Story of a Brave Mother Deborah & Daughter Shekeila Palmer

Life was tough but I proved even tougher!

This angel looking doll started her life in an old caravan (small van house) in UK, only to be welcomed by dire poverty. Shekeila Palmer is the daughter of a single mother Deborah Palmer. In her own words, “I have never seen such a deprivation anywhere in UK”. The caravan walls were very thin with no insulation. Ice sheets used to form on inside of the windows during freezing winters. Roof was leaking so they had to place buckets under it strategically. They did not have enough money to warm the main area so poor souls would squeeze into their tiny bedroom, merely the size of a large cupboard. Mould was forming on the furniture due to moisture & cold. Mum used to buy toys & other items for her from jumble sales and used items shops. They grew their own vegetables in the garden.

Shekeila started primary school in a 2^nd hand uniform. They would walk 2.25 KM one way to school and back in all weathers. It was a real hard start to life for Shekeila. She did not have many of the necessities of life let alone luxuries compared to her age mates. After 8 years local government offered them a small flat. It was like a palace to them. Shekeila enjoyed a proper warm living space for the first time in her life.

Both persistently worked very hard. Deborah used to borrow many books from public library and read them to Shekeila even before she could talk. Shekeila studied extremely diligently. Students in UK apply for undergraduate admission after completing A Levels. They can send their application to a maximum of five universities at once. Depending on their grades they usually get accepted for one or two universities. Shekeila achieved excellent A grades, and was offered admission to all five universities she applied to! Despite she worked at a local shop on weekends, she was awarded First Class Honors degree, usually only achieved by top 2% (not more that 2 or 3 students per class). She received distinction at Masters also, again only one or two students would accomplish it in a class. Shekeila is doing a PhD now days funded by a scholarship won through tough competition. Well done Shekeila!

Deborah is proud of her daughter. She determinedly advises to all children & parents:

“Children don’t have to come from comfortable background or go to expensive schools [to succeed in life]. All they need is the ability to work hard, persevere against the odds and have the will & determination to succeed. I am proud of my daughter for what she has achieved & because she has proved that even with an impoverished start in life, you can still succeed & thrive.”

Congratulations to both of you Deborah and Shekeila; you are a beacon of light for others! Success is yours also my friends, all you need is to have:

– Will for it

– Work for it, &

– Persevere for it

“Permanence, perseverance & persistence in spite of all obstacles, discouragements, & impossibilities: It is this that in all things distinguishes the strong soul from the weak.” Thomas Carlyle

Be a strong soul. Be a Man (or a woman in this case!) – Prove yourself