Immerse yourself in the journey of Desmond Samuel Kamara

BY PAUL JUNOR

Sierra Leone born Dez Kamara presented his book talk and motivational launch at the Bathurst Cultural Centre. His book talk and motivational event “Looking Back” was meant to introduce the wider Canadian community to this phenomenal book. This groundbreaking memoir highlighted in the event was hosted by Dr. Kay Morris of the Kay Morris Foundation. She introduced the author Dez and mentioned that she first met him when she was interviewed by him on a radio show a few years ago.

In his book talk, Dez stated that he was named Desmond Samuel Kamara at birth by his parents. His father was the headmaster of a primary school and was a leader in the local Catholic congregation, while his mother was a teacher. It was from his parents that he learned the importance of values, hard work, integrity, sacrifices, ethics, and integrity. He was the only child of five children to not have a middle name. It was largely due to the influence of Desmond Tutu who he saw in Newsweek magazine that he started writing his name as “Samuel Dee.”

Dez shared how the civil war in Sierra Leone impacted him and changed the trajectory of his life. It was due to the power of forgiveness that his life has been transformed as it is essential to happiness, joy and personal satisfaction. It is important to not carry the past into the future as: bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness as it prevents one from fulfilling one’s potential.

The book was written in one week as a stream of consciousness where he started putting ideas on paper in 2016 and it was completed in 2018 while he worked in Jamaica. Dez believes highly in the power of education. “Education is a warrior, it will take you anywhere in the world and break down barriers. It is a redemptive process. It is something that will never leave you.”

Dez had dreams of studying abroad and made a bold attempt to inquire about studying in Canada. After successfully enrolling in university in Canada, he completed a Degree in Cultural Anthropology followed by a Master of Social Work in Corporate Responsibility, then post-graduate studies at the University of Calgary in Human Rights and Genocide.

Dez shared how he believes that every one of us has a purpose in life, which is related to our vocation. This purpose transcends the job, or work that an individual does and has the capacity to influence lives, change destinies and impact generations. “Vocation is a sacred calling that is God-inspired. It is important that one believes in the power of their dreams. Dreams do come true! Any dream can become a reality. Hug your dreams. Embrace your dreams, and you will enjoy them again and again.”

One of the supporters of the book wrote, “A book that is more than just the courage, determination, values, faith, power of connections, and one man’s hope against the world. Immerse yourself in the journey of Desmond Samuel Kamara to get inspired and find a glimmer of hope in this dark world.”

Dr. Janice Newberry (Chair of the Anthropology Department, University of Lethbridge) writes, “As a young man, he first experienced the violence of war before working to help even younger people affected by it. His work with child soldiers leads not only to a meeting with Romeo Dallaire, but their experiences. It is his curiosity about the world and his resilience that carry him through. With the thread of education weaving through this heartfelt memoir, generosity and courage are its biggest gifts. While Dez benefits from the curiosity of others throughout his experiences, he returns that generosity in full measure in this book.”