In retrospect, all that the human mind can conceive, it can
achieve. No wonder that human beings endowed with this capacity is not evident
in other huge creatures are able to conquer even the harshest environments and
make a home for themselves. However, I remain skeptical about our future in the
universe.
Growing up for me was more of a task than it was a process as it is for most people. Born into a humble family in Kenya, I spent most of my time on the farm, farming and the hope that the season would bring good harvest. At age 10, I was responsible enough to take care of my three younger brothers.
The world around me was peaceful and promising, despite what most might say about life in Africa. Just to have all my family around me said all morning.
But as I grew, my outlook on life changed slowly. I began to see and feel things you never pay attention to children. I began to understand the news. I was conscious and alert events around me. By the time I joined the high school, there was no turning back.
Growing up for me was more of a task than it was a process as it is for most people. Born into a humble family in Kenya, I spent most of my time on the farm, farming and the hope that the season would bring good harvest. At age 10, I was responsible enough to take care of my three younger brothers.
The world around me was peaceful and promising, despite what most might say about life in Africa. Just to have all my family around me said all morning.
But as I grew, my outlook on life changed slowly. I began to see and feel things you never pay attention to children. I began to understand the news. I was conscious and alert events around me. By the time I joined the high school, there was no turning back.
To satisfy my curiosity, I spent a lot of time reading about famous people, curious to know what was special about them. I constantly talk to my teachers in research to understand what it took to be famous.
In particular, I had an idol, Dr. Benjamin Carson, a pediatric neurosurgeon at Johns Hopkins University Hospital. Her four books - Think Big, Gifted Hands, to take the risk and The Big Picture - became a fascination of mine. I closely followed their new hits, including the award, the Presidential Medal of Peace.
I thought that if I knew how he became who he was, he could learn to be like him, so I tried. Before long, my career dream became neurosurgery without any other plans. For four years in high school this objective seemed feasible.
Unfortunately, I did not graduate a student "A" and my dream of going to medical school collapsed before my eyes. Depressed and confused, I cried at night, wondering where he had gone wrong. After my period of mourning, knowing that he had to find a way out, I began to read again.
Looking through newspapers, magazines and books an alternative to medical school, I ran into Zapata Africa, an NGO sponsored African girls to go to the US for undergraduate studies. Torn between disappointment and anxiety, I continued my way through the rigorous selection process, and eventually I won a scholarship to study in the US.
Comments
Post a Comment