Yacob 1

Yacob, Isaac
Professor Jackie Hymes
English 115
September 10, 2014
A Humbling Journey
Never stop what you begin. Growing up these are the words I heard on a regular
bases as my father lectured. I have been taught to work hard and always finish what I
begin regardless over any obstacle I faced. I never was the smartest kid in my class, the
best at a video game or the best at sports, but I will never get out worked. I always
worked hard because my father instilled a great work ethic in me since a young age. I
have played all the sports year-round at my local park and my father made sure I went to
every basketball, football, soccer, or baseball practice (depended on the season). This
hard work and dedication was from my father, so I wondered where did he get it from? I
remember vividly when I asked him that question he responded with a smirk under his
thick mustache, Let me show you. Little did I know this simple question would lead to
the most eye opening experience in my life and a great journey.
At the time I was eight years old and all I worried about was how the Lakers
where doing, and my school work always being in check. I was just about to finish my
3rd grade year, and I was ready for the challenges I would face in the 4th grade, but first
was summer vacation. Most of the time, summer vacation meant I played basketball until
it was dark outside, no bedtime, and unlimited PlayStation. To my dismay, this year
would be different. My parents thought it would be advantageous to have my brother,
sister and I spend our summer vacation in Eritrea, a small country in East Africa were my

Yacob 2
family is from. Little did I know that this would require a culture shock in which our
middle class lifestyles did not adequately equip us for.
My father moved from Eritrea to the United States of America to give himself and
his future kids a better opportunity. It was a long six year process for my father to get out
of Eritrea and into America, including running from the Eritrean dictatorial government,
going to different neighboring countries, and filling political asylum to stay in the United
States of America. In my childhood, my father always told me his childhood stories and
struggles to me yet it never seemed direct or relevant to me; just a fragment of the past.
The stories my father told me of my homeland, Eritrea, was never something I pictured
realistic living condition for. I kept on asking, How can you come from that, and live a
successful life in America? and my father would always answer with two words, Hard
work. My father felt that my siblings and I would benefit from a dose of his reality.
I was born in Los Angeles and lived in Carson, California for all my life. The only
time I would leave my hometown was to visit cousins or vacation to neighboring state. So
the idea of not just going across America, but to a whole different continent was very
scary to me at the time. Also, whenever I see Africa, or a third world country on the news
they would only show the bad side and areas filled with poverty and danger. In the news,
and movies they also made it seem that there are wild vicious lions, tigers, elephants, and
other exotic animals everywhere ready to pounce on their prey. That was another issue I
was hesitant to face, I thought wild animals was going to be attacking us on the daily so I
was prepared to fight for my families lives. A little 8-year-old boy fighting a ten-foot,
two hundred plus pound lion, I can already see the headlines on CNN, Young Child
Gets Eaten On Family Trip, Lion Being Put Down Next Week.

Yacob 3
Once my family and I arrived in Asmara, Eritrea (the capital city) after an
eighteen hour flight, it shocking what my eyes where seeing. I saw sky scrappers, cars,
and most surprisingly, I did not see any killer animals. At that moment I realized I would
live this trip to write this story. On the other hand, I saw the other side of Eritrea, Keren,
the village area where my family is from. It was tainted by poverty and unsupervised
children who were plagued with a different kind of struggle that my brother and I could
not believe. After meeting my cousins, I then realized that we are genetically related, but
our upbringing is far from similar. They were lost in intrigue and mesmerized by banal
pieces of technology we had always taken for granted. They did not even have toilet
paper, nor a toilet then I thought to myself, where is the humanity?
I felt a level of shame in that I never thought that I came from such humble roots.
I wanted a new PlayStation game and my cousins, well, they would have been happy
with dinner. They were far more concerned with attaining the basic necessities of life. I
felt spoiled, and Im in an opportunity that my cousins would kill for. I also witness one
of my counties many flaws of my country. Once you pass the tenth grade (or 16 years
old) you are forced into the army to fight. I saw this happen to my aunts neighbor. I
remember it like it was yesterday; I was just about to enter my aunts house then a
camouflage color Jeep pulled up to the house filled with people in the back with AK-47s
and banged on the door. A lady, mid forties, came and opened the door, the minute she
realized who they where she tried to slam the door closed but they forced the door open.
A couple of soldiers went in the house, while the soldier that knocked on the door
restrains the woman that is now crying. I remember wondering why are they holding the
women back, and why is she kicking and screaming? Then suddenly the soldiers that

Yacob 4
charged in the house came out with a young man, looked to be about 16 years old. They
threw him in the back of the jeep and threw the lady to the ground violently. The Jeep
darts off leaving a dust of smoke over the lady, as the smoke settles she is lying on the
ground motionless crying. She is devastated that the army has took her child so suddenly
to fight in the army and this is when my aunt grabbed my head and pushed me in the
house. That day was something I will never forget, then I realized my father went though
that and still made it.
When I came back to the US after three months, I imminently asked my dad,
How did you struggle so much in Eritrea, yet be a successful man and raise a loving
family in America? he answered once again, Hard work. Through my experience I
was able to put certain things to perspective and look at the bigger scope of things. I came
with shame and I left with pride. While many are motivated by self-interest, I am
fortunate to be motivated to better the lives of my family and my community. Going into
college, I am determined to succeed for the betterment of my community. I have been
blessed with privileges my cousins are incapable of even dreaming; thus, I feel that it is
part of my moral obligation to further my familys progression. To be able to push my
family for the better I must always lead by example and work hard in everything I do.