Dear Past Self,

My name is Leila Abdiaziz Mohamed, a young woman born, raised, educated, and now working in my beloved home country — Somalia.

Of course, if I were to speak about my childhood experiences, I couldn’t possibly sum it all up here. My story is vast and layered. But one thing has always remained true: I have a strong spirit — a heart that never turns away from challenges, and a mind that stays focused on its purpose, no matter what comes my way.

I vividly remember those mornings when I’d leave the house for school, and the people sitting outside would call out to me:

“Don’t you ever finish school?”

And yet, I kept going. Because to achieve success, I knew I had to be prepared to endure whatever life threw at me. And I did. Some of the dreams I had back then, I’ve already achieved. And the rest? I still hold hope that they’ll come to life in the days and years ahead.

Alhamdulillah, Allah blessed me with the most wonderful parents and siblings anyone could ask for — always by my side, cheering me on. I owe special gratitude to my dear mother, Shamsa Mohamed Ali, and my father, Abdiaziz Mohamed Abdi. I love you both deeply. I can never forget our eldest, Dr. Zahra Abdiaziz Hamash — your encouragement has always been my fuel, both in the past and for the journey still ahead.

Today, I am a university lecturer. The opportunity to teach has shaped me, strengthened me, and helped me build the kind of patience and character I need to pursue the life I want. I’ve faced my share of challenges, including hearing comments like:

“You’re just a girl — what are you learning all this for?”

But those words never broke me. They never changed my goals.

As a young girl, I had a deep love for education. I wanted to go far. I wanted to become the kind of woman that other girls could look up to. And by the mercy of Allah, I’ve become that woman. My dreams didn’t stay dreams — they became my reality.

I’ve always loved swimming, reading, watching movies, and spending time with people I can learn from — people whose experience adds value to my own. If there’s one piece of advice I’d offer anyone chasing their goals, it’s this: be patient. Let no challenge distract you from your purpose. Keep going, no matter how hard the road may seem.

And lastly, I want to give special thanks to my cousin, my big sister, and my closest friend — Maryan Ibrahim Garcade. You’ve been my strength, my support, and my safe place. I love you, dear sister. Thank you for being by my side — in every way, always.

With love and gratitude,

Leila Abdiaziz Mohamed