Pa Karim, my grandfather, died in the mid-1970s, long before I was born, so I never got to meet him. What I do know is that my father held him in high regard. Soon after my dad arrived in the United States, Pa Karim passed away. My dad had a decision, to return home and pay his last respects, risking not being able to return to the US or to stay and complete his studies. This would mean that he COULDN'T FAIL. My dad ended up in a small town called Muscatine, Iowa and attended Muscatine Community College. Upon completion of his AAS, he transferred to the University of Iowa where he studied Electrical Engineering.
Education and opportunity allowed my dad to transform the lives of his entire family. I want to give that opportunity to as many children in Sierra Leone as possible. My dad's story should not be the exception, it should be the rule. I believe that all children in this world deserve the right to quality education. They deserve the right to dream and make their dreams come true through hard work, dedication and an education system free of oppression and a lack of quality materials. We intend to use the school as the vehicle in which to transform the entire outlook of the village. Even though I never met my grandfather, his work, his name, and his people will live on through me! God bless.
