People who first begin to explore the continent of Africa often become confused when they encounter the country of Chad--a seemingly American-sounding name nestled inbetween such exotic locales as Nigeria and the Central African Republic.  Many times, they simply shrug their shoulders and move on.

What they don’t realize is, it’s not a coincidence.  The country of Chad is actually a 19-year old male from Pella, Wisconsin named Chad Donaldson.  Popular in high school and generally thought of as an All-American Boy, Chad found himself increasingly restless after graduation.

“My friends just wanted to get drunk and go cow tipping,” Chad says.  “I had bigger dreams.  I couldn’t get into a state college, so eventually I thought about becoming an African country.”

Chad Donaldson prior to becoming the country of Chad.

Finding success with his bold move has meant having to field curious questions from complete strangers.  “People I don’t even know will talk to me,” Chad says with a smile.  “They ask me if I look up women’s skirts. I have to explain that the bond between a country and his people is a sacred thing.  I don’t go around checking out the chicks just because I’m, y’know, everywhere.”

Having at first ridiculed the young pioneer for his offbeat career decision, many of Chad’s friends have since changed their minds.  Some of them have even talked about following in his footsteps.  “Oh sure, I get that a lot,” Chad says.  “My best friend Biff wants to become a country right next to me--so we’d be, y’know, the country of Chad and the country of Biff.  I had to tell him, look man, that would be great--but you got Libya here and you got Cameroon there, and so all the slots are pretty much full.”