Denis was rapidly progressing in his career and was being paid well but in 2015, his multi-year struggle with drug addiction and alcoholism turned his life upside down. He lost friendships, his health was compromised, and soon he lost his job. Denis tried various forms of therapy and rehabilitation but he would eventually relapse. He hit rock bottom after overdosing and being pronounced dead at the hospital. Somehow, Denis survived and he eventually accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour after stumbling into a church in the middle of the night. God met Denis in his brokenness and set him free from addiction. 

Jobless but sober, Denis began volunteering at Teen Challenge: a Christian non-profit rehabilitation center. Denis worked with the organization from 2017 to 2022. While serving as the Program Director, Denis took young men through an intensive 12-month faith-based rehabilitation program focused on discipleship, service, and empowerment. 

Denis first connected to Kurumbuka when he joined the Abundant Leadership Institute (ALI). What he learned at ALI aligned with his passion for empowering youth to live purposeful, Christ-centered lives. When he heard about the Trek program, he felt called to apply for the Male Resident Leader position.

We are grateful that Denis has decided to join our team and use his story to encourage and empower the next generation of African leaders.