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🇦🇺 Australia /Disasters & Emergencies

Locals welcome refugees into their backyards in trial program made permanent

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Outcome reported
  • Alain Mukungu, a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo, initially misunderstood the town of Orange, Australia, as a farm.
  • He and his family were welcomed by a local group called Hearts and Hands as part of a pilot refugee integration program.
  • The trial program, now permanent, helps refugees settle in regional communities with local support over 12 months.

Alain Mukungu arrived in Orange, Australia, with a humorous misunderstanding, thinking the town's name implied a farming community.

Orange means it's a farm where they are growing so many oranges. They want us maybe to go and do farming or something like that.

— Alain MukunguHis initial thoughts upon arriving in Orange, Australia.

"Orange means it's a farm where they are growing so many oranges," he said with a laugh. "They want us maybe to go and do farming or something like that." After over two decades in a refugee camp fleeing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mukungu was ready for a new start.

He and his wife, along with their seven children, were met at Sydney Airport by Hearts and Hands, a group of Orange residents participating in the Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Pilot (CRISP) program. The group drove the family to their new home in the regional city. Mukungu's initial concern was about finding work, as he had expected opportunities in larger cities with more industries.

Wherever they'll take me, wherever I'll go, I'll accept. At least I'll be free.

— Alain MukunguHis willingness to relocate after years in a refugee camp.

However, a year and a half later, Mukungu is thriving. He works in social support services, holds a driver's license, and owns a car. His family is also settling in well, with his children obtaining their licenses and saving for vehicles. "We feel like being home, [Hearts and Hands] is part of our family," Mukungu shared. "If it was [only] ourselves, maybe by this time we're still far from where we are today."

I see the place is too small, is there any way I can work here? I wanted maybe like in the big cities where there are companies [and] industries.

— Alain MukunguHis initial concerns about job opportunities in Orange.

The CRISP pilot program, which welcomed over 950 refugees during its four-year trial, has now been made permanent by the federal government. The program involves local community groups banding together to support a refugee household for a 12-month period. Kate Baxter, coordinator for Hearts and Hands, expressed her enthusiasm for the opportunity to support refugees, noting that it's not just about appointments but about building friendships.

We feel like being home, [Hearts and Hands] is part of our family. If it was [only] ourselves, maybe by this time we're still far from where we are today.

— Alain MukunguReflecting on the support received from the community group.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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