Death to 2022: Reflections and Lessons

Abdulbasit Abdusalam

I can't help but think about how much has changed and how much I have matured as I sit down to review the year 2022. Although this year has had its share of highs and lows, overall, I'm thankful for the opportunities and experiences that have come my way.

Volunteering has been one of the major highlights of my year. My desire to give back to my community has always been strong, and this year I was fortunate to get involved with some organizations that have been making positive impacts. I volunteered at Halfinance, a center for Islamic finance resources, at their financial literacy event at the beginning of the year. I also volunteered with Ingressive For Good for their annual Hackfest Event. Plus, I joined Chess in Slums Africa as a volunteer Content Writer and many other organisations. I loved being able to make my modest contributions.

Another highlight of my year was the opportunity to speak to secondary school students about the importance of education and its role in shaping our futures and also on building a reading culture. Being able to motivate and inspire them to pursue their aspirations and put in the effort necessary to succeed was such a fulfilling experience.

In addition to volunteering and speaking to students, I also had the opportunity to intern at a financial…