The Boy from Boadua: One African’s Journey of Hunger and Sacrifice in Pursuit of a Dream

by Patrick Asare

Patrick Asare was born and raised by illiterate parents in the remote Ghanaian village of Boadua. His family was so large and impoverished that not even the earnings from crushing hard work could buy enough food to fill their bellies. No one in the village aspired to be educated beyond middle school.

Until Patrick.

Numerous obstacles stood in the way of Patrick's yearning for higher knowledge, including gnawing hunger, lack of sleep, and backbreaking daily chores. During school vacations, he toiled in a jungle farm teeming with poisonous snakes and insects.

Dedicating every stolen moment to study, Patrick passed the common entrance exam with flying colors. Despite major setbacks, he kept his eye on the prize. He graduated from an elite secondary school and earned his engineering degree in the Soviet Union during the perestroika era. Finding his way to the United States, he taught Russian and math and eventually obtained a superb education from top American universities.

Patrick's travels and adventures taught him that, regardless of his hardscrabble childhood, he was a lucky man. He was raised by loving and supportive parents and lived in a society where race was not an issue. Teaching in inner-city high schools alerted him to the particular challenges faced by America's urban Black youth.

Patrick's amazing story offers insights, hope, and inspiration to others who face astronomical odds.

Genres: Ghana

270 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 15, 2022

Reviews

[Cat Treadgold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patrick Asare acknowledges that he was in the right place at the right time for his farfetched dreams to come true. That's part of what makes his unlikely story so compelling--the author's humility and heart. You feel as if you get to know his family and friends and you root for him every step of the way. And wow, he has a gauntlet of obstacles to overcome, starting with the backbreaking and often dangerous chores he must complete as a child and the hunger and lack of sleep he must endure while trying to gain the knowledge he needs to escape his family's poverty. A series of twists of fate take him to an exclusive secondary school, then to college in the former Soviet Union, and finally, to the United States, where he rises to the top of his field--while never losing sight of the love of friends and family and lucky breaks that helped him on his way. Not that he didn't experience his share of setbacks and tragedy.
I was also fascinated by his experiences in the Soviet Union--his take on the educational system and encounters with Russians and Ukrainians.
I wish every school kid in America who takes their educational opportunities for granted could read this book.

[Kwasi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming and inspirational story!

This is an excellent, heartwarming story of amazing progress against overwhelming odds! It demonstrates the awesome power of desire and tenacity.

The author also gives great insight into the African immigration story. I’m struck by how much talent and gain humanity fails to capture for lack of educational opportunities.

A great read!

[Abbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book takes you on the incredible journey of Patrick Asare, from his impoverished life in Boadua Ghana, to America and his journey in between. He touches on socio-economic, political, and racial discussions throughout that shaped his thinking. Overall it was one of the best books I’ve read in awhile. It makes you think. He hones in on the important point that education is the ticket to freedom - we all have innate gifts, but some are luckier than others. 100% recommend reading.

[Jay Levine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I might say that knowing the author for many years provides me with a greater knowledge and appreciation of this extraordinary journey--jaded as that might appear--but I seriously doubt that that is true.

And why I've already purchased roughly 20 copies, and counting, to provide this remarkable success story--against all odds--to friends as gifts (and none of these friends know the author Patrick Asare at all. The true gift, to us all, is that Patrick Asare wrote this book in the first place).

They too will learn just how brilliant--in every sense of the word--the author is as he grows up the son of a cocoa farmer, along with a loving mother and family (siblings, friends and teachers) with one massive (and I mean: massive) hurdle/obstacle/achievement (!!!) after another in this beautifully written memoir.

A roller-coaster of a ride--I laughed (out loud), I cried, and everything in between--one that is not to be missed. Everyone--young and old--should read this book.

While quite a different "adventure", you'd have had to have read "Endurance; Shackleton's Incredible Voyage" (I've long favored the Alfred Lansing version) for a more inspirational story. And that is high praise indeed for "The Boy from Boadua".

