David Asamoah-Duodu
Hi all, my name is David. I was born in New Jersey, to a Togolese mother and a Ghanaian father. I was raised primarily in Newark, NJ, where my parents lived at the time of my birth, but I also spent some time in Lome, Togo, and Bordeaux, France as a child. In total, I have 5 siblings. Two brothers and two sisters on my father’s side, and a sister on my mother’s side, and of the six of us, I am the second to last born.
Originally, my trip to Togo was intended to be permanent, as my mother only planned to work in the US for a short period of time, before returning home for good. Growing up in tiny village in Togo, my mother never had the privilege of attending school. Therefore, once she and my father separated, the burden of being an illiterate immigrant in a foreign country with a child was too much. Nevertheless, I grew sick to the point of death while in Togo. Knowing that she did not want to make America her home, my mom insisted that I not return, and so I was sent to Bordeaux, France to live with my aunt, uncle-in-law, and cousin. In France, I recovered, but some familial issues shortened my stay in my aunt’s household. After about 2 years, my aunt decided that I could no longer stay with her family. Fearing that I would grow sick again if I returned to Togo, my mother decided to bring me back to the States, where she raised me as a single mother. Looking back, I see that it was God’s intent that I grow up in this country, by force by fire.
When I returned, I spoke only French, and a little Ewe. I was of age to be enrolled in the 1st grade, but was held back because of my language barrier. While I struggled socially as a result of this setback, I benefited greatly from it academically. Obtaining straight A’s throughout elementary and middle school, I was accepted into the Wight Foundation, a scholarship program which sends Newark students to college preparatory schools throughout the nation. After completing the program, I received a four year scholarship to attend the Taft School, a boarding high school located in Watertown, Connecticut. From there, I was blessed with the opportunity to attend Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, where I am now a junior, studying Clinical Psychology. And by blessed, I mean BLESSED. Due to my laziness, I refused to study for my SAT’s and did not obtain results that were Tufts worthy. Furthermore, the admissions office at Tufts required two SAT 2 Subject tests. Because of my failure to plan, I only took one, failing to meet the application requirement. Therefore, I can only credit my acceptance to Tufts to God’s divine intervention. He continues to love and bless me, despite me.
Looking back at my 21 years of life, I am left in awe at how God beautifully orchestrated the many things that He did. Continuously, He turned trials into triumphs, and oppression into opportunity. I couldn't possibly have deserved any of this. Thinking back on His favour upon me, I continuously marvel at His system of justice. Poet Ezekiel Azonwu said it best, “God is much more than a just God, He’s just God.” I am eternally grateful for how He has kept me, even when I rejected Him countless times. If He does not send another blessing my way during my time on this earth, I have more than enough reason to worship Him with all that I am, fully devoting my life to Him.
Instagram: presidentduodu
Originally, my trip to Togo was intended to be permanent, as my mother only planned to work in the US for a short period of time, before returning home for good. Growing up in tiny village in Togo, my mother never had the privilege of attending school. Therefore, once she and my father separated, the burden of being an illiterate immigrant in a foreign country with a child was too much. Nevertheless, I grew sick to the point of death while in Togo. Knowing that she did not want to make America her home, my mom insisted that I not return, and so I was sent to Bordeaux, France to live with my aunt, uncle-in-law, and cousin. In France, I recovered, but some familial issues shortened my stay in my aunt’s household. After about 2 years, my aunt decided that I could no longer stay with her family. Fearing that I would grow sick again if I returned to Togo, my mother decided to bring me back to the States, where she raised me as a single mother. Looking back, I see that it was God’s intent that I grow up in this country, by force by fire.
When I returned, I spoke only French, and a little Ewe. I was of age to be enrolled in the 1st grade, but was held back because of my language barrier. While I struggled socially as a result of this setback, I benefited greatly from it academically. Obtaining straight A’s throughout elementary and middle school, I was accepted into the Wight Foundation, a scholarship program which sends Newark students to college preparatory schools throughout the nation. After completing the program, I received a four year scholarship to attend the Taft School, a boarding high school located in Watertown, Connecticut. From there, I was blessed with the opportunity to attend Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, where I am now a junior, studying Clinical Psychology. And by blessed, I mean BLESSED. Due to my laziness, I refused to study for my SAT’s and did not obtain results that were Tufts worthy. Furthermore, the admissions office at Tufts required two SAT 2 Subject tests. Because of my failure to plan, I only took one, failing to meet the application requirement. Therefore, I can only credit my acceptance to Tufts to God’s divine intervention. He continues to love and bless me, despite me.
Looking back at my 21 years of life, I am left in awe at how God beautifully orchestrated the many things that He did. Continuously, He turned trials into triumphs, and oppression into opportunity. I couldn't possibly have deserved any of this. Thinking back on His favour upon me, I continuously marvel at His system of justice. Poet Ezekiel Azonwu said it best, “God is much more than a just God, He’s just God.” I am eternally grateful for how He has kept me, even when I rejected Him countless times. If He does not send another blessing my way during my time on this earth, I have more than enough reason to worship Him with all that I am, fully devoting my life to Him.
Instagram: presidentduodu