PeacePlayers South Africa Storybook FINAL - Flipbook - Page 82
I. DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
TO SOUTH AFRICA
Emmanuel Kabuya, informally known as "Bena," was born in
the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in a township named
Buzimai. His parents saw little hope for their family’s future
in the DRC because of the state of the country, and limited
job opportunities due to the country being heavily populated.
Therefore, Bena's father saved his money and took a solo bus
trip to Southern Africa to establish a better life for his family. He
eventually found himself in Durban doing church missionary
work. Months later, Bena's mother, Julie, led the rest of the family
to follow her husband's path, hoping to never return to Buzimai.
Once they were boarding the bus that would take them across
the border of the DRC, Bena’s mother realized they were one
ticket shy. There was no other choice - one of them would have to
sneak on the bus. Bena says, "my mom grabbed me and pulled me
behind her as she smiled and handed the ticket to the bus driver."
Bena was just a wide-eyed boy at this point, willing to go along for
whatever ride life took him on. On the way out of the DRC they
stopped in unimaginable places, gazing at a variety of terrainfilled landscapes through the lens of bus windows.
Since Bena’s father had arrived in Durban, he had been staying
in a pastor's house with a few dozen people. When the rest of
the family arrived, they moved into a one-room home until
they could get established. His dad worked multiple jobs, as a car
guard (security guard for cars on the street) and as a pastor in
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PEACEPLAYERS SOUTH AFRICA STORYBOOK
