My journey began in the aftermath of the Civil War in Sierra Leone. The scars of conflict left many families, including mine, struggling to make ends meet. My father faced immense challenges in sending my elder brother, sister, and me to school. Education was a luxury we could hardly afford, but my father, driven by a deep passion for learning, never gave up on us. 

After school, my siblings and I had to walk seven to eight miles to Kunsho village and nearby areas to buy firewood. This was a tiring process of collecting, transporting, and selling firewood in Makeni. My father would split the firewood before handing it over to us to sell. This routine continued until I reached Junior Secondary School (JSS 3), at which point my elder siblings could no longer continue their education. Despite this setback, my father remained passionate about education, encouraging me to strive for a better future. He believed I was capable of doing something out of the ordinary.

After completing secondary school, I faced another challenge: My father fell ill, and with no financial support for higher studies, I decided to be a community teacher to provide for my family. I worked in various schools for eight years, i.e., Oxford International Academy, Mabanta School of Science and Technology, United Methodist Secondary School, and some syndicate classes. For the meager pay of Nle 70 ($3.50) to Nle 80 ($4.00) per month, I worked for my students, hoping that one day I would witness them accomplishing something. It was hurtful to watch my students graduate with first-class honors from university and still be a community teacher. But, amidst tears, I never lost hope that one day my tribulations would bear fruit and that I would find my path.

In 2020, I joined Families Without Borders and received a scholarship for one year of community service as a probationary period. This experience reignited my dreams of university education. That same year, I endured great personal tragedy; I lost my father, and my elder brother. Their death left my family in despair, and my mother was grieving, from which she has not yet recovered. Despite all these, I prayed and remained dedicated to my dream. With the help of Allah, I sought means of advancing my studies further. I would like to thank Families Without Borders, Ishmael Bundu (Pele) and Kadiatu Kanu for believing in me during this test. They were a source of hope to me. I remained resolute in seeking an internship that would provide me with valuable experience. In my second year of study in 2022, I experienced my first internship with the Makeni City Council. It was a life-altering experience; it paved the way for my future. I later interned at Women's Actions for Human Dignity (WAHD) on a project titled ”Enhancing CSOs Participation in Governance and National Level Policy Processes in Sierra Leone.” This internship, which lasted fifteen months, reaffirmed my belief in the importance of civic engagement.

In addition to my internships, I also volunteered at Grace Organic Egg Poultry Farm for three months during the latter half of 2024. The CEO of the farm recognized my strong work ethic and commitment and extended a full-time offer to me. This was a life-altering experience, ensuring my place in the labor force.

Today, I am privileged to declare that I have graduated with a First-Class BSc Honors in Accounting and Finance from the University of Makeni, the first person in my line of family to achieve such a distinction. My academic journey was not merely about personal achievement; it was also about breaking down barriers for generations to come. During my university life, I was honored to serve as the president of the Accounting and Finance Society. I organized the first Accounting Week Celebration to mark World Accountant Day. The event brought together students and professionals to celebrate our profession and network.

As I slipped on my graduation gown, I felt a burst of emotions wash over me. That gown symbolized not just my academic success but the culmination of years of struggle, patience, and determination. The smile that spread across my face was a smile of victory, a testament that I had braved the obstacles ahead of me. My experience serves as a reminder to anyone who finds himself in a test: never forget your dreams, no matter what. Embrace challenges as opportunities to strengthen yourself, and never lose sight of your goals. As I proceed, I hope that this graduation opens the doors to future degrees and joyful celebrations in my life.

Finally, I encourage you to maintain the faith and pursue your dreams with unyielding passion. Circumstances never work out exactly as you think they will, but through resolve and a believing heart in some higher power, anything can happen.