How an African orphan rose to every challenge

A new autobiography chronicles one man's inspiring journey from a 13-year-old orphan in Africa to a successful entrepreneur and family man in Europe.

Lester Mkanda marks his publishing foray in Ireland with the release of 'Up From The Dust: The Backstory Of My Journey Of Hope And Success' (published by AuthorHouse UK), a true rags-to-riches story of overcoming adversity and achieving success.

Losing both parents at a young age, Mkanda faced unimaginable hardships: “I think one of the tragedies of our generation today is that people, more especially us men, do not take vulnerability very well. We thought of it as a sign of weakness when in fact it is not. We bottle up things too much and do not open up and talk about the dark moments we go through from time to time, and as a result of keeping all this pain and trauma to ourselves, suicide, drugs and substance abuse is on the rise among young people right now.

“Having kids of my own, and watching them grow, inspired me so much to write my own story in a very transparent way. I used my own personal experience of the darkest times I went through growing up, to spark a conversation among both the young and the old. No matter what it is that you are going through it's ok to talk about it, because it is in the process of you talking about it, that you begin to find your voice."

Lester also used his life story to assure anyone going through the difficulties of life, that despite all the odds seemingly stacked against you, it is possible to turn your life around.

'Up From the Dust' shares Mkanda’s incredible journey as a teenage orphan surviving in a dusty ghetto of Malawi, and forced to grow up fast. Initially migrating to South Africa, his situation deteriorated even further before they improved.

Here, the author shares vulnerable accounts of his darkest experiences, filled with trauma and shame, demonstrating how he refused to succumb to the toxic environments he was forced to live in.

Yet, despite all the hardships, he maintained a positive attitude, worked hard and remained optimistic that things would someday get better. He viewed these challenges as stepping-stones to a better life.

His optimism was rewarded when, years later, he landed at Dublin airport to start his new life with absolutely nothing but a backpack. He had holes in his socks and big dreams in his heart. From there, he went on to build his own business empire. Mkanda is now a married father of two, appreciative of his business success, happiness, and peace in Europe.

“In life we will always be faced with series of God ordained opportunities so brilliantly disguised as problems and challenges, we just need to pay close attention,” Mkanda reminds. “You just cannot give up when the going gets tough. Whatever it is that you find yourself going through brings something special out of you that would not have given birth if it was not for that challenging experience. And this book, my story is the testament to that.”

More than an autobiography, “Up From The Dust” serves as a beacon of hope for anyone facing life’s adversities. It is a gentle reminder that there is always light at the end of the tunnel.

“Up From The Dust: The Backstory Of My Journey Of Hope And Success” by Lester Mkanda is available on: www.lestermkanda.com