The heart-wrenching moment came as Uliti, a mere teenager, had to say goodbye to his mother through a cold, metal chainlink fence. He was embarking on a lonely journey to the United States, leaving behind his familiar life and loved ones. His mother had made the ultimate sacrifice, scraping together enough funds to send Uliti away, but with the crushing realization that she could not afford to bring him back. Through tears and with a heavy heart, Uliti's mother uttered the words that would echo in his mind for years to come: "The rest is up to you."



Despite the daunting challenges of being alone, unable to speak English fluently, and possessing only the clothes on his back, Uliti refused to allow his mother's sacrifice to go to waste. Without the benefit of guidance or mentorship, Uliti stumbled and faltered repeatedly, but he never surrendered. Driven by the memory of his tearful mother, he always rose to his feet again.


Today, Uliti shares his story with young people, emphasizing the critical importance of possessing a compelling reason to persevere, such as his mother's sacrifice, in developing the resilience necessary to create a prosperous life.