Emmanuel Ntibonera's quiet life in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was shattered when the Great War of Africa plunged his homeland into chaos. Only a boy, Emmanuel's childhood gave way to a daily fight for survival when his family was forced to flee and become refugees. As miracle-after-miracle pulled his family from the brink of death, he devoted his life to God's work, whatever that may be.

Fifteen years after escaping the Congo, Emmanuel decided to leave the safe borders of America and trace his footsteps back to the life he left behind. What he discovered in the Congo--disease, extreme poverty, deficient infrastructure, and, worst of all, a prevalent spirit of hopelessness--changed his life forever, setting him on an ambitious mission. As Emmanuel started collecting gently used footwear to bring hope to his people, his work united thousands across the country, even attracting the attention of NBA star Steph Curry.