My dream is to build a career in technology that allows me to give back to girls who don’t always have the same opportunities I did. As someone who grew up in Nigeria, I know how limited access to technology, mentorship, and career opportunities can be.

Because so many people have invested in me and helped me get to where I am today, I want to pay that forward. I hope to create opportunities, mentor young girls, and show them that they are capable of succeeding in tech—no matter where they come from.

Knowing someone believes in my dream gives me even more motivation to keep working toward it.

Don’t count yourself out before you even try. Apply for the scholarship, send the application, ask the question. You never know which opportunity could change your life. Even if things don’t work out the first time, keep going. The right opportunity will come.

My name is Afoma U., and I’m a Computer Science student from Nigeria studying at Philander Smith University. I’m incredibly grateful to have been selected as a recipient of the 1,000 Dreams Scholarship.

Growing up, I saw how different access to technology and opportunities could be depending on where you lived. That’s one of the biggest reasons I chose to study computer science. My dream isn’t just to become a software engineer. I want to use my skills to help create more opportunities for people, especially young people in communities like the one I grew up in.

Receiving this scholarship means so much to me. It helps take some of the financial pressure off school, but more than that, it reminds me that there are people who believe in my potential. That encouragement means a lot.

Thank you to 1,000 Dreams Fund for investing in me. I hope that one day I’ll be able to do the same for someone else by opening doors, creating opportunities, and giving back to my community the way others have given to me.