1/ Been taking some time off Twitter and away from the computer.
It's so good!
As my hibernation continues, there is an inspirational story I'll share from the "real world."
Not your regular 1st world problems story, but one of REAL success and triumph.
👇
It's so good!
As my hibernation continues, there is an inspirational story I'll share from the "real world."
Not your regular 1st world problems story, but one of REAL success and triumph.
👇
2/ Today I met a gentleman by the name of Khalid.
He was born in Eritrea, a small country in eastern Africa.
For those who aren't familiar, it is located near the Bab al Mandab Strait and boarding Ethiopia and Sudan.
He was born in Eritrea, a small country in eastern Africa.
For those who aren't familiar, it is located near the Bab al Mandab Strait and boarding Ethiopia and Sudan.
3/ In the space of 30 mins, during our Bolt drive, he shared with me his life story which is probably worth a Hollywood movie script.
Personally, I had goosebumps several times and was speechless on more than one occasion while listening to his life's struggles.
Personally, I had goosebumps several times and was speechless on more than one occasion while listening to his life's struggles.
4/ At the age of 12, Khalid decided to escape his country (the only way out), run by a dictator with awful living conditions & no future.
His decision was incredibly difficult for many reasons, as I found out during our talk.
His decision was incredibly difficult for many reasons, as I found out during our talk.
5/ Firstly, he made a choice to leave behind his brothers & his parents. This, to him, was heartbreaking.
It still is, because he hasn't seen them for a long time.
Secondly, escaping the country is no easy task, especially for a young kid.
It still is, because he hasn't seen them for a long time.
Secondly, escaping the country is no easy task, especially for a young kid.
6/ It involves walking across harsh conditions for 4 days towards the Sudan border.
Non-stop tracking during the day, and during the night, too.
Taking only little breaks ever so often. It is painful, exhausting, and — as I got to find out — extremely risky.
Non-stop tracking during the day, and during the night, too.
Taking only little breaks ever so often. It is painful, exhausting, and — as I got to find out — extremely risky.
7/ If the military does spot you approaching the border, they will SHOOT YOU on the spot without any questions asked.
If they don't spot you, and even worse preditor will.
If they don't spot you, and even worse preditor will.
8/ The hyena packs have been rounded up in large numbers and left all over the border by the military.
They hunt in packs around the Sudan border and are ruthless once humans enter their territory.
Khalid lost multiple friends to hyenas, while others were shot by the military.
They hunt in packs around the Sudan border and are ruthless once humans enter their territory.
Khalid lost multiple friends to hyenas, while others were shot by the military.
9/ He told me the risk of escaping across the border full of military and pack of hyenas was a far better one to take than remaining in the country.
Successfully making it to Sudan, he started t learned the Arabic language and eventually got a job.
He spent 3 years there.
Successfully making it to Sudan, he started t learned the Arabic language and eventually got a job.
He spent 3 years there.
10/ He told me the work was grueling, even at his age of 15 when he felt pretty strong.
He worked from 6AM to midnight every single F%&K3N day of the week!
And they paid him €3.50 per day.
Yes, per day.
He worked from 6AM to midnight every single F%&K3N day of the week!
And they paid him €3.50 per day.
Yes, per day.
11/ After three years he was framed for no crime he committed and placed in jail.
Corrupted police told him, he and his friends can buy their way out, but the problem is he had no money.
Eventually, he escaped with his friends by digging a tunnel.
Corrupted police told him, he and his friends can buy their way out, but the problem is he had no money.
Eventually, he escaped with his friends by digging a tunnel.
12/ He fled to nearby Libya, just in time for the Arab spring and the whole collapse of countries stability.
It was total chaos and the whole place turned into a massive warzone.
It was total chaos and the whole place turned into a massive warzone.
13/ He got shot (wounded), he almost got killed multiple times,
And eventually — after a couple of years — managed to buy his seat on a tiny boat to attempt and cross the Mediterranean to Italy.
Nearing Sicily, a massive storm hit.
And eventually — after a couple of years — managed to buy his seat on a tiny boat to attempt and cross the Mediterranean to Italy.
Nearing Sicily, a massive storm hit.
14/ Several of Khalid's friends drawn during the mayhem but miraculously he survived, with a few others, and was reduced by the Maltese coastal guard by pure luck.
Today, Khalid works 2 jobs 7 days per week — he loves wielding steel and he drives a taxi.
Today, Khalid works 2 jobs 7 days per week — he loves wielding steel and he drives a taxi.
15/ He has currently turned only 22, but the experiences throughout life make him sound like a 50-year-old wise man.
He said to me his new friends nicknamed him "the cat" because they believe he has 9 lives.
He said to me his new friends nicknamed him "the cat" because they believe he has 9 lives.
16/ Khalid has worked in Germany, Malta, and Italy.
He has learned to speak 5 languages fluently including English.
He never had a grade of schooling in his life.
He taught himself to drive, to weld steel, to do brick layering, to save money & to be a good human being.
He has learned to speak 5 languages fluently including English.
He never had a grade of schooling in his life.
He taught himself to drive, to weld steel, to do brick layering, to save money & to be a good human being.
17/ My hope is this story will inspire you as much as it inspired me.
Listening to it in real life was an unbelievable experience for me.
Delivered the emtions, with tears in his eyes and the voice of courage through incredible twists and turns he faced, it left me speechless!
Listening to it in real life was an unbelievable experience for me.
Delivered the emtions, with tears in his eyes and the voice of courage through incredible twists and turns he faced, it left me speechless!
• • •
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