Jolie Kaja, from the Democratic Republic of Congo, was this week awarded the national Community Education Student of the Year award from Community Colleges Australia.
Ms Kaja fled her home 10 years ago when war broke out and spent seven years in a refugee camp in Zambia caring for her four daughters.
Eventually she and her family were resettled in Coffs Harbour on the NSW North Coast. Speaking ten languages but not knowing any English, Ms Kaja studied the language at the local TAFE before going on to complete a Certificate III in Individual Support (Aged Care) as a way to give back to the community.
She now works at the Saint Joseph’s Aged Care facility in Coffs Harbour as an Assistant in Nursing. “I love to help other people because, when I help them, I feel happy,” she told SBS.
Ms Kaja now wants to use her new skills to keep helping others. “My dream is to take this knowledge to the Congo and Zambia to help other people.”
An inspiring story.
