AUSTRALIA — Sam Eisho, an Assyrian Iraqi refugee, who first settled in Australia in 1999, after fleeing Saddam Hussein’s regime, repaid the country’s government over $18,000, after becoming a successful businessman.

Sam Eisho

Eisho says that he felt it was his obligation to pay the government back the money in welfare assistance he collected from 1999 to 2001, which is before he started the construction company he now operates. 

He came to Australia 11 days after marrying his wife in 1996, and was 28-years-old at the time. The civil engineer initially lived with his uncle, who is a doctor, when he first arrived. 

Today, he is the managing director of SR Construction and a successful businessman. His company employs over 40 people and has more than 100 sub-contractors. He came to the country legally, after gaining asylum in Greece.  Eisho made a check out to the Collector of Public Money for $18, 641.43.