Education is an important gift and foundation for
self-growth and success. As a student given an invaluable opportunity to expand
my knowledge and become a great version of myself, I am most grateful to have
access to education, one which is considered a privilege. Quality education
for me is a right, a basic human right in which each of us should be given equal access to receive the education we all deserve. As Nelson Mandela said,
“Education is a powerful tool/weapon anyone can use to save the world.” It is
somewhat a backbone of a developing and growing society, showing us the
importance of hard work and at the same time, helping us improve and grow as an
individual.
Throughout my life, I’ve heard stories, particularly life stories, about people who struggled and have been deprived of the benefits of education. I once met a little kid when I was in 10th grade during our charity program for Boy Scouts training. His name is Kent, a 10-year-old, and I remember him being a smiling and joyful little boy who would interact with us along with his other friends. Kent would always stick with me as we did our fun activities and games and would ask me questions about my role as Boy Scout. As we engaged in our small conversation, I realized that this kid was full of passion and longing for knowledge and learning. He then shared with me his current situation at home, saying that his mother has just given birth to his 4th sibling and she could not send him to school due to financial problems. He said that even his teacher had encouraged and tried to help him upon knowing this, however, he decided to just help his mother at home so that he would not become a burden in the family. Hearing him say this left a pang in my heart, stirring a deep sense of empathy and reflection. It made me think of the harsh realities that many families, especially children, face in the midst of poverty as well as lack of education. It made me think about the value of education itself and the significance of support networks that allow kids like Kent to reach their full potential in spite of their circumstances.
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