Black Candy: Reinvent Yourself by Walking the Australian Dream

By Angelo Raza

Sick of being treated like a foreigner in his home country of Madagascar, Fanoo decides to emigrate to Australia with his family in the quest for freedom and a chance to pursue his dreams. It was an adventure far beyond anything he could have imagined. A thrilling journey full of perilous situations that combine uncertainty and despair with hope

• Language: English
• Publisher: Author Academy Elite
• Release date: Nov 21, 2019
• ISBN: 9781640859777

Angelo Raza

Angelo Razafimamonjy, raim-pianakaviana, teratany Malagasy, mpifindra monina any Aostralia, ary "mpampiofana ireo maniry hanatanteraka ny nofinofiny", dia olona mafana fo amin'ny fanohanana ny hafa ho tafita amin'ny fiainana. Amin'ny maha mpanoratra, mpandaha-teny, ary mpampiofana azy dia nanampy olona maro izy hisedra ny tsy rariny amin'ny fiainana, hitondra fiovana sy hanefy ny tenan'izy ireo, ka nanampy azy ireo hanatanteraka ny nofiny. Niasa tao amina tanana kely fitrandrahana harena an-kibontany i Angelo, tany an-tanindrazany, Madagasikara. Nahatsiaro ho vahiny-tompontany mandrakariva anefa izy tao anatin'izany. Ny talentany, ny fanampian'ny mpiray tanindrazana aminy, ary ny finoany no nanampy azy hamadika ny fahasosorany ho hery hananavao azy. Tia mizara ny hafaliany tamin'ireo namany i Angelo sy ny ankohonany, miaraka amin'ny gitara sy ny tonotono. Manasa anao izy anio hanefy ny fiainanao mba ho olombaovao vonona hanatanterahana ny nofinao ianao. Mifandraisa aminy amin'ny : www.blackcandyoz.com

Book preview

Black Candy

Endorsement

"Black Candy is an ultimate Change Management case study, perfectly disguised in a family adventure story. It is a must read for those who are looking for a fresh start." ~ Kary Oberbrunner, author of Your Secret Name, The Deeper Path, Day Job to Dream Job, and The Elixir Project

This is an informative primer for those who want to migrate to Australia from a country of entirely different demographics… A proud moment for all migrants in the Northern Territory ~ Dr Edwin Lourdes Joseph JP, President of Multicultural Council of the Northern Territory (MCNT)

This book is a very detailed and good depiction of the many expectations and challenges associated with moving to a new country. I could relate strongly to some of your stories, having moved countries myself! Madeleine Faught, Chair of Rainforest Rescue, NSW, Australia

An inspirational book that traces a man that never say No to adverse circumstances because he knows he can overcome the odds ~ Mr Sungkheng Er, Singapore

A charming account …, Kathy Hawley, Darwin, Australia

Your story is just great, Belinda, Nigeria

So inspirational...!, Roxy Nicole, USA

Book Review

It took me a while before I got the flow of the story. At first, I thought it was a collection of short stories until it dawned on me that it’s a collection of significant events that encompassed the struggle of an immigrant. It’s a story about ambition, the bravery to push through with it, and the difficulties that Black Candy faced. It is well-written. It was almost diary-like to me. The author was able to set the tone of the story in a way that it was easy for the reader to empathise with him. You can almost hear the calm in his voice. The desperation. The frustration. The resistance to give up. He went through a lot and quite frankly, if I were in his position I would’ve been scared for my life. Having a family with no job in a strange place where racial discrimination is rampant is such a big gamble to make. It took the main character a long while before he was able to adjust, but as we go on with the story, I can’t help but admire his unrelenting spirit. There weren’t a lot of typographical errors and the ‘chapters’ were nicely arranged. It did not disrupt the flow in any way whatsoever.

Each chapter served as a catalyst for greater things that are yet to come for all of the characters. The story has its heavy moments, moments when the reader can sigh along with Black Candy, moments of dread, of despair, and of elation whenever a certain hurdle is conquered. It also put so much emphasis on the fact that you’re never really alone in your struggles and that there will always be people who are willing to help. It touched on so many realities in someone’s life that it was so easy to put oneself in Black Candy’s shoes.

