My first time visiting School of Hope after I arrived in
South Africa, I had the privilege of meeting a remarkable young man by the name
of Destino Nzonzidi from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I was blown away by how he overcame the
odds stacked against him.
This is Destino’s Story
My name is Destino
Nzonzidi. I came to South Africa
from DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo) in 2008. I was playing for the national soccer team in Zambia in
grade 12. We lost games in a
tournament and couldn’t go home because the fans were waiting to beat us when I
arrived. We feared for our lives.
My aunt told me I needed to go back to school, so I decided
to do that instead of pursuing a professional soccer career in South
Africa. I tried looking at
alternative schools to finish my education starting at grade twelve and was
placed in grade eight because my first language is French and I couldn’t speak
English very well.
When I started at grade eight in 2009, I failed. I tried again in 2010 and failed once
again. Someone suggested I go to
English school. I did that for two
months and when I finished, I came to School of Hope in 2011 and they enrolled
me in grade eleven!
I am a Christian and have always been one, even in DR
Congo. In addition to the teaching,
we have devotions every morning at School of Hope and it helps me know how
to deal with the day-to-day problems that come my way and remind me of who I am
as a person.
Is there a particular
person that went out of their way for you at School of Hope?
One person that greatly influenced me was a School of Hope
volunteer from England, Andy Lee, who also spoke French. He helped me when I had difficulty
understanding English and would translate for me. My marks improved and even though I’d failed grade eight in
another school, I was able to pass grade eleven with Andy’s tutelage.
What do you plan to do
after you graduate?
From here, I am pursuing a degree for three years and after
that I am willing to do my master and doctoral in Philosophy, Politics and
Economics (PPE) and at same time continue to run the political program I am
running now.
What do you see
yourself doing in the future?
I see myself in the senate and as the future president of DR
Congo, fighting for equality, peace and love for the whole continent of Africa:
- Equality for all of Africa in economical, politics and
social classes, whichever race you are.
- Peace for all of Africa, and to let the whole world know
that Africa is the home of war.
- And to love one other as Africans, love our visitors, love
our nations.
Additionally, I see myself participating in organisations
helping youth, like people have helped me.
What is the one thing
that School of Hope did for you that stands out most?
They gave me knowledge. I lost hope that I would graduate, but School of Hope gave
me hope and I started believing in myself. No matter what I am going through now and however big my
goals are, I am able to achieve them.
