He has the resolve. And there is definitely a need.
Now, all Djiba Camara needs is a little help.
The Coquitlam man wants to give a hand up to the people of his former African homeland and has amassed a container full of used clothing, electronics, sports equipment, uniforms and even sewing machines for communities in Conakry, Guinea.
The PE and French teacher has already raised $2,000 through his Coquitlam church and the Langley school where he teaches. But shipping the goods is an expensive endeavour,
He has made contact with a shipping company that is footing some of the costs but he'll need at least $6,000 plus money to get the goods through customs. Camara has long-term plans to start a trade school where Guineans can learn computer skills, sewing and small-scale agriculture to improve the economy.
SELF-SUFFICIENCY THE GOAL
He's passionate about his plan to help his former countrymen, including his five brothers, reach self-sufficiency. "If I can give them something to do [to improve their lives], then I will feel I did something with my life."
Camara left Guinea in 1979 to play soccer, including Hungary, where he became a citizen and, at the request of his mom, didn't return for 30 years. When he finally did go home to be with his mother, who was suffering from Alzheimer's, he was shocked at the lack of food, the poverty and poor living conditions.
Many meals were skipped because there was no food. "I kept waiting for breakfast to come but none came, then I waited for lunch and there was no lunch. They only eat one meal a day."
He provided a family feast of roast lamb and saw children stuffing their faces as if it was their last meal.
COACHING AND TEACHING
The experience changed the focus of his life. The FIFA-certified coach who once coached the women's Whitecaps is hoping to use those skills to raise more funds for the long-term project.
His condo in Coquitlam that he shares with his son, Noah, is stuffed from floor to ceiling with items destined for Conakry, and he plans on giving away his beds and his TV and DVD collection.
Members of the Langley Teachers' Association and the Langley school board are on side with the effort and his students sold t-shirts with his smiling face and the world "Winnerville" in reference to his joking that bad behaviour will send students to "Loserville."
"People have been so generous," Camara said.
Camara has set up a website where people can donate. Donations over $100 will receive a gift made by people in Guinea.
