GROWING up in war-ravaged Sierra Leone, Francis Kamara was not allowed to leave his house. As bombs exploded around him, Francis and his mother feared for their safety.
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“I was relatively well off, but there were so many children were without arms and legs – they had been amputated,” Francis said.
The 17-year-old Mater Dei Catholic College student moved to Australia in 2006 and this weekend will address the community for Refugee Week.
Francis initially faced racism and had to “adapt his behaviour to fit in”, but now excels.
In 2009 he made an emotional return to his home country which has “struggled to recover from the war”.
“The are still trying to rebuild and there is still a huge amount of damage,” Francis said. “A lot have really suffered. I saw friends in 2009 and I ended up giving them most of my clothes, it was difficult and sad.”
Francis acts a mentor to young refugees in Wagga. “Many of them have seen more than I have, but I want them to know they are not alone.”
