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Chrispinus
Mbuma

Success comes from having a dream that is bigger than your fears.

@ Gates Archive/Jonathan Torgovnik

Chrispinus
Mbuma

Success comes from having a dream that is bigger than your fears.

Chrispinus's Story

I grew up in absolute poverty. I am now committed to using my story to raise awareness of and drive action towards SDGs 1 and 3.

I was born in Iringa, a town in Central Tanzania. Living in absolute poverty, there were very few opportunities for education or work and, with little access to adequate healthcare, I contracted malaria several times as a young child. I was lucky – I survived the disease – but my father did not. The impact of malaria on my life was profound. What was already an incredibly challenging situation, with little food or clean water available, became almost unbearable following my father’s death.

 

Success comes from having a dream that is bigger than your fears.

 

At seven years old, I was forced to live on the streets, as my mother could not find any work. With nowhere to sleep, and nothing to eat, I was routinely subject to physical violence. Whilst I was able to make a little money from selling charcoal, it was barely enough to feed myself, let alone my mother and siblings. After three years of living on the streets, a local church stepped up to help and ensured that I could attend school.

 

This opportunity changed my life. Going to school enabled me to get off the streets, to make friends, to learn and allowed me to dare to dream of a better life. I am now studying motor-vehicle mechanics at Don Bosco youth training center and plan to become an engineer. My story is testament to the transformational power of education and the critical importance of eradicating malaria, so other children do not experience the childhood I endured.

Media pack

You can download Chrispinus’s story and headshot here. To contact Chrispinus about an interview or speaking at an event please contact us.

@ Gates Archive/Jonathan Torgovnik