A weekly bread visit that turned into a Holden Commodore that led to gifted driving lessons
Justice & Advocacy
“I have many stories to share about how warmly Rachel and I and our children Achol, Agot and Alim were welcomed when we arrived in Toowoomba after flying to Australia from the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya. These are just a few,” says Bishop Daniel Abot as Refugee Week approaches
I have many stories to share about how warmly Rachel and I and our children Achol, Agot and Alim were welcomed when we arrived in Toowoomba after flying to Australia from the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya. These are just a few.
A White Australian Christian couple knocked on the door of our house every Wednesday morning at 6 o’clock and gave us some bread. They did this for many years for us and for other families who had come here as refugees. My kids recognised the regular door knock, and my then-youngest, Alim, would leap into the arms of who she called “Ko-kok”, which means “Grandma” in Dinka.
My first car — a Holden Commodore — was driven to my house by this couple after a generous parishioner from their church community asked them to give it to me. I couldn’t drive, so the car sat in my backyard for three months. After church one Sunday, a visitor at St Luke’s, Toowoomba, Ted Kitto, asked me how I was going. I told him that I was doing well but that I had a car and had no idea what to do with it because I couldn’t drive. I didn’t know what Ted did for a living, so I felt very blessed when he responded with, “I am a driving instructor. I will help you learn how to drive.” When I had afternoon tea with Ted today, we reflected on how long we have been friends — it has now been 22 years. Every year since we arrived, Ted and his wife Ann, have brought us a big bowl of fruit on Christmas Eve.
Close friends Ted Kitto and Bishop Daniel Abot catching up at St Bart’s, Toowoomba in June 2025
The first people who invited my young family to their home for dinner were Tom and Lyn Bower. When we arrived we saw that the table was beautifully prepared with white linen. Alim, who was only 18 months at the time, climbed up onto the table and knocked over the glasses that we were filled with soft drink. Rachel and I were so terribly embarrassed — Rachel cupped her hands to my ear and whispered, “This will be the first and the last time we bring our kids to somebody’s house for dinner.” But Tom laughed and assured us that this was not the first time such a thing had happened in his house and made us feel better by telling us a few stories of his own kids.
As a father who has come to Australia with a young family from a refugee camp it meant so much that generous and faithful people like “Ko-kok”, Ted and Ann and Tom and Lyn would hold our hand and walk with us to help us build a new life here. I will always remember their kindness. Their help is unforgettable. We were in need of so much and God answered our prayers through them.
When people come to Australia to seek safety, they have been through so much. When they first come here they feel lost because they don’t know the language, the cultures or the foods most people eat. The weather is different and so is the landscape. We came from the hottest part of northern Kenya where it was 50 degrees Celsius every day to Toowoomba’s winter. It was a lot to get used to. Even with layers of clothes on, we had a heater on in every room 24/7 and were then shocked by the electricity bill.
When you are adjusting to so much, even small acts of kindness are deeply appreciated.
This year’s theme for Refugee Week, which is commemorated from Sunday 15 to Saturday 21 June 2025, is “Finding Freedom: Diversity in Community”.
The Refugee Council of Australia website says this about Refugee Week 2025:
“The journey towards freedom represents the challenging path that many refugees take, escaping oppression and uncertainty for safety in a new place.
“In these new spaces, community is more than just a physical place or a group of people; community is a lifeline. It offers refugees safety, belonging, and the strength to rebuild. Diverse communities bring people together, showing that our differences make us stronger, more united, and capable of facing challenges.
“Community is where people find the strength to solve problems together, where voices are amplified, and where aspirations find direction and support. It’s a space where everyone can feel safe, valued, and empowered to pursue their dreams without fear or judgment.
“This Refugee Week, we celebrate the inclusive communities across Australia that open their arms to those seeking refuge, providing platforms for connection and a sense of belonging.”
There are many ways that individuals and faith communities can welcome refugees and people seeking asylum so they can feel safe and a sense of belonging and have the strength to rebuild.
Individuals, couples and families can help welcome refugees and people seeking asylum by simply saying “Hello. How are you?” or inviting them over for a meal.
When Rachel and I came with our three children, we brought everything we owned in two small suitcases. So people can assist by giving clothes, whitegoods, furniture, crockery and cutlery, utensils and saucepans.
They can also help by showing refugees and people seeking asylum how to catch the bus and train, how to shop and how to navigate government services, such as the library, Centrelink, the tax office, TAFE and the Department of Education.
They can also volunteer with tutoring and English conversation classes.
They can also invite mothers to mothers’ groups and men to Men’s Sheds.
For many refugees, including for those from South Sudan, our churches were our only hope in the camps — they kept us going. So finding a welcoming faith community is very crucial. Meeting people like Ko-kok and Ted and Ann was very healing for me.
Faith communities can welcome and support refugees and people seeking asylum by inviting them to church and church fellowship activities and warmly welcoming them and assisting them when they arrive.
Author’s note: Refugee Week 2025 will be commemorated between Sunday 15 and Saturday 21 June. The theme for Refugee Week this year is “Finding Freedom: Diversity in Community”. Visit the Refugee Council of Australia website for more information; teacher and general resources; design resources and to register your own events.
Jump to next article
