Strength in What Remains

“How many times can a man die? And how many ways can one live?”

1. A Simple Beginning in Burundi

Deo grew up in a rural area of Burundi with no electricity or clean water. Life revolved around farming and tending cows, which were considered a family’s wealth. His father maintained a small farm, and young Deo worked hard alongside his siblings. Despite these modest circumstances, Deo’s parents emphasized the importance of education, and they were determined to send their children to school.

Deo faced harsh school conditions where violence and injustice were routine. Teachers would routinely punish students for minor infractions with physical abuse. Additionally, the Burundian education system was politically polarized, with Tutsis dominating teaching and administrative roles. Deo’s family belonged to the Tutsi group but had no political connections, which meant his academic success was his only path out of poverty.

Deo worked tirelessly to rise above these challenges. He excelled in school and performed well on nationwide exams, enabling him to study at elite institutions in Burundi. Eventually, his academic achievements earned him admission to the prestigious medical school at the University of Burundi.

Examples

• Deo’s family prized cows as a source of income and status.
• Teachers frequently used a ruler or eucalyptus branches to discipline students.
• Deo’s exceptional grades got him into one of Burundi’s top high schools.

2. Escaping the Civil War

Deo’s medical studies came to a halt when the Burundian Civil War erupted in 1993. The assassination of the Hutu president triggered widespread violence between the Hutu and Tutsi populations. Deo, a Tutsi, became a target in this escalating conflict and realized he had to flee or risk his life.

He made an arduous journey on foot to Rwanda, facing constant dangers along the way. He saw houses engulfed in flames and fields filled with the dead. However, Rwanda wasn’t safe either—it was home to many Burundian Hutu refugees who could potentially harm Deo upon discovering his Tutsi heritage.

Deo didn’t stay in Rwanda for long. Fearing for his life, he decided to return to Burundi’s capital, Bujumbura. Life in the city was precarious, and his attempts to contact his family were fruitless. He assumed his loved ones had died in the violence engulfing the nation.

Examples

• Deo walked about 70 kilometers through war-torn countryside.
• He encountered burning homes and numerous corpses during his escape.
• In Bujumbura, Deo struggled with despair, believing his family was gone.

3. Starting Over in New York

In 1994, Deo was given the opportunity to escape to the United States thanks to Jean, a wealthy friend. Jean’s father helped secure Deo’s visa and bought him a plane ticket. Deo arrived in New York with $200 and no knowledge of English, an intimidating situation for any newcomer.

At JFK Airport, a Senegalese airport worker named Muhammad came to Deo’s aid. Muhammad not only translated for Deo but also gave him shelter in his own apartment. With Muhammad’s help, Deo secured a grueling job delivering groceries, working 12-hour shifts six days a week for just $15 a day.

Deo’s beginnings in New York were harsh. He lived in subpar housing and worked long hours, but he soon developed relationships with strangers like Muhammad, whose kindness brought some stability to his uncertain situation.

Examples

• Deo’s visa described him as an employee on a mission to America.
• Muhammad invited Deo to stay with him in his apartment.
• Deo worked as a delivery driver under exploitative conditions.

4. Struggling to Survive Homelessness

After Muhammad returned to Senegal, Deo’s life took a turn for the worse. He ended up homeless and spent several weeks living in Central Park, drinking dirty water to survive. Violence from squatters in abandoned tenements forced him out, leaving him with nowhere else to go.

A chance encounter led him to Sharon McKenna, a woman working at the Church of St. Thomas More in Manhattan. Sharon found him a doctor who treated him for free and quickly developed a strong desire to help Deo. She introduced him to Nancy and Charlie Wolf, who offered him a home.

The Wolfs provided Deo not just with a place to live but also financial support. This assistance allowed Deo to quit his delivery job and focus on improving his English, which he studied through classes at Hunter College.

Examples

• Deo was forced out of abandoned tenements by squatters.
• Sharon McKenna connected Deo with a doctor to address his illness.
• Nancy and Charlie Wolf gave Deo shelter and counseling.

