Syrian refugee finds new life and dream in Australia

From his war-torn homeland to the Australian countryside, Nidal Kanjo has learnt to never let anything stand in the way of his dreams. And now he’s encouraging others to chase their dreams.

IMAGINE escaping war-torn Syria, becoming a refugee in Iraq for six years, and eventually arriving in Australia with the prospect of achieving your dreams.

Well that was reality for Nidal Kanjo who moved to Australia in 2019 with the hopes of a safer life, and now, recently appointed an electrical apprentice with Darling Downs company Wolff Power.

“I actually have been waiting for this opportunity for almost eight years since I finished my secondary high school,” Mr Kanjo said.

Nidal Kanjo has recently secured work as an adult apprentice with Darling Downs company Wolff Power, after escaping a war-torn Syria. Tuesday, February 8 2022. Picture: Contributed.

“When the war started in Syria in 2011 I was in grade 11 at the time, I barely finished my general exams and found myself in a position of being a refugee in Iraq for another six years.”

Mr Kanjo, who worked as a trainee electrician in Iraq, said his life was uncertain due to the reality of his qualifications and residing as a refugee.

“Am I going back to Syria or not? What if I travelled overseas? Is there any country that may accept these qualifications or not?” he said.

“And the main thing, can I afford the university fees while I’m a refugee?

“However, I did believe that there would be a chance one day, somehow, I don’t know where and when or how but I will get it one day.

“And here I am, today, putting my steps together and walking towards my dream with Wolff Power, excited, nervous and happy – and the main thing is I never gave up.”

Mr Kanjo gained support from Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise CEO Ali Davenport.

“When I heard him speak so passionately about his goal, I knew he’d be a real asset for a local company, so I called Colin Dennis from Wolff Power who agreed to give him a trial,” Ms Davenport said.

“Nidal will now get to fulfil his dream of becoming an apprentice and Wolff Power has found a hardworking and loyal employee,” she said.

Mr Kanjo has encouraged others to never give up on their dreams.

“My message to everyone who is struggling or maybe life has put them in some difficult situations while aiming to achieve their dreams is to never give up,” he said.

“There are thousands of doors out there, knock on them all, the worst reply you might hear is no, and ‘no’ is just a word.

“Out of all those doors you need only one yes and that is all you really need, only one yes to get it going,” Mr Kanjo said.