My Background Inspired My Success
My background could be described as a scenario where I would get one piece of good news, and fifty other parts would come up that would lead to complete despair. My family was so poverty-stricken that even the other poor villagers around us called us inadequate. I was the firstborn in a family of eight siblings, raised by a workaholic mother and an alcoholic for a father. We could hardly afford two meals in a day, and most times, we had to virtually be satisfied by the scent of food from our neighbors’ kitchens. The chaos never subsided where our family was concerned. My father would pick fights with everything and everyone whenever he was in a drunken stupor. My mother was emotionally detached from everything happening in the family. I still think she was trying to avoid a mental breakdown since she had to work so hard while her husband gulped all his earnings in alcohol. Despite the challenges, I knew being the firstborn meant being strong enough to steer my siblings towards a better future.
I was raised in Beattyville, Kentucky, and life was cruel. From the moment I discerned life around me, I knew I had to find my way out of my pathetic surroundings. Having seven siblings’ surface closely behind forced me to grow up faster than I should have. My desire was to do so well in school to make it to an institution of higher education. Our little family radio was my favourite gadget. My time was occupied listening to inspiring stories about individuals who had conquered all odds to be influential in the society. Every time I had a story that brought hope, my heart would race and I would tell myself ‘I will be better than this individual. I joined Lee County schools, both in Elementary and middle schools. Focus on studies was a priority. I had a dream, and I would go to any length to make a reality.
My siblings were my inspiration. Desperation to get my family out of poverty pushed me to strengths I had no idea I possessed. My principal aim was to join Eastern Kentucky University, miles away from home. I studied day and night, passed my examinations and graduated with honors in all my curricular activities. During breaks, I followed my mum to work in the fields of a few privileged families, but my hope was intact. The only leisure activity I enjoyed the Woolly Worm festival that happened three days a year in October. There was lots of entertainment, and this birthed my dream. I had grown up desiring to make life livelier for little children. During one of these festivals, I approached an influential government official and shared my thoughts. My audacity made him want to listen to my thoughts. My Happy Place NGO was birthed.
The government member (name withheld) was inspired by my life story and spoke to several Non-Governmental institutions who prioritized on promoting Vulnerable Children’s welfare, and within months I experienced immeasurable support. Visits upon visits accompanied by funds became a daily scenario for my family and me. Before long, I had raised enough for the vulnerable families in my village and for my family. The associations I had intertwined with helped me set up the ‘Happy Place’ NGO, and through it, numerous kids’ lives were changed as their families got supported and kids got scholarships to better schools and access to healthcare. The visits mostly premiered at my home, and my desire to change lives ended up changing ours. We received funds to build a better home, my father was placed into rehabilitation and conquered alcohol, my mum is a community-based activist, and my siblings are in outstanding schools across America. I still work with NGO’s while pursuing my studies.