Born, into Mundari Culture in Jayi, a village in Kerchomba, north of Juba inSouth Sudan, Philip Lako’s childhood was marked by unimaginable hardship. At just10 years old, he was forcibly taken by the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA)under the guise of receiving an education. His parents were given ultimatum, by therebels group to give away one of their sons. Philip and his elder brother, Wani. Philipbecame the choice and was taken. He endured a decade of captivity, facing torture, beating, forced labor, sleep andfood deprivation, and was subjected to constant threat of death from lack of food,aerial bombardments and attacks from Sudan Government Army. He lived in squalidconditions, often sleeping on the ground with only hessian bags for warmth.In 2000, Philip escaped to Kenya, where he spent four years in the Kakuma andDadaab Refugee Camps. The camps’ life presented its own challenges—scarceresources, overcrowding, despair, indignity, lack of self-worth, unclear life’s sense ofpurpose and emotional isolation. Yet, it was here that Philip began to rediscoverhope. In 2004, he was granted resettlement in Perth, Western Australia, through thesupport of the UNHCR and the Australian Government. Philip’s journey in Australia has been nothing short of transformative. He beganworking in agriculture [Donnybrook], then transitioned into aged care and disabilitywhere he worked as a support worker and a Trainer and Assessor. In 2008, heentered the mining industry, after earning a Vocational Education Trainingqualifications in Geoscience and later a Work Health and Safety Qualification.Currently, Philip is working for a mining company as a Senior Safety Advisor andprovides ad hoc Training Services to a Western Australian Registered TrainingOrganisation (RTO) - facilitating the Statutory Position Training, Local GovernmentIndustry Regulation Safety Exam Preparations Workshops, Incident Cause AnalysisMethodology (ICAM) investigations skills and other Safety Related short courses. Philip volunteered for Mercy Care, St Vincent de Paul and is an active member ofthe Perth Rotary which is engaged in social program across the state: PassageYouth Hub , Path of Hope, Kimberely Dental Team and many other projects aimed toimprove the quality of human lives internationally.   Philip is a passionate advocate for refugees and migrants, using his personal story toinspire and educate others. He has spoken at national conferences, including theCatholic Youth Conference, and has worked closely with government agencies toimprove services for CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) communities.One of his most notable contributions was initiating and engaging the then WesternAustralia Premier Mark McGowan’s Government to consider and fund the GoldfieldsMigrant Employment Program (GMEP) Kalgoorlie through the Goldfields CommunityLegal Centre. The project aimed to promote job opportunities and regional living inthe Goldfields to metropolitan communities and assist with attracting and retainingemployees. The pilot program coordinated by Blessings Masuku, was verysuccessful and although, has officially ended, it continues to attract migrantsinterstate many of whom now call Kalgoorlie [Goldfields] Home. Philip has spoken across mine sites, corporates offices, Kalgoorlie and city councils,Schools, Australia Home Affairs Office, WA Office of Multicultural Interest etc., wherehe expressed appreciation to Australia for the life changing opportunity. Philip alsouses the opportunity to thank the mainstream Australian for their generosity andinvites them to get to know the newly arrived migrants better and not only rely onmedia for information on refugees and migrants. Philip’s public engagements attracted media outlets including ABC News and RadioPrograms, Kalgoorlie Miner, Eastern Reporter, Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA,6PR Radio, WA Office of Multicultural Interest. Philip thinks, the best way to integrate well and know the mainstream culture is