A life lesson from the firstborn of a family of five siblings
Positive Minds | Positive Stories | Edition 013
In my teenage years, I learnt one of the most valuable life lessons: keep working on your dream until it becomes reality.
I am the firstborn of a family of five siblings. My father, a civil servant engaged in politics, was forced to flee the country as his life was threatened by the government. My mother, who never set foot to school, found herself with a challenging responsibility: raise me and my five siblings on the little resources left by my exiled father. Few years down the road, our family’s condition started to worsen. Although my mother worked hard to generate revenue to afford the family needs, the exogenous economic blow that hit the country’s economy put a serious toll on her efforts. Left with no support, we were literally experiencing the hardships of life. At 16 years old, I decided I should do something to help my mother. I must become successful in life.
During the academic year, I used my weekends to lend a hand wherever it is needed to earn a substantial income. Half of the earned income would be saved, and the other half offered to my mum as my contribution to the household’s expenses. During school breaks (one weeks or more) and holidays, I did all kinds of small jobs to earn as much money as I could. I used the money earned to buy books and other educational materials for my siblings and for my own needs during the next academic year. A the same time, I kept working hard at school. I wouldn’t shy away to ask, practice, exercise until I thoroughly master a subject I was taught. I was materially poor but intellectually rich.
It has been very hard and painful to keep to the promise I made to myself: be successful in life. There have been many ups and downs in my journey. The only reason I did not give up was my strong belief in a better tomorrow. Years passed by. When I turned 19, I got my A level degree. I won a scholarship to take a master’s degree in community development. For the first time in my life, I did not have to work to afford my education and help my mum. I was entitled to a monthly stipend of as much as USD 63. To me, that was a clear sign that the change is nearer. Soon, I graduated and after several internships, got my first job. Then upon professional experience to professional experience, I am where I am today. My journey continues.
Since then, whenever I face a challenge, I will remember how I laid the trail for myself and for my junior brothers and sister. Then, I whisper to myself: "you once overcome adversity; you will surely do it again".
As Maya Angelou put it:
"You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it."
So, no matter how hard things are or get, let’s keep moving forward.
