Motto: Hope for the Future
CULTURAL PERFORMANCE
Mr Joseph Samura
Joseph Samoura is the Founder of the Destiny Centre for Destitute (DCD) and the Destiny English Academy (DEA) Foundation in Koliady-1, Kindia region, Conakry Guinea, West Africa.
The DCD and the DEA were founded in 2014 with the aim of transforming lives of vulnerable children for a better future through education and humanitarian assistance. Joseph and his team aim to expand through vocational and skill training so children can be self supporting and live independent lives. They work with orphans, semi-orphans, destitute and others from very poor homes with no proper shelter, food and medical attention.
We seek support to build a home and new school for the children. We face everyday challenges in the exiting inadequate buildings we renting for the school.
We need a home where we can give the children proper care, security and love.
The cultural day was organised so the children could share their stories both from their past experiences and present conditions. Some of these children came from very poor homes with sad stories and some are totally orphaned and destitute. During the DEA Cultural Program, the children explained about their different tribes in Guinea and Sierra Leone. They discussed the cultural and traditional beliefs which seriously affect the children and youth today.
Below are some of the stories the children shared during the event.
THE TWO BROTHERS
We are two brothers who were living in the street for 3 years after the death of our father; our mother was asked to remarry an old man in the village who was married to 4 wives.
Our mother refused to marry the old man and she was given two conditions to either marry the old man with 4 wives or leave the village with her children. With that stress, our mother lost her life. My brother and I decided to leave the village and come to Kindia and live in the street.
We were in the street for 3 years before we met Joseph Samoura who we saw in the market area with two other men. They came to buy some food. We asked them to help us with some food to eat and they gave us enough food on that day.
Later, Mr. Samoura was passing near the uncompleted building where we pass the night. We saw him and ran to greet him. We thanked him for the food on that day. He asked us where our parents were and why we were living in this building with no door and window. All our answer was crying. We asked him to take us home so we can have some food to eat and explain ours situation better and why we decided to live in the street. He took us home, but his home was full of other destitute children and there was not enough space for us.
He called one man who was working with him as board of directors of the DCD and the DEA. Tht man came and took us home and we are now staying happily with him and attending Destiny English Academy.
Our sadness and crying has gone through Mr Joseph and his team and also Papa John and Papa Joe from America. We thank and appreciate them a lot for supporting us.
Elizabeth Mansaray
Hello every one, my name is Elizabeth Mansaray.
I'm here to tell you some part of my sad story. I was born without knowing my biological father. According to my mom, my dad was blind and usually held his stick to walk around the community, and market places begging for food to survive.
While my mum was pregnant my dad fell sick and died in the house with no proper medical care. Later when my mum gave birth to me she was also moving around to people who knew my late dad begging for food for herself and her baby.
A few years later my mum was going round washing clothes and cleaning toilets and houses to ern a living. Later, She fell sick and died.
After the death of my mother, a woman pretendied to be a good person and saviour. She took me back to Kindia city where she was using me like a slave in her house. While she was seriously beating me, a man call Mr Joseph Samoura (the Founder of the DCD and the DEA Foundation) passed by and saw me crying with blood running my back, He asked and i explained what I'm going through in this woman's home. Mr Joseph tried to intervene but the woman was still angry and told Mr Joseph that it’s OK. He can go.
In the night she pushed me out of the house and closed the door while I was crying outside and begging. I searched for Mr Joseph’s address. Finally I located the school where I met him and cried. He took me in. I was able to eat enough food and sleep well.
Today I'm going to school and living happily through the help of Mr Joseph Samoura and the support of Papa John Shanahan and Papa Joseph Kerwin from the USA
Aminata Sesay
Hello! My name is Aminata Sesay; I was living in a small town near Conakry, Guinea. I was living a happy life and my dreams were as big as the sky above. One afternoon, everything changed. My father, a hardworking man who was the pillar of my family, was killed in a tragic car accident. The news shattered my world. In the days that followed, my mother, once full of peace, love and laughter, became a shadow of sorrow. My family’s financial stability went to zero.
The once lively home became a place of sorrow. I was alone, wandering the streets, looking for help. I missed my father, his laughter, and the way he made me feel safe.
One day, while I was sitting on a bench under a mango tree crying for food, Mr. Joseph, a kind-hearted man who ran the Destiny Center for Destitute came by. He approached with a gentle smile. After hearing my story, he felt a compassion for me and my mother.
Mr. Joseph took me under his wing and brought me to the Destiny Center. It was a place filled with hope, laughter, and the promise of a new beginning. It provides education, emotional support, and a nurturing environment for children who had hardships.
In the heart of the Destiny Center, I found not just a place to live, but a family, a future and the courage of dreams again. Ny relationship with my mother began to heal. My mom was inspired by my transformation; she found the strength to seek help. With the support of the Destiny Center, we attended counselling sessions together, learning to navigate our loss and re-discover the love that had always bound us together.
Years later, I stood before a crowd at our cultural day performance showcasing my talents. I spoke passionately about the importance of community and support. Mr. Joseph watched proudly, knowing that he had played a part in my transformation. I want to say many thanks and appreciation to Mr Joseph Samoura the Founder of the DCD and DEA and the key umbrellas of the centre Papa John and Papa Joseph in the United States.
Mamadu Jumah Bah
Hello everyone, my name is Mamadu Jumah Bah. I'm here to share my story with you.
My father was a fisherman and my mother helped by selling the fish. This enabled us to survive and pay for my school. One day my father went to sea and never returned. His boat sank.
What a sorrowful day for me and my mom, I asked who is going to take care of me and my mum and take care of my school. There was no other option for me but to drop out of school and join my mum on the street washing clothes for people and begging for survival. Five months later my mother became seriously sick and past away.
Life became difficult with no grandparents. Later I met a friend who took me home to eat. He was my comforter and gave me words of encouragement and hope.
One day he asked me if I knew about Destiny English Academy School. I said no and he told me that there is man call Mr Joseph the Founder of Destiny English Academy. Three days later he took me to Destiny English Academy where I met Mr Joseph and explained my situation. He was very sad and gave me a hug and asked me to sit down. He told briefly me about his past experience in life which inspired him to open the school and help vulnerable and destitute children as he was also a victim. He gave me a uniform, bag, books and a pair of shoes to start my school.
Today I'm happy. My joy and hope is back to light. I want to thank Mr Joseph and his team for transforming my life and bringing back my hope and joy. Also, I want to thank Papa John and Papa Joe from the US for standing with Mr Joseph to transform our lives for a better future.