Kalamazoo Valley Community College Graduate Publishes Book about His Family in Togo West Africa

KALAMAZOO, Mich., Oct.14, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Pierre Komi T. Adade set out to preserve the details of his orphaned father's life so future generations would never forget his legacy. He shelved the project for 22 years but recently published his book, "From Orphan to Greatness: An African Story," and is now sharing his father's story worldwide. The book was published in February 2021 by Page Publishing, Inc. and is available on Amazon, at Barnes and Noble and at other bookstores.

Adade was an international student at Kalamazoo Valley Community College from Togo, West Africa from 1989 to 1992. He graduated with an associate of arts degree in International Studies and Political Science in December 1992. He now lives with his family in Charlotte, North Carolina and has never forgotten the kindness extended to him in Kalamazoo, Michigan especially by his late host parents Margaret and Verne Berry.

When he was a teen, Adade's parents befriended an American Peace Corps volunteer, Tom Buchanan. The two families remained close and Buchanan eventually helped make arrangements for Adade to come to the U.S. to attend college. "My memory of Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a unique one," he said. "I grew up in a French speaking country and Kalamazoo Valley gave me the opportunity to improve my English. The very first help I received was from Kalamazoo Valley."

Adade has especially fond memories of college instructor Su Cutler. She is now retired, but taught Adade English and helped edit and proofread the manuscript of his book. "She was more than an instructor," he said of Cutler. "She was a very good friend and one of the best instructors that I ever had." It took him three years to write the book and Cutler gave input throughout the project. When he finished it in 1997, he shared it with his father.

"My father lost both his parents at the age of three," Adade said. "He didn't have a chance in life, but he became one of the most respected people I've ever known. He would tell us stories and cry and I thought if that story means that much to you, I will put it in writing. It makes me happy that I was able to keep my promise. I'm hoping it will inspire someone else. Just because you're going through something today doesn't mean your life will be determined by it."

Adade's father died in 2015, but his mother is still alive. He recently sent a copy of the book to his mother and sister. He plans to have it translated into French and Spanish next. Adade's father one of the best coffee farmers Togo has ever known and was well respected in his village of Agadji. The family never lost contact with Peace Corps volunteer Buchanan. In fact, Adade and Buchanan were recently interviewed on television in North Carolina about how their lives have been interwoven. "He was a white person who didn't see color," Adade said of Buchanan. "He saw a person who needed help. Kindness goes across borders. It goes across skin color."

Seeing a need and reaching out to fill it has been a common theme throughout Adade's life. "My mother always said it's ok to be ugly. It's ok to be poor. But it's never ok to be mean to people. To be kind to people does not cost you anything. Life is built on kindness."

Having the book published and reconnecting with Cutler brought Adade great joy. "I wanted her to know that her hope was not in vain," he said. "As long as I live and breathe, I will always say thank you. I will always show appreciation."

Media Contact
Linda Depta, Executive Director KVCC Foundation
and Director of Fund Development
269.488.4821 or [email protected]

Media Contact

Dawn Kemp, Kalamazoo Valley Community College, 269.488.4685, [email protected]

Erin Dominianni, Kalamazoo Valley Community College, 269.488.4445, [email protected]

SOURCE Kalamazoo Valley Community College