Changing Lives and Giving Hope

Changing lives and giving hope - Horizon House Inspirational Story

After ten years in refugee camps in Tanzania and Kenya, Mtima found himself living in a car in Perth. Mtima had little hope for his future. But once he moved into Horizon House all that changed. In addition to long term, stable accommodation, Mtima received ongoing support for his education and employment as well as extra English tuition, which was vital for realising a brighter future in Australia.

“When I moved into Horizon House I was very excited and I thought ‘this is where I should belong, this is where I will find hope’, because before I had no hope, I was working hard but when I moved into Horizon House was when I started recovering,” Mtima says.

“Living in Horizon House has changed my life a lot, especially with my studies, because before I don’t think I would have been able to complete my year 11 and year 12 at high school. I was in a problematic situation and without the help of Horizon House I would not have been able to finish school.”

After two years in Horizon House, Mtima is now living independently. He is engaged to be married and plans to start further education. Mtima is not sure what would have happened to him if he had not been able to live in Horizon House. “If you are homeless, or in a situation that can lead to homelessness, Horizon House can help you from homelessness to independent living,” he says.

Like many of the other Horizon House residents in WA, Mtima took part in the Great Bike Ride last year. He found cycling improved his fitness and really enjoyed being involved in one of Perth’s most iconic mass participation cycling events.

“To ride in a group like that, with thousands of people was really nice, I used my bike all the time and the Great Bike Ride was fantastic,” Mtima said.

Your support for the Santos Great Bike Ride for Charity will help give hope to more young people who are at risk of homelessness in Western Australia.