It Is Tough Being An Immigrant From Chad. We Are Not That Many In Diaspora Anyway

My name is Zoukhourfa Raihana Abakar Souleymane.Born in Chad, my first experience with technology emanated during my high school years, with the introduction to the software development system Turbo Pascal in a programming class.Like many developing African countries, Chad is behind in terms of technological advancements, and it took a move to Morocco in 2005 to find my true passion in software development and user interface design.During my first two years in Morocco, I studied mathematics and was first familiarized with coding, where I was inspired to pursue a major in Computer Networking with Microsoft Certificates (MCP, MCSA, MCSE) and a masters in Computer Science.After graduation I successfully completed three months of ESL classes with high scores on the TOEFL examination, prompting a move to San Jose, California, a city in the Southern part of Silicon Valley.The stimulating environment and encompassing atmosphere of constant innovation triggered the desire to continue studies in the field; I chose to pursue post-graduate studies in Mobile Application Development from the UCLA extension program.The experiences undergone in my transition from basic technological studies in Chad to the world class infrastructure of Silicon Valley, have brought new visions for my country and other developing countries in Africa.As a young Muslim girl I was blessed to have supportive parents that allowed my education to prosper and a lucrative career to be cultivated.  The next step in my journey is to work with African countries and develop better opportunities for African girls in terms of contemporary education and technology; opportunities equal to those of men.To my fellow African brothers and sisters we have not only the ability but the responsibility to work with the succeeding generations for the continuation of Africa’s proactive growth.To read this and other stimulating African Diaspora Stories, get a copy of the African Warrior Magazine: June-August Issue