Born under the gentle snows of Sweden, nurtured in the vibrant heart of London, yet my veins flow with the warm blood of Djibouti. I am a confluence of cultures, a testament to an extraordinary journey.
My story begins not with my birth, but in the dreams of my parents. In their hopeful eyes, yearning for a life beyond the confines of poverty-stricken Djibouti, their tale became mine.
The brave leap into the unknown occurred when they were just 25. An opportunity arose – a perilous four-day transit from East Africa to Turkey. They seized it, clinging to nothing more than their backpacks and a handful of memorabilia.
Upon reaching Turkey in the late 80s, they found themselves at the fringes, living in sparse tents alongside other displaced souls. This chapter, full of hardship, they later chose to veil from us until we were mature enough to comprehend their struggles.
In the subsequent years, life brought them to Sweden, where they laid their roots. Soon, my elder brother was born, followed by me. My memories of Sweden are a kaleidoscope of emotions – the blissful innocence of childhood, marred by instances of adversity, like the neighbour's exploding fridge that razed our block.
Yet, amidst all this, Sweden did not resonate as home.
My aunt, my mother's sister, had recently moved to London with her sprawling brood of seven children. Her tales of this new city painted a picture of promise, leading my parents to shift our lives to the heart of the UK.
Stepping onto the streets of London, I was mesmerised. The marvels of Piccadilly Square, the grandeur of Big Ben, and more. London felt like home.
The details of my life from arrival to university are a saga of their own. However, it's more pertinent to focus on who I've become today.
I've been privileged to stand on the cutting edge of technology, having spent nine enriching years with industry-leading organisations. I've built, managed, and led teams across diverse sectors, and even kick-started a few successful businesses at the young age of 25.
Despite my accomplishments, I remain acutely aware that the journey is far from over. Which is why I believe this newsletter can be a mutually enriching venture. So, let's embark on this exploration together
Ali Galan