FROM REFUGEE TO FIRST BLACK AFRICAN FEMALE AFL COACH
Bella Ndayikeze was born in war-torn Burundi and fled her home with her mother when she was only 12 months old in fear for their lives. Her mother made the long trek to Tanzania Refugee Camp, a trip that took over a week while carrying little Bella on her back.
Bella and her family moved from one refugee camp to another before finding their now permanent home in Perth, Western Australia when she was about 7 years old. Bella struggled with many issues from being bullied, domestic violence to dealing with depression.
Bella has overcome great challenges in her journey and attributes her success to the services she received and continues to receive from the Edmund Rice Centre from the early age of 10 years old. In 2011, Bella was named the first black African female AFL coach, helping break not only the gender barriers in her community but also challenging the issue of race. Bella is a trailblazer in her football career and an inspiration to many seeking to better themselves and make a difference in the lives of others.
Aired 9 September
VIDEO: EPISODE PREVIEW
full episode
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE WORK BELLA IS INVOLVED IN, CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW:
>
“Never give up. You have to look deep within yourself. You might be broken but you must have something to hold on to. You have to think of yourself as someone who makes this world go on”
WORDS FROM BELLA
Mum made the decision to flee Burundi because she did not want me to die along with the other children. – Bella Ndayikeze #Edmund Rice Centre WA #TrueLifeStoriesTV
My earliest childhood memory was watching one of my friends get killed by a hippo. – Bella Ndayikeze #Edmund Rice Centre WA #TrueLifeStoriesTV
We went through a lot of refugee camps before coming to Australia. – Bella Ndayikeze #Edmund Rice Centre WA #TrueLifeStoriesTV
I got involved with The Edmund Rice Centre through Parkerville, a community based organisation that looks after at risk kids. – Bella Ndayikeze #Edmund Rice Centre WA #TrueLifeStoriesTV
The Edmund Rice Centre has played a massive role in my personal development as well as my professional development. – Bella Ndayikeze #Edmund Rice Centre WA #TrueLifeStoriesTV
I started coaching AFL 6 years ago when I was 14 years old and I was named the first black African female AFL coach. – Bella Ndayikeze #Edmund Rice Centre WA #TrueLifeStoriesTV
