local schools with diverse perspectives.

Published 6-Oct-2025