Philip Lako

Born, into Mundari Culture in Jayi, a village in Kerchomba, north of Juba in South Sudan, Philip Lako’s childhood was marked by unimaginable hardship. At just 10 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 the rebels group to give away one of their sons. Philip and his elder brother, Wani. Philip became the choice and was taken.

He endured a decade of captivity, facing torture, beating, forced labor, sleep and food deprivation, and was subjected to constant threat of death from lack of food, aerial bombardments and attacks from Sudan Government Army. He lived in squalid conditions, 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 and Dadaab Refugee Camps. The camps’ life presented its own challenges—scarce resources, overcrowding, despair, indignity, lack of self-worth, unclear life’s sense of purpose and emotional isolation. Yet, it was here that Philip began to rediscover hope. In 2004, he was granted resettlement in Perth, Western Australia, through the support of the UNHCR and the Australian Government.

Philip’s journey in Australia has been nothing short of transformative. He began working in agriculture [Donnybrook], then transitioned into aged care and disability where he worked as a support worker and a Trainer and Assessor. In 2008, he entered the mining industry, after earning a Vocational Education Training qualifications in Geoscience and later a Work Health and Safety Qualification. Currently, Philip is working for a mining company as a Senior Safety Advisor and provides ad hoc Training Services to a Western Australian Registered Training Organisation (RTO) - facilitating the Statutory Position Training, Local Government Industry Regulation Safety Exam Preparations Workshops, Incident Cause Analysis Methodology (ICAM) investigations skills and other Safety Related short courses.

Philip volunteered for Mercy Care, St Vincent de Paul and is an active member of the Perth Rotary which is engaged in social program across the state: Passage Youth Hub , Path of Hope, Kimberely Dental Team and many other projects aimed to improve the quality of human lives internationally.

 

Philip is a passionate advocate for refugees and migrants, using his personal story to inspire and educate others. He has spoken at national conferences, including the Catholic Youth Conference, and has worked closely with government agencies to improve services for CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) communities. One of his most notable contributions was initiating and engaging the then Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan’s Government to consider and fund the Goldfields Migrant Employment Program (GMEP) Kalgoorlie through the Goldfields Community Legal Centre. The project aimed to promote job opportunities and regional living in the Goldfields to metropolitan communities and assist with attracting and retaining employees. The pilot program coordinated by Blessings Masuku, was very successful and although, has officially ended, it continues to attract migrants interstate 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., where he expressed appreciation to Australia for the life changing opportunity. Philip also uses the opportunity to thank the mainstream Australian for their generosity and invites them to get to know the newly arrived migrants better and not only rely on media for information on refugees and migrants.

Philip’s public engagements attracted media outlets including ABC News and Radio Programs, 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 to have a network beyond one’s own culture.

Philip’s autobiography, The Ten-Year-Old Man, chronicles his life from child soldier to Australian citizen, offering a powerful testament to resilience, faith, and the human spirit. He continues to mentor youth, advocate for inclusive policies, and build bridges between communities and government agencies.

His message is clear: “We are all human.” Through storytelling, service, and leadership, Philip Lako reminds Australia—and the world—of the strength found in compassion and the importance of giving hope to those who need it most.