Amani, Jean Paul,
COBURWAS Organizing Secretary
- Born: 04-30-81
- Country: DR Congo
- Family: wife, one son, two daughters (oldest daughter found as a baby along side of road and adopted, father, other family members location unknown – separated because of war
Edited email(s):
I am the Treasurer of COBURWAS Club
My name is Jean Paul Amani, I am called JP. I am 25 years old (born 1992), a Congolese by nationality, a refugee living in Uganda at the Kyangwali Refugee Settlement.
I have spent many days trying to arrange my story; it is not simple to remember what happened to me since the war started. I left my country in October 1996; I entered Uganda alone as a refugee. Because of the war I was separated from my parents, brothers, and sisters. In the war a million people were killed including my uncles, aunts, and grandparents. All the refugees were gathered in a transit camp in Kisoro district; there by the compassion of the Lord, I met my father. My mother had been caught by the rebels and we do not know what happened to her or where she might be. For my mother we just pray.
My life in Uganda was very bad and I missed my dead relatives. My father married another wife, my stepmother mistreated me. I was given little food and was hungry most of the time. They did not give me clothes, books, or other necessities. Both my father and stepmother denied me an education. There was no love for me in the family. I was given forced labor of heavy work. With these problems where do you think I could get help? The help came from the Lord Jesus who also suffered and died because of our sins. Instead of joining bad groups I developed my talents, such as football, dancing and singing, leading my fellow friends. In dancing and music my four friends and I could earn money and divided it equally among us. With this money I got clothes, books, shoes, and necessities. I also earned money by digging with a hoe for other people, I usually did this work on the weekend from six in the morning to six in the evening, the payment was one dollar for 12 hours of work. Sometimes I would get sick and could not work; friends and neighbors would help me with food and water.
There was a young girl who was an orphan like me; she had an old mother but no father. During the war her father was burned in a house. (Here because of the hard life and problems at the age of 40 - 45 years we say a person is old.) This young girl was a farmer planting crops such as beans, and maize. After harvesting she would help me with school fees. Later she could not help me with my school fees because she had a young brother and young sisters who needed help. At this time my studies stopped. After recognizing how she helped me I arranged a wedding. There were 2 - 4 friends at our wedding. We then struggled with life together, praying to God asking him for forgiveness for our sins. God he heard our prayers. Now we have two children, the first is my son - Nsingo Valentino, and the second my daughter - Aimee Bahati. I also have an older daughter named Munguiko Alice. When she was a baby her parents were killed, I found her and picked her up. I care for Alice and I am her Dad.
God listened to my prayers and I am now sponsored by Educate! I always thank God for this; I did not know that one day I would go back to school like others.
We formed a club called COBURWAS, I act as the Organizing Secretary and organize when to have meetings. Since we formed the club there has been a big change among the youth towards education. Because of what the club does and the plans we propose many people learn a lot. I also head the Department of Sport and Health.
I will end by praising all donors and well wishers who help us. Long live you all, I wish you the best. May the Lord help you abundantly, in Jesus name. Amen.
Your Son /Brother, JP