Sam’s Journey Of Hope

My journey post-high school has been a rollercoaster of challenges and triumphs. It all started
with being recognized as the best student, earning an award during our school’s annual
inter-house sports event. A year later, I secured my first internship as a youth assistant, thanks
to a competitive program organized by a top NGO in Lagos, Nigeria. This program focused on
healthcare policy, community advocacy, and information technology.
During this internship, I became part of a group of young entrepreneurs on Facebook, where I
connected with Mr. Andrew Bryant, the founder of DesignedForGod’sPurpose Group (DFGP), a
Christian charity organization based in Arkansas. Our discussions led to a shared vision of
making a positive impact in disadvantaged communities in Nigeria.
In 2019, despite financial difficulties delaying my university journey, I was awarded a scholarship
from the Western Union Foundation for leadership and Community Development. With this
support and Andrew Bryant’s assistance through DFGP, I began my studies in computer science
at the African Leadership University in Rwanda.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted my scholarship, and financial constraints
forced me to take a gap year. Andrew Bryant, deeply involved in my journey, was devastated by
the news. Together, we explored ways to address the situation, but life became increasingly
challenging. I struggled to afford basic necessities, had to leave the school’s residence, and
began honing my software engineering skills for potential livelihood.
Amidst job applications, including one to Shopify in Canada, I faced visa denials. Despite being
accepted into Shopify’s dev degree program, which blends work and study, the visa obstacles
persisted. Eventually, I moved back to Nigeria in late 2023, where I am currently based in
Lagos, upskilling and searching for remote opportunities in software engineering.
Despite the hardships, I am determined to overcome these challenges and contribute
meaningfully to the field of software engineering, drawing strength from the invaluable support
and experiences gained throughout this journey.