How one young Aussie surprised his mum with a new house for Mother's Day!
In an age where the thought of owning a home can feel more like a distant dream than a reality, we couldn't resist sharing this inspiring and heartwarming story. It's a story of hard work, dedication, persistence, and a young man's selfless love for his mother.
Meet Peri Ndakize, a 20-year-old young Aussie from Wodonga, Victoria, who promised his single mother, Esperance Ndakize, that he would buy her a house of her own—and he delivered on that promise just in time for Mother's Day.
Peri and his family moved to Australia as refugees from Congo in 2016, and after settling in Wodonga, they struggled to make ends meet. With his mother raising three boys on her own, the determined Peri knew he had to step up and be the man of the house. Homeownership became a symbol of security and stability for the family.
Working two jobs, Peri managed to save an impressive $50,000 in just 18 months! He spent his day working a full-time job from 7am to 3pm and then put in more hours with his ute and trailer, doing removalist jobs around the city until 7pm every evening.
Though juggling two jobs was extremely draining at times, Peri's love for his mother and the desire to make her happy kept him going. 'I just kept remembering why I started,' he shared.
Peri faced challenges securing finance at first, but with determination and persistence, he was eventually approved. Finally, the young tradie was able to surprise his mother with a lovely one-storey brick home in Wodonga on Mother's Day, fulfilling his promise.
Speaking of his mother's sacrifices, Peri said, 'Where we come from in Congo, it's very difficult to make a living, but she made a sacrifice for us to be here.' The house was a way of thanking his mother for all that she had done for him and his brothers.
Now, the family can have peace of mind, knowing that they have a stable home and will not have to worry about renting or being evicted.
For those unfamiliar with Wodonga, it's a town located on the Victoria-New South Wales border, a perfect spot for a fresh start. The current average price of a house in Wodonga is $530,000, up by 13% in the last 12 months.
In recent years, academics and researchers have looked into the strategies used by governments and non-government organisations to support newly arrived refugees in the process of integration. Researchers have also studied how refugees such as Peri, who rely on their personal skills and determination, can gain success with minimal external support. Overall, providing refugees with the resources and access to vital services to enable integration is key to any successful refugee settling program.
In addition to providing access to essential services, it is also important to consider the cultural elements of their integration. A successful integration process involves individuals being given the ability to express their values, beliefs and culture in new surroundings, as that provides an essential part of identity.
Peri's story serves as a gentle reminder to us all that with hard work, determination, love, and a little bit of luck, dreams can come true—even when they seem worlds away. So, to all our wonderful members, we hope this heartwarming story has inspired you to chase your dreams, no matter how far off they may seem.
Do you have a heartwarming story to share? What do you think of Peri’s gift to his mother? We'd love to hear from you!
Meet Peri Ndakize, a 20-year-old young Aussie from Wodonga, Victoria, who promised his single mother, Esperance Ndakize, that he would buy her a house of her own—and he delivered on that promise just in time for Mother's Day.
Peri and his family moved to Australia as refugees from Congo in 2016, and after settling in Wodonga, they struggled to make ends meet. With his mother raising three boys on her own, the determined Peri knew he had to step up and be the man of the house. Homeownership became a symbol of security and stability for the family.
Working two jobs, Peri managed to save an impressive $50,000 in just 18 months! He spent his day working a full-time job from 7am to 3pm and then put in more hours with his ute and trailer, doing removalist jobs around the city until 7pm every evening.
Though juggling two jobs was extremely draining at times, Peri's love for his mother and the desire to make her happy kept him going. 'I just kept remembering why I started,' he shared.
Peri faced challenges securing finance at first, but with determination and persistence, he was eventually approved. Finally, the young tradie was able to surprise his mother with a lovely one-storey brick home in Wodonga on Mother's Day, fulfilling his promise.
Speaking of his mother's sacrifices, Peri said, 'Where we come from in Congo, it's very difficult to make a living, but she made a sacrifice for us to be here.' The house was a way of thanking his mother for all that she had done for him and his brothers.
Now, the family can have peace of mind, knowing that they have a stable home and will not have to worry about renting or being evicted.
For those unfamiliar with Wodonga, it's a town located on the Victoria-New South Wales border, a perfect spot for a fresh start. The current average price of a house in Wodonga is $530,000, up by 13% in the last 12 months.
Supporting refugees through integration
As demonstrated by Peri Ndakize’s story, newly arrived refugees in Australia can face significant challenges when settling into a new country. For refugees, the integration process typically involves having access to employment and education opportunities, as well as language learning, financial assistance and other essential services. For refugees, the realisation of the importance of social and economic integration is essential to ensuring a successful transition into a new life.In recent years, academics and researchers have looked into the strategies used by governments and non-government organisations to support newly arrived refugees in the process of integration. Researchers have also studied how refugees such as Peri, who rely on their personal skills and determination, can gain success with minimal external support. Overall, providing refugees with the resources and access to vital services to enable integration is key to any successful refugee settling program.
In addition to providing access to essential services, it is also important to consider the cultural elements of their integration. A successful integration process involves individuals being given the ability to express their values, beliefs and culture in new surroundings, as that provides an essential part of identity.
Key Takeaways
- Peri Ndakize, a 20-year-old hard-working Aussie, surprised his single mother with a house for Mother's Day after arriving in Australia as a refugee seven years ago.
- After leaving high school, Ndakize promised to buy his mother a house and worked two jobs to reach his goal.
- Ndakize saved $50,000 in 18 months, allowing him to buy a one-story brick home for his mother.
- Esperance Ndakize left Congo in Central Africa with Peri and his brothers in 2016 in search of a better life in Australia.
Peri's story serves as a gentle reminder to us all that with hard work, determination, love, and a little bit of luck, dreams can come true—even when they seem worlds away. So, to all our wonderful members, we hope this heartwarming story has inspired you to chase your dreams, no matter how far off they may seem.
Do you have a heartwarming story to share? What do you think of Peri’s gift to his mother? We'd love to hear from you!