Its a shame when A 23 year old woman can not read but to some its inspiration.

This is a short answer that I wrote for a college application but the inspiration came from a real life experience that shook me and opened my eyes.It was no secret to me that many Africans do not has access to adequate education but I did not really feel the effects till I took a trip to Sierra Leone my sophmore year of high school.
There was a lady there who I befriend and hung out with regularly she was older than me but could not have been older than 23. One day we decided to go shopping for clothes at the market. Every thing was pretty normal until she picked up a t-shirt that read "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". She held it up and began to read the words out loud ;however, the words were struggling to come out.

Then it hit me, she could barely read.

Here was a fully competent grown woman who until that moment had been a phenomenal woman in my eyes. I must admit that this only made her appear stronger to me because although she struggled she could read the sentence and looking around I realized most of the people around me most likely would not be able to read the shirt. It was a humbling moment for me because it made me realize how much our public school system in the U.S is taken for granted and it was the inspiration for my personal statement , which was to be based on my greatest achievement.

One of the greatest Achievements of my educational career was gaining the ability to read. Although most people in America can read it may seem as if it is an overrated achievement, I feel as though it is an underrated achievement. I come from a place where most people can not read.
Both of my parents are from a small West African country called Sierra Leone, which is the 2nd poorest country in the world, with one of the lowest literacy rates. I spent most of my childhood living and studying in Sierra Leone and I usually came in contact with people often adults that were uneducated on the most basic level. They could not read. This was not by choice but because of the hand they were dealt by life.
There were no public school systems due to the wide spread poverty and only those that could afford private schooling were given the opportunity to learn.
Moving to the U.S has helped me realize how education affects a society. The Americans seem to function much easier and more efficiently because the communication is so much more clear and precise. Having the ability to read makes everyone seem to be knowledgeable. I know it is naive to think that everyone in The U.S is educated but at that age I was young and not americanized. As I progressed through the public school system I began to realize how much education was taken for granted among my peers. They could all read so none of them took pride in such a common ability. Knowing the truth I’m aware that there are millions out there who would die for the ability to read. That is why I take it so seriously and take the time to read and enjoy books; it gives me the opportunity to indulge in my great achievement.

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