Adolf Mora: modelling the entrepreneurial spirit

Imagine having to leave your home country in fear of your life abandoning family and future prospects then coming to a new country, without knowing the language let alone another person. This is what is happening to many displaced persons around the world today but it happened to Adolf Mora in 2006.

While studying engineering in Jayapura, West Papua he became aware of the political situation of his people. His conscience aroused, he became active in protests against the ongoing Indonesian presence. It became apparent that it was too dangerous to remain in West Papua. He boarded a boat and with forty-three others made his way to Australia. Adolf and his companions reached North Queensland on 17th January 2006—a date they still celebrate.

They were taken to Christmas Island where the seriousness of the situation soon became apparent to officials. Adolf and his group were granted temporary protection visas and moved to Melbourne.

Adolf is deeply grateful for the assistance he received when he moved to Melbourne. Many people helped them settle in, so many Adolf says, that he could never thank them all properly. Adolf studied English through AMES and RMIT. The Red Cross worked with DHS to find transitional accommodation, a Baptist congregation offered housing for four months until a family from St Hilary’s, Kew took him into their home for two and a half years.

Adolf began working at Brunetti’s Café washing dishes. but he had higher aims and asked if he could be taught how to make coffee. He was given a chance and remembers the first coffee he made, “It was terrible!” he says now, but he was encouraged to persist.

Working with Ian Wallbridge at Anglicare’s Mission House, Adolf bought a coffee machine and turned it into a Coffee Cart with the help of St Hilary’s men’s shed.

Providentially, Fr Hugh Kempster and the social enterprise committee of the St Peter’s Charitable Foundation were looking for a project that would assist Lazarus Centre Breakfast Program participants learn skills that could possibly lead to employment.

Adolf now makes coffee for parishioners of St Peter’s following Sunday services as the social enterprise project continues to develop. Adolf sees the social enterprise as an exciting project and looks forward to sharing his knowledge, encouraging others and to seeing his own business grow.