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Reading: Lady who suffered from skin problem narrates her experience as she graduates with first class degree
Reading: Lady who suffered from skin problem narrates her experience as she graduates with first class degree

Lady who suffered from skin problem narrates her experience as she graduates with first class degree

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Sallu Kamuskay
By Sallu Kamuskay 127 Views 8 Min Read
8 Min Read

A brilliant Sierra Leonean lady identify on Facebook as Haja Baturu Kabba has taken on her social media to celebrate her success after earning her first class degree from the Institute of Public Administration and Management.

The brilliant Sierra Leonan lady, Haja Baturu Kabba during her university days was a student leader. In a Facebook post celebrating her success, Haja recounted her sad experience of having a skin problem that lasted for more than two decades. Despite of this, she never gave up. Read her full story below

“THE JOURNEY HAS STARTED.

The Latin maxim “Veni, vidi, vici” which is better transcribed in English as I came, I saw, I conquered, is worthy of my person. It was daunting, but I held on; not just to get a first class degree, but also to create an indelible impact on the lives of many. I did. I proudly did. And I ever so well maintained a healthy relationship with the people whose paths I crossed. I have come afar, and I consider all the years of perseverance and dedication as a new beginning in my life, because I have a lot to thank Allah (my Maker) for.

To bring the dream alive, I went through excruciating pains, unimaginable sorrows, and tumultuous time. I went through it all because I saw myself breaking the glass ceiling. I did. My tribesmen consider education for girls a total waste of time and resources. They consider education – especially modern education for my gender unimportant. It is their belief that grownup girls should be given out to men for marriages. I stood a bit different; my family is an understanding type – one which regards modern education a profit for boys as well as girls. They are supportive. And they have been at my beck and call from scratch to finish. They have supported me, and are still supporting me, until my dreams came true. Wait a minute…did I actually say “came true?” Not yet, my dreams are just getting started and I pray they continue to stay with me on every step of the way.

WHEN DARK AND BRIGHT CLOUDS HOVERED AROUND ME:

I was that young girl in Kenema who suffered from skin problem for more than two decades; but I still had faith in Allah’s healing and plans for me to achieve my ambition of becoming an educated woman that can create a difference in the lives of people. In reality, I’ve gone halfway in accomplishing that. In my little corner, and as best possible, I’ve served and continually serving humanity. I’m a textbook definition of DEDICATION, PERSEVERANCE, COMMITMENT, PATIENCE, AND RESILIENCE. Oh yes, I’m that girl you used to call “the rotten foot girl” 😭😭😭

At this point, let me cease to thank my Creator for He has blessed me more than anticipated. I will serve You till eternity. To my lovely and caring family, I wouldn’t have achieved these feats without your innumerable support. I appreciate you so much. I cannot begin to thank my Father and Mother for serving as my greatest inspirations throughout the dark and bright years. They wiped my tears when the world gave me reasons to cry, they cried with me when I gave them reasons to shed a tear, and they encouraged when no one was watching. No one could have done it better than they did. My parents showed me the through meaning of love, protection and care. They shaped my life to such a degree that I saw humanity as a form of self-love rather than a favor. And I’m proud to say that I’ve been able to maintain a good human relationship on this journey. Thanks, Mum Nyama Sillah . Thanks, Dad Alhaji Abdulai Kabba . I pray for good health, longevity and prosperity so that I could be able to do some form of reciprocity. Thanks for believing in your favorite girl.

IPAM, you taught me to learn, unlearn, and relearn so as to fit into the corporate world. It has been a tough and bittersweet experience, but it all happened for the good. I owe you a debt of gratitude. I’m grateful for the experience garnered.

The students and the Administration of IPAM, thanks for the repository of trust. You gave me the most enviable platform to serve humanity. Thanks. I appreciate you all beyond bounds. The experience was worth the while, and the platform was a brilliant start.

Visionaries on and off campus, thanks for believing in me and the space to rule. I appreciate you for the love, respect, and honor you showed me throughout.

To sum:

I appreciate you all that played a pivotal role in my achieving these feats; you’re so many in a way that I won’t be able to mention and single you all out. However, I should give flowers to those they are due. The Frontline Soldiers: Brother Alie Badara Sanjan Kabba, Alie Kabba  you’ve been an instrumental figure in all of these. I could vividly retrospect four years ago, you told me these exact words “I see log of potentials in you, so you need to further your education.” You bought my entrance form and did the necessary arrangements for me at IPAM. I’m here today tall and proud for the step you took. Glad I could make you proud. I thank and appreciate you so much. Mr and Mrs Bashiru Kabba, Bashiru Kabba, Djenab Tawel Camara  words are not enough to express how much I appreciate you, Hamidu, and the kids for always bringing back my smile. You provided a safe space for me to learn. Thanking you so graciously for all the beautiful memories we shared as a family. Brother Mamoud Kabba, Mamoud Kabba  you took me this far. Thanks for accepting my flaws and headaches throughout. I appreciate you so much. Mr. Alfa Fofana in the USA, you came through and believed in my dreams without knowing me. You’ve helped and solved my stresses all through. Thanks. We did this together. You’re that friend I can trust with my life. May Allah reward you and your family. Ameen!

