{"id":56998,"date":"2026-01-28T17:39:47","date_gmt":"2026-01-28T17:39:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/i-miss-nothing-from-america-david-clark-s-journey-to-purpose-and-a-new-life-in\/"},"modified":"2026-02-05T14:18:33","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T14:18:33","slug":"i-miss-nothing-from-america-david-clark-s-journey-to-purpose-and-a-new-life-in","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/i-miss-nothing-from-america-david-clark-s-journey-to-purpose-and-a-new-life-in\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cI miss nothing from America\u201d: David Clark\u2019s journey to purpose and a new life in Rwanda (Video)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>In a recent exclusive interview with IGIHE, Clark revealed that for much of his life, he felt trapped in a world where he was &#8220;constantly treated as less than human,&#8221; always being seen as &#8220;a Black man&#8221; rather than just a man. He spoke openly about the daily struggles of microaggressions, police harassment, and toxic environments.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt was like modern-day slavery,\u201d he says, describing a society where people are bound to unfulfilling jobs and material pursuits.<\/p>\n<p>For Clark, life in America felt like a prison, working tirelessly just to afford a house and a car, trapped in a cycle of traffic, widespread drug problems, and a healthcare system that prioritises pharmaceuticals over healing. Yet, a trip to Ethiopia two decades ago planted the seed for a new life.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;That was the first time I felt like a man, not just a Black man,&#8221; Clark shares. This journey to Africa, which began with the adoption of four sisters from Ethiopia, marked the beginning of a profound connection with the continent.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I knew then, this is where I belong,&#8221; he says, his voice thick with emotion. His experience in Africa shattered the negative portrayals of the continent seen in the media. Clark describes a deep \u201cgravitational pull\u201d that ultimately led him back to Africa, the land of his ancestors, a place he now views as the &#8220;promised land&#8221; for people of colour.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I believe that Africa is the promised land for all people of colour, our ancestors who were enslaved, to return. Africa is where we originally are from,&#8221; he declares. &#8220;It\u2019s time for everyone to come back home.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Clark introduces himself not only as a man of roots but as a man on a mission. &#8220;I&#8217;m a father of approximately 20 children. I\u2019ve adopted many, many children from all over the world. I&#8217;m a philanthropist, a community leader. My purpose is to help people, to inspire them to do bigger and better things.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>While initially considering other African countries such as Tanzania, Kenya, and Ethiopia, Clark says that Rwanda\u2019s stability, infrastructure, and warmth made it the perfect place to settle permanently.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Rwanda kept calling me and calling me,&#8221; he explains. &#8220;The people, the roads, the infrastructure&#8230; It was just overwhelming in the best way. Coming from a toxic environment like America, Rwanda welcomed me with open arms.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Clark\u2019s move to Rwanda was not simply about leaving the United States; it was about seeking a more peaceful, fulfilling life. &#8220;I had a good lifestyle in America. I had the white picket fence, the house, the cars, and everything that comes with materialism,&#8221; he says, but his heart was never at peace.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;In America, even though I had all that stuff, that wasn\u2019t the thing. It was temporary happiness. Here, I found peace, love, and joy that money cannot buy,&#8221; he continues. &#8220;Here, the government supports you, the food is organic, and I\u2019ve lost 76 pounds. It\u2019s just the environment, the balance of nature, the clean air, and the kindness of the people. I\u2019ve never experienced anything like it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>As a farmer, Clark emphasises the self-sufficiency he has found in Rwanda. &#8220;We grow almost all our crops here. I have hundreds of bamboo plants for building materials. The land here is incredible,&#8221; he says. He also grows medicinal plants and runs a coffee farm, planning to scale up production in the coming years. Despite being in the process of building his dream, Clark insists this journey is not just for him.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I want to show others that it\u2019s possible, that you can come home too. Come on home, man. It\u2019s a place for financial freedom, better health care, and peace.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>He passionately challenges the misconception of Africa as a land of poverty and disease, calling it &#8220;fake news&#8221; designed to maintain control. &#8220;Africa is the most progressive continent in the world. People need to see the truth,&#8221; he states.<\/p>\n<p>In his final words, Clark reflects on his new life, insisting that he does not miss America. &#8220;People ask me that all the time: do I miss anything from America? I miss nothing. Wait, let me tell you once again, I miss nothing from America. Zero. We should be treated like kings and queens and human beings. Hey, I run kings and queens and human beings. That\u2019s how we should be treated.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Clark&#8217;s vision extends beyond personal success. He envisions a community centred on love, empowerment, and growth, where people of colour can thrive, free from the oppressive forces they\u2019ve endured in the West.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It\u2019s time to come back home,&#8221; Clark concludes, his message powerful and clear: \u201cThis is the promised land, and it\u2019s time for us to reclaim it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Watch the full video interview below.