Even as their last drop of water ran out, a hunger burned inside him to be free of the violence that had followed him ever since he could remember.

The 23-year-old has shared his story of survival as part of Refugee Week, which this year celebrates the courage of those who've been forced to flee their home country due to persecution.

Born in a small Afghan village, Mr Karimi grew up in a city on the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Plagued by sectarian war, Mr Karimi was forced to flee his home alone when he was 17.

"Too many people got killed in that war. Some of my relatives were also killed and everything was gone, the schools, the houses, the marketplace. I was not seeing any hope about my future there," he said.

Bundled onto a boat in Indonesia with 70 other asylum seekers, the three-day journey to Australia their captain promised turned into 10 days adrift on the underpowered, overcrowded vessel.

The passengers ate rice for seven days before they ran out of food. On the ninth day they ran out of water.

"We had just lost hope of life to be honest. Everyone was just thinking that we were lost in the sea and everyone was waiting for when death would come to them," he said.

But on the 10th day the boat was intercepted by an Australian navy vessel and brought to Christmas Island.

Mr Karimi said he "felt like a newborn" when he stepped onto Australian soil.

"I felt like I was just born with a new life, like God had gifted it to me. It was a really good feeling. Even when I was in Christmas Island I felt like that was OK because I had survived."

As an unaccompanied minor, Mr Karimi was placed with a family. He was taught English and swimming lessons by volunteers and treasured the feeling of peace that had been so fleeting in his former life

That feeling would not last though.

Mr Karimi would spend seven months on the remote island, unable to leave its gated community.

"At the beginning it was OK because I was new but when it came to be a long period of time there was a bit of frustration and depression," he said.

"You're just surrounded by fences for that long and as a result, being there for a long time, you can't take it you know?"

Mr Karimi was medicated for his depression and later moved to the detention centre at Darwin where he awaited the outcome of his visa application.

When the Australian government struck it down, his hope began to dim.

"I was feeling very sad and hopeless and I was in that shock, like 'when are they going to deport me'," he said.

His caseworker advised him to appeal his visa rejection and soon he was moved to a community detention facility in Canberra where he was finally able to attend school.

"I was a bit confused about my future because I was rejected and I wasn't taking trust in anything. But I tried to remain strong and taking hope in what next comes," he said.

Mr Karimi didn't give up on his studies and was enrolled in a special stream at Dickson College for refugees.

He finished his year 12 certificate six months early and enrolled in a community studies course at the Canberra institute of Technology.

He'd done some work experience in social work during his time at Dickson College and quickly found a job in the sector.

These days, Mr Karimi helps many vulnerable people in the Canberra, including other refugees and people who are homeless.

He said teaching others to stay afloat amid the despair that threatened in Australia's detention centre made him realise he could make a difference.

"I'd been in detention for a long time and when I was there I tried to help the case workers when there was conflict or the boys were depressed.

"I've experienced these things since my childhood, I've been through the war, I've seen the dead bodies, I've seen the bomb blasters. That actually made me strong and know how do deal with those people who are in need and who lost their loved ones back then because I'm in the same position."

He was afraid for those who remained in detention indefinitely but urged them to remain strong and keep sight of their dreams.

"We came by different boats but [we] are in the same boat," he said.

"I feel I have a bright future in Australia."