Whenever the veil that drapes across the continent is slowly pulled back, many fascinating faces of Africa are revealed to a captive, eclectic audience.

For some, it is a visage of astonishing and endless beauty. For others, it is that of much intrigue and mystery – waiting to be explored, discovered and unraveled.

Others see limitless raw wealth…to be extracted by whatever means possible. Even if it takes sparking civil wars with devastating consequences on whole sections of humanity. On the same face, a harsh, unyielding land full of strife, famine, poverty, disease and utter wretchedness is seen.

Yet for others, all they see is a vibrancy borne of a beautiful, proud African people – with lots of opportunities and cultures and colors that blend together to create a breathtaking piece of God’s art. Others see nothing but darkness.

Africa’s children respond to their multi-faceted continent in different fashions. The optimistic lot dig in their heels and till the land, so to speak. The jaded sit back and wait for another day to pass by. The adventurous follow the irresistible beckon of promise and allure of other continents. And so it is that at the tender age of four, Michael and his mother migrated to England in search of a better life.

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Excerpt from Michael’s Story: ‘PILLARS OF AFRICA: They Dared To Dream. Compiled & Written by Sheida

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