Woman born in refugee camp completes her master’s degree in US, inspires netizens
An inspiring tale of a woman, who was born in a refugee camp and completed her master’s degree in the US, has won hearts online. Hamdia Ahmed, a Somalian who spent the first seven years of her life in a refugee camp in Kenya, shared her story in a long Twitter thread.
Ahmed, 24, tweeted that her mother gave birth to her while escaping a civil war more than two decades ago. “My parents came to the USA with $0. They have sacrificed so much for my siblings and I. Today, I graduated with my masters degree,” she said.
The social justice activist said her father worked as a delivery man using a wheelbarrow to raise them in the camp. As she shared her story on Twitter, she also posted her graduation photographs with her mother. Clad in a graduation gown and cap, Ahmed stands tall and proud in one of the photos. In another photo, she is seen kissing her mother on her forehead. “My mom has faced so many challenges throughout her life, but she is so resilient…My mother is the definition of a strong woman. I could write an entire book about her life story. She inspires me everyday,” she tweeted.
She added she received several donations to pursue her education. “Guys, it was everyday people who helped me pay for my school tuition. I would have never made it without those who invested in my education. I worked hard and hopefully made you all proud,” she wrote in the comments section.
“I am also grateful for the United Nations, The State Department, and everyone else who allowed my family and me to move to this country. Thank you,” she added.
Emirates Woman said in a report the mother of Ahmed, who is also a hijab-clad model, was forced to flee Somalia with her four elder siblings while she was pregnant. In 2017, she became the first contestant in a Hijab to enter the Miss Maine pageant with the goal to defy stereotypes surrounding the Muslim community and to improve its representation. In 2019, she became the first person in her family to graduate from college.
She said on the GoFundMe website that she plans to pursue law as she sought help. “The injustice that I witnessed as a little girl living in a refugee camp inspired me to change the world and advocate for forgotten people. I consistently advocate for refugees as a former one myself. Throughout the years, speaking at the United Nations helped me gain experience in networking, listening to people, and being a social justice activist,” she wrote on the fundraising website.
Ahmed’s story has inspired many internet users and greetings poured in the comments section. A user commented, “I can’t love this enough. Congratulations.” Another user wrote, “Congratulations! Quite an accomplishment and you make your parents proud and more.” A third user commented, “The photo of you and your mother is so beautiful. Congratulations on your outstanding achievement, and best of luck to you in law school!”
