Aged Care Employee Day: How Suri Iskandar went from homeless to home carer

Suri Iskandar knows the importance of a place to call home all too well after experiencing life on the streets.

Suri Iskandar (right) experienced homelessness as a teen. He has now found his passion as a home carer. Pictured with client Matthew Schauble. Picture: Alison Wynd

Suri Iskandar knows the importance of a home all too well after living on the streets as a teenager.

The now 52-year-old moved to Australia from Indonesia with his family aged six.

When he was 15, Mr Iskandar lived on the streets for eight months after experiencing abuse and being kicked out of home.

“That was a tough time,” he said.

“It was very difficult during winter when it was so cold at night.

“It’s something I think about every time winter comes around.”

A teacher at Mr Iskandar’s high school noticed his grades had slipped and he wasn’t his “usual bright self”.

“I told him what had happened and he took me under his wing,” Mr Iskandar said.

“He had a spare bedroom and I paid board.”

Mr Iskandar lived with his teacher for two years while he completed his high school studies and worked part-time.

“I was very fortunate that I had someone in my life looking out for me,” he said.

After completing year 12, Mr Iskandar studied sales and marketing at Deakin University.

He worked in supermarket sales for about 13 years before he opened his own cafes in Newcomb and central Geelong.

“I had always wanted to own a business,” Mr Iskandar said.

“I used to watch Friends when I was younger and they would get together at a cafe and have coffee and a chat.”

About four years ago, Mr Iskandar made a career change and discovered his true passion in life.

He sold his cafes and was studying an aged care certificate when he met the owner of Home Instead Geelong Giovanni Siano, getting a job as a carer.

Home Instead carer Suri Iskandar (left) with client Matthew Schauble. Picture: Alison Wynd

Mr Iskandar said the best thing about working in aged care was making a real difference to the lives of his clients.

“I get a real sense of purpose from assisting my clients with those everyday things they

are unable to do, including cooking, particularly traditional Indonesian meals like nasi

goreng and beef rendang, minus the spice,” he said.

“I also relish the relationships I have built with my clients and giving them the confidence

to open up to me to share any problems they may be experiencing.”

Mr Siano said Mr Iskandar always went “above and beyond” for his clients.

When he not working in aged care, Mr Iskandar volunteers at disability organisations and school holiday programs for disadvantaged kids.

Aged Care Employee Day is on August 7.

Originally published as Aged Care Employee Day: How Suri Iskandar went from homeless to home carer