The Long Journey from Home

Fiston M. Kahindo, originally, from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Fiston left his country when he was just eight years old after both of his parents died unexpectedly. It was in 1992 that his father, Dr. Paul Kahindo, a talented physician, died a suspicious death from poisoning, shortly after voicing political related views. Just one week later his dear mother, Tamari, unable to withstand the shock, suffered a heart attack and died. The emptiness of the house immediately engulfed young Fiston. Each morning, he tried to go to his parents’ bedroom to let them know he was awake, but the room was consistently silent. This marked the beginning of his life as an orphan.

Fiston's brother, 12 years his senior, soon started to question the government in the press, asking many challenging questions concerning his father’s suspicious death. This mistake resulted in an assassination attempt on his brother’s life, just three weeks after his father’s death. Fortunately, Fiston’s brother escaped assassination, returned for Fiston and both fled to the forest to hide. For more than three weeks they trudged together through thick brush, countless river crossings, while surviving on wild nuts and grasses. The young child’s legs swelled until he could no longer walk, forcing his older brother to carry him. Their weak bodies endured constant rain with no shelter, and no dry clothes to warm them.

After more than three weeks of intense walking and surviving the harsh conditions of the journey, the brothers finally sought permanent refuge in Kenya. The United Nations Agency responsible for their protection, the UNHCR, sent them to Walda Refugee Camp, located in the northwest region of Kenya. Suddenly, after fleeing a  mountainous, arid climate, Fiston found himself in the middle of a dry, hot desert, where the average temperature was in excess of 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Worse yet, there was a lack of sufficient food, water and medical supplies. The young boy witnessed the agonizing deaths of many people each day, due to the severe lack of basic survival needs.

After nine months, they were transferred to a nearby refugee camp, called Kakuma. It was there that things started to turn around for Fiston and his brother. Because of his motivation to succeed and dedication to his studies, he received a scholarship to finish his elementary and middle school education in a local Kenyan school. After outstanding academic performance, AREP Foundation, a nongovernmental organization granted him a scholarship to attend a high school in Matuu, a small city about 100 miles from the capital city of Nairobi. His brother moved from the refugee camp to Nairobi, in order to help support Fiston in pursuing his education.

Living in the slums of Nairobi as a refugee was not easy for Fiston or his brother. While he spent most of his time at school, he often visited the city of Nairobi during breaks. On the tough city streets, he and other orphans were routinely harassed and threatened by the police, a common practice there. Upon completing his sophomore year of high school, through the gift of sponsorship, Fiston was extremely blessed to receive a scholarship to Holderness School in New Hampshire. He joined Holderness School as a junior, where he graduated in May 2003. He describes his obtaining a scholarship at Holderness School as just “another long story” but attributes this to “the grace of God”.

After excelling at Holderness School, Fiston graduated and received another scholarship to Lynn University where he graduated with a Bachelors in International Business and a minor in International Relations. Fiston was also the very first international student to serve as President of the Student Government Association. He is currently employed as Admissions Counselor for Lynn University and will begin graduate studies in August of 2008 in International Business.

Fiston cites this experience as a shining light in the darkness. Because of someone who cared enough to sponsor him, Fiston believes that attending school has provided hope, strength, and opportunities that he never dreamed possible.

Fiston Kahindo now serves as Treasurer of the Board of Dream Sponsors, Inc., with the mission of helping other orphans find sponsors to help make their dreams come true.