The African Next Door

Inspirational Speaker in Kallangur, QLD
Travels Nationwide
From $350 to $25,000
Available on Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
68 people have checked out this act in the last fortnight. Calendars book up fast!

Patrick lived his life as a refugee for over 10 years in Kakauma Refugee camp. As a young child, He always had a reoccurring dream, this dream was to live in a place where there wasn’t constant death. Where He could eat as much as his heart and stomach desired, without worrying about what to eat the next day. One day, Patrick received a once in a lifetime ticket. An opportunity per say, a dream come true, to migrate to Australia. He thought this was it! However, he would soon learn that the grass isn't necessarily greener on the other side. Hire Patrick and hear a tale of hope, perseverance and self-belief. A young mans treacherous journey from a refugee to an Australian citizen.

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Reviews

Emma's Office Party in Coolum Beach, Aug 2023

Patrick was brilliant and so accommodating to our topic and questions- we loved hearing from him at our staff retreat. He has an incredible story, and is so personable. Thank you so much Patrick for your vulnerability and for sharing your passion for a better world.

Taylor's Lesson in Sunnybank, Jul 2023

Patrick is remarkable. I invited Patrick to speak to my Year 7 students about his experience as a refugee to help the students gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and hardships refugees face in their pursuit of asylum here in Australia. Both myself and the students were so grateful to Patrick for sharing his story with us so openly and generously. He had my Year 7 students totally captivated with his inspirational story, and his personal account provided them with a unique insight into his life in South Sudan and the circumstances that compelled him and his family to seek refuge. The courage and determination he exhibited throughout his journey helped the students to better understand the importance of compassion, and the transformative impact we can have when we act with kindness, and open our hearts and invite people from diverse backgrounds to share their stories. We are so grateful to have hosted Patrick at our College and look forward to welcoming him back in the future!

More Reviews

Alex 's Corporate Event in Mooloolaba, Mar 2023

Patrick was very raw and honest and easily captivated his audience as he shared his experiences with us. He has an amazing story and I would highly recommend him to anyone!

Julie's Parade in Holland Park , Jan 2023

Recently we asked Patrick to speak to our year 11 cohort (310 students) with a theme of Leadership without a Badge. Patrick was the ultimate professional. He adapted his presentation to narrow in on what we had been exploring with the students. They connected with his message perfectly. Year 11 Students Patrick Onek, or more commonly known as the "African Next Door" visited our school to give an absolutely awe-inspiring and motivational speech. His speech was engaging and taught us many lessons about leadership. We are extremely grateful for him teaching us that a leader is not always the loudest and most confident one, but maybe the quieter person. After his speech I am sure that many people in our class had the courage to come to their final decision to become a leader. Thank you from 11E Thank you Patrick you have inspired many of the students to lead without a badge and given a number of them confidence to apply for leadership positions next year.

David's Corporate Event in Sydney, Oct 2022

Patrick was the guest speaker for our recent Diversity and Inclusion event. Patrick was awesome at presenting his life experiences and was very interactive and engaging with the audience. We had plenty of positive feedback from the team who found Patrick's story very captivating and relevant from outlining the benefits of having an inclusive and diverse workplace. I would recommend Patrick to present at future events.

Sam's Corporate Event in Kearney's Spring, Oct 2022

It was wonderful to have Patrick present at our recent mental health day for staff. Patrick was engaging, warm, humorous, and was incredibly generous in his sharing of his life experiences. We had lots of feedback from the team who found many aspects of Patrick's story compelling, challenging, and relevant.

More Info

With 12 years of public speaking experience, Patrick will deliver a presentation with interactive sections and real-life examples from his own personal experiences. The presentations are tailored to audiences of any age. Book Patrick now as his calendar fills up fast.

These are the categories of entertainment or other services offered by The African Next Door.

Bullying Speaker

Corporate Speaker

Culture Speaker

Diversity & Inclusion Speaker

High School Speaker

Inspirational Speaker

International Speaker

Keynote Speaker

Leadership & Success Speaker

Motivational Speaker

Resilience Speaker

School Speaker

Work-Life Balance Speaker

Any set up is ok.

Motivational Speaking
Keynote Speaker
Resilience
Diversity and Inclusion

Resilience
- Patrick will deliver an inspiring presentation on remaining resilient in the face of adversity. He will share is trials and tribulations endured during the most challenging moments of his life and show the audience that if he can do it then they too can achieve such great feats. (Suitable for all Audiences)

Immigration
- Most young people don't know the process of migrating into another country. Patrick will share vivid accounts of the challenges that he had to endure when immigrating into Australia. He will share the journey from the start to the end. (Suitable for students studying immigration,)

Self-Belief
- In this presentation Patrick will venture with the audience on a journey of getting them to realize their true potential. Patrick couldn't speak English when he first arrived in Australia. This proved to be a challenge when It came to reading and writing. However, with perseverance and self-belief and determination, he has not only completed a bachelor but he has also received his master’s in management. (Suitable for all Audiences)

Anti- Bullying:
As someone who has overcome personal experiences with bullying, I am driven to make a positive impact on the lives of young students and equip them with the tools they need to overcome adversity.

I understand the challenges that schools face in addressing bullying and fostering a safe, inclusive environment for students. That's why I’m dedicated to providing engaging and impactful motivational talks that instill resilience, empower students, and promote a culture of kindness within your school community.

My presentations are carefully designed to resonate with students of varying ages and backgrounds. By drawing on my personal experiences, I strive to create a highly relatable and memorable experience for your students. I firmly believe that resilience is a key factor in combating bullying, and through my talks, I inspire students to discover their own inner strength and encourage them to embrace empathy and kindness toward one another.

What sets me apart is my interactive approach. Rather than simply delivering a lecture, I create an engaging environment that captivates students' attention and encourages active participation. Through thought-provoking discussions, interactive exercises, and real-life anecdotes, I leave a lasting impression on your students, inspiring them to be agents of positive change in their school and community.

I have a working with Children Blue Card.