At this week's Round Table, Jack, Kenisha, and Madeline spoke with Mondiant Dogon, human rights activist, refugee ambassador, and author of Those We Throw Away Are Diamonds. Mondiant is the founder of the international nonprofit organization, Mondiant Initiative, with a mission to transform the lives of refugees in Africa through opportunities.. His plan is to expand this initiative all over the world.
Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mondiant discusses how his life experiences and the work he has done has impacted his life and empowered other refugees to aim for great things. In his moving memoir, he describes his wide ranging experiences from surviving two genocides, being a child soldier, becoming a refugee in Rwanda and surviving on one meal over three days, and later moving to the United States to attend college at New York University with seemingly unlimited resources. Throughout this journey, he has learned the value of giving a voice to people who might not normally have one as well as valuing each refugee as an individual. Living amongst people with different backgrounds and experiences, he’s gotten the opportunity to learn that “once everybody realizes that we’re all human beings, the world will change.” Refugees should be seen as HUMANS and not a political problem or crisis. Mondiant has planted seeds of hope in the refugees he works with, inspiring them to make their own decisions and take control of their lives.
We closed with discussion of how we can empower refugees to shape their own futures despite the adverse set of circumstances they face. But first, they need to be seen and given a voice in order to have a chance at success. Mondiant deeply understands the power of simply listening and talking to refugees, as well as displaying empathy and love. Acknowledging and supporting refugees in any way you can is the very first and most vital step towards empowering them.
The Mondiant Initiative is currently looking for volunteers for the organization to help refugees. If you are interested in helping to transform the lives of others, check out different ways to get involved today by heading to the website https://mondiantinitiative.org/get-involved/ Thank you for listening!
