Mustafe A

Every minute of our life spins, offers us something and teaches us memorable lessons. Back in the days, particularly when I was an eighth grader, adhered my mind as one of the most important days I ever had. The great teachers who devoted their time, and passed down their knowledge to me, bring tears to my eyes. I can’t reward them with anything for the great things they contributed to me. They constantly reported to my parents about my academic success and improvements. Through reporting, my parents, especially my mother, and the teachers developed a strong connection. Once or twice a month they used to tell her my progress within that month and everything about my school. After finishing my intermediate school, I had a two and half month holiday. My friends and I were interested in going to a boarding school, so that we could pursue a high quality education. With that in mind, we tried our best to meet and to have as much fun as possible during our long break. Worrying about the unfortunate things that would happen, we set up meetings where we discussed about how we would meet each other later if we didn’t end up in the same school.

Since I was young, I was deeply motivated by my friends, and my ultimate goal was to attend SOS which was the only well-known boarding school across Somaliland at that time. Willingly, all my friends and I asked our teachers questions about this school. Particularly, I still remember a day when we had a party with SOS’s students. They told us how fascinating and spectacular their school was by using exemplary students who graduated from their school and ended up in a great and well-respected jobs in our society such as Presidents. However, three years before I finished my intermediate school, my brother got into a new boarding school called Abaarso which attracted the attention of my classmates. My brother told me many wonderful things about his school, and even he encouraged me to constantly work hard, so that one day I would attend this school. Knowing that I really like math, he used to take some of the hardest math questions and teach me how to solve them. My brother made me realize that if I would get high results on the national exam, I would have an opportunity to attend Abaarso. However, one day our teachers told us that the Ministry of education started grading our exams and soon we will get our result.

September tenth 2013, was the big day we were all waiting for. I got high grades on the national exam which made both my teachers and parents content, but I had to decide which school I would go to. Since there were two prestigious boarding schools in Somaliland, I faced a dilemma either to pick SOS or Abaarso School. However, I finally decided to go to Abaarso. The news of my decision made my teachers discontent. They didn’t trust the school’s mission and the foreign teachers. Their level of hate toward Abaarso even reached a point where they called my mother several times to convince her to alter my decision. I remember one day when I was near my mother, one of the eminent teachers called her on the phone. Above all, he told her that I wouldn’t be successful if I went to Abaarso . He said to her, “ Your son is a fabulously excellent student. I know he can make the best out of wherever he goes, but if you don’t mind me saying, there are many ways that Abaarso wastes the time of their students. The students work afternoons to build the roads or peel potatoes. The school’s policy is based on American system which will change his culture and religion.” He added to that SOS would take my bright future to the next level. Most of his speech was devoted to the awful widespread rumors about Abaarso, and he consistently upbraided my mother to not agree with my decision.

Honestly, the issues that my teacher raised made me exasperated. I could barely talk after I heard his concerns and arguments. The best people in my life were against my decision. The disquieting words of my teacher made me think a lot which led me to forget eating sometimes. My benevolent mother couldn’t agree less with him. She appreciated his concerns, and she thanked him for everything that he had taught me. However, She told him that I have to learn how to make good decisions in life. She remarked that she will sooner or later pass away, so that I need to survive without her.

Although my teachers were eager to get me into SOS, I had the final defining decision in shaping my future. Looking back, if I have learned anything from this setback, it is the power of hope and facing situations where I have to make life-altering decisions on crucial matters. However, I eagerly became a student of Abaarso School of Science and Technology to attain a highly qualified education and wonderful variety of activities after classes. The beginning of my second year was very impressive because I became a member of the proctors, and attended the orientation weeks. These chances developed my potential and equipped me with great leadership skills.The obstacles that I faced encouraged me to critically think about the economic and political challenges of my country and gaining a high quality education. In my country, people choose the president based on his clan and tribe instead of his potential leadership. For this reason, I would like to learn politics and influence my country’s politics. Indeed, If my community elects their leaders based on their potential leadership, they would have great leaders that can lead our country to recognition that my society waited for the last twenty four years.