A true inspirational story of a real life refugee
Philip was born in a tiny village of Kerchomba about 140 kilometres north of Juba, the capital of South Sudan. In 1990 at the age of 10, he was taken, under pretext of education, by Sudan People Liberation Movement rebels fighting the government of Sudan. The forceful removal resulted into prolonged suffering and torment from the rebel leaders. The man made adversaries which included torture, force labour, sleep and food deprivation resulted into great destitute. Slept in, cold and wet squalid conditions with no blankets but hessian bags. The ordeal continued until 2000 when Philip escaped to Kenya to seek refuge.
Although there was, shelter, rationed food and basic security in camp, the eight year-old Kakuma camp, north-western Kenya population of 65,000 (UNHCR, 2000) refugees presented unique challenges. Since then Kakuma refugee camp population has grown to 185,154 asylum and refugees UNHCR 2018). Being a refugee was the defining movement of Philip's life as a glimpse of hope was felt. At first Philip thought, he had arrived in a place where dreaming could be possible, hopefully for the last time, only to realise the hopelessness and despair invading his life again. The mischief lasted for 4 years when Philip was afforded to resettlement and arrived in Australia in 2004.
While in Australia, Philip undertook an English language program through Adult Migration English Program delivered through TAFE. He sought employment in the agriculture, fast food restaurants, ageing, disability and mining sectors. Philip volunteered for St Vincent de Paul helping the disadvantaged in our community as well as for MercyCare assisting CALD migrants’ integration through learning Conversational English and understanding basic aspects of safety obligations in Australia. Currently Philip work as a VET Trainer and Assessor in Home and Community Health Sector.
More Information
http://www.unhcr.org/3ae6bd4c0.pdf
http://www.unhcr.org/ke/kakuma-refugee-camp