Coming to America (2001)
After an Ethiopian boy named Mawi Asgedom and his family escaped from their war-torn country of Ethiopia, they trekked through the brutal deserts of Africa, then spent years in a refugee camp. They arrived in the United States with absolutely no money. Yet the parents had a dream for their son: Mawi's parents told him that school was the way to do well in this country. So he dedicated himself to his studies and won a scholarship to Harvard University. After I heard Mawi's story on the show, I wouldn't tolerate "can't" from anyone. I'd say, "Mawi walked across the desert. What do you mean it can't be done?" Anything is possible for those willing to make the sacrifice.
From the
October 2005 issue of
O, The Oprah Magazine
