From the Congo to the US

Every one of us has a story to tell. We all come from different people, backgrounds and cultures and no one knows your story – unless you are willing to share it. Some stories ignite, some stories inspire; some stories are so unique and intriguing they sound like they’re from another world. One student here at UMD has such a story. Jireh Mabamba may just seem like another normal student, but he comes from a world of differences. Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1994 to a well-known family of a local church, Mabamba grew up in a bit of a limelight. His dad was a pastor and a popular figure in the community.

“People looked up to my father,” said Mabamba. “Everyone knew him and everyone trusted him.”

When the Congolese rebel army started recruiting child soldiers in the area, his father was one of the first to resist. His parents led the resistance.

“My parents led protests in my city,” said Mabamba, “they knew it was risky but they did it anyway.”

It didn’t take long for the rebel army to hear of this movement and then pinpoint the head of it to Mabamba’s parents. Soon after, they were out to get his family.

“Out of the blue, everything changed,” Mabamba said.

In 2003, Mabamba’s family fled the Republic of Congo to South Africa.

“The journey was rough,” Mabamba said. “There was a lot of walking and a lot of sleeping in streets.”

In South Africa, his family found a “home” in the city of Durban. They spent weeks sleeping on church floors and in shelters.

“Shelter life is horrible,” Mabamba said. “I have some bad memories from some of the places we stayed in.”

Mabamba and his family were adopted by a Baptist Church that allowed them food and shelter. Eventually his dad was able to find work as a car guard, and Mabamba’s older sister began selling oranges on the street. The money earned from those two jobs was enough to get them going, and they eventually found an apartment. His family also fought and won their immigration case – making them legal. Life seemed to be coming together – but the hardship of school was upon him.

“I went to a government school, starting in fourth grade,” said Mabamba. “The teachers were sweet, but it was a school with a lot of foreigners from bad backgrounds. Oftentimes the foreign students fail.”

Everyone around Mabamba expected him to fail. The statistics pointed to it, his teachers anticipated it and the language barrier didn’t help at all either.

“I only spoke French,” Mabamba said. “I didn’t know a word of English or the tribe language, isiZulu, and because of that I was made fun of by other kids.”

Bullying and an expectancy to fail didn’t stop Mabamba though. Despite the odds, he passed his classes and went on to high school in grade eight. The Congo native was involved and successful. He learned English, joined many clubs and played basketball at a national level in sixth and seventh grade. His basketball talent earned him a scholarship to a very prestigious high school in Durban.

“It’s a very big deal to even make it to high school,” Mabamba said. “And here I was attending a very selective one. The former mayor of London went to this school.”

Mabamba walked 20 minutes to and from school each day.

“The walk was a little risky, I would have to walk through some questionable areas,” Mabamba said.

Once, Mabamba was attacked for wearing his school uniform.

“Because I was wearing my uniform, the people thought I had money. They threatened to kill me if I didn’t let them take my phone,” Mabamba said. “It was one of the scariest moments of my life.”

After that incident Mabamba stopped walking to school in his uniform, instead carrying it with him in a backpack and changing at school.

Throughout his high school career, Mabamba continued to play basketball and excel in his studies and involvement. He also was on the rugby and track teams, involved with the Rotary club, vice president of the student government and was a part of the Toast Master International Club, where he later took third place at a national speech event. For his senior year he received another scholarship that allowed him to live in the boarding school housing on campus.

His success earned him the attention of his academic advisor, who introduced him to the opportunity of the exchange student program in the United States. This eventually brought him here to Duluth, where he would see snow for the first time. Mabamba attended East High School from 2012 to 2013.

At UMD, Mabamba started UMD’s first Rotaract Club, which has created many service opportunities. He was also involved in the Student Association and is currently a resident advisor on campus.

“It’s important for me to remember that I’ve been given so much in my life – and it’s only fair that I give back,” Mabamba said.

Mabamba is expected to graduate in 2017 and will be the first of his siblings to receive a college degree.

BY AISLING DOHENY

Staff Reporter

 

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