By Lani Oataway, 15 August 2026
Alain Mukungu thought moving to a town with the same name as a piece of fruit meant he had to become a farmer.
“Orange means it’s a farm where they are growing so many oranges,” he said with a laugh. “They want us maybe to go and do farming or something like that.”
After spending more than two decades in a refugee camp fleeing the war in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mr Mukungu said he was willing to move anywhere.
“Wherever they’ll take me, wherever I’ll go, I’ll accept,” he said. “At least I’ll be free.”
Mr Mukungu, his wife and seven children were met at Sydney Airport by a group of residents from Orange called Hearts and Hands.
They were a collection of everyday Australians who put their hands up to be a part of the Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Pilot (CRISP) program.
They drove the family back to the regional city, where Mr Mukungu’s first reaction was concern.
“I see the place is too small, is there any way I can work here?” he said. “I wanted maybe like in the big cities where there are companies [and] industries.”
But now, a year and a half on, Mr Mukungu works in social support services, has a driver’s licence and owns a car.
He is watching his family thrive in the regional community, as his children get their own licences and save for vehicles.
Read the full story via ABC News HERE.