IT IS HARD TO VALUE WHAT YOU HAVEN'T FOUGHT FOR

 Today, I have thought to write this piece for all of you lovely people that I think could have done way better than what you are doing now. This piece will be like a personal account through which I hope to share with you what I have gone through and why I believe you need to be grateful for what you have.


 I had only been in the UK for a year, when I started my A Levels. I couldn't speak any good English at all, yet I took AS English as one of my subjects. Being surrounded by native speakers has been a challenge; sometimes we had to read a chapter,each, during lessons, and my accent was very distinct among others. Many times I couldn't answer my teachers because I didn't know the word in English. Often, I had to go back home and teach myself the whole lesson because I couldn't understand my teachers' English. My AS year was very challenging, more so because of the feeling of being so culturally deprived - sometimes I just felt like an alien fallen among men. Back home, in Congo, my education was always disrupted because of the constant moving to and fro different parts of Africa. In reality, I didn't have enough education to compete with a year 8 student, even.


 However, I didn't let these challenges take control of me. Rather, I had to take control of the challenges and fight until I couldn't fight anymore. I was determined, and have always been, that I wouldn't be the second best. Since my arrival in the UK, I have made sure to embrace every single opportunity presented to me: doing work experience, attending workshops, talking to different people... Above all, I have made sure to appreciate my teachers.
 In Congo, I couldn't pass my exams if my teachers weren't bribed. Here, I met teachers who are able to recognize your potential and really help you achieve the best you can. I had understood that teachers are always very willing to help the ones who are willing to learn. So I became my teachers' friend; always going to them if I didn't understand something, and always trying my best to seek advice on how to better my work. Here, there were free opportunities, and I was determined to appreciate them.


Thanks to this determination, and to all the help from my teachers and family, I finished my AS year with AAAB despite all the challenges. For someone who has had a history of such disrupted education background, this was more than a great achievement. I didn't stop there, however, I had to make sure I wouldn't lose focus during my A2 year. Up to today, I never once believe that this achievement has anything to do with me being bright, smart, intelligent, or whatever adjective I always get from my peers. With all honesty, I believe many of my classmates are way more intelligent than I can ever be. But, I do believe that the difference between me and you is that it is hard for people to value something they haven't fought for.


The first reality that overwhelmed me when I came to the UK in 2011 was to know that education is free from birth to age 18. Where I come from, we have to pay for everything from school uniform, to school equipment, to school fees from the first day we start attending. I was shocked to hear about free school meals, free oysters, free NHS and such a free access to both school and local libraries.  From my first day of school up to age 17, I had gone to a library only twice - not because I didn't want to, but simply because there was none to go to.After almost three years since I am here, I still maintain that you are very lucky to be born in a country where life has been all polished for you to just come and enjoy.


My opinion seemed to meet another reality, however. I have heard complaints from students that the teachers aren't good enough, that there aren't enough books for everyone, that we study too many hours and too many subjects, and that one should be able to choose what they want to do with their life. Whilst I don't refute these arguments, my concern today is that in arguing so, you don't realise how many opportunities you are neglecting. I have seen students not turn up for their exams because they simply didn't feel ready for them. Some have gone inside the exam room but then left all pages blank, because the exam was too stressful and they panicked.  Although there are some exceptions, I conclude today that children born in the UK simply do not realise what it really means to have all they have. You simply do not understand how much someone somewhere will give all they can to be given the chance to learn.


In the burning sun of Africa, there are children your age who wish an angel will help them pay their school fees. Yet some of you spend half the year outside college, smoking and never attending lessons. In many places in this very world, there are children just like you who walk miles to find water to drink, they spend days not knowing where food will ever come from, they witness their parents being slaughtered, they wish they could even in their dreams have access to all you have today. Yet some of you insult your parents because the pocket money isn't enough.
When you come from war-torn countries and know what life truly means, you understand that it is more than a blessing to have all the free things we have in this country. Only then, you truly know how to value what is presented to you.
I find it very surprising that the group of us students who came from abroad were more determined throughout our A Level years than natives. But then again I realised that you have always had it with you, so all is common.


To all of you young people, my message today is that everyday before you close your eye you should take a while to realise all the blessings around you. Many cry each day to be able to survive, yet you live and keep complaining. Many truly would sacrifice what they can to study, yet they have nothing to sacrifice. You are very lucky to have been born here, so please do not take life for granted. You have the chance to study, without the slightest worry of how to pay for your education. I think you all need to recognise that many do not get this chance, even though they are more willing than you to learn. They haven't done anything to deserve wars and horrors just as you haven't paid a price to live in a country that doesn't know war and where you always have what you need. If only you can realise that many wish they could take your place, you would start appreciating what you have and stop complaining all the time.