Abang Anade Othow

Born in Sudan during civil unrest, Abang spent her early years escaping war, living in refugee camps, and being separated from her family. She fled to Ethiopia and then Kenya before arriving alone in Australia at the age of 17. Despite disrupted schooling and the challenge of learning new languages, Abang went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Teaching — a remarkable testament to her resilience and determination.

During her time in Kenya, Abang found stability and inspiration through education. Encouraged by her teachers, she excelled academically, became head girl, and decided that education and personal discipline would be the key to rebuilding her life.

When she arrived in Sydney with just one pair of jeans, one top, and a piece of traditional African fabric, Abang had no family or support network and lived in a women’s shelter. A chance encounter with a talent scout led to an international modelling career, which she used to advocate for humanitarian causes. She became an ambassador for Red Cross Australia and New Zealand, and for Oasis Africa, raising awareness and funds for communities in need.

Driven by a deep belief in the power of education, Abang later returned to study, completing her teaching qualifications. For the past decade, she has taught students from migrant, refugee, and Indigenous backgrounds across suburban and regional schools in Australia. Today, Abang continues to inspire others through her teaching and speaking, using her extraordinary journey to show the transformative power of courage, education, and hope.