Burmese-born Loka Chanmi lived in a refugee camp in Thailand for two years, with his first child born there as fears about his future mounted. He was a political activist in Burma, part of student protests, and feared jail or torture if he returned to his homeland.
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He and his young family were granted refugee visas when they migrated to Canberra in 2000, and now Mr Chanmi runs the Cafe Ink next to the Woden library.
Those few lines summarise a remarkable 14-year-journey for Mr Chanmi who faced the formidable challenge of learning English, completing a diploma in cooking at the Canberra Institute of Technology and then working for a decade at eateries as varied as the Canberra Hospital, the Ottoman in Barton, Brindabella Cafe in the DFAT building and Brodburger at the glassworks before taking on Cafe Ink last year.
His daughter Konnyermon is now 15 and he and his wife, Mikhin, also have a son, born in Canberra, ''our Aussie boy'', 11-year-old Magadu. ''Life now is wonderful,'' Mr Chanmi, 42, said.
''I can speak the language and serve the people in the community, which is great. I have to say I'm a happy man now. I can't complain about my life compared to 10 or, 20 years ago,'' he said.
Mr Chanmi was able to run the cafe with some practical advice and support from Canberra's Companion House, the not-for profit counselling and medical service for refugees and asylum seekers which this year is celebrating its 25th birthday.
The facility's support includes housing assistance, health and nutrition programs, training for parents, as well as a range of counselling services.
A fund-raising dinner is being held on Friday at the National Press Club with guest speakers human rights lawyer Father Frank Brennan and Brumbies star Clyde Rathbone. Tickets for the event are available until close of business on Thursday.
Social Ventures Australia and Companion House also helped Mr Chanmi in the transfer of the business from its previous operator, Woden Community Service, and provided continuing business support. ''Companion House made a lot of difference for me; they connected me to lots of departments, so public servants knew they could come and get a coffee here,'' Mr Chanmi said.
Companion House, based in Cook offers a range of services to adults and children and not only for the new arrivals, but for those who have been here for years.
Companion House president Michael Brown said since 1989 the organisation's work had helped change the lives of people who had suffered from persecution, torture and war-related trauma.
''Companion House is, in some cases, the first compassionate, supportive and caring environment they have encountered in a long time,'' he said.
■ Tickets for the dinner are available until close of business Thursday at http://companion-house.eventbrite.com.au
