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‘I’m so happy:’ epileptic African refugee makes strides in Nanaimo

Jun 27, 2018 | 3:54 PM

NANAIMO — Overcoming obstacles has been a lifelong reality for a young African refugee now envisioning a bright future after landing a world away in Nanaimo.

Bonnaventure Mwela, 20, arrived from a refugee camp in rural South Africa in early May. The likable and mature Mwela, viewed as an outcast in his refugee camp for having epilepsy, made it to the Harbour City thanks to a blended sponsorship between the Neighbourhood Church and federal government.

Mwela said his new church family immediately put him at ease when he was greeted at Nanaimo Airport.

“They build me up spiritually, emotionally, mentally, I’m becoming a person full of joy, somebody who is lifted up and gives me direction, I feel very secure in their arms,” Mwela told NanaimoNewsNOW in easy to understand English, one of five languages he speaks.

Mwela, originally from the Republic of the Congo, was displaced and left without a family when his mother died last year.

He said a few people at his 350-member refugee camp helped look after him since his mother passed. Mwela’s older sister went missing in the war-torn Congo when he was a young boy and he has no idea where she is.

Mwela said his refugee case was considered urgent and fast-tracked by the Canadian Embassy following what he called an extensive screening process.

In Nanaimo, Mwela has room and board style housing for the next year, which he described as a stable and loving environment where he’s constantly learning about life in Canada.

Mwela developed a deep bond with the members of Neighbourhood Church.

“Because the kind of life that they gave me, the kind of love they gave me it’s like somebody who’s their own child…These are special people, there is no way I can forget them.”

He said the people of Nanaimo have gone out of their way to be friendly and welcoming.

Mwela, who graduated high school, has been writing assessment tests to attend Vancouver Island University. He’s fascinated by construction and buildings, hoping one day to become an architect or civil engineer.

Mwela said he knew when his mother died he would need to take more responsibility for his life.

He vows to learn everything required to succeed in day-to-day life in Canada.

“I might not know everything now, but there is a lot more I want to learn.”

Travis Barbour, Neighbourhood Church associate pastor, said he’s impressed with Mwela’s ambition and character, calling him a dream sponsorship.

“I can’t imagine having gone through half of the adversity he has and be the kind of person he is at 20-years-old,” Barbour said. “He’s an incredibly responsible and mature young man.”

Barbour said Mwela has all of the traits to be successful in his new life in Canada.

“He’s really taken ownership of his own future here which we find really impressive.”

 

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes