A brief Autobiography of Mr
Fayia Isaiah Lahai
My name is Mr Fayia Isaiah Lahai (Isaiah). I am a former refugee from the Republic of Sierra Leone, but now citizen of Australia. I arrived in Australia in November 2006, after fleeing Sierra Leone due to civil war and spent 14 horrible years in many refugee camps in Guinea, West Africa. I am a father of 5 children and married to one wife and I am currently residing in Victoria, in the Officer Suburb with my family.
Growing up in my native Sierra Leone, I never imagined I could reach a country like Australia. Even though life was not completely perfect, I was however, comfortable with what my parents had at that time. However, my joy ended one unforgettable day (23 of March 1991); when a civil war entered my country of birth Sierra Leone. For 14 horrible years, I lived from one refugee camp to another. Peace was nowhere to be found. Everything around me was a failure. I
searched for hope and a brighter future, but they were nowhere to be found. Close families were killed, carnage and anarchy were the order of the day in Sierra Leone. There was no safety, and everyone was fleeing for his or her life. In the process of escaping the war, I was left behind by my parents. I walked for three days and three nights to reach safety in neighboring country Guinea, where I met my parents. Throughout my youthful life, I was moving from one refugee camp to another and peace was nowhere to be found. Today, I am very thankful to God Almighty, to the Australian community and my sister Ms. Hawa Lahai, for giving my family a second chance to a much brighter future.
I never thought I would live in a developed nation like Australia, or to one day attain a graduate certificate from a reputable university in my life. However, in 2014, I graduated from the University of Tasmania with a Bachelor of Social work degree. My success in becoming the first person in my generations to attain such a level in education, motivated me to become a philanthropist. I am currently engaged in building schools and helping vulnerable children in Africa to attend school free of charge. From a community perspective, I have been involved into many aspects of the Australian community, especially while I was living in Tasmanian. I served as People of Australia Ambassador representing Tasmania on grass-root multicultural issues at federal level from 2012 to 2014. I chaired the Multicultural Policy Review Reference Group for the Tasmanian Government in 2013. I am a former chairperson of the Sierra Leone/Liberia Union of Hobart 2009 to I am a founding member of the African Communities Council of Tasmania. I also served as a member on the Advisory Council on Multicultural Affairs advising the Premier of Tasmania. During my time of study at the university, I was an active contributor to initiatives in assisting refugees and migrant students in their transition to university at the Sandy Bay Campus.
Collection of Photos
from my Australia Experience
My commitment towards the wellbeing and diversity of the Tasmanian community especially the African community, was demonstrated by my devotion of time and effort to several voluntary activities such as: volunteering with the Trans-cultural Mental Health program at the Phoenix Centre; volunteer and member of the Migrant Resource Centre Southern Tasmania; volunteer with Amnesty International Hobart; volunteer with The Australian Red Cross of Hobart and many other Non-Governmental Organizations. I also served as a member of several working groups in Southern Tasmania, aimed at addressing issues affecting newly emerging communities. For example, I positively engaged with the media, the police and the wider community in realising social inclusion, tolerance and social cohesion in Tasmania.
I enjoyed sharing my refugee journey and stories with schools, organizations, businesses and the wider Australian community. I have spoken at over 200 venues in Australia, especially in the states of Tasmania and Victoria. I visit learning institutions, communities, businesses and aged care facilities to share my stories. As a Human Library, I allow people to read me as a human book through the sharing of my stories, culture and journey to Australia. I believe that sharing stories with the community is a powerful way for us to establish change in the wider society. In fact, Australians can easily walk with you in your shoe if they hear your story
My service to the Australian community has been acknowledged in many ways as shown below:
Recipient of Citizen of the Year Award in Tasmania
Champions award for promoting the African Community in Tasmania
National Finalist, Pride of Australia Medal Award in the Category of Fair Go
The Vice-Chancellor’s Leadership Award, University of Tasmania
Recipient of Human Rights Award for my engagement with the culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities in Tasmania
Salt of Hope Foundation
Our charity foundation
Currently, our charity, “Salt of Hope Foundation” – https://saltofhope.org/ is sponsoring school projects in Sierra Leone.
We have built one primary school and also sponsoring others with learning materials. I believe if we are to achieve a positive change in this world, the change should start with us. Moreover, I also believe public speaking is unique platform for me to reach out to the community. Thus, I hope to do my little best to help change lives in Australia.
In 2016, I completed a four months training in professional public speaking through the Asylum Seekers Resource Centre (ASRC) – https://asrc.org.au/take-action/speakers-program/ in Victoria. The knowledge and insight gained from the four months training and my experience in telling my stories has empowered me to do more in Public Speaking.
In 2025, I enrolled as a student with the Speakers Institute – https://www.speakersinstitute.com/ to further enhance my professional public speaking skills. I hope to soon gain a much-refined foundation needed to sharpen my skills and experience in public speaking. I am currently visiting schools and community organizations in Victoria to share my stories and lived experiences as a former refugee Sierra Leone.
I am a registered member as a Rotarian with the Glenferrie Rotary Club in Melbourne – Victoria. I am a Social Worker, a Disability Support Worker and a Philanthropist with a significant desire to help vulnerable children around the world.
