“My sister went to this school. She said the teachers were great, and I think they are, too.” Mamadou even recommended it to his cousin, who now also attends. Mamadou’s family is creating a New Visions family dynasty! His own favorite things about the school were community, friends, and faculty support. “Teachers helped me develop a deeper appreciation for the beauty and logic of mathematics. I loved solving problems, knowing that each equation brought me closer to understanding how the world works.” He also took a psychology course, learning what makes a human “human” and what influences decisions—the connection between what’s out there and what’s in the mind.

When he was twelve, Mamadou accompanied his sick father to Mali, where only French and Zarma were spoken. “I felt like an outsider, unable to express my thoughts or communicate. I felt trapped.” He persevered, practicing until he felt whole again.