Before reading the synopsis of this book, I was already interested in just how someone with just $200 could possibly make it to medical school. Just this fact alone made me relate to how if someone like Deo who has been through so much is able to make it out alive in a city like New York. Little did I know that his life was more gruesome and horrifying than I could ever imagine.
Most families, when they first immigrate to the United States have the same goals as Deo. They praise the lifestyle here as they are able to get a second chance at living a comfortable life, free from persecution and the toils that their hometown has brought them. I certainly could relate to this fact because my family immigrated from the Philippines to San Francisco almost 10 years ago. Sadly though, the United States is not necessarily a country where "get-rich" schemes work. Immigrant or not, America is a country where you only get out as much as you put in. In simpler terms, it means that you have to work (hard) just to even get by. Unlike most immigrants, Deo knew of this fact, and knew that just because his hardships are over in his hometown of Burundi, only new challenges await.
If there's anything that this book taught me, it's that strength could be found in a lot of ways. For example, Nancy and Charlie gave both strength and hope to Deo when he needed it most. And who would've known that such a simple couple could receive that same strength given from an African immigrant in Burundi. Sharon, also had strength and conviction in making sure that Deo was well taken care of and made it her top priority for him to find a nice house and make it out of Harlem in one piece. Without these characters and the strength that they gave to Deo, he might not have survived the ordeals of living in a big city like New York
In the end, Deo is someone us students should all be able to relate to. We often complain about how hard life (and school) is when we get bombarded by homework or by our parents for not graduating quickly enough. I know for sure because I've been in that same position. But upon reading this book, I can't help but belittle the problems that I have in my life, especially the ones that are school related. Nevertheless, Deo taught me that a little strength, a little luck, and a lot of hard work will conquer anything in life.
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