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<p>In 2013, the Ndoole siblings and their mom fled the rebel-controlled city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Leaving with the clothes on their backs and a bedsheet for warmth, they also carried the hope of opportunity -- to achieve a college education and a brighter future.</p>
<p>Today, five Ndoole brothers and a sister make Rochester their home and are pursuing associate degrees at Monroe Community College.</p>
<p>The eldest is Ruwanda "Sam," 27, followed by twins Kikuru "Greg" and Kito, 24; Ricardo, 23; Heros, 20; and Mariana, 17.</p>
<p>Their career interests are as varied as their reasons why MCC inspires them. One family member is majoring in global studies; another is studying homeland security. Three are in the liberal arts and sciences-general studies program - each pursuing a different interest: human services, engineering science, and biology. Another is also pursuing an engineering science degree. All are multilingual speakers.</p>
<p>Their ultimate goal is to make a difference in the world through their life's work.</p>
<p>"After everything that we went through in our lives, we all want to be part of something that will help people," said Sam, who came to MCC in 2017 in pursuit of a career with an intergovernmental organization. "MCC is one of the best schools as far as I know. You feel welcomed at MCC. Plus, we have all the resources that we need. Imagine coming from a place where you have to walk five to 10 miles to go to school. You have to dream about being in a library to study. But here we have computers everywhere, the library, pretty much everything we need."</p>
<p>Having been displaced from their homeland, the Ndoole siblings said it's gratifying to be part of a supportive campus community that embraces diversity and fosters a sense of belonging. Since starting college, the brothers have befriended fellow students from Congo, Nigeria, and other countries in Africa. Meeting diverse students on campus and having faculty and staff who care about their personal success have eased their adjustment to college life.</p>
<p>"The advising center is very good and has helped me a lot," said Heros, who is considering a career in engineering or in the U.S. military. "I've had this one advisor for my whole time here who has got me through my projects, which classes to take."</p>
<p>Greg praises MCC faculty for dedicating one-on-one time to help him grow academically and personally. "The professors in ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) push you to ask questions, to feel comfortable. The professors really care a lot," he said. His long-term goal is to work for the FBI or in law enforcement.</p>
<p>Having come to Rochester with no English skills and having had to rebuild their lives from scratch, the family said they are appreciative of all the support they have received. They have an insatiable appetite for learning and a desire to integrate into the local community. All the brothers balance studying full time and working off campus. Two of them hold full-time jobs.</p>
<p>Ricardo, who is completing his second year at MCC, juggles engineering classes, part-time work, and scholarly opportunities through the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (<a href="https://www.monroecc.edu/depts/cstep/">CSTEP</a>).</p>
<p>ThIs highly competitive MCC program offers an intensive research experience for students pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, health or licensed professions. Ricardo aspires to be a civil engineer.</p>
<p>The youngest of the group, Mariana plans to apply to medical school after MCC to become a doctor and travel the world providing care. "It's something I always wanted to do since I was young," she said. "After what had happened to my family, I've wanted to not only go back to Congo but go to different countries to help women and children."</p>
<p>More inspiring stories of the Ndoole family are waiting to unfold.</p>
<p>Besides the five brothers and sister, there are five other children in the household: twins Odette and Odile, 15; Benjamin, 13; Bazile, 10; and Hersen, 7.</p>
<p>The twin girls plan to begin their MCC journey in fall 2020.</p>
<p>This close-knit, gregarious Ndoole family is headed by matriarch Mubawa Bahati, who proves the power of education every day. After losing her husband to violence in Goma and settling in Rochester, she completed cooking classes while raising her family and now works in dining services at a local college.</p>
<p>"Our story should be an inspiration to people that you can do anything you want but education comes first," said Kito, who like his older brothers earned a high school diploma in Congo and plans to work in the human services field. "Us being here is a miracle after what we've been through. We try to turn a bad situation into a positive one."</p>
<p><em>Shown in photo from left: Heros, Ricardo, Mariana, Kito, Kikuru and Ruwanda Ndoole.</em></p>

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MCC Daily Tribune

Rochester City Family Sends 6 Children to College

5 brothers and 1 sister flee violence in Congo, pursue brighter futures at MCC

 

In 2013, the Ndoole siblings and their mom fled the rebel-controlled city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Leaving with the clothes on their backs and a bedsheet for warmth, they also carried the hope of opportunity -- to achieve a college education and a brighter future.

