MISSION
David’s Dream is a nonprofit aiming to help fight the hunger and education struggle of the children of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
OUR GOALS
Offer necessary food, education materials and clothing to the children in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Offer local educational resources to refugee children of Congolese descent in Polk County
Improve access to healthcare for women including maternity and feminine care
Support children and adults with physical and developmental disabilities
DAVID’S STORY
MY CHILDHOOD
My name is David. I am from the Village of Nyakisozi in Congo, Africa, and lived there until 2004.
My childhood was quite unlike the average American. We had no food, no shoes, and no books for our education. Every day some children walk three to four hours to and from school with no shoes for a chance at an education. My parents tried to provide, but the environment was quite hard to survive in. We were receiving help from Compassion International and UNICEF, among others, for things like educational supplies, food, and clothing. But when the war began, this help left us, and things fell into chaos.
THE WAR
I was 12 when the war began, and at age 13, I was taken to serve in the military like all boys of that age in the Congo. In the camp, we had no food and one morning I got quite sick. I fled the camp to return to my own village. But due to the army’s standard, my life was in jeopardy for leaving. My parents supported me leaving and we began making plans to get to another country for my own safety.
My family was placed in a refugee camp in Burundi in 2004. At 10 pm on August 13, 2004, our refugee camp was attacked in the Gatumba Massacre. The attack finally ended at 1 am. One hundred sixty-five people died, homes were destroyed, and children became orphans. I lost members of my family as well. My parents and I luckily got out safely.
MOVING TO AMERICA
In the end of 2005, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees began bringing survivors to America as refugees.
My family and I ended up in Virginia. But some of our village ended up in Iowa, which led my family to relocate to Des Moines. We had no English, no jobs, no clothing, and no items to keep our memories from the Congo.
FOUNDING DAVID’S DREAM
Currently I attend Des Moines Area Community College and work as an interpreter with a nonprofit organization. Because of these experiences, I felt I could provide more to my community. Outside of work and school I’ve spent many hours helping my people with green card applications, helping them understand the laws of the U.S., providing resources for medical and dental needs, and educating them about the American lifestyle.
As I started helping people in Iowa, I wanted to also support people in my village back in Africa. With a population of 1,200, people there are struggling daily to live. The war devastated the land, and parents have to leave to search for food each day.
Providing food, clothing and educational materials will help make a positive change in their daily life. I feel so motivated to bring this hope and new life back to my village by providing books, school supplies, recreational sports items and food.
DONATE
A donation of as little as $10 feeds one family in the Congo for a week. Even small gifts to David’s Dream help us work toward our goal of helping spread hope and strength for Congolese people not only here in Iowa but back home.