

Born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Serge Kaptegaine came to Canada four years ago when he was only 29 years old. It wasn’t by choice. His home country had become too dangerous. With the civil war raging and millions of his fellow citizens murdered, he knew he had to run.

Even though he’s survived life-threatening experiences and the atrocities of war, Kaptegaine manages to focus on the positive possibilities that lie ahead, and has made it his mission in life to educate the people of Canada about the situation in the Congo, speaking to schools, groups and any audience who is willing to listen.

According to Kaptegaine, at the time he left his home country, 4.5 million innocent people had been killed there because of the conflict. “Right now, the number is at about six million. In another two years, there may be as many as 10 million Congolese dead. That number will continue growing every day until we decide to stop it,” he says passionately.

Kaptegaine, who has lost seven members of his family, including his older sister, adds:
“I don’t believe anyone is born into a destiny of death in war. We’re all born to destinies of success, happiness, helping others and bettering humanity.”

Today, Kaptegaine lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where he works as a French language teacher. He’s also the founder of two organizations. Hand in Hand for Peace was formed in 2005 by Kaptegaine and new friends he made upon arriving in Winnipeg. The group raises awareness about the Democratic Republic of Congo by making presentations in schools about worldwide human rights violations.

“We provide the presentations for free,” he says. “In Sudan, women are living in hell.  The same is true of kids in the Congo.”  Suffering everywhere must end, he firmly explains.

Kaptegaine also formed Refugee Stars (a.k.a. REF-NYOTA) recently. The group provides refugees new to Canada with a sense of confidence and self-worth by engaging them in their skills and abilities, encouraging and empowering them to pursue their talents, and enabling them to contribute to both personal and community advancement.

Kaptegaine knows how hard settlement can be, having made it through a difficult adjustment period as a new immigrant himself.

“There are many misunderstandings between refugees and their new communities,” says Kaptegaine. “This isn’t because anyone is bad, but because of the challenges created by cultural and background differences. I deeply want to help people find a place of comfort in their new community and in the world.”

Recalling how he felt amidst the conflict in the Congo, Kaptegaine still finds it hard to accept that the world is not taking more notice of the conflict happening in his home country. “I remember thinking, ‘Where are the rest of the people in the world? Are we even on the same planet? How can they let this happen?’

“Today, I hear other refugees asking these same questions all the time.”

After coming to Canada, Kaptegaine says he has since realized that there are many people who are simply unaware of what is happening in the rest of the world.

“Awareness always produces a positive result,” says Kaptegaine. “The light grows stronger as awareness does. I don’t advocate protest. I advocate looking for peace.”

As for his work, Kaptegaine has no intention of slowing down. He plans on continuing his advocacy work and his contributions to Canada’s newest refugees. The way he sees it, it’s our collective duty to do so as Canadians.

“We need to put smiles on people’s faces. There’s enough sadness. It’s so easy to just ask a new refugee what they need, what you can give them and to learn something from them.”