Growing up in civil war-ravaged Sudan has meant there has been trauma in my life. I chose to become a counsellor to help those who might have experienced the same kind of trauma.
I want to assist them in overcoming these challenges so they can experience new things and not merely relive their pasts.
My name is Ben Angalo, and I have been a counsellor and a CCAA member since 2015.
I became a Christian in early 1989, and as a young man, I lived life independently from my parents. I was searching for education, something every child deserves, but I was not granted it. I had to learn from my mistakes. Every time I fell, I had to get up and keep going.
I left my village at the age of 16 to go to Khartoum City in 1987. I came to Australia in 2004. For my tertiary study, I attended the Australian Catholic University in Brisbane, where I did a Social Science (Counselling) degree.
I lost an older brother during the war, and the trauma reinforced my decision to enrol in such a course. I always wanted to return to what life was like before the war.
I now travel back to Sudan every two years, where I run counselling workshops for groups and individuals. My counselling work in Brisbane nowadays is with people from diverse backgrounds.
During sessions, I often realise where a person’s faith might lie.
Knowing their spiritual background helps me incorporate that thread into my counselling technique and discern the right path.
Being part of CCAA has been an incredible journey with great colleagues and friend connections.