Adolf Mora: modelling the entrepreneurial spirit

Imagine having to leave your home country in fear of your life abandoning family and future prospects then coming to a new country, without knowing the language let alone another person. This is what is happening to many displaced persons around the world today but it happened to Adolf Mora in 2006.

While studying engineering in Jayapura, West Papua he became aware of the political situation of his people. His conscience aroused, he became active in protests against the ongoing Indonesian presence. It became apparent that it was too dangerous to remain in West Papua. He boarded a boat and with forty-three others made his way to Australia. Adolf and his companions reached North Queensland on 17th January 2006—a date they still celebrate.

They were taken to Christmas Island where the seriousness of the situation soon became apparent to officials. Adolf and his group were granted temporary protection visas and moved to Melbourne.

Adolf is deeply grateful for the assistance he received when he moved to Melbourne. Many people helped them settle in, so many Adolf says, that he could never thank them all properly. Adolf studied English through AMES and RMIT. The Red Cross worked with DHS to find transitional accommodation, a Baptist congregation offered housing for four months until a family from St Hilary’s, Kew took him into their home for two and a half years.

Adolf began working at Brunetti’s Café washing dishes. but he had higher aims and asked if he could be taught how to make coffee. He was given a chance and remembers the first coffee he made, “It was terrible!” he says now, but he was encouraged to persist.

Working with Ian Wallbridge at Anglicare’s Mission House, Adolf bought a coffee machine and turned it into a Coffee Cart with the help of St Hilary’s men’s shed.

Providentially, Fr Hugh Kempster and the social enterprise committee of the St Peter’s Charitable Foundation were looking for a project that would assist Lazarus Centre Breakfast Program participants learn skills that could possibly lead to employment.

Adolf now makes coffee for parishioners of St Peter’s following Sunday services as the social enterprise project continues to develop. Adolf sees the social enterprise as an exciting project and looks forward to sharing his knowledge, encouraging others and to seeing his own business grow.

Pete’s Story

Hello my name is Pete Burns.

I have experienced being homeless and marginalised – it is not a great feeling. Here you are one day sailing along having a very good lifestyle — I had my own business in the building and construction industry and was successful in my own right. I had a house, finance for a holiday, pretty much freedom second to none. Back in 2011 there was a financial global downturn in the building industry and the company which I built hit the ground faster than it went up! All the things I took for granted were gone — house, money – everything. I was left with the clothes on my back.

Imagine having to flee the situation and find yourself sleeping in the streets or under bridges not knowing where to access food, blankets, shower even assistance. This is a situation which is completely new. We are not trained to get ready for being homeless. That is why I cannot speak highly enough of the wonderful programs that Anglicare provide, not only at St Peter’s but also St Mark’s. See, what it gives you as a person living homeless and marginalised is a connection point and access to the basic essentials needed to survive. It is very important to have a place to access support and get some direction to help rebuild your life.

This wonderful program is all about building a community where people can come to and feel like they belong - somewhere with a sense of empathy, care, and someone to trust. In my opinion this is the best breakfast program in town. St Mark’s is great too, with a wonderful lunch program and access to food parcels, a shower, and facilities to wash your clothes. Also very important is assistance from staff. Ongoing support of the Lazarus Centre is paramount to keeping the programs running. I am evidence of the good these programs achieve. St Peter’s and St Mark’s played a big part in my being able to move forward.