“My ultimate goal in life is to establish a non-profit organization to help young people all over the world,” advised 20 year old San Diego Job Corps student Prince Shamamba. “We’ll help kids receive an academic education, help them learn about nutrition and medical treatment, and give them personal support and affection.”

On May 25, 2012, Kiwanis Club of Imperial Beach/South Bay President Jason Kaminsky, presented Prince with a $500 scholarship for winning the Club’s Strong Futures, Strong Communities High School Scholarship.  In accepting the scholarship at San Diego Job Corps’ Awards Ceremony, Prince expressed his gratitude to the Kiwanis Club for honoring him with the award.  He thanked the Job Corps staff and his teachers for helping him to become successful, and for encouraging him to pursue his goals.

Born in Rwanda, Prince became an orphan at 2 years old when his parents were killed during the genocide which took place in the country in 1994.  As a child he was displaced numerous times, frequently traveling  between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to stay with relatives, before relocating to Uganda as a teenager.

“When I was 10 years old I volunteered for two years for an organization in the Congo which supported people with HIV/AIDS,” Prince stated.  “We provided instruction, equipment, and material that taught people to protect themselves against HIV and AIDS, and we also provided care, including moral and spiritual support for those living with it.  It was sad to see so many people who were abandoned by their families, but we encouraged them to feel as though they have their lives yet to live.”  The experience left a lasting impression on Prince.  “These patients taught me so much about the importance of helping each other through struggles,” he added.

Prince faced his own medical struggles when he was diagnosed with a serious heart condition as a teenager.  Through the help of the United States government, he was able to move to the U.S. for a medical procedure to repair his heart.  “I am very thankful for the government’s help and the wonderful care I received in San Diego,” he advised, “and I am healthy now.”

When he arrived in San Diego Prince did not speak English, and soon enrolled in a Mid-City school to study English.  He learned about Job Corps from a friend who had completed Job Corps’ Computer Tech program.  Prince enrolled in the San Diego Center in February 2011 and within a year completed the Nursing Assistant Career Technical Training program and passed the Certified Nursing Assistant test.  Prince’s high school math teacher Terena Henry worked with Prince and the Kiwanis Club when he applied for the scholarship.  She described him as “hardworking, dedicated, and determined.”  Prince expects to receive his high school diploma this summer.“We are all so proud of him, “Terena added.

Prince will continue his education this fall at San Diego City College, as he enrolls in the Urban Teacher Fellows (UTS) pathway into teaching program.  He will also work part-time, as he pursues an AA degree in Liberal Arts at San Diego City College.  The UTS program will assist him as he pursues his BA degree and teaching credential at San Diego State University.  “I know I have several more years of education ahead of me,” Prince stated.  “But eventually it will lead me to my life’s work of helping the kids of the world.”