Jean de Dieu Ndayikeza“It seems impossible until it is done.”
Nelson Mandela.
I lived 7 years in a refugee camp. In 2026, I gave a graduation speech that went viral.
Today I speak and write to share lessons from my lived experience focusing on gaining hope and building resilience. Empowered to empower you.
VUB graduation, Brussels, 2026
The speech that went viral.
"... this is what education and peace can do for each one of us, all over the world." People asked themselves: How? the answer is: you don't know half of the story.
- 27,000+views on YouTube
- 100,000+views on Instagram
- 2,350+followers on LinkedIn
What I talk about
I believe my lived experience, my story can help so many other people in the same position all over the world. It is a story of Hope and Resilience wrapped in a human being. I talk and write to extract lessons learned from my lived experience. My philosophy has changed over time and I believe you can learn my mistakes and experience. Everything is grounded in my real life experience from a young boy in a refugee camp to a graduate speaker in the iconic Grand-Place Brussels.
Contents
Work with me, or just follow along.
- Invite me to speak or hostInvite me Conferences, youth days, schools, churches and associations. In English or French. Email comms@jadondayikeza.com
- A 30-minute call with mefreeBook it For young people who feel stuck. We look at where you are and find your next step. If you want to go further, I'll tell you about my mentorship.
- The Change Me podcastListen Conversations about change and hope. More than 1,000 plays so far.
- My writingRead More than 25 articles on LinkedIn, and new writing on Substack.
- Support the podcastPatreon Three people already believe in it enough to support me there. You could be the fourth.
My notebook method
Two lists.
I remember sitting in a refugee camp tent writing about my whole life journey. Specifically, I would write two lists: Things that are bothering me and Things that I am grateful for.
Read your second list again.
You don't have to carry it alone. I will be happy to be of service to you.
Your second list is empty. That's okay.
Some days are like that. Try to write one small thing: a person, a song, a meal. And remember, you don't have to carry the first list alone. The call is free, 30 minutes, online.
Ready when you are
Let's talk.
Organising an event?
Invite me to speak or to host: conferences, youth days, schools, churches. In English or French.
Feeling stuck?
Book a free 30-minute call. I believe lessons from my lived experience will help you.
Talk soon,