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine a room with nothing on the walls, no running water, no bathrooms, no sinks and sleeping on a bed of straw no paved roads, no indoor plumbing, and having to get up before daylight and carry four buckets of water on your head from the river back and forth four times before going to school. The journey of our author was long, hard, and tedious, and his goals were unique only to him. His parents in his village and others were illiterate and could not read or write. Education in some families was not a priority yet his parents expected them to attend. The school he first attended had 6 classrooms each with the bare minimum: chalkboard and little else including no lunches which sent the students racing home to eat since they could not afford to buy lunch. Living conditions in Ghana where he lived were harsh and as you read his story and understand his life throughout his childhood, middle school years, and your determination to attend the right schools to achieve his goals, you root for him, you cry tears when adversities occur and you admire his persistence, tenacity, and awareness of his life, his family and each if their values and a father who took every opportunity to provide for his family and children who learned from an early age the true meaning of hard work, family unity, and overcoming obstacles that most could not.
In their small village in Ghana, Patrick learned the value of reading and was inspired by the hope of getting an education he used reading pieces of newspaper fragments that people used to wrap fish. Determined to learn more about the world living in poverty, not always having food to eat, sharing with his family, and living in fear of what comes next, he knew that summer vacations were for helping his father on the farm. Leaving his family to get a second farm little did anyone realize what a vital part it would play for Patrick in the future. His life takes many turns and curves as he shares his educational goals, hard work on the farm, and understanding of the true meaning of illiteracy and why he was determined to rise above. Reading, studying, and practicing for an entrance exam in an elite school that he hoped to be admitted to.
His life was the farm and education until accepted to the school he chose and was denied it for lack of money for tuition and more. Water that was unsafe to drink, the farm infested with poisonous snakes, and more life took many scary turns. His brother Emmanuel and him working the farm since his brother injured his ankle but he never falters they manage to get back to the farm but are always worried about their father all alone. Money was tight so why not send on food? Instead, he bought newspapers that down the road you'd be shocked at its importance.
Patrick had one goal to be admitted to Achimoto and that journey and the obstacles you need to take along with him. Accepted to this secondary school was all he hoped for and the interviews went well but the magic of the success was short-lived. Read pages 83-84 and feel his frustration and emotions. Settling for another school and then getting to know Francis allowed them both to slowly form an everlasting bond and competition. But Francis never went higher and things turned around for Patrick with another journey and years in Russia.

But first his new friends about Boadua and Oda and realized when attending Archimoto his goal helped him to be accepted to a university in Russia. Then meeting Patricia and hoping for a life with hervwoukdvtake years in coming. Life was hard and his goals were many as we take the classes along with him, learning Russian and gaining a new Russian friend the author realizes cultural differences, language barriers, and a new understanding of cultures. Always with his family in mind, teaching in America in the Buffalo schools on many different levels we learn about two black students that made a great impact on his life and ways of thinking. Jamal and Antoine. Read the first paragraph of the prologue to understand the rationale behind Jamal's words. Learning about his time teaching there and the differences between the schools there and in Ghana. Thousands of poor American students live in neighborhoods so violent that a safe passage to he writes is not assured.
The author shares something very enlighting the method of conducting exams in Russia would have been a challenge for me but definitely, a welcomed one. How he interacted with Soviet students, and then the loss of his father before he attained his dream of rebuilding ing his home took a toll on him, and when he received his degrees he cried because he never saw them.
Why were so many black students bullied? Listen to his words to Antoine.
Some journeys never end admitted to Tuck to study and then moving to Wyomissing was a big change the people there were welcoming and his children thrived until the world changed and black men were killed by white policemen how would he handle it?
Reliving the past and the value of self-confidence and the sadness that some children cannot pursue their innate talents because of external constraints. A story so powerful and important that teaches many life lessons, including understanding the meaning of poverty yet never losing sight of his goals and objectives. Read Chapter 15 and learn about his lifelong friendships and more.his final thoughts you need to read for yourself as he reflects on his life and read the last paragraph t it says it all. A must-read for all students of any age to cherish what we have and do what many others wish they did.



Fran lewis just reviews







- [ ]

[John J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of author Patrick Asare’s journey from abject poverty in Ghana to prosperity in the United States is both inspiring and instructive. In Asare’s new memoir, “The Boy from Boadua,” the author takes us along on this epic ride of a lifetime, with all the