Manor College Student Uses Blessings of New Beginnings to Give Back
Abu Bangura (Philadelphia/John Bartram High School) is studying Interdisciplinary Science at Manor College.
Every so often, Abu Bangura takes $50 from his Popeye’s paycheck and sends it back to a few friends from his hometown in Sierra Leone.
That money doesn’t mean much in America. In Sierra Leone, that money helps his friends live just a bit better. They don’t have to eat only rice for two meals a day for the next week.
When you’re in that lifestyle, you don’t realize how much of a struggle it is living life because everyone is living the same way. Now that he’s in America studying for his college degree, Bangura said it’s a blessing to be able to give back.
“I was there once and I can still tell their struggle,” Bangura said. “Kids my age struggle, even after graduating college. Sure, I can buy $50 of food for myself, but if I can give it to somebody and they can survive with it for a whole week, then I feel happier being able to give back.”
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Bangura came to America as a 16-year-old privileged to live everyone’s dream. So much of what America offered came as a shock. The day he traveled to America was the first time he’d been on an airplane. In America, he traded in stones, gravel and dust for paved roads. He saw buildings in America taller than the few stories he was used to in Sierra Leone.
He admits that he didn’t have the easiest transition and struggled to find a true community. After spending two years at a local community college, Bangura came to Manor to watch a friend play on the soccer team. He walked the campus, looked through the library and strolled past the horses in the field. The environment felt different.
After talking with Manor College Athletic Director and Men’s Soccer Head Coach John Dempster, Bangura transferred to Manor for the Fall 2022 semester.
“He communicates with us everyday and wants to know how everyone is doing,” Bangura said. “That’s the first time that’s been ever done by a coach.”
Professors at Manor went out of their way to challenge him academically while also supporting his studies at every turn.
“They didn’t have to do that, but they did,” Bangura said. “That meant the world to me.”
Bangura quickly found a home on the soccer team. In his time at Manor, Bangura became a 2023 All-Conference selection. He made Manor College’s Dean’s List three times and became a member of the USCAA All-Academic team.
“Abu is the kind of teammate who always kept our spirits high with his personality,” said Eddie Fortescue, who played two seasons with Bangura. “He has a way of making everyone feel comfortable and connected. When it came time to get serious, Abu knew how to focus and get us all on track. The success we had and the ability for teammates like Abu to connect with others made a huge difference and helped us immensely.”
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Bangura expects to complete his Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Science after the Fall 2024 semester. With his degree, he hopes to become a researcher.
“Growing up, I always wanted to be a medical student,” Bangura said. “It’s more interesting when you’re able to learn about multiple things. You get to move and travel for work, which is what I want to do.”
Regardless of where his career takes him, Bangura knows he has the backing of a community ready to aid him every step of the way.
“I don’t know if I have a friend that I could call from the two years I did at community college,” Bangura said. “Everybody was on their own. But here, it’s a close family. It’s been easy to find lifelong friends.”
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