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"696\" height=\"391\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/xgZsU-VVUQQ\" title=\"\u201cI miss nothing from America\u201d \u2014 David Clark\u2019s story on finding home, purpose &amp; peace in Rwanda\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-101222 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/000a8971.jpg.jpg.jpg\" alt=\"David Clark, a 56-year-old African American originally from Oakland, California, moved to Rwanda five years ago.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-101221 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/000a9015.jpg.jpg.jpg\" alt=\"David Clark owns and runs the &#039;Promised Land&#039; farm in Kanzenze Sector, Bugesera District, Eastern Province.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-101219 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/000a9064.jpg.jpg.jpg\" alt=\"The road leading to David Clark&#039;s serene farm.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-101207 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/000a9145.jpg.jpg.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-101218 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/000a9079.jpg.jpg.jpg\" alt=\"He describes the land where he grows several types of crops and trees as incredible.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-101215 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/000a9112.jpg.jpg.jpg\" alt=\"He says the farm has given him peace.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-101209 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/000a9144.jpg.jpg.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-101208 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/000a9138.jpg.jpg.jpg\" alt=\"David Clark&#039;s family home.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-101217 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/000a9087.jpg.jpg.jpg\" alt=\"He rears animals including sheep, cows and ducks.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-101216 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/000a9097.jpg.jpg.jpg\" alt=\"A duck in David Clark&#039;s farm.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-101214 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/000a9110.jpg.jpg.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-101204 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/000a9158.jpg.jpg.jpg\" alt=\"The family grows a variety of crops on the farm, including cabbages. \" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-101203 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/000a9179.jpg.jpg.jpg\" alt=\"The family also rears rabbits.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-101202 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/000a9174.jpg.jpg.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-101212 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/000a9120.jpg.jpg.jpg\" alt=\"David Clark and his family have built a basketball court on their farm. \" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-101211 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/000a9126.jpg.jpg.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-101201 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/000a9011.jpg.jpg\" alt=\"David Clark maintains that he misses nothing from America.\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>David Clark, a 56-year-old African American originally from Oakland, California, traded life in the United States for Rwanda five years ago, where he now owns and runs the &#8216;Promised Land&#8217; farm in Kanzenze Sector, Bugesera District, Eastern Province. For Clark, the move was not simply a relocation but a homecoming, one he says followed decades of alienation and disillusionment in America.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":131,"featured_media":2000101223,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[72,75],"byline":[201],"hashtag":[],"class_list":["post-56998","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-people","tag-featured-news-home","tag-homenews","byline-rania-umutoni"],"bylines":[{"id":201,"name":"Rania Umutoni","slug":"rania-umutoni","description":"","image":{"id":0,"url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&f=y&r=g","alt":"Default avatar","title":"Default avatar","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","sizes":[]},"user_id":139}],"contributors":[{"id":201,"name":"Rania Umutoni","slug":"rania-umutoni","description":"","image":{"id":0,"url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&f=y&r=g","alt":"Default avatar","title":"Default avatar","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","sizes":[]},"user_id":139}],"featured_image":{"id":2000101223,"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/000a8959_jpglogo.jpg","alt":"","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","width":0,"height":0,"sizes":{"thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/000a8959_jpglogo.jpg","width":1,"height":1},"medium":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/000a8959_jpglogo.jpg","width":1,"height":1},"medium_large":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/000a8959_jpglogo.jpg","width":1,"height":1},"large":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/000a8959_jpglogo.jpg","width":1,"height":1},"full":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/000a8959_jpglogo.jpg","width":0,"height":0}}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56998","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/131"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=56998"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56998\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2000101223"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=56998"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=56998"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=56998"},{"taxonomy":"byline","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/byline?post=56998"},{"taxonomy":"hashtag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hashtag?post=56998"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}