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Home alone, far from home this Christmas by Cindy Abole Public Relations As Lowcountry residents focus on the final days of the holiday season, one man on MUSC’s campus will spend another solitary Christmas away from his family, close friends and loved ones in a place he now calls his adopted home.  This will be the fourth Christmas Andre Kadima will not be surrounded by his wife, seven children and other extended family. He will not be at his family’s table as they share their holiday feast or be there to witness his children opening packages of new clothes, shoes and other necessities—traditional Christmas gifts to welcome the New Year.  All he has are his memories. Kadima’s story became known around the Charleston community through an Aug. 17 Post and Courier feature, “Dinner with Andre.” Kadima, who works as a research lab technician at Hollings Cancer Center,  relocated to Charleston after fleeing his homeland, the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1999. He spoke out against atrocities committed by the ruling Congolese regime and personally assisted with displaced victims. There are times he says he still feels alone and displaced from his home in Kinshasa, some 6,692 miles away. Each day continues to be a personal struggle as he adjusts to a new environment, culture and life among strangers who have emerged as valued extended family and friends.  “I’m thankful to God, the churches and the people he has used to help me,” Kadima said, his eyes glistening as he speaks. “Through people’s help and generosity, I have a second chance at a new life. And with the possibility of seeing my family again, I have a new hope for the New Year.” Through the open generosity of others, he has begun a new life in Charleston and a new country. These kind and thoughtful acts of giving and sharing sustained his hope and restored his faith and confidence in all humanity, he said. Upon his arrival, he was welcomed into a faith-based community at St. James Presbyterian Church, the Circular Congregational Church and many others in the Lowcountry area.  Family Medicine Associate Professor Bert Keller, D.Min., remembers meeting Kadima for the first time in early 2000. He became aware of Kadima’s situation through staff members involved with Project Sugar, an MUSC-run registry and study designed to aid Sea Island African-American families with diabetes. Kadima was a dedicated volunteer, offering some hands-on experience at health fairs, public events and workshops. “In Congolese society, community is of the highest importance,” said Keller, who taught three years in the country formerly known as Zaire. Keller is also pastor at the Circular Congregational Church at Meeting Street. “Being part of a tribe, family or unit is vital in Congolese culture. Existing as an individual without a community is unthinkable. In this culture, no one is ever alone.” What Keller and members of the Circular Congregational Church, St. James and other area churches  did was embraced this lonely man and established a loving, caring faith community around his needs. “We know we couldn’t take the place of his real family,” Keller said. “But we didn’t want him to live in isolation or be lonely.” A committee was formed to address his immediate needs. Thanks to people’s help, Kadima had a roof over his head, food for his meals, transportation and other basic necessities.  The Circular Congregational Church established an ongoing ministry, “Dinner with Andre,” a program for Kadima to have dinner regularly in the homes of families who became friends. For Kadima, the dinners not only provide a needed fellowship but also a way for him to learn his way around the Charleston area—a small step towards gaining a little more independence. A skilled surgeon by training, Kadima has managed to find work by returning to the basics in medicine, working within a surgical oncology lab. His long days are attributed to his professional training fueled by a genuine dedication to helping others. Today, Kadima’s glimmer of hope rests on the possibility of seeing his children someday soon and providing a home for them in the United States. In August, he received notice that six of his seven children, ages 9 to 21, were approved to come to Charleston. The status of his wife and eldest daughter is still under consideration. It is unclear when his children will arrive, but all of his free time is focused on preparing for their coming.  Recently members of the Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church donated the use of a house and van to the Kadima family. Some generous individuals have already donated frequent flyer miles for his children’s transportation, something he still needs. Others have donated the use of a house and van when his children do arrive. Very soon Kadima will send another wire transfer to assist his family in preparation for Christmas. He communicates when he can through Internet messages and sometimes by phone.  “I’m thankful to God for giving me the strength to not lose faith through all this and sustain me,” Kadima said. “It’s easy to be hopeful. With God, I know he is in control.”       Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.