Cedrick from the Democratic Republic of Congo : A competitive spirit from hardship

In describing his memories of his childhood in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cedrick explains how he developed a competitive spirit at school, and that spirit would stand him in good stead for the challenges he would face later in life when he came to Tasmania to make a new home.The Democratic Republic of Congo is a resource-rich country at the heart of Africa, and the continent's second largest in area. For much of the last 20 years or so it has been riven by a brutal civil war, that has received little coverage in our own media. As a result, many people may not fully appreciate the turmoil that has caused many millions of Congolese to flee their homes and find safety in neighbouring African countries. A small percentage are lucky enough to be accepted as refugees into a handful of western countries, such as Australia.  Cedrick's family were in that category, and eventually settled in Tasmania in 2008.  Though may Congolese have left Tasmania in this time to look for better prospects on the mainland, Cedrick has remained here to build a family and a life, and is comfortable calling Tasmania home now, having now spent more of his life here than in the Congo.