Brian's Father died when he was young. Brian dropped out of school after finishing the sixth grade because his mother was a poor peasant who could not afford secondary school fees. Brian decided to try and work to support himself and to attend high school. He found a meager job with a village man who sold watches. Brian would stand on the streets and call people to come and buy watches, earning only 200 frances per day, the equivalent of about 30 cents. He used 100 francs to purchase food for himself, and he saved 100 francs a day towards the cost of his high school fees.

After saving 4,500 francs, he took the money to the headmaster at a local high school. It wasn't enough for a whole term, but Brian promised that he would pay the rest later. However, he lost his small job and had no way to pay any more school fees.

He had no money for food and went 4 days with anything to eat. He began asking for scraps at local restaurants, just to get something to eat.

Brian continued to attend school even though he had not paid his school fees, but was careful to hide from the headmaster every time he came to inspect the classroom. Brian knew that he would be expelled if caught by him, but he prayed and kept his hopes high, that somehow God would provide and allow him to attend high school.

Shortly thereafter, he met a volunteer for Africa New Life Ministries and told her about his struggles and his needs. She showed compassion to Brian and registered him into the sponsorship program. Brian was eventually sponsored by a man in Portland, Oregon who is a local leader in education. Dr. Larry Ayers, former principal of Bensen High School and superintendent of Portland public schools, is now Brian's sponsor. God amazingly matched Brian with a sponsor who shares his passion for education.