I want the world and all therein to remember that it wasn’t all rosy when I embarked on the journey. Along the way, there were cuts, bruises, and all. I stood my grounds. I’m here today because of you all. Thanks. I’m grateful. Indeed, I went, I saw, and I conquered. Better put: I went, I saw, and WE conquered. It’s our win. It’s our victory. It’s our triumph. Let’s celebrate it on this my special day.”

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Sallu Kamuskay is a Sierra Leonean communication strategist, fixer, blogger, youth organiser, event manager, spokesperson, and public relations expert. His work has been regularly referenced and published by national and international media and public policy institutions. Sallu Kamuskay was a child during the brutal war in Sierra Leone. Growing up in the midst of conflict, Sallu witnessed unimaginable abuse of children and gross violations of human rights. The horrors he witnessed during the Civil War had a terrible impact on him at a very tender age. But despite the shock of the war, Sallu never lost hope. He started on a journey of recovery, studying, and working for a better future. At age 15, Sallu entered into the world of activism and advocacy. Sallu Kamuskay was the Vice President of the Young Leaders Organisation, a member of the National Youth Council. The Young Leaders is one of the oldest youth-led organisations in West Africa. The organisation was formed by a group of young leaders, and launched by the then Head of State/President of Sierra Leone. Sallu was part of the group of young leaders who participated in and contributed to the establishment of the National Youth Council. The Commonwealth supported the training for trainers programme with line ministries and youth stakeholders in which key, representatives of youth council, student union and civil society/private sector youth platforms were engaged and empowered in the effective engagement and inclusion of youth. Sallu is co-founder and Executive Director of the Salone Messenger, a global multimedia and public relations firm based In Sierra Leone. Sallu has worked on various developmental and policy issues such as Poverty, Climate Change, Human rights, Child Rights, Education, Health, Gender Equality, Civic Engagement, Government policies, Information Communication Technology for Development and the Sustainable Development Goals, and has also been contributing to various global events and advocacy campaigns. Sallu Kamuskay is the co-founder and Executive Director of the Salone Messenger, a global Multimedia and Public Relations Firm based in Sierra Leone with the latest news and information, on top stories, business, politics, entertainment, and more. Sallu is working with a leading technology company in Africa, Techfrica, that has recently developed and launched a social media, messaging Supfrica with over 150,000 downloads on the Google play store in less than 4 days. He is the Adviser and Media coordinator for the App to give people the platform to connect and communicate to help shape their future with a very fast internet that allows users that live in deprived and hard-to-reach areas with poor internet facility to be able to communicate as it allows and stronger on 2 and 3 G network reception. Sallu has over 9 years of experience in youth engagement, inclusion, and coordination both at local and global levels, giving voice to young people and engaging young people to build a better world. He has served as coordinator for the Wave Alliance which brought together youth-led organisations who attended an international training in South Africa organized by the International Organization – Waves for Change. Sallu is working with the MLT, Waves For Change, and the Government to develop safe spaces for young people, with a view to contributing to the overall development goals of young people including health, as well as to community rebuilding. Sallu is currently the Programme Director for the Wave Alliance, which is a coalition of youth-led and community-based organisations that have successfully introduced evidence-based Surf Therapy programs to young people in communities, with a focus on mental health, peace building and sustainable development. Sallu is currently the focal point and face of Africa’s Faces Social media platform which is a global Social media platform that brings together people from across the world to share their moments, connect, share videos, and interact with friends giving more preference to excluded continents like Africa. Sallu Kamuskay has devoted his time to working for or contributing to a number of national and international organizations and companies, including the Techfrica Technology Company, United Nations, ECOWAS, European Union, Commonwealth Africa Initiatives. This work has led him to travel to a number of countries to contribute to global youth platforms. Sallu is the lead Coordinator for Peace Tour programme, an initiative supported by the European Union, Africa Union, ECOWAS focusing on uniting and empowering young people and local communities. Over the years, Sallu Kamuskay has been using his Techno phone to be able to tell stories, the phone he used to tell the story of Gbessay during Ebola who was admitted at one of the Ebola treatment centers after rumors that she had Ebola when the actual sickness was ulcer, she was almost abandoned at the treatment canter with no medication provided to her. She could have died. Sallu told the story via social media and was able to secure funding from the United Sierra Leone to buy her medication and advocated for her. She was later discharged and taken home, He did the same to a patient that died and was abandoned in the street, Sallu Kamuskay used his phone and shared the message across, the corps was later taken and buried. It could have been more disaster without his voice. The story of late America Stress 3-year-old daughter. The hero’s daughter was abandon after his father's death. He shared her sad story and was able to get a sister who has taken the child as her own and is currently providing her with educational support. The article of America Stress can be read on the link below http://ayvnewspaper.com/index.php/k2-categories/item/7350-america-stress-a-hero-to-recognize. Sallu Kamuskay feels the stories of Gbessay, America stress and that of many others need to be told. The media house we have cannot better tell these stories, they are better reporters than telling human interest stories. He created the Salone Messenger platform and brought together passionate storytellers to be able to tell these compelling stories.