Today we’d like to introduce you to MICHAEL IYEMA.
Hi MICHAEL, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My Story: From a Child in a War-Torn Village to Trader, Investor, and Entrepreneur
My name is Michael INGOMBO IYEMA. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, people usually have three names, but most people know me simply as Michael Iyema.
Today, I want to share my story—the story of a young boy born in a developing country who refused to let his circumstances determine his future.
I was born in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, in a village deeply affected by armed conflict and political instability. Despite those hardships, my childhood was simple. I walked to school barefoot, and in my village, that was completely normal.
When I was four years old, my family moved to Goma, the capital of North Kivu Province. Coming from a rural village, Goma felt like a modern city. I quickly adapted to my new environment and enrolled in elementary school.
Then, in 2006, when I was only eight years old, my life changed forever. My father, Mr. EYENGA IYEMA ROGER, passed away. Overnight, my family was thrown into an incredibly difficult situation, and continuing my education seemed almost impossible.
Thankfully, God had blessed us with an extraordinary mother, Mrs. KABUO DAMARA. Despite having very limited resources, she worked tirelessly and sacrificed everything she could to ensure her children stayed in school. Because of her determination, I was able to complete elementary school.
To attend high school, I had to walk more than eight kilometers (five miles) every morning. I woke up at 4:00 a.m., got ready quickly, and left home on foot so I could arrive at school by 6:00 a.m. This became my daily routine for six years.
Even as a child, I had an entrepreneurial mindset. I sold kerosene, fruit, and other small items to help my mother support our family.
One day, I took the entrance exam for ITIG/Don Bosco in Goma, one of the city’s most prestigious technical schools, where only about 20% of applicants were accepted. Against all odds, I passed.
The funny part was that I had absolutely no idea how we were going to pay the tuition. Even today, that still makes me smile.
I enrolled in the Industrial Electronics program. However, during my first year, I was forced to stop attending school because we simply couldn’t afford the tuition.
Once again, my mother found a way.
A group of Catholic nuns was looking for orphaned children to sponsor. My mother shared my story with them, and they were deeply moved. They agreed to pay for my education.
The scholarship came with one strict condition: I had to maintain at least a 60% average, or I would immediately lose the financial support. At such a demanding school, earning 60% required exceptional dedication and hard work.
Every day, I attended classes from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., while continuing my small businesses to help cover my daily expenses.
Everyone in my neighborhood knew I attended one of the city’s best technical schools. They constantly called me, “Engineer! Engineer!”
That nickname became a responsibility.
People started bringing me broken radios to repair. I felt obligated to fix them because I didn’t want to disappoint those who believed in me. I became friends with experienced electronics technicians in the city and learned everything I could from them.
Over time, I developed strong technical skills. Soon, people also asked me to help them buy quality cell phones. I negotiated prices with sellers, and after every successful sale, the seller would pay me a commission.
Without realizing it, I was learning the fundamentals of business, sales, negotiation, and marketing.
In 2018, I graduated with a diploma in Industrial Electronics. I became qualified in solar energy system installation, electronics maintenance, and equipment repair.
I dreamed of going to college, but my family’s financial situation made that impossible.
Instead, I completed several internships.
My salary was…
Ten dollars a month.
One day, I attended a conference about cryptocurrency.
I was immediately fascinated.
Naively, I believed I would become a millionaire within a few months and finally make my mother proud.
I invested all of my savings in what later turned out to be a Ponzi scheme disguised as a cryptocurrency investment.
I lost everything.
It was heartbreaking. At that moment, I believed financial freedom was simply impossible for someone living in a country like mine.
Shortly afterward, my uncle moved to Kinshasa and invited me to join him so I could continue my education.
I accepted.
Confident in my academic abilities, I enrolled in the College of Engineering. Unfortunately, financial hardship struck our family once again. My uncle could no longer afford my tuition.
Just a few months later, he tragically died in a car accident.
At that moment, it felt as though my entire world had collapsed.
I spent countless hours searching the internet for ways to make money online.
That was when I discovered someone talking not only about cryptocurrency but also about trading in the financial markets.
I saw candlestick charts, technical analysis, market strategies—an entirely new world opened before me.
The training program cost more than $3,500.
To me, that amount was unimaginable.
So I turned to YouTube and taught myself for free.
I began buying my first cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Dogecoin.
After several years, I managed to build my portfolio to approximately $500.
Believing I was finally ready, I decided to become a Forex trader.
I deposited all $500 into a brokerage account, convinced that this was the beginning of my journey to wealth.
Less than a week later…
I had lost every dollar.
I felt like the biggest fool in the world.
I had worked so hard to save that money, only to watch it disappear in a matter of days.
That was the moment I made the decision that changed my life forever.
Instead of giving up, I committed myself to becoming a true finance professional.
For more than two years, I immersed myself in macroeconomics, investing, risk management, trading psychology, and financial markets.
When I returned to trading, everything was different.
Little by little, I began generating consistent monthly income and building savings.
Eventually, I stepped into entrepreneurship.
I founded DAMARA HOLDINGS, naming the company in honor of my mother.
Today, our company operates in several industries, including computer and smartphone sales, general supply services, construction projects in partnership with professional engineers, and financial investments.
Today, our business generates approximately $20,000 in monthly revenue, driven by our activities in trading, cryptocurrency investments, commerce, and business services.
This year, we are taking another major step forward by launching an agricultural project. We have acquired land where we will develop a farm specializing in organic products, creating value for our community while promoting sustainable agriculture.
Today, I live a comfortable life.
My mother no longer has to work.
I also dedicate part of my time to mentoring young people in personal development, entrepreneurship, business, and finance. Watching others regain hope and build successful lives has become one of my greatest joys.
Growing up in an environment where many people believe dreaming is a luxury, I discovered that a dream is actually the breath of life. It is what gives us the strength to keep moving forward, no matter how difficult the journey becomes.
My journey is far from over.
One of my greatest dreams is to see the Democratic Republic of the Congo establish a modern stock exchange that can attract international investors and provide local businesses with the capital they need to grow.
To every young person around the world, I want to leave you with this message:
Never give up. Hardship is not a life sentence—it is a chapter. Keep working, keep learning, stay persistent, and never lose your faith. Better days will come.
And to my beloved country, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, I say this from the bottom of my heart:
May peace return to the eastern part of our nation. We want peace so we can build our country, create opportunities for our youth, and show the world the incredible potential of the Congo.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The biggest challenges were mainly related to living in a developing country. Accessing online financial services was extremely difficult, and receiving money earned online was even more complicated. On top of that, convincing my family and the people around me that it was actually possible to make a legitimate income on the internet wasn’t easy at all.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Our company provides individuals and businesses with investment advisory services in the financial markets and the cryptocurrency sector. We also operate as a boutique private investment firm, offering portfolio management services to clients who wish to entrust their capital to experienced professionals in order to maximize their investment returns. In addition, we are actively involved in the construction and architecture industries, delivering projects that combine quality, innovation, and sustainability.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
As part of our long-term vision, we aim to expand our company across the world, with a special focus on Africa. To achieve this goal, we are seeking strategic partners and investors who share our vision and are willing to support our growth.
Their investment will help us train more young people, create digital career opportunities, and strengthen our ability to serve an even larger number of clients with excellence.
We believe that every partnership matters. Whether you are an investor, a business leader, or an organization looking to make a meaningful impact, we would be honored to collaborate with you. Together, we can create opportunities, empower communities, and build a better future.
Contact Information
Email: iyemamichael2298@gmail.com
Phone: +243 973 357 130
Contact Info:
