Thank you everyone for watching! I really appreciate every one of you! Let's come together and keep this dream alive 🙏 And thank you for sharing this story Derrick! We are with you ❤️
Thanks for leading and pushing me to make this video Yannick, since September to this day, super excited for this and the channel, the growth, wins, struggles, challenges and the community we are going to start building here, cheers buddy❤
I feel for you, bro. I totally understand your pain because I've been through something similar myself. I know you put in the hard work, buying all your equipment one by one, hustling through it when not many people knew who you were. And even the few who did were probably low-budget clients. But now, things are different. People know you. They trust your skills and know what you're capable of. Don't let them down. Keep pushing, stay focused on your craft, and keep delivering the best for your clients. I’m confident you’ll bounce back. For now, consider renting the gear you need while you replace it piece by piece. You’ve already come this far, and now you've got the audience and connections you didn’t have back then. Use that to your advantage, and push forward like never before. You've got this
Praying for you and will be sharing this video with many …. I’m so sorry this devastating thing has happened to you and pray you come through this time stronger, wiser, and blessed beyond your wildest dreams so you may in turn continue to bless others as you have been 🙏🏽
Thank you so much for the kind words, indeed, right now I am more than grateful and thankful that I can even share about it! Can't wait for the bright better future.
Thanks my dear for sharing this, for sure we will get back even better than what was lost, new connections, friendships and doors will open! can't wait to work with you and learn from you this year❤❤❤ we got this
So moved by this bold step, for a creative of this caliber to open up about his challenges and actually ask for help . It's not easy . And that photography equipment is expensive ! And all that priceless work . Omg! Derrick you are a very strong man ! God will make away is all l can say !
Thanks Mathias, I think thats the all point of this channel that I am starting, to inspire bold choices, esp those that scare us the most. thank you for the kind words
In 2017, my mentor told me, "You're not a man until you lose it all and get it all back." At the time, I didn’t fully understand it. But on May 1st, 2023, when I lost everything I had worked for tirelessly over the past six years, the pain was overwhelming. Thank God, I made it through. My dear Derrick, you are stronger than you’ve ever been. Brother Derrick, move with the confidence that God has got you. You are a winner, and I truly love you. It takes courage for a fellow man to tell you this, and let me be clear: I’m not gay don’t get me wrong, haha. Whatever struggles you're facing will soon pass. Be grateful for every breath you take. You're still here, alive, and that means there’s nothing to truly worry about. God bless you, my friend. Stay blessed. I’m going to help you with significant support. I’ll take both of your numbers, and once I have everything prepared, I’ll reach out to you directly. Have less to worry about God’s got you. Take care, champ.
Hi Mark, thanks so much for sharing about your experience in 2017, I can imagine what It must have been like and you walked stronger and made it through! I love the joke about not being gay🤣🤣, sending love, kindness and support to you my brother.... I will for sure make it through and even better, I can see the signs that it had to happen that way, the way God plans for us is different from the way we humans plan, I am super grateful and thankful. My numbers are attached in the subscription of this video, looking forward to hearing from you mate. Take Care 😎
I am so so proud of the Sembeza Africa Team, I can't wait for the future! I hope people reasonate with the ending of the video like I do, Speak up, reach out in anyway that you can!
From Derrick Hi everyone, thank you so much for your incredible support. I wanted to take a moment to share how your contributions will help me rebuild and move forward: Where Your Donations Will Go: • A fresh start: Since September 2024, I have been unable to take on any field paying work. Your donations will help me cover immediate necessities and create a foundation to start over. • Emotional recovery: For the first time in my life, I’ve accepted that I need counselling and therapy. Losing everything has been an overwhelming experience, and for years, I’ve avoided addressing my feelings. Living alone has amplified my struggles, and in recent months, my emotions became so uncontrollable that I felt truly scared. Starting in February 2025, I will begin therapy to heal and rebuild my mental health. • Rebuilding my career: While the stolen content on the hard drives is irreplaceable, I plan to purchase the lost equipment to help me start creating again. Content creation is not just my career but my passion, and with your support, I can continue to tell meaningful stories from our communities and work toward self-sufficiency. No donation is too small - every contribution makes a difference. If you’re unable to donate, please consider sharing this fundraiser with your network. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for standing by me during this incredibly challenging time. Your kindness, generosity, and belief in my journey mean more to me than words can express. Together, we are proving that even in our darkest moments, hope and compassion can light the way forward. With gratitude, Derrick.
Thank you everyone for watching! I really appreciate every one of you! Let's come together and keep this dream alive 🙏
And thank you for sharing this story Derrick! We are with you ❤️
Thanks for leading and pushing me to make this video Yannick, since September to this day, super excited for this and the channel, the growth, wins, struggles, challenges and the community we are going to start building here, cheers buddy❤
We are with u derrick .. much love.. as i always... U are my role modal🙏
Every single Photographer can imagine what Derrick is going through at the moment. Let’s do something.
I feel for you, bro. I totally understand your pain because I've been through something similar myself. I know you put in the hard work, buying all your equipment one by one, hustling through it when not many people knew who you were. And even the few who did were probably low-budget clients. But now, things are different. People know you. They trust your skills and know what you're capable of.
Don't let them down. Keep pushing, stay focused on your craft, and keep delivering the best for your clients. I’m confident you’ll bounce back. For now, consider renting the gear you need while you replace it piece by piece. You’ve already come this far, and now you've got the audience and connections you didn’t have back then. Use that to your advantage, and push forward like never before. You've got this
We can all do this 😢
Sending you cyber hugs Derek💙💙💙
Its good to see you Shakira, thank you so much, sending back Cyber hugs👏❤❤❤
Praying for you and will be sharing this video with many …. I’m so sorry this devastating thing has happened to you and pray you come through this time stronger, wiser, and blessed beyond your wildest dreams so you may in turn continue to bless others as you have been 🙏🏽
Thank you so much for the kind words, indeed, right now I am more than grateful and thankful that I can even share about it! Can't wait for the bright better future.
Lost everything I owned too in September. Still fighting on & I know God is gonna give us back twice what we lost. We got this! 💪🏻
Thanks my dear for sharing this, for sure we will get back even better than what was lost, new connections, friendships and doors will open! can't wait to work with you and learn from you this year❤❤❤ we got this
Sorry Eunice
So moved by this bold step, for a creative of this caliber to open up about his challenges and actually ask for help . It's not easy . And that photography equipment is expensive ! And all that priceless work . Omg! Derrick you are a very strong man ! God will make away is all l can say !
Thanks Mathias, I think thats the all point of this channel that I am starting, to inspire bold choices, esp those that scare us the most. thank you for the kind words
In 2017, my mentor told me, "You're not a man until you lose it all and get it all back." At the time, I didn’t fully understand it. But on May 1st, 2023, when I lost everything I had worked for tirelessly over the past six years, the pain was overwhelming. Thank God, I made it through.
My dear Derrick, you are stronger than you’ve ever been. Brother Derrick, move with the confidence that God has got you. You are a winner, and I truly love you. It takes courage for a fellow man to tell you this, and let me be clear: I’m not gay don’t get me wrong, haha.
Whatever struggles you're facing will soon pass. Be grateful for every breath you take. You're still here, alive, and that means there’s nothing to truly worry about.
God bless you, my friend. Stay blessed.
I’m going to help you with significant support. I’ll take both of your numbers, and once I have everything prepared, I’ll reach out to you directly. Have less to worry about God’s got you.
Take care, champ.
Hi Mark, thanks so much for sharing about your experience in 2017, I can imagine what It must have been like and you walked stronger and made it through! I love the joke about not being gay🤣🤣, sending love, kindness and support to you my brother.... I will for sure make it through and even better, I can see the signs that it had to happen that way, the way God plans for us is different from the way we humans plan, I am super grateful and thankful.
My numbers are attached in the subscription of this video, looking forward to hearing from you mate.
Take Care
😎
Bro you're an inspiration, you're gonna come back stronger than ever
My guy, super grateful for you bro, we shall have a nile in the future over this hahaha
Been awaiting on this Derrick…. We are with you on this journey ❤
Wulululululul BTS fam, absolutely, thank you so much! I am here any day also for you guys, BTS to the world!
What a story... Really brave of you Derrick to ask for help! We are by your side.
I am so so proud of the Sembeza Africa Team, I can't wait for the future! I hope people reasonate with the ending of the video like I do, Speak up, reach out in anyway that you can!
WAIT! I know this is a serious video. Who has noticed the clip he keeps adding in the video while on the stairs. 🤭🤭🤭🤭 very funny man
Hahaha, I did notice that🤣🤣🤣 thats why you kept watching hahaah
❤️❤️🫂🫂
❤❤❤❤
From Derrick
Hi everyone, thank you so much for your incredible support. I wanted to take a moment to share how your contributions will help me rebuild and move forward:
Where Your Donations Will Go:
• A fresh start: Since September 2024, I have been unable to take on any field paying work. Your donations will help me cover immediate necessities and create a foundation to start over.
• Emotional recovery: For the first time in my life, I’ve accepted that I need counselling and therapy. Losing everything has been an overwhelming experience, and for years, I’ve avoided addressing my feelings. Living alone has amplified my struggles, and in recent months, my emotions became so uncontrollable that I felt truly scared. Starting in February 2025, I will begin therapy to heal and rebuild my mental health.
• Rebuilding my career: While the stolen content on the hard drives is irreplaceable, I plan to purchase the lost equipment to help me start creating again. Content creation is not just my career but my passion, and with your support, I can continue to tell meaningful stories from our communities and work toward self-sufficiency.
No donation is too small - every contribution makes a difference. If you’re unable to donate, please consider sharing this fundraiser with your network.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for standing by me during this incredibly challenging time. Your kindness, generosity, and belief in my journey mean more to me than words can express.
Together, we are proving that even in our darkest moments, hope and compassion can light the way forward.
With gratitude,
Derrick.