COMBAT ELECTRICITY INSUFFICIENCY IN AFRICA―Help Shammah become an engineer

Hello everyone!

I'm Shammah, and I'm from Nigeria, though born in Côte d'Ivoire to a Nigerian missionary family that has served in both countries for several years.

I believe that every personal goal or ambition ought to emerge from a genuine passion for service, and a realisation that we each have a unique role to play in effecting positive change that would benefit all those around us. This is why I see my desire to attend college in China not as a mere ambition, but as an aspiration to get a quality education in order to proffer the best solutions to the challenges my community faces.

 The challenge: Power outages and their effects.

Going through high school in Nigeria made me experience and witness, first-hand, the deleterious effect the lack of power supply can have on the overall performance of young African learners, just like me. The lack of optimal performance due to study hours being restrained to when the sun was out; the fatal risk of purchasing and storing highly flammable fuels (petrol/gasoline) in jerricans to power household electric generators; the prolonged inhalation of such toxic gases as carbon monoxide from these generators which could lead to severe brain-damage and has, in fact, claimed the lives of many; the development of serious eye defects as astigmatism (which I’m currently suffering from) due to the prolonged use of candles and torches for studying; these are but a few of the ills that the poor supply of power brings along.

Most start-ups in my community rely immensely on electricity for smooth running of daily business, hence, production costs are high, resulting in high prices of commodities and services, some of which become unaffordable for many low-income earning families.

 The response: Becoming an Engineer.

It was however astounding to see how, despite the staggering odds, diligent students and entrepreneurs in my community and country (Nigeria) could still do very well in view of the obstacles they faced. I have now come to see the need to find a long-lasting solution to this power problem, as it would provide committed individuals with the opportunity to perform at their greatest potential. I have made a commitment to acquire all the useful knowledge possible in order to meet this momentous need by deciding to become an electrical engineer as a stepping stone for greater and more experiential learning.

 College plans.

I've always loved adventure and exploring cultures that are significantly different from what I'm accustomed to. China fulfills this requirement while providing world-class education at a highly affordable price. The country blooms with cultural diversity and a soft spot for technology ― I'm somewhat of a techie too! Tuition and living costs in many cities are really low compared to most parts of the west. Bottom line is: I love China!

The call.

I'm believe that the future of certain persons is tied to and somewhat dependent on the purpose of every one individual. Hence failing in my destiny consequently lowers the prospects of some other person realising their dream; this sense of responsibility makes fulfilling destiny even more important to me.

It’ll make all the difference if/when supporting me is not regarded merely as a “long-shot” contribution to the dream of one individual, but as a strategic investment in the future of a community of ingenious and engaged individuals who, provided the opportunity, have the capacity to bring about positive change for their community, country, continent, and the world at large.

Kindly consider supporting me on this amazing new journey as you partner with me in finding a lasting solution to one the major problems my continent faces!