Personal Narrative Essay: My Father As A Better Life

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My Father
In 1963, my father, a farmer and illiterate, fled the communist regime in Guinea searching for a better life in Ivory Coast. He managed to build and expand a successful food supply business. Despite the commitment, dedication and hard work, the business went bankrupt in 2001 due to the consequences of the devaluation of the CFA franc (local currency) imposed by the French government in 1994 (the CFA was pegged to the French Franc at the fixed exchange rate) and the dire macroeconomic policies imposed upon the country by the IMF. In the midst of going through that austerity period, a question from my father is still haunting me today: “Why are financial institutions that are reportedly helping to fight poverty are rather creating more pov-erty?” I was crushed to see my father’s business crumble and was saddened by his frustration and inability to support his family the way he wanted to. None of my 16 siblings has a degree except one and I knew from that point forward that I needed to step up, make a difference, and be an anchor in my family.
Growing up in a blend of diverse cultures had its challenges. At the age of 5, I attended both French and Arabic school for religious purposes. Considered different and Aliens in Ivory Coast, I …show more content…

I have this unwavering drive to be able to make a difference someday not just for my father but for my country and its people. My ultimate goal and passion is to take a leadership position in my country to help achieve economic growth, curtail the endemic corruption, fight gender ine-quality and help E-businesses thrive. I am a fervent believer of Africa leadership through tech-nologies. For me, the fundamental condition of this leadership is the existence of a clear and human purpose coupled to a long-term action, generating benefits for

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