Attached is an introductory letter written by Abdirhaman, an incredible student from Abaarso School in Somaliland. Please read more to learn about his story and his future aspirations.
Before I went to Abaarso School in Somaliland, my plans encompassed leading myself and my family to a better life. The only economical source of six children and their mom, my father worked 10 hours a day to provide us barely three meals a day and the other necessary elements for living. Watching my father struggle to support me and my family was an excruciating experience that sketched one goal for my life: improving my family's financial situation. I attempted to quit school but my decisive father insisted that I should "continue school and not worry about the tuition as long as he is alive" even though I knew that he needed someone to help him work in his shop. I finished my elementary and intermediate school, keeping my eyes on what I believed was my only obligation, which was uplifting my family's social class.
However, I had a transformative experience in my high school. In Abaarso School of Science and Technology, I met teachers that worked laboriously not for their families or personal interests but to make a difference in the future of a generation. Luckily, I had the opportunity to be one of that generation. As I spent time with these teachers, I wondered if I could help more than my family. My teachers; determination to help others in need inspired me to dream big and focus on making wider impacts. I started thinking about my country's current situation.
Decimated by civil wars, Somliland needs engineers to build roads, a main problem that hindered the country's development. Somaliland has a port that would not only benefit for its citizens but even the neighboring countries such as Ethiopia who does not have access to a sea would have used it if there were good roads. Similarly, the country's medical situation is depressing. Not only is the country lacking skilled doctors, but it also does not have enough medical facilities nor effective medication. Every year, hundreds of people die from curable diseases, simply because there are not enough well-trained doctors, quality medication, nor adequate infrastructure. These types of problems capture my attention. Planning a career in either medicine or engineering, I always consider ways to fix these problems as soon as possible.
29 MAR 2015