Muhibullah is a CPI Pashto and English.
My journey from the war zones to community services that is underpinned by language, resilience, and purpose.
I am a Pashto speaker and most of my childhood time was spent in refugee camps. In the camps, people were using every opportunity to learn new skills for their bright future. I was blessed with the English language which later become my greatest tool for connection and services.
The first time I used the English language as an interpreter was with the International Media in 2002.
It was a transformative period, I did not only improve my linguistic skills, but I also experienced the new world. I was introduced to few different international media outlets. During my work I heard human stories that gave me a sense of deep responsibility as being a voice for the people of my community.
In my task as an interpreter with the media, the work was intense. As a requirement of my job, I had to travel to the front line of the war zones, I witnessed the violence and the injustice that was occurring to innocent people. In the course of my work, I visited prisons in different forms and different types of human suffering that was constantly on.
When Interpreting in deeply distressing and emotional conversations, I had to maintain strict impartiality, it would require a lot of strength, compassion, and discipline. That era really taught me resilience and professionalism.
Coming to Australia
One of another major shifts that occurred in my life was in the year of 2016 when I moved to South Australia. I was only a year 12th graduate with no other qualifications.
But luckily, with the experience of my previous challenges, I still had the mindset of further education.
I was lucky enough that I contacted UniSA and enrolled myself in the Foundation Studies, which was a one-year pathway course to my future Degree of Social Science (Human Services).
During my Foundation Studies, I learned about NAATI and soon I achieved a NAATI accreditation, which later changed to CPI. Since late 2017, I have been working as a professional Pashto interpreter in South Australia. My work is deeply rewarding because I support people from my community, often during critical and vulnerable moments in their life.
Yet, the role of interpreting from the beginning until today is not without emotional toll, impartiality, and confidentiality in place as the ethics of the profession and believing that you as an interpreter are there only as a conduit for communication. However, you still often feel you are carrying the weight of the stories you interpret, stories of fear, stories of hardship and trauma.
There were many nights I woke up, restlessly and haunted by the pain I have witnessed through the words of other people.
Luckily, with time the bad memories have passed away, especially since completing my Social Science Degree I have found comfort in spending time outdoors. I am enjoying walking and travelling, these simple activities of movement and exploration alleviate to clear my mind and reinstating sense of peace.
I love working with people and see every interpreting task as a chance to bridge cultures and support understanding. While I care deeply about those I serve and at the same time the impartiality of interpreting profession has heavy weight in every sentence I hear and speak.
My main goal is to convey the messages accurately and faithfully. As my journey continues, It will be shaped by language, service, and profound commitment to human connection.