Sena Able

I was born on July 9, 1994 on a particularly hot day in Africa. According to my dad’s recollection of the day, my mother cried, and took one look at me and called me, “Sena,” meaning “destined to be.” She named me so, because after giving birth to four girls, she desperately wanted a boy, but instead God gave her another girl, hence it was “destined to be.” Growing up in Togo, West Africa, I have always imagined that I will mature and experience life there, but however, life had other plans for me. In August of 2003 at the age of 9, I made the journey across the Atlantic Ocean to America in pursue of a better education. Growing up in Africa has been such a cornerstone in shaping my life and character, and I will never forget or ignore the significant role that my ethnicity plays in my life. Coming to America, as it is for many others, is a life changing experience. Although the transition came with its challenges, I persevered. I had to learn a new language and assimilate into a new society all at the same time, although it was difficult, I slowly assimilated and found a new “home” in a sense. It was not an easy adventure by any means. Being new and "different" I often faced the mockery of kids at school when they would ask me questions like "were you born in a tree" or "in Africa, did you guys have clothes?" At first these questions would always make me ashamed of my culture and my identity. I often found it hard to stay true to my culture and recognize where I come from. But however, as I got older, I realized that my culture and being African was something that I needed to embrace and love. This helped me be true to myself and ultimately led to my success not just in school but also in life and tackling the daily struggles that life sometimes presents me with. As I continue my education, attending the University of Georgia, represents not only triumph but also my desire to do better for myself, and hopefully reach what was “destined” for me.