A life building inclusion and meaningful connections for women and families: An interview with Theresa Sengaaga Ssali

At 77, Theresa Sengaaga Ssali continues to redefine what it means to age well. A social worker, advocate and community leader, she is the co-founder and past president of the African Women’s and Families Network (AWAFN), where she has spent decades building connection, inclusion and support for migrant and multicultural communities across Australia.

Theresa grew up in a small farming village 80 km from Uganda’s capital city, Kampala. She was one of 11 children encouraged by her parents to pursue education. She majored in Social Science and Librarianship before receiving a scholarship to travel to Australia in 1977.

“At the time, being a black single woman was hard, there was racism. But it was even harder when I came back as a refugee”.

Returning to Uganda during political unrest and military dictatorship, Theresa was forced to flee her country, crossing the border into Kenya with only a few clothes and her passport hidden in the hem of her dress.

Back in Melbourne, her life was not easy: she faced years of separation from the husband and ongoing workplace discrimination despite her qualifications.

With support from a local women’s group and legal aid services, she found justice and a renewed purpose. After experiencing first-hand the life-changing impact of community support she was inspired to study social work and dedicate her life to helping others.

Over the past 25 years, Theresa has worked across settlement services, disability, youth, women’s and older persons programs, always with a focus on culturally responsive care and social inclusion.

In 2011, she started the African Women’s and Families Network (AWAFN), a grassroots community organisation that educates, supports and empowers people from African and other multicultural communities in Victoria, including many seniors.

Theresa speaking at a recent ECCV forum

For Theresa, ageing well is deeply connected to belonging, dignity and community.

Through programs such as women’s swimming lessons, yoga groups and sewing circles, she has helped older migrant women overcome isolation, fear and exclusion.

“Some women would never go near water,” she says. “Now they come swimming, laughing together. That is the reward.”

She believes many older migrants face barriers including loneliness, language difficulties, digital exclusion, confusion navigating aged care systems and barriers to physical and recreational activities.

Yet Theresa remains optimistic, motivated by seeing lives transformed through advocacy and connection.

Her guiding philosophy remains simple but powerful:

“Let’s create a world where equality thrives. Together, we can.”