He learned the language by playing a game he understood. He picked up English quickly, while learning how to play on a team. From Ballard High School to the Sounders FC Academy, Bwana grew his game.
His mother got a job at Goodwill to support her children. They put the nightmare of the refugee camp behind them. They cherished little things most people take for granted, like being able to get a complete night’s sleep in a comfortable bed, to eat a pizza – Bwana’s favorite – or a sandwich from Subway – his brother’s meal of choice.
For Bwana, his journey has provided perspective. He went from having to walk miles for water that wasn’t always clean to living in a country where a fresh, cold drink is rarely more than a few feet away.
“A lot of people complain, complain about homework, complain about this or that,” he said. “They don’t know there are kids out there who would kill each other for this opportunity.”
So, whether it’s an assignment for a class, a grueling practice or an afternoon photoshoot, Bwana is quick with a smile. After all, he is the first member of his family to travel this path.
“You’re going to do things that nobody in our family had done,” Bwana’s mother told him. “Take advantage of it. If you get the opportunity to go to college and play ball, take it. Just don’t fail. The worst thing you could do is fail. Take the opportunity. Make the most of it. If it requires you to not get sleep at night, do it, because at the end of the day it’s going to pay off.”
Early in his college career, Bwana is finding success both on the field and in the classroom. In fact, he is currently the team’s leader in goals (four).
After making it this far, he sees no reason to slow down.
“We come from a poor village and we’re living the life now,” said Bwana, who makes sure to call Yassin every day to check in, even though they only live about 12 miles apart. “I’m grateful for what I have. I don’t complain. I never, ever complain.”
About five years after moving to Seattle, Bwana is getting a free education while playing soccer in the Pac-12. This is the life Yassin wanted for her son. This opportunity validates their struggle.
“It was just a tough life, but it paid off in the end,” he said.
Then he smiled, again, because for Bwana, this is a dream. He went through hell, but he survived. Now every opportunity is something to seize.