Hello everyone,

I hope you are all doing very well.

It’s Micha and today I am honored to write and talk to you about our last event that took place on the 29th of November at the House of Africa in Montreal. It was the first anniversary of our NGO, Une Chance de Vivre. This was an opportunity for us to thank everyone who helped us throughout this busy year.

But we also aimed to create a networking moment with key members of Montreal’s African community. Indeed, our wish for this year was to sensitize the African diaspora to our cause and our project. So, we sent out several invitations to different associations, businesses, religious organizations, etc.

Unfortunately, we found that there was another event organized last minute in another African gallery located here in Montreal and our event didn’t seem large in front of it.

I do not hide that at the time I was disappointed, but then after 5 min and a conversation with my friend, Djouma, I recovered and remembered that everything happens for a reason; there was certainly a benefit in that. So, my team and I decided to stay positive and focus on the people who came to support us.

We had to put every effort in organizing the event. My little sister, Mairame, and her husband took care of catering and I can tell you that the food was very appetizing and delicious.

For this particular occasion, Julie, one of our nurse colleagues, baked us a cake designed with the logo of Chance. Another nurse colleague of us, Harini, who is a great photographer, took the photos during the event.

Once again, we were surrounded by an entourage of friends. After all, it was a moment of celebration, the first year of Chance as a charity.

But if in fact, the story of Chance goes back a long way. Let me tell you where it begins…

During the summer of 1994, I was 8-9 years old. Along with my mother and my sister Kaly, we spent the whole summer in Kinshasa. It was the best summer of my life, the atmosphere on the streets, the warmth and the joy of people reminded me that my first home was Congo.

However, I was also shocked witnessing poverty of a large part of the population, including many members of my own family. At the end of this summer, I was very sad to leave the Congo.

But I also made a decision: “I will work hard at school to come back and help poor people in Congo.” That’s the promise I made to myself. At the time, I had no idea what career I wanted to pursue or how I was going to honor that promise.

Growing up I went to school to become a nurse. I specialized in neonatology and there I knew exactly what I wanted to do! I wanted to open a health center where women from the most modest backgrounds could give birth in the best possible condition; a place where their sick children could receive a good quality care.

But still I had excuses for not realizing and starting this project: I have no money; I do not know where to start, I do not know anyone, etc.

When in 2015 the Kinshasa Kimbanguiste Hospital (KKH) project was proposed to me, I took it as a reminder. It was time for me to keep my promise. Of course, I still had all my apprehensions, but I had to do it!

And you know, what’s magic about all this is that from the moment I talked to Maryam, Cynthia, Stephanie and Dr. Beaumier it became more than my promise and my dream, it has become our dream!!!!

Plus, behind us a beautiful circle of support has been formed, something I could have never imagined at the beginning! So, today is the moment to pay tribute to them:

Many thanks to all the KKH team for trusting us in this project, but especially to Franklin for forcing me to come to the KKH. To Getou and Gédeon for your determination in this project.

To the whole family of Cynthia who were present at all our events and showed unlimited support.

To Maryam’s friends here in Montreal but also to her family in Iran who like all our publications and send us positive vibes from the other side of the world.

To Stephanie’s family but especially to her dad for his great generosity.

To Dr. Beaumier’s wife and his daughters for their encouragement.

To all our nurse colleagues, respiratory therapists and doctors at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the MCH. Thank you all for your daily support and encouragement.

Special thank you to Dr. Shalish, after Dr. Beaumier, you were the first doctors who took us seriously and for us that means a lot.

A big thank you to: Lee, Stéphanie, Tania, Maryline, Cass, Flo, Jade, Harini, Matilda, Julie, Katia for all your help during our fundraising activities.

Thanks to Maxime who, without even knowing us and having met us, decided to make our logo for free because he was touched by our cause.

Nathalie, our web designer who is hidden behind our website and our videos. Thank you for all your ideas and support, for listening to us and for being patient with us.

To Laura for all your help and advice in organizing the Zumbathon, without you it would have never been possible.

To Heather, one of our nurse colleagues, and to my childhood friend Bendiougou, you were the first who trusted us and donated online. Thank you both.

To Glen Cyr, Flo’s husband for all your valuable advice when we were lost with all the paperwork to get the charity title.

To Karl for your motivation and your ideas.

To Gredel, the super cameraman behind the Gofundme video.

To my little sister Mairame, her husband Steven, my acolytes Djoums and Marie-Claude for listening to my adventures and always being present at each event.

To my sisters and friends on the other side of the Atlantic: Kaly, Gays, Mado, Djoumette, Andreia, Nina, Khady. Some of you, you’ve heard me talking about this project since we were a teenager and you’ve never doubted my ability to achieve it. Despite the distance, you always have the right word at the right time, you share all our posts and broadcast our news. Thank you all. This message is also for you, my brother Chico.

Thank you, dear readers, for following closely the evolution of our project.

Finally, thank you to my parents, Tata Luyeye for your help in the field, your advice and encouragement. And to you My vichy, you are more of a believer than me and you believe in us doing extraordinary things. Thank you both!

I will not lie to you by telling you that this first year was all rosy. We are still far from our goal, we have suffered from many funding refusals.

I read something not long ago:” If many people say no, do not be discouraged. One day the right person will tell you the good yes and that will turn the situation in a positive way, so do not give up!! ”

All this to say that despite the difficulties we do not get discouraged and stay focus on our goal.

That’s all for me today, if you enjoyed reading this article, do not hesitate to share it with others!
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See you soon,

Micha