Can’t say much about the blurb and the synopsis. It had the right amount of mystery and build up needed to stir the interest of the reader.

Dawn 885, Dubai

Coming soon...

Novels

Black Candy, Sounds of Hope

Black Candy, Nightmare Academy

Black Candy, The Great Sword

Black Candy, Next Generation

Kids books

Among the Waves, available in English, French and Malagasy

Among the Clouds

Among the Stars

Along the Roads

Among Nations

A Tree from Grandma

BLACK CANDY

Reinvent Yourself

Walking the Australian Dream

By

Angelo Razafimamonjy

This is a work of creative non-fiction.

All events in this book are based on my memory and perception. To protect the privacy of those involved, names and some details have been changed. This book has a safe content. Any similarity with the titles or names is a result of an absolute random coincidence.

Black Candy, Reinvent Yourself by Walking the Australian Dream

© 2019 by Angelo Razafimamonjy. All rights reserved.

Printed in the United States of America

Published by Author Academy Elite PO Box 43, Powell, OH 43035

www.AuthorAcademyElite.com

All rights reserved. This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorised reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without express written permission from the author.

Identifiers: Library of Congress Control Number: 2019916158 ISBN: 978-1-64085-975-3 (paperback) ISBN: 978-1-64085-976-0 (hardback) ISBN: 978-1-64085-977-7 (ebook)

Available in paperback, hardback, e-book, and audiobook

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.TM Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Any Internet addresses (websites, blogs, etc.) and telephone numbers printed in this book are offered as a resource. They are not intended in any way to be or imply an endorsement by Author Academy Elite, nor does Author Academy Elite vouch for the content of these sites and numbers for the life of this book.

Book design by AAE

Cover design by RebeccaCovers and Debbie O’Byrne

To my parents, who taught me to aim big

To my wife, who believed in my ability

to achieve and always stood next to me throughout all my adventures

To my wonderful children,

who bring sense to all my initiatives

To all people who dream for

a fair world and a better life

To those who have supported us along this

once in a lifetime journey to Australia

To my mysterious friend who was always around me since my first breath.

Table of Contents

Preface

List of Abbreviations

Part One: The Australian Dream

Chapter 1. I Will Give You the World

Thunder in the Restaurant

I Will Give You the World

Chapter 2. The Beginning

Lonely Loyal

Legendary Majunga

Makeover

Crocs Kids

Friends with Benefits

The Fiancee is Broke

Do You Want to Know my Secret?

Fine Jewel

Better Inside than Outside

Part Two: Leaving the Country

Chapter 3. Power of Dream

Dreamer! Let’s Make it Happen

What Matters is the First Step

Challenge after Challenge

Approved but no Longer Needed

Access Denied

One Fails, All Fail

Bribe or Wait

Nobody Wants my Car

Courageous Ella

One Door Closed, Another Door Opens

Deadly Long Wait

Chapter 4. Hard to Say Goodbye

Money, a Devoted Servant

Jealous

Faith in Action

The Achiever

Team Player

Happy, Under One Sky

Fading Out

Chapter 5. One Way Tickets

Australians in Madagascar

So Far, so Good

Sceptical

Discouraging News

One family, one Transaction

Too Good to Be True

Finally, Ella Flies Oversea

Load them all

One Adult, One Child

Off We Go!

Eat, Sleep and Watch

Chapter 6. Welcome to Australia

Legendary Perth Airport

30 Hours Layover

Crazy Beautiful Darwin

Quietly Brilliant

From One Angel to Another

NT Bus, Chirp and Rabbis

Part Three: Welcome to Worry Land

Chapter 7. After the Sea, The Desert

On the Verge of Homelessness.

Sheltered With No Job

Authentic Christmas

A Car from Santa Claus

Welcome to Worries Land

Black Man in the White World

Chapter 8. There is Always a Friend

Locked in Berrimah Farm

Someone Saved my Day

My Story, My Last Asset

New Era of Freedom.

Chapter 9. Staying Alive

Watching Our Migration Footprint

Blank Night

Neo-Racism

Where There is Life, There Is Hope.

