A Flower at the Threshold Between Worlds

https://base-camp.me/2021/05/07/a-flower-at-the-threshold-between-worlds/

Out of tragedy blossoms hope.

Out of helplessness, a desire to help lift a community.

Maua K. is a unique individual on an incredible and unlikely journey. Born in Congo, she was fascinated by technology at an early age, and dreamed of going to school to make that fascination her life’s work. But one night of violence, followed by years of unspeakable hardship, put all of that on pause. A father murdered in front of her. A family divided and on the run for their lives. No money, no resources, struggling to survive from the inside of a Kenyan jail cell, and later, a Kenyan refugee camp.

It’s a story that, for some, could lead to cynicism and despair.

But not for Maua.

“I want people to be happy,” Maua said, smiling from ear to ear. “I love making people smile, seeing people happy. It feels really good to me, and makes me happy, too.”

In English, Maua’s first name translates to “flower”; her last name, the “threshold between worlds,” a place, referenced in religious traditions of the Congo, that exists between the world of the living and the dead. For years, Maua lived in that in-between world, separated from her mother, brother and sister, trying to find some place – any place – where she could feel safe. For two years, that meant living in Tanzania, far away from her home in Congo where her father was taken from her and her family torn apart.

“Then people told us if you want to get help, then you need to go to Kenya because they have a refugee camp over there,” said Maua.

And – unknown to Maua – another form of help was waiting at the camp.

“My mom and my sister – they were there before us, but we didn’t know that. She was working there and I just saw her in the crowd. I didn’t believe it,” said Maua. “Everyone was, like, just crying, just praying, saying thank you to God for reuniting us! It was something else – I hadn’t seen them for two years!”

Five years passed inside the refugee camp.

“Some people can stay for 15 years, for 20 years. You’re just waiting, hoping you’ll get relocated somewhere safe,” said Maua.

Finally, the news came. Following an incident at the camp that put Maua and her family in danger once again, the family was prioritized for relocation. After years of living in limbo – caught between worlds – Maua K. and her family were relocated to Wilmington, North Carolina.

“When I stepped off the plane for the first time, I remember thinking I hope this is not a dream. That maybe I’m somewhere safe.”

As safety returned, so too did Maua’s dreams and goals of learning to use technology to better herself and her community.

“Since we were in Kenya, everyone wanted to go to school. We all had dreams and goals to do. So for us, relocating here, I feel like that’s a big opportunity for us to continue with our dreams,” she said. “I remember thinking, even if it takes us 20 years to relocate to somewhere else, I’ll still go to school and get whatever I need to. Because it’s a lot that has happened in our lives where other people might give up. But my family would never give up. We just keep going.”

Maua had the will. She had the passion. She had a dream. And one night, on Christmas Eve, Maua and her family found the means to see that dream come true.

“My mom was cleaning for the owner of this building when she ran into one of the tenants, [BaseCamp CEO] Brett. They started talking, and Brett said he felt a connection, because he saw them being happy, even though they were cleaning. They’re so happy with whatever they’re doing,” said Maua.

Martin invited Maua’s mother, Mwavita K., to CastleBranch, where after learning more about her situation he offered her a job. But his support of Maua's family didn’t end there.

“I met with Brett, and he asked me what I wanted to do in the future,” said Maua, who quickly told him about her dreams to get a degree in technology. “He told me ‘I’ll help you reach wherever you want to reach.'”

Suddenly, after years of simply struggling to survive, Maua found her life-long goals suddenly in reach. With Martin’s support, Maua enrolled in UNCW for Computer Science, pursuing a higher education degree like she always wanted. Simultaneously, Martin offered Maua a job in BaseCamp's IT department, giving Maua an opportunity to learn about technology in the classroom, while simultaneously gaining real-world experience from a network of knowledgable professionals.

“I’m learning a lot of stuff and being helped so much by working here in the IT department. I’m seeing a lot of stuff at BaseCamp that I haven’t even started yet at UNCW,” said Maua. “It’s helping me so much, giving me a head start on everything I’m doing in school right now.”

As Maua continues to pursue her educational and professional goals along her journey to and through professional life, she’s turned her attention to using her new-found knowledge to further her personal dreams and aspirations – ones fueled by courage and compassion.

“My goal has been to just create opportunity for other people. So once I graduate, I want to open something that can help people too,” said Maua. “I’ve been thinking about opening an orphanage, because I feel like there are a lot of kids out there who don’t have the help they need.”

She added, “I’m also trying to build something here in Wilmington called GTI – Get To It. It’s a way to connect people, to spread happiness here in Wilmington. To bring people together.”

For both of these goals, Maua knows there’s still a lot of work to be done. But – unsurprising to anyone who knows the 25-year-old from Congo – Maua is hopeful. Optimistic.

“For me, it feels really good to be doing something like this. I’m not just looking at one year in the future now. I’m seeing five years, six years, planning ahead to spread happiness,” said Maua. “I love seeing people happy.”