My name is Alyssa. I am thirteen years old and I am from Kalbarri. I am 5’2”. My favourite animals are cows and my favourite colour is pink.

I have an older sister and a younger brother. Their names are Macey and Tom. My mums name is Roberta and my dads name is Russell. I have a pet dog called Gracie, she is a black greyhound.

I used to do gymnastics for a while but I quit at the start of this year, now I just do dance. My favourite style of dance is contemporary. This year in July I went to dance competitions with some other people. I didn’t do really badly but I could have done better.

In Kalbarri there are around 1400 people that live here. Kalbarri is located right on the coast of Western Australia. Since we live right next to the beach lots of people enjoy going there. One of the main tourist attractions here is Natures Window. It is a rock with a hole in it in the inland gorges.

There are around 200 people in the school in Kalbarri and 20 kids in my class. I am in year 8. My favourite subject is art. Kalbarri District High School is the only school in Kalbarri.

My best friend’s name is Gisele and her favourite sport is Basketball. Together we like to walk around town doing nothing.

Dear diary,

I am safe, I made it to land. Although I got to this place a year ago, I haven’t even thought about writing about my journey here.

I arrived to this refugee camp on a stormy day. I was greeted by an angry guard who couldn’t seem to stop yelling at everyone. He showed me to my room, which is actually more like a jail cell. The only two things that I have here is a hard, uncomfortable bed and a rusty, old toilet. I take showers in this big room with other refugees. I also eat dinner in a cafeteria-like room with everyone else. I knew that this place was going to suck.

I don’t know what has happened to any of my family and friends. I’m not sure if they’re safe, or even alive. I don’t think they know if I’m safe or not either.

Everyone has told me that it’s not safe to go home right now, but I desperately want to. Here they feed me so poorly. I feel as weak as a new born kitten. People are telling me that I should be grateful for where I am right now, but I’m not. I feel as though I am breathing, but I’m not alive. I do nothing all day. My existence is pointless. I am a statue; I am stuck in this place.

I miss everything from home. I miss my family and friends. I miss the amazing food that I used to eat. I miss the weather and the land. I miss absolutely everything.

I don’t feel safe here. I have nightmares every night about when I had to leave home. I have also heard about other nearby refugees getting kicked out of their camps. I’m scared that that’s going to happen to me.

I hope I get out of this place soon and get to live freely. I can’t stand another day here.