African-Canadian students inspired to follow their dreams, thanks to new program

Sara Kayumbi was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Her family moved to Windsor in 2013 and she began attending Catholic Central High School, but admits it was a hard and lonely transition.

"I didn't have any African friends. I was so alone I was lost. But as time passed by I started making new friends," saidKayumbi.

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The grade 12 student is now enrolled in the African Canadian Cultural Experience program and said she feels at home. It's a new program initiated by Catholic Central's principal, Danielle Desjardins-Koloff and vice-principal,Michael Naicker, to inspire students of African descent to follow their dreams.

"We're hoping to expose our students to a wide variety of experiences so they know that there's an opportunity waiting for them outside. But most importantly we want to bring to light that equalityand diversity is part of the culture. We want them to feel accepted and belonged to Canada," saidNaicker.

I want to make the change. I want to help these kids change their lives.-MehariHagos, activist and speaker

Students get together once a week to speak about their goals and aspirations. The vice-principal has taken the students to St. Clair College to give them a better look at what life after high school can look like.

"Sometimes the students may form the trap of 'I can't do it.'They need that motivation," explained Naicker.

Naicker also brought in former Catholic Central student and now community activist Mehari Hagos.

It makes me feel like I can do it too because he's from the same neighbourhood I'm from,- DautSaid, grade 11 student

Hagos spoke to students about his personal struggles growing up in an impoverished neighbourhood, hanging out with the wrong crowds andbeing able to find the motivation within himself to break free from a negative lifestyle.

"I want to make the change. I want to help these kids change their lives. I know how it is growing up in a rough neighbourhood and what it takes to change," said Hagos.

Hagos is a fitness trainer and runs a teen boot camp out of Waterworld in downtown Windsor. Many of the students in ACCE also attend that program.

"I want them to know that they can do anything they want to do. We took them on a St. Clair trip, we'll be taking them on a university trip just to show them just because you grew up in the Glengarry neighbourhood or just because you grew up in the projects it doesn't mean you have to say there," said Hagos.

Feeling inspired

Many of the students say they feel inspired by Hagos.

Grade 11 student Daut Said is also enrolled in the program and said afterlistening to Hagos he feels like he can achieve his goal of working in the sports industry.

"It makes me feel like I can do it too because he's from the same neighbourhood I'm from so when he talks about his success and all the things he did I believe that I can do it as well," said Said.

Vice-principal Naicker will be bringing in a group from Toronto called Harmony Movement to speak to the students this spring. The organization provides an interactive program that challenges discrimination, bullying and helps build a positive school climate.