Meet Makaya

Makaya was born in 1986 in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He was 11 years old when the civil war started, and when he turned 16 years old war when he became a direct victim of violence. Fleeing for his life after half of his family was murdered, Makaya silently boarded a ship and hid. Unbeknownst to him, the ship departed the port and crossed the Atlantic Ocean. Makaya found himself as a stowaway. Upon arrival at the U.S. coast, the ship captain turned Mayaka over to Immigration Services.

Even though he feared being killed if he returned to the Congo, the U.S. government would not grant him asylum. He spent one year in an immigrant detention center in Reading, PA, and then was placed in a foster care home in Philadelphia. At 18, he was sent to York, PA to live at Friendship House, a residence for immigrant family groups and unaccompanied minors.

At 19 years old, he met his adoptive parents - Drs. Elizabeth and Alvin Revell - who empowered Makaya to continue his fight for justice for himself and for others. His story details the ways in which his U.S. family and teachers helped him use his experiences to turn his imagined future into a reality. Makaya is now internationally known as a human rights activist and leader in both U.S. and Congolese societies.

Makaya received his high school diploma from Achievement House Cyber Charter School, where he earned a 4.0 average and was named valedictorian. After high school, Makaya went on to receive his Bachelor's degree in international relations from York College of Pennsylvania and then his Masters degree in international peace and conflict resolution from American University in Washington D.C.

He was a recipient of the Pat and Jerry Mische Family Scholarship for demonstrating the potential to make a significant contribution to peace and conflict resolution in Africa. In 2020 he received the Youth Heroes Award from the International Association of Youth and Students for Peace.

To honor his biological mother, Marie Mambu, he founded the Marie Mambu Makaya Foundation to assist orphans of war in Congo DRC. The Foundation now operates an orphanage and has provided assistance to thousands of orphans. Additionally, Makaya founded and leads Peace Promise Consulting, an international company that promotes and facilitates peaceful conflict resolution. 

Makaya was invited to be the keynote speaker for the 2022 Pennsylvania Department of Education's Multilingual Education conference for his leadership in advocacy, education, and intercultural peace and conflict resolution.

Makaya is a leader in our community, a leader in Pennsylvania, a leader in the United States, and a leader in the world. 

After living and leading in PA for 20 years, Makaya will face his final immigration hearing in Philadelphia, PA on Monday, April 11. If denied, Makaya could face deportation back to Congo, a country in which he will likely be killed, a country in which he has not lived for over 20 years. Makaya's home is here in PA, USA. Makaya's community is here in PA, USA. Makaya is a leader here in PA, USA. He deserves to be here.

By signing this petition, you support Makaya in being granted legal status to remain in the United States.