5. Building a New Life at Columbia University

In 1995, Deo ambitiously applied to Columbia University after improving his English in language courses. Despite not having his transcripts initially, he proved his past academic achievements when documentation from his medical school in Burundi confirmed his credentials.

Deo excelled on the SAT and other tests needed for entry. With financial help from Nancy and Charlie Wolf, combined with student loans, he began studying biochemistry—a step toward his medical dream. His studies weren’t limited to science; intrigued by the world, he studied philosophy as well.

During his sophomore year, Deo received life-changing news. He learned through a friend that his parents and some family members had survived the civil war. He began sending money home by working extra jobs and found renewed purpose in continuing his education.

Examples

• Deo’s admission required proof of his defunct Burundian medical school records.
• He unanimously passed Columbia’s rigorous entrance exams.
• Deo sent financial aid to his family after discovering they were alive.

6. Pursuing Medicine Against All Odds

After graduating from Columbia, Deo was determined to become a doctor. However, his lack of permanent residency proved to be a hindrance in medical school applications. Persistence paid off when his lawyer friend James O’Malley helped secure a green card.

During this waiting period, Deo stayed connected to medicine by joining Partners In Health (PIH), an organization dedicated to global healthcare equality. Its founder, Dr. Paul Farmer, became an important mentor and helped nurture Deo’s aspirations.

Once his legal status was resolved, Deo finally entered Dartmouth Medical School with the help of PIH. His combination of talent, support from mentors, and tireless resolve carried him closer to his lifelong dream of saving lives.

Examples

• Deo read Dr. Paul Farmer's book Infections and Inequalities.
• Partners In Health inspired Deo to become involved in global health care.
• Securing a green card opened doors to medical school.

7. Encounters with Helpers

The Wolfs, Muhammad, and Sharon were instrumental in Deo’s survival and growth. Each had their reasons for helping a stranger, but all saw the potential in a young man with remarkable perseverance. Their generosity shaped Deo’s new beginning and became a key part of his story.

Nancy and Charlie had lived through factional violence in Nigeria, which prompted them to empathize with Deo’s plight. Sharon continued to dedicate her life’s work to supporting vulnerable people. These shared values united them in their mission to help Deo find his footing.

At the same time, Deo’s gratitude and determination left a lasting impression. Both the Wolfs and Sharon saw him as an extension of their family and considered Deo’s achievements a shared triumph.

Examples

• Nancy and Charlie had experienced political conflict in Nigeria.
• Sharon spent her life helping those in distress through the church.
• Deo’s resilience and humility inspired deep personal connections.

8. Returning to Help Burundi

Deo’s dream came full circle in 2006 when he returned to his hometown to build a medical clinic. Although Burundi was still recovering from years of war, Deo wanted to give back by establishing accessible health care for his community.

Supported by friends in the United States and Partners In Health, Deo secured funding and resources for the clinic. By its opening in 2007, the facility had a full medical staff and provided free care to over 20,000 patients in its first year alone.

Deo’s story was a testament to the power of enduring hardship and using personal success to enact meaningful change. His clinic became a symbol of hope and progress for many.

Examples

• Deo allocated $1,000 to rebuild his childhood school.
• The clinic offered its services at no charge to patients.
• Over 20,000 individuals received care during its first operational year.

9. Transforming Tragedy into Triumph

Throughout his journey, Deo turned tragedy into opportunity. Despite homelessness, war, and loss, he sought new ways to persevere and contribute to the world. His belief in education, kindness, and resilience lifted him far beyond his initial circumstances.

Deo is more than an individual success story. He represents a broader narrative of how compassion from strangers and unyielding determination can fuel change, both personal and global.

Deo's decision to build a clinic in his hometown was the ultimate expression of gratitude—to those who helped him and to the community that raised him into the person he became.

Examples

• Deo became an advocate for education and compassion.
• The clinic he built in Burundi stood as a testament to his vision for healthcare access.
• His personal story inspired others to act kindly and persist in the face of adversity.

Takeaways

1. Small acts of kindness can completely transform a life. Extend help wherever possible.
2. Resilience and the will to improve can overcome even the gravest circumstances.
3. Success is best celebrated by giving back to the community that shaped you.