My story

Akuol Garang is a young Sudanese-Australian woman living in Melbourne, studying human rights law and advocating for her community, multiculturalism and for people seeking asylum in Australia.

She has been on SBS TV news and is an emerging writer and public voice. Akuol is part of ASRC’s Advocacy and Power Program Melbourne.

Here she writes about her experience of creating a stylised video telling her story as part of the Advocacy and Power program.

“It is a story about hope and resilience. It shows that, regardless of what life throws at you, there is always light at the end of the tunnel.”

This video was filed during a workshop training for APP participants. I was given the opportunity to share my story – it was an interesting experience because I never once stopped to think that I had a story to tell or that people would be interested in hearing about my story.

It also made me realise the struggles and sacrifices that my parents faced and everything that they gave up just so that I could have a good life.

It is a story about hope and resilience. It shows that, regardless of what life throws at you, there is always light at the end of the tunnel and when given a second chance in life, everything is possible.

I was given a chance second change in life. With this second chance, I now want to give back to the community that once gave back to me.

Follow Akuol on Twitter at @AkwolGarang1.