David grew up in Nairobi, Kenya, where he lived until 1997, when he moved to Delaware.  He attended university in Kenya, where he studied banking and finance, eventually working as a clearinghouse agent for Barclay’s.  His father was an immigration agent and his mother was a legal aid to Kenya’s Attorney General; he has not been able to contact them since he came to the United States.  He celebrated his 34th birthday on August 22.

Why did you come to the U.S.?

I came to pursue medical school.  I was enrolled in a postbac program at Goldey-Beacom College, where I got my pre-med requirements done, and worked as an x-ray technician.

What was the most dramatic difference after you moved?

The weather surprised me.  I never thought it would be so cold.  I’ve never seen so much snow and the jacket I came with wasn’t even close to enough.  I developed pneumonia and couldn’t do much for a while.  I was also shocked by how cheap the chicken and cheese are here.  In Kenya chicken was for special occasions or holidays.

How did you end up homeless in the District?

I took a Kaplan course to get ready for the MCAT, but my student visa expired and I had trouble getting new paperwork.  As a result, my job fell through.  The Homeland Security Act of 2002 made it even harder for me to get a valid green card or visa, so I couldn’t get work, housing, or anything.  I came to D.C. in 2004 and was staying at the Gales shelter until it closed, when I moved to the Center for Creative Non-Violence.

What do you do when you aren’t selling Street Sense?

I volunteer at GW Hospital two days a week and I’m writing a book.  It is about the war in Iraq and homeland security, since those things affected my life.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

In medical school, hopefully in California.  California med schools take older students like me.  I want to interface my medical degree and financial background to help lower the costs of healthcare, but I have to get my immigration paperwork settled.  I’ll keep trying.

What are your favorite foods and movies?

Definitely Indian food, chicken curries.  As for a movie, I like Papillon.  It is a film with Dustin Hoffman about escaping from an island prison.