Meet an Intern
Jonathan Kalala is a Design Outreach Engineering Solutions intern pursuing a bachelor’s degree in industrial and systems engineering from The Ohio State University. Originally from Democratic Republic of the Congo, Jonathan cares deeply about the needs of those living in developing countries and has committed his life and career to making a difference in his home country and others like it. As part of the 20-week Internship+ Program, Jonathan works primarily on the negative pressure wound therapy device and has traveled to Kenya to help move the project to the next stage of development.
Q. Tell us a little about yourself.
A. I am originally from Democratic Republic of the Congo and moved here to the U.S. eight years ago when I was 14 years old. The reason we moved is to pursue the American dream, a better life, and for school. I am the oldest of 6 children. I’m the first in my family to attend college so it’s a big opportunity to pioneer the way for my siblings and show them it’s possible to succeed in a whole different country. I’m hoping to show my siblings what it means to work hard and work toward my goals.
Q. What was life like in Congo?
A. When you talk to most immigrants who have come to the U.S. to search for a better life, you discover that the average person does not get an education because of how expensive the fees are in other countries. In the Congo, there is no free education. My parents had to sell everything they had so I could finish school until we came to the U.S. My parents chose to put all their eggs in my basket, because there was not enough money to send all of us children to school.
I was born in a village, but when I was 2 years old, we moved to the capital. We had water issues even when living in the capital. The water would go out, and we had to use yellow jerry cans to go search for water after school. About 5 times a month we would have to walk for long distances to collect the water and bring it home and then go back to get more to last us as long as the water was out.
Q. What are your long-term career goals?
A. My family moved here for a better life. But I believe God made Congo our original home for a reason. My long-term goal is to head back to my home country and make a difference there to create jobs through entrepreneurship and help women who have been victims of sexual assault and war. There’s a doctor who has been doing that for the past couple years, and I want to do something to help with that cause.
Q. How did you learn about DO?
A. I had a roommate named Josh who is now an engineer at DO. He heard my testimony and said, “You should meet Greg.” I went to the office for a tour in early 2022. The first thing you see is LifePumps displayed and evidence of the amazing impact they have had in countries like my own. Five minutes into the tours, I was in tears. I thought I was the only who had a heart for people in Africa. Seeing someone who is not even from there and giving all of themselves to help really moved me.
Q. What about DO’s mission resonated with you most?
A. The part of the mission that resonates with me most is caring for those who are often not cared for, and caring beyond simply giving. DO’s mission is to create lasting impact both physically and spiritually—physically by installing water wells that have run for the last 10 years nonstop and spiritually, by preaching the Gospel afterward. We create long-lasting change in communities, and that’s really what attracted me to DO.
Q. What has been most impactful about your time at DO?
A. Everything! But if I had to pick a specific instance, I would pick this summer when we went to Kenya to visit a mission hospital. I was again in tears just seeing the quality of life there and remembering that I came from that to some extent. When we were there, we got to present our wound therapy device prototypes to nurses and doctors. During our last session, there were only Africans in the room. When I think of that time, to this day, it has been so meaningful to me to have been in a room full of African doctors and nurses wanting to give back to their country the same way I do. Most people who come here to find the American dream never go back, but God has used this year and a half to help me give back, and I’m grateful for that.
Q. What did you love most about your internship experience?
A. The culture here: We pray every morning, everyone has a heart to serve, and everyone has sacrificed to some extent to be there and make a difference.
Q. What are you passionate about outside of DO?
A. I’m into photography. I love taking pictures. If I’m not at school or work, you’ll see me with a camera walking around taking pictures. I also love music and I’ve played keys, guitar, and bass for my church for the last 4 years.
Q. What is one fun fact about you?
A. I was in a commercial for Columbus State Community College where I spent my first two years of college. In the commercial, I told my story and thanked them for what they’ve given me. The commercial has helped others who have come to this country who don’t speak the language; they’ll reach out to me to ask for advice and support.
