Australia has really been the “lucky country’’ for Ruzbeh Navzer Chinoy, who arrived here from India 22 years ago.
He had with him all of his possessions, which fit into just two bags.
“I used my father’s pension money to come to Australia and I am so happy I made that decision,’’ he says now from his business, Le Grove Café, located inside the beautiful Fashion Spree retail centre.
So happy that only a month after running Le Grove Café, Ruzbeh has jumped at the opportunity to give back a little to the country he now proudly calls home.
This Friday, August 4, one dollar from every coffee sold at Le Grove Café will help local homeless people.
That’s because Le Grove Café will be participating in StreetSmart’s CafeSmart initiative which raises funds for local homeless services.
“I want to raise $1,000 and if I don’t make it through coffees I will make up the difference from my pocket,’’ says Ruzbeh.
He was just 21 when he left his family back in India and headed to Australia.
Ruzbeh was keen to study hospitality but it was a very difficult thing to do in India more than 20 years ago.
“Things are better now, but not back then when I wanted to go to university in India,’’ he says.
“Things were really tough for us when I was growing up.’’
After arriving in Australia not only did he complete his hospitality degree but went on to gain a masters in commerce.
He also met a girl who came here from Slovakia, they got married and had two children, a boy and a girl, who are aged 9 and 7.
After stints in companies such as Ribs and Rumps and Rashays, he decided to have his own business.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“I am just so grateful to Australia, it has been so wonderful for me, it really is the lucky country,’’ says Ruzbeh.[/social_quote]
“That is why I would like to give back, to contribute, and this Friday’s initiative is so good because all the money raised stays local and helps local people.’’
So if you’re around Fashion Spree this Friday, pop in and say hello to Ruzbeh and his friendly staff at Le Grove Café.
But don’t just say hello: order a coffee or two to help Ruzbeh raise as much as possible for local homeless people.
If you would like to know more about this fundraising initiative visit http://streetsmartaustralia.org/cafesmart/