Chapter 10. The Winner Inside You

Loser

Never Ending Troubles

I Won an iPad

Give It a Try

Part Four: Live The Life

Chapter 11. Set to Live Decently

Strange Turn

Low Capacity, No Job

Congratulations, Mate!

Wonderful Week

Chapter 12. Storm and Sunshine

A Night in Hospital

Spoiled

We Got Our Name on It.

Back Side of the Coin

Chapter 13. Great Milestone

Eligible for Permanent Residency

Holiday in Madagascar, a Must.

Big Family’s Packing Up

Plague Alert

Ready to Go

Part Five: Burden of the Past

Chapter 14. Changi Rat Race

Saving the Trip

New Hope

Bitter Birthday

Chapter 15. Welcome to Singapore

For Now, This Land is Yours

Forget about It

Transaction Charges

Fine

Pay Your Debt

Hope Around Travel Insurance

Have Fun, Just Fun!

Something Nice in the Horizon

Disappointment in Madagascar

Amazing Tour

Goodbye Orchid Paradise

Chapter 16. Back to Square One

What Is Next?

Work Straight Away

NT Discovery, Kakadu

Part Six: Transformation

Chapter 17. Meditation

Dual Identity

Visa for Life

I Have Learnt

Chapter 18. Six Months Later

Preface

Have you seen black candies? They are dark in colour, but they bring luxury to your everyday life. So am I; I have a lot to offer society. I might have been distanced from the community for many reasons—the colour of my skin, being indigenous, my past, or even my skill—but I cannot remain so forever. I will stand for my dignity and walk toward my dream for a fair world and a better life; not by complaining, but by taking my future into my hands. Sometimes it seems impossible in a biased modern society, but remember—all it takes are dreams, faith and a handful of genuine friends.

Loneliness is one of the most significant problems of modern society, although technology allows us to have thousands of friends on Facebook (FB). Why are we then still lonely? Why can’t we reach higher levels of confidence to make changes in our lives? It’s because clicking ‘like’ or ‘sharing’ does not replace physical engagement. Real friends are the ones who are ready to stand with you in hardship, tell you the truth when you are wrong and be there to celebrate your successes.

I am writing this book to give thanks to all those friends—Malagasy or foreigners—for their help throughout my quest for a better life in Australia. You brought me the confidence to move forward to make my dreams come true. You were there when I left Madagascar, you were near when I struggled to settle in Australia, you saved me when I was stuck in Singapore and you celebrated when my family and I managed to return to my home country. You did not deny me for my skin colour, so you deserve my delight.

Angelo Razafimamonjy alias Black Candy

List of Abbreviations

AMEP: Adult Migrants English Program

CD: Compact Disc

HR: Human Resources

JET: Job Education and Training

MCNT: Multi cultural centre of the Northern Territory

IELTS: International English Language Test System

UNDP: United Nations Development Program

Part One

The Australian Dream

Aim for change

1

I Will Give You the World

Thunder in the Restaurant

I had left the bank after queuing for hours to get advice about a Visa card. I needed this card to order parts online for my Land Rover. It was frustrating to see that foreigners have the privilege to get the best service in Madagascar, whereas all locals must struggle to satisfy their basic expectation as customers.

Foreigners drive the best cars; they fly whenever they want. They eat and drink in all the luxurious restaurant of the capital city and live in the best hotels and villas of the highest standing. You may think it is a stereotype. I don’t blame you. Come with me to revisit my experience of my evening in a restaurant at the capital, and you will understand how I feel.

My name is Fanoo Raza, and I like challenges. I am married to Ella, and we have three daughters. Sandy is thirteen years old, Grace is eight, Sissi is three and my unique son, Lolo, is two. I am a big dreamer and a sincere believer. Bear with me as our adventure is about to begin.

That night, I had an appointment with my Australian guest at a restaurant in Ankorondrano, Antananarivo. Arriving early was necessary to allow me to familiarise myself with the place. I was dressed decently, but once I took a step inside, people would stare at me because I was a Black Malagasy with mag hair. I took it easy, sat, and ordered an orange juice while waiting for my guest, Bob.

After a hearty meal, we had a little chat about the greatest attractions in Madagascar. I was busy praising the beauty of my country when a woman jumped into the conversation, and she started to enumerate