Determined to succeed Abraham Thompson did not let poverty be an obstacle in his life.
And he proved his capabilities when he walked away with a distinction in Principle of Business after only two and a half months of study.
Recently, the T&T Guardian highlighted the achievement of 12-year-old Aaron Mohammed, who wrote and passed the January 2017 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) in mathematics after five months of studies with a private tutor.
Thompson, 17, a Point Fortin resident, was able to also get a distinction in Principles of Business (POB) after two and a half months of studying the subject. Thompson was inspired by Aaron’s story to tell his own.
He travelled alone, by bus, from Point Fortin to the Guardian South Bureau, San Fernando, “because I want to motivate others. If I could do it anyone can do it,” he said.
When he did not see his story appear, Thompson travelled to the Guardian’s Port-of-Spain office and even turned up at the Chaguanas head office wanting to know why.
Not born with golden spoon
Abraham was not born with a golden spoon in his mouth.
The young man comes from a single parent household, which he shares with six other siblings – all girls.
He has not had much paternal influence, as his father has been in an out of prison all of his life.
A short supply of money in his household has left him disadvantaged in many respects.
But Abraham is determined not let his shabby beginning determine his destination.
The Point Fortin East Secondary Form Five student has been working three days a week at Massy Stores in order to earn money to pay for private lessons so he can realise his dreams of winning a national scholarship.
His goal is to become both a lawyer and prime minister, like his role model former prime minister Kamla Persad Bissessar.
He has been studying at school, sometimes as late as midnight, as his home environment is less than conducive for learning.
Abraham said his entire life has been one of struggle, but at age 10, in 2010, he was inspired by TT’s first female prime minister and vowed to emulate her.
“I heard her talk about her poverty and say she walked bare-footed to go to school, but education lifted her out of that situation. She inspired me and every since then I had a dream to pass for Naparima College, but my mom never sent me for extra lessons because she did not understand my ability.”
He said for a long time he was demotivated having passed the Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) examination for Point Fortin East Secondary. He said many of his teachers showed a lack of interest in the students and he failed to finish the syllabus.
He was heading down the path he swore he would never follow — that of failure.
Taking control of his future
In 2015, he decided to take control of his future. He went to Massy’s head office on Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain, in response to an advertisement for packers at its Gulf View store and was successful in getting the job.
Straight from school on a Friday evenings, he would travel by the PTSC bus, in his uniform, so he could ride for free, to the Gulf View store, to work for several hours, which he diligently repeats on weekends. The money earned is used primarily to fund his education.
Abraham who will be writing CSEC in May/June, said in October 2016, he signed up to do five subjects for the January 2017 exams.
Included among the list, was POB which he never did before and which is not among the subjects he is pursuing for CSEC.
He succeeded only in POB, thanks to the dedication of his tutor Lynette Alert John, who has not only “adopted him” but believes in his ability to succeed.
Alert John recalled, “Abraham came to me in October and said he had signed up for POB. I asked him if he was mad because it was not one of the subjects he was studying.”
However, she agreed to give him private lessons about three times for the week, which she said he paid for.
His tutor’s brother died in December, so she could not finish all of the work with Abraham.
“But he is a really hard worker, he knows what he wants and goes for it.
“I came back to school around the same time results came out earlier this year, and he ran to the car park towards me and said, ‘Miss John I pass’. I told him, ‘boy don’t lie to me. This is Lent’. He said he was not lying and showed me his results.
“I tell you, this is the best news I received since my brother’s death and I am using Abraham as a motivation for the other children who have been doing it since last year, but were not able to get even a grade two or three.”
She said Abraham is not a favourite child in the school.
“He is kind of miserable. He talks a lot. People don’t want him around them. I drop him to the bus stop to go to work because people always want to beat him up. But I think he has potential and just need a little love and support along the way.
“I really want to see him succeed. He is struggling, he has big plans for his life and with a little support I know he will make it.”
Abraham said although he failed the other subjects in January, because his teachers did not finish the syllabus, he is determined to pass all in June, so he could pursue CAPE at Naparima College. He is doing extra lessons in some of the other subjects.
“I am determined to get a scholarship so I would not have to work and study.”
In addition to funding his way to CSEC, Abraham said he is also saving some of his earnings, “because I want to go to the Hyatt, I want to drive a Benz one day. When I have children, I do not want them to go through what I am going through. I want to be able to provide for them.
“I am committed to working hard so I can have a brilliant future,” Abraham said.
Clik here to view.
