The David Jamina Movement Brunch was held on Friday, April 22 in an effort to make an impact and spread love on campus while also raising money for schools and orphanages in Sierra Leone. Attendees enjoyed free food while listening to Jamina and several others speak about the business’s mission.
“The goal is to make an impact and spread love,” found and student David Jamina ‘22 said in an interview with The Beacon.
Jamina gave a speech about the very first time he visited West Africa, saying, “After coming back to America, I realize how we took things for granted. The children didn’t have water or an education facility and I wanted to help make that change.”
Jamina had different color shirts were students and staff could purchase. Of the profit made, 17% of the proceeds go to his fundraiser.
“The shirts that I have created are to send positive messages to people because you never know what they are going through. The messages that are on a few of the shirts are “I love you” and “Make a difference,” he said.
“I chose to host it at MCLA to spread awareness of the cause on campus. As well as inspiring students and even staff to grow a similar motive.” Jamina said “I also want to keep this consistent and have an annual event like this to inspire and impact more people. I really believe the MCLA community can help impact the world, and it is definitely manifesting here through this movement.”
Thirty people including students and staff came out to show their support for Jamina’s business. Jamina said that the brunch was super successful after finding out that he raised around $700.
“The event was very successful. I think we were able to have a mixture of students and staff to hear the amazing works of the business. As well as birthing something new to the MCLA Community. I’ve had some staff and students come up to me and tell me how inspiring it was for them to be there,” Jamina said.
Staff members such as April Wright, MCLA President James Birge, and Professor Michael Birch among many others came out to support Jamina at the DJM brunch.
Being a full-time student did not stop Jamina from pursuing his goals. With the help of some friends, he made the brunch party happen. Jamina’s friends were inspired by what he was doing and how well the event was put together.
Ravy Gomes is a senior at MCLA and one of Jaminas’ friends. Gomes was a guest speaker at the brunch and believes that the work Jamina s doing is something great.
“I major in Business and being the guest speaker for today’s event gave me the opportunity to speak about his movement and highlight his motives. We want to make sure that those people who have less opportunity have access to better education and healthcare systems,” said Gomes.
“It feels good to know that there are still good people in this world wanting to make a change. We’re giving those children hope and education to have a better life. When David asked us to help we were happy to give a helping hand” said Bmenet Girum ‘22.
Mardo Bouanga ‘22 was born in Central Africa. Bouanga was one of the guest speakers at the DJM brunch. He spoke about his experience living in Central Africa before he came to the United States. Bouanga knows the ins and outs of the issues that are taking place. He express his happiness and gratefulness for the amount of staff and students who came to support them.
“I was born in Congo, Central Africa and I’ve been to South Africa before. I’ve lived there and I know the struggles. It was an amazing moment for me to see everyone coming out to support,” Bouanga said.
The money that was raised for this event will be sent through Moneygram to Jamina’s father so the principal could receive it. Abu Bakarr Sahid Fornah, who is the principal of the Rural Education Committee primary school, met Jamina through a parent of a child at the school in Sierra Leone.
“One parent came with David and introduced him. David said he had a vision for helping the children so we discussed more of it,” Fornah said in an interview with The Beacon.
“[David] explained to me that when he returns to the USA he will ask for help and money he will send for the school and he did it,” Fornah continued.
Fornah express his gratitude towards Jamina’s business and the help that he provided for the children. “I am grateful because I used the money to buy some exercise books for the children and some furniture for the school such as benches and desks,” said Fornah.
Jamina is currently not working with an organization but he plans on expanding his business by traveling to different countries and offering his help.
“I plan on going to Africa again very soon and checking out more schools and talking to principals there. As well as traveling to other countries and offering help,” said Jamina.
MCLA students said that Jamina’s business will rise to the top if he stays positive and motivated, they also said they believe that he should reach out to more people to make his start-up business bigger. Students like Bouanga and Gomes who are close friends with Jamina are proud of his works.
“We live in a society where people will always talk bad about what you’re doing and making bad comments. David needs to know what he’s doing is amazing and he should be proud of himself,” said Bouanga.
“David should try to reach out to more people back home and here in the United States because based on today’s event I feel like more people would be willing to listen and help out,” said Gomes.
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