SAN ANTONIO – A dangerous 8,000 mile journey from a war torn country in Africa ends on San Antonio’s West Side.
Erik Kamanzi and his family started in the democratic republic of Congo and now Erik is graduating from KIPP University Prep School way for college in the fall.
“I’m a refugee from Congo to Tanzania, yeah, I came here 2010 to San Antonio,” Apolina Kulimushi, Erik’s mom, said.
She led her family across the world to a safer life.
“Oh. We left there because of fighting. There was fighting in the country. Country to country. Rawanda and Congo fighting. Yeah, we we left there because of that general siege,” Eriks mom said.
The Kamanzis story is that of strength, perseverance, and overcoming the seemingly impossible.
“My mom’s like the person that means the most to me in this world, obviously. But like, just what she’s done by herself as a single parent, is like just out of this world, crazy.” Erik Kamanzi said.
At home Erik and his family still speak Swahili, and when he is out in the community everywhere from the basketball court to the classroom, he is a leader.
“So he has been paired since the time he was a freshman with students who have really struggled at our school because we are so confident in his ability to, again, be strong for students who are struggling,” Abby Garland, KIPP principal said.
Erick is a leader at KIPP, and in his community.
Next year Erick is set to attend Texas Southern University and study psychology and continue to help people.