story of success
Hello,On this page, we feature stories of individuals who have achieved success despite facing challenges. Their journeys are a testament to the human spirit’s capacity for resilience, determination, and triumph. We hope these stories inspire and motivate you to pursue your own path to success
As a refugee child with big dreams, I hope they come true. My name is JENNIFER KANTARIAD , and I’m a 14-year-old Congolese student in Grade 10 at Integrity Academy School in Dzaleka. Born into a family of nine, I fled the Democratic Republic of Congo with my family due to insecurity and persecution. Tragically, my father was killed during his political mission, and our home was attacked. During our escape, two brothers and a sister went missing, and we still don’t know their whereabouts.
Our journey to Malawi was perilous. We hid in a maize truck and later transferred to another one, which brought us to safety. Upon arrival, we lived in a church for four years before being forced to move to the Dzaleka Refugee Camp due to local unrest.
Life in the camp has been challenging. Fetching water at night poses significant risks, and my mother has been poisoned three times. Despite these hardships, she’s a resilient person who learned tailoring at NTAW charity , an organization that has been instrumental in our lives. As someone passionate about design, I joined my mother in her training and benefited from free design lessons. NTAW charity has given me the opportunity to pursue my dreams, and I hope for continued support to achieve my goals.
Hello, I’m SALEM, a 21-year-old fashion enthusiast who discovered her passion for fashion at the age of 12. In 2016, my family and I fled the Congo due to insecurity and became refugees in Malawi. As I pursued my interest in fashion, I was unsure where to begin. However, everything changed when I met Gaddy, who mentored me in illustration design and introduced me to influential people in the industry, including the team at NTAW charity .
Ntawigane has been instrumental in my journey, providing me with valuable experiences and opportunities in the fashion world. Their mission, “Black Nation Together, For Attracting the World, With Fashion,” resonates deeply with me. Fashion has the power to inspire and give hope to millions, and I’m grateful to NTAW charity organization for showing me that my dreams are achievable with hard work, self-belief, and determination. I’m excited to see where my passion for fashion takes me, and I’m living proof that with effort and perseverance, nothing is impossible
My name is ATHALIA BENEDICTE from DRCongo, and I’m a designer with a passion for creativity, innovation, and designing new products. My mentor, Black, has been an exceptional teacher, and working with him has been an incredibly enriching experience. I’m grateful for the skills and knowledge he’s shared with me over the years. As I continue to grow and develop my craft, I’m excited to see where my passion takes me. With a focus on detail, style, and self-expression, I’m dedicated and determined to create fashion designs that inspire and uplift.
I’d like to share my story with you. Currently, I’m living in Malawi as a refugee, where I met my teacher in the camp. He was teaching students, and I joined his class because of my strong passion for designing. I’m grateful to have been one of his students. My dream is to become a renowned designer, and although it seems challenging while I’m in the camp, I’m hopeful that with determination and hard work, I can make it possible in the future.
As a refugee, I’m waiting for resettlement, and I hope that once my teacher and I are relocated to a new country, we can continue working together to achieve our dreams of becoming influential designers and inspiring others to believe in their own potential
Waseka Matunda Justine Plamedi
My name is Waseke Matunda Justine. I am a young Congolese girl and orphan who lost my beloved mother while living in Dzaleka Refugee Camp. Her passing was a turning point in my life, a painful experience that left a deep mark on my heart, but also taught me the importance of strength, hope, and perseverance.
Growing up in the refugee camp has not been easy. Each day brings its own challenges, but it has also made me resilient. I’ve learned to stand on my own, to keep going even when the future feels uncertain. Despite the hardship, I believe in myself in my uncles that I am left with as family and in the power of education and kindness to shape a better tomorrow.
I am passionate about learning, music, helping others, and becoming someone who can give back to the community that has shaped me. I carry my mother’s memory with me in everything I do, and I hope to make her proud by working hard and never giving up.
Thank you for taking the time to learn a little about me.
Esther Bulambo Alliance
My name is Esther Bulambo Alliance, a young Congolese girl and an orphan. I come from the Democratic Republic of Congo, a place where my life began but also where I faced deep loss. I lost my father in Congo, and because of the violence and instability, I fled with my elder sister and two brothers in search of safety and hope.
We arrived in Malawi and settled in Dzaleka Refugee Camp. Life here has not been easy. It became even more painful when my sister, the one who had been our mother-figure, our guide and protector, passed away in the camp. Since then, I have been left with only my two brothers. They try their best to support us, sending us to school… but every day is a struggle, we live a difficult and miserable life, with many challenges and few resources.
Despite everything, I remain strong and hopeful. I believe that my story does not end with pain. I have dreams, to study, to grow, and one day be a voice for other children and girls like me.