Jeremi recently caught up with Belinda Mackowski and spoke about his work with Echo International Aid and his passion to help refugees. “It has now been two years and Echo has sent two young people to university, completed three citizenship’s for stateless individuals, financially supported three families and funded supplies for a school at a remote Karen village,” he said. Pictured with Myanmar refugee All Naing Htoo who he helped find work at Ferntree Gully Hyundai and Kia. See the feature in the Knox Leader.
The Upwey resident quit his job and travelled to Thailand in 2013 hoping to help in a meaningful way.
Mr Wallace lived in the jungle near the border between Thailand and Myanmar, which was previously known as Burma.
Mr Wallace worked with Burmese communities displaced by civil war and met many people living in limbo as they had no home to go to in Myanmar.
“I forged the most beautiful relationships that will last forever,” he said.
When he returned home, Mr Wallace set up Echo International Aid — a nonprofit organisation to help displaced refugees.
“It has now been two years and Echo has sent two young people to university, completed three citizenships for stateless individuals, financially supported three families and funded supplies for a school at a remote Karen village,” Mr Wallace said.
Mr Wallace recently supported 21-year-old All Naing Htoo to gain employment at Ferntree Gully Hyundai and Kia, the first of what he hopes will be an ongoing support program for Myanmar refugees.
Mr Htoo spent seven years in a refugee camp on the border with Thailand. When he was 15, Mr Htoo, his parents and five siblings were all relocated to Australia.
Mr Wallace said since being given a chance at the car dealership, Mr Htoo had flourished.