Dear Editor,
I have always found comfort in viewing the world through rose-tinted glasses, a perspective many dismiss as naive and delusional. For me, it is not merely ignoring pain and injustice, but daring to hope for resilience and change. Amidst injustice, war and corruption, I see delicate intricacies and untouched beauties flourishing in every corner, waiting to be noticed.
I often grapple with the paradox of privilege: why I, with opportunities, should be granted a voice, when countless others remain silenced. Coming from a wealthy family known for philanthropic endeavours, I was blessed, but yet acutely aware of the inequities surrounding us.
My family’s sacrifices are my foundation. My parents devoted their lives to ensuring my siblings and I had opportunities they could only have dreamed of. The sacrifices my parents endured remain etched in my heart. They trekked for miles on treacherous roads under the boiling sun, wearing flimsy rubber shoes with nothing but plastic bags as backpacks.
During political unrest, they queued for hours to purchase bread, knowing any misstep could lead to arrest. Returning home, they would bury what little they had to avoid losing it to authorities. These stories of resilience and determination are a stark reminder of their commitment to securing a better future.
I graduated with First Class Honours in Journalism from Edinburgh Napier University, where I developed an acute understanding of the power of storytelling. My work documenting the plight of the Wai-Wai Tribe in Guyana facing cultural extinction was a stark reminder of how easily communities are overlooked.
However, the most profound awakening of my purpose emerged from a deeply personal struggle: my niece’s diagnosis with Rett Syndrome.
Watching my niece struggle, I understood what it meant to fight for survival, to be heard and seen; and it led me to found Precious Angels Charity, a non-profit organisation dedicated to raising awareness and securing funding for research.
Witnessing her fight ignited in me a passionate resolve to advocate for her and all other untouched potentials waiting to be noticed. It is a cliché ambition to want to change the world. Still, it has always resonated deeply with me to pursue a career in politics; and my journey starts here with a sincere belief that Oxford University would arm me with the tools to create meaningful change.
This path may be long and arduous, and the goal almost impossible, but I step forward to take on the challenge.
Journalism allowed me to realise that while telling stories is crucial, I must create solutions that would bring lasting impact. Politics, to me, is not just about governance and diplomacy; it is about people — like women in refugee camps, who are voiceless and marginalized, whose potential remains untapped as they yearn for opportunities; or an Indigenous child who is marginalised in a modern world.
I am fortunate, yet this privilege haunts me. For every success I achieve, countless others like me —intelligent, hardworking, and full of potential — remain silenced by circumstances. People in war-torn countries who are fighting for fundamental human rights – as in Palestine or Afghanistan — they, too, deserve the chance to soar. They worry not about their education, but about survival. Their suffering remains unheard of and reduced to numbers, but behind every statistic is a story that deserves to be told.
Why, then, should my life be different? Why should I be the one to walk this path while others suffer? I do not know why my life differs from theirs, but I know I must use my life to make a difference.
These questions fuel my determination to reshape the world: to be a voice for the voiceless, an advocate for those without power, and a leader for those left behind.
I want to dissect the systems of governance that allow oppression to fester, such as the ongoing illegal occupations and genocides. For my proposed field of research, I will focus on Cumulative Civilian Harm in War. This area of study profoundly resonates with my passion for understanding the human cost of war, mainly how war disproportionately affects vulnerable groups, like children and women. The core research question is: How does cumulative harm from warfare affect civilian populations; and what are the long-term psychological impacts on children and women? I will combine qualitative interviews of civilians with quantitative analyses of casualty data from war zones to explore the measurable impact and lived experiences.
My ancestors endured unimaginable hardships in surviving centuries of colonisation and indentureship. They instilled an unbreakable spirit, determination to rise above circumstances, and an insatiable desire to lead purposefully. My ambition to lead Guyana as the first Guyanese-born female president is not a desire for power, but a reflection of my unwavering belief in justice. I dream of guiding my country from corruption and division into a future of unity and prosperity, so that we can finally heal the wounds inflicted by slavery, indentureship, and political betrayal.
My education at Oxford, among the brightest minds in the world, will sharpen my understanding of International Relations, and develop the strategies I need to lead my country and contribute to global change.
After graduating from the prestigious Oxford University, I will soar and mount my talents, skills and achievements toward creating a future wherein women in the refugee camps and the people of my beloved Guyana can dream without limits, succeed without barriers, and live without fear. I will transcend, carrying with me the dreams of my family, my people, and those who deserve a voice in a more just and equitable world.
So, I wear my rose-tinted glasses proudly, because I will notice the delicate intricacies and profound beauties flourishing in every corner. I will tell their story, and I will fight for them. Oxford University is where I am meant to be.
Yours respectfully,
Hadiyyah Mohamed
