My name is Dilane Ama Bediako. I am 15 and a sophomore in high school. This year was my first year at AYA.
I became a full time AYA student in January. I immediately liked being a student here. Every class was a challenge. Every day I learned something new. I studied things that I knew would never have been talked about in public school, and everyday I have appreciated this experience.
This proverb, first, speaks on priorities. You either want to eat good or you want to be rich. In his book, John Cumuta, says, " You must understand the choice you make, and know what you're sacrificing." If you want to be rich you may have to give up big meals for a while. You also may not get to shop as much as you would like. In the end, you will be rewarded by having lots of money later; then, you will be able to fest whenever you would like to do so.
This proverb, second, speaks on complementarily, not contradiction. This society has so many views and opinions that are dichotomous - like believing, you can feast everyday and still become rich, or that's it's ok to go to the club Saturday night and go to church on Sunday. That is just not true. If you live a life of contradictions such as these then you will end up stressed out and unhappy. We must learn that our principles must be complimentary. They must bring balance into our lives. A balanced life is much less stressful.
This proverb, third, speaks on planning ahead. If you set goals for your self, then you must have a plan for when you will accomplish those goals. Once you decide that you must stick to the plan. Anytime you stray from the plan you postpone you goal date. So, if you know you trying to save money, then it is probably not the best choice to feast every night. That would postpone your goal date a lot.
History has the ability to tell us who we have been and what we have been. (Jegna Clarke)
In our past we were a self sustaining people. We grew our own food and domesticated our own animals. We didn't need other people to do it for us. This is what history says. It also tells us that we have strayed from that self reliance. Now, we don't know how to do anything but drive to Krogers. We depend on others to supply us with what we need. That is a problem because if some natural disaster was to happen. We would be out of luck. No one is going to take care of us but us and history tells us we need to step to the plate and it reassures us that we can do it well!
This year has been one of the most unique in my life. I enjoyed my studies and I learned a lot. I look forward to coming back next fall. I want to thank Baba Che who taught us Bio- Chemistry. I’d also like to thank Baba Kwadwo who co- taught our African and world history class. In that class he gave us a rubric to guide our power point presentations. It was with their help that my classmates and I learned all we did this year.
Of course, a special thanks to Mama Afiya and Baba Wekesa Madzimoyo. Medase Pa for creating this school. It is a vital for our whole community.