Born, into Mundari Culture in Jayi, a village in Kerchomba, north of Juba in
South Sudan, Philip Lako’s childhood was marked by unimaginable hardship. At just
10 years old, he was forcibly taken by the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA)
under the guise of receiving an education. His parents were given ultimatum, by the
rebels group to give away one of their sons. Philip and his elder brother, Wani. Philip
became the choice and was taken.

He endured a decade of captivity, facing torture, beating, forced labor, sleep and
food deprivation, and was subjected to constant threat of death from lack of food,
aerial bombardments and attacks from Sudan Government Army. He lived in squalid
conditions, often sleeping on the ground with only hessian bags for warmth.
In 2000, Philip escaped to Kenya, where he spent four years in the Kakuma and
Dadaab Refugee Camps. The camps’ life presented its own challenges—scarce
resources, overcrowding, despair, indignity, lack of self-worth, unclear life’s sense of
purpose and emotional isolation. Yet, it was here that Philip began to rediscover
hope. In 2004, he was granted resettlement in Perth, Western Australia, through the
support of the UNHCR and the Australian Government.

Philip’s journey in Australia has been nothing short of transformative. He began
working in agriculture [Donnybrook], then transitioned into aged care and disability
where he worked as a support worker and a Trainer and Assessor. In 2008, he
entered the mining industry, after earning a Vocational Education Training
qualifications in Geoscience and later a Work Health and Safety Qualification.
Currently, Philip is working for a mining company as a Senior Safety Advisor and
provides ad hoc Training Services to a Western Australian Registered Training
Organisation (RTO) - facilitating the Statutory Position Training, Local Government
Industry Regulation Safety Exam Preparations Workshops, Incident Cause Analysis
Methodology (ICAM) investigations skills and other Safety Related short courses.

Philip volunteered for Mercy Care, St Vincent de Paul and is an active member of
the Perth Rotary which is engaged in social program across the state: Passage
Youth Hub , Path of Hope, Kimberely Dental Team and many other projects aimed to
improve the quality of human lives internationally.

Philip is a passionate advocate for refugees and migrants, using his personal story to
inspire and educate others. He has spoken at national conferences, including the
Catholic Youth Conference, and has worked closely with government agencies to
improve services for CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) communities.
One of his most notable contributions was initiating and engaging the then Western
Australia Premier Mark McGowan’s Government to consider and fund the Goldfields
Migrant Employment Program (GMEP) Kalgoorlie through the Goldfields Community
Legal Centre. The project aimed to promote job opportunities and regional living in
the Goldfields to metropolitan communities and assist with attracting and retaining
employees. The pilot program coordinated by Blessings Masuku, was very
successful and although, has officially ended, it continues to attract migrants
interstate many of whom now call Kalgoorlie [Goldfields] Home.

Philip has spoken across mine sites, corporates offices, Kalgoorlie and city councils,
Schools, Australia Home Affairs Office, WA Office of Multicultural Interest etc., where
he expressed appreciation to Australia for the life changing opportunity. Philip also
uses the opportunity to thank the mainstream Australian for their generosity and
invites them to get to know the newly arrived migrants better and not only rely on
media for information on refugees and migrants.

Philip’s public engagements attracted media outlets including ABC News and Radio
Programs, Kalgoorlie Miner, Eastern Reporter, Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA,
6PR Radio, WA Office of Multicultural Interest.

Philip thinks, the best way to integrate well and know the mainstream culture is to
have a network beyond one’s own culture.

Philip’s autobiography, The Ten-Year-Old Man, chronicles his life from child soldier to
Australian citizen, offering a powerful testament to resilience, faith, and the human
spirit. He continues to mentor youth, advocate for inclusive policies, and build
bridges between communities and government agencies.

His message is clear: “We are all human.” Through storytelling, service, and
leadership, Philip Lako reminds Australia—and the world—of the strength found in
compassion and the importance of giving hope to those who need it most.

Building Your Team’s “Why” Into Your Sales Playbook, with Jonathan Press, Director of Strategic Accounts at Galley