Today, five Ndoole brothers and a sister make Rochester their home and are pursuing associate degrees at Monroe Community College.

The eldest is Ruwanda "Sam," 27, followed by twins Kikuru "Greg" and Kito, 24; Ricardo, 23; Heros, 20; and Mariana, 17.

Their career interests are as varied as their reasons why MCC inspires them. One family member is majoring in global studies; another is studying homeland security. Three are in the liberal arts and sciences-general studies program - each pursuing a different interest: human services, engineering science, and biology. Another is also pursuing an engineering science degree. All are multilingual speakers.

Their ultimate goal is to make a difference in the world through their life's work.

"After everything that we went through in our lives, we all want to be part of something that will help people," said Sam, who came to MCC in 2017 in pursuit of a career with an intergovernmental organization. "MCC is one of the best schools as far as I know. You feel welcomed at MCC. Plus, we have all the resources that we need. Imagine coming from a place where you have to walk five to 10 miles to go to school. You have to dream about being in a library to study. But here we have computers everywhere, the library, pretty much everything we need."

Having been displaced from their homeland, the Ndoole siblings said it's gratifying to be part of a supportive campus community that embraces diversity and fosters a sense of belonging. Since starting college, the brothers have befriended fellow students from Congo, Nigeria, and other countries in Africa. Meeting diverse students on campus and having faculty and staff who care about their personal success have eased their adjustment to college life.

"The advising center is very good and has helped me a lot," said Heros, who is considering a career in engineering or in the U.S. military. "I've had this one advisor for my whole time here who has got me through my projects, which classes to take."

Greg praises MCC faculty for dedicating one-on-one time to help him grow academically and personally. "The professors in ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) push you to ask questions, to feel comfortable. The professors really care a lot," he said. His long-term goal is to work for the FBI or in law enforcement.

Having come to Rochester with no English skills and having had to rebuild their lives from scratch, the family said they are appreciative of all the support they have received. They have an insatiable appetite for learning and a desire to integrate into the local community. All the brothers balance studying full time and working off campus. Two of them hold full-time jobs.

Ricardo, who is completing his second year at MCC, juggles engineering classes, part-time work, and scholarly opportunities through the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP).

ThIs highly competitive MCC program offers an intensive research experience for students pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, health or licensed professions. Ricardo aspires to be a civil engineer.

The youngest of the group, Mariana plans to apply to medical school after MCC to become a doctor and travel the world providing care. "It's something I always wanted to do since I was young," she said. "After what had happened to my family, I've wanted to not only go back to Congo but go to different countries to help women and children."

More inspiring stories of the Ndoole family are waiting to unfold.

Besides the five brothers and sister, there are five other children in the household: twins Odette and Odile, 15; Benjamin, 13; Bazile, 10; and Hersen, 7.

The twin girls plan to begin their MCC journey in fall 2020.

This close-knit, gregarious Ndoole family is headed by matriarch Mubawa Bahati, who proves the power of education every day. After losing her husband to violence in Goma and settling in Rochester, she completed cooking classes while raising her family and now works in dining services at a local college.

"Our story should be an inspiration to people that you can do anything you want but education comes first," said Kito, who like his older brothers earned a high school diploma in Congo and plans to work in the human services field. "Us being here is a miracle after what we've been through. We try to turn a bad situation into a positive one."

Shown in photo from left: Heros, Ricardo, Mariana, Kito, Kikuru and Ruwanda Ndoole.

Attached Files:
Ndoole family MCC.jpg

Hency Yuen-Eng
Government and Community Relations
03/09/2020