Everything happens for a reason: My Miracle

“Congratulation you won” he said to me.
I was astonished, didn’t know what he meant or what was going on. I took a deep breath and asked him “For what?”! He smiled and said “You have been granted a scholarship”….

I didn’t know what to say or what to do. I jumped with happiness. He then added “Hey you know what! Since you were the only lady who scored grade A and you are the highest lady in the whole state your position is guaranteed”.

That news came to me as a shock. Since CFBT (Center For British Teachers) who funded the higher education in Puntland state left and UNESCO-PEER (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization - Regional Programme of Education for Emergencies and Reconstruction) took over funding the higher education.

As UNESCO was new to the state there was less hope for scholarships. For hours my ears couldn’t believe the good news they heard. I waited till morning then called the headmaster who later confirmed to me that UNESCO will sponsor the highest students. In our school nine students scored grade A, eight boys and me.

Becoming the highest lady throughout Puntland state in 2003/2004 academic year gave me the opportunity to further my studies by going another country outside my homeland and joining university. This was one of the best things that have ever happen to me.

I went Kenya on September 2005 and joined MultiMedia University College of Kenya to study telecommunication engineering. Going to another country helped me further my studies and made new friends. I deducted some money from the pocket money my sponsors provided me to study other courses in addition to the engineering course I was doing.

When I returned home I couldn’t secure a job as an engineer because of my gender, but the other courses I did helped me secure a job. Becoming a peace activist wasn’t my plan in the first place but as it’s been said “Everything happens for a reason”. I believe my destiny was to help the vulnerable ones. I am happy I joined this institution I am working with which promotes peacebuilding initiatives and reconciliations.

Without that scholarship I wouldn’t have been here at worldpulse because it helped me improve my language, interact many people with different religion and backgrounds. That was a miracle that happened to me.