Succeeding despite adversity

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This article was published 10/05/2010 (5601 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A former "bad kid" who grew up in gangland now has a part-time job and is going to university in the fall. A refugee girl from Rwanda who grew up on the run in Congo crammed 10 years of schooling into three when she got the chance in Winnipeg. They both witnessed the worst in humanity, but gave their best and are two of 14 teens who earned the city’s Youth Role Model Award Saturday night.

"To be honest, I never pictured myself graduating this year," said Michael Beaulieu, who attends Gordon Bell High School.

"I thought I’d be dead or in jail. Now look at me," laughed the 19-year-old role model.

On Saturday, he and Emelda Iradukunda, who was born in Rwanda, received the Rosalind Natividad Cantiveros Courage Award at the ceremony hosted by Winnipeg’s Citizens Equity Committee. They grew up a world apart, but share the same strength and resilience to overcome a horrendous childhood and go for the gusto.

Beaulieu was born into gang violence and got into trouble until he was placed in foster care and decided to change.

"For me, it was my teachers, friends and foster parents and family — my new-found family," said the teen, who wants to work toward a degree in law or social work.

This summer, he’s going to be a manager at the fast-food restaurant where he works part time.

"It’s my first, actual legit job," laughed Beaulieu, who doesn’t like to talk about the illegitimate jobs and hardship he left behind.

"I witnessed how my family deteriorated."

He said there was poverty, violence and betrayal. "I saw friends turn their backs on friends for money and (gang) colours," he said.

"I’ve got people who care about me. I think about what I’ve got to lose," he said. "I still talk to some of my friends who are a bit on the negative side and try to help them by telling them there’s more out there for them than the negative lifestyle.

"A lot of kids don’t have anything… they need stuff to hold onto — things in life that become dear to them, family who’s there for them."

Iradukunda was illiterate and couldn’t speak English when she came to Winnipeg just over three years ago. "I didn’t know the alphabet," said the well-spoken 17-year-old. "I took kids’ books out of the library."

She and her family fled the genocide in Rwanda when she was just three. They ended up in another violent African country, being chased by bandits and soldiers. "In Congo, we were running all the time," she said. "Sometimes, we had four days with no food." When they arrived at a refugee camp, it was hardly a refuge.

"Robbers attacked the camp," said Iradukunda, who saw many deaths. "When they killed my dad, I had to walk everywhere on my own."

When the family made it Canada, she found a safe haven for learning and immersed herself in it. "I was so happy about school… We were living in a Welcome Place apartment. I thought it was amazing."

Now in a Grade 10 class, she’s also taking some Grade 11 courses. "I’m spending three hours studying every night," she said. "I feel very, very happy that I made my mom proud."

Iradukunda is grateful for the award — and grateful to be alive. "A whole bunch of people died — people who were stronger than me," said the petite girl who wants to become a doctor and sponsor a child in Africa.

"I can’t say anything but how lucky I am."

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca

2009 Youth Role Model Award recipients

Rosalinda Natividad-Cantiveros Courage Award:

Michael Beaulieu; Emelda Iradukunda

Performing and Creative Arts:

Anna Xie; Vitoria Perrie

Education & Training:

Trisha Amanda Davis; Trizzia Halle Axalan

Leadership & Advocacy:

Lysbeth Arthur; Vanessa Gargegna Singh

Community Volunteering:

Kelsey Howard; Vidhi Trivedi

Sports:

Julian Radocaj; Terrence Sampson

Spirituality:

Gator Beaulieu; Desiree McKay