Meet Innocent Munyantwali - Rags to Riches
In 1983, Innocent Munyantwali moved from his homeland of Rwanda to study geology overseas. When he returned in 1989, Munyantwali’s homeland was on the verge of a civil war. “It was like you couldn't believe. There were road blocks around the country and when the army or militias saw what you looked like, they wouldn't even ask you for identification; they would just kill you.” His “home country had turned to darkness.” Despite the civil war that was due to occur, Munyantwali married Charlotte in 1993 and escaped from Rwanda. They travelled to Congo, to Zambia, to Mozambique, and then to South Africa, before ultimately reaching Australia. In 2005, he was granted a humanitarian visa and he and his wife could finally live an ordinary life without war. In 2007, both Innocent and Charlotte became Australian citizens and now leave peacefully without living in constant fear of getting killed. “From nothing to what [they] have now, is a miracle. [They] feel safe in Australia and can live a normal life like [they] did in [their] old country before the war.”
Innocent currently works at OZ minerals located on the Prominent Hill copper mine in South Australia as a geologist after completing an Honours Degree of Bachelor of Science at Adelaide University. Charlotte has also finished her Bachelor Degree of Commerce at the University of South Australia.
Innocent currently works at OZ minerals located on the Prominent Hill copper mine in South Australia as a geologist after completing an Honours Degree of Bachelor of Science at Adelaide University. Charlotte has also finished her Bachelor Degree of Commerce at the University of South Australia.
“From nothing to what [they] have now, is a miracle."