A unique weekend camp has been held on Victoria's Phillip Island, aimed at giving African men the chance of better bonding with their children.
Ahmed Abdulrahman says painful events before coming to Australia have left a mark on his son.
"We have a relationship, but this memory will be printed in his mind. He will never forget it."
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The organiser of the camp, Catholic Care, found many African men had problems finding time to be with their children.
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"Having them away for the weekend means they are totally focused on their kids, laughing with their kids, learning from their kids," says Kate McKernin from Catholic Care.
For Gasima Chol, the camp is an opportunity to know more about her father.
"We asked him questions we didn't know, like, 'What's your favourite memory from when you were my age?'".
The father and kids' camp also provides police the opportunity to build relations where there might once have been fear of authority figures.
Senior Constable Richard Dove say the attitudes of the group towards police changed considerably during the program.
"When I first began the program, they were looking at me quite suspiciously. 'Why is he here, what's he doing here', they were wondering. And by the end of the program I'm here to support the community, not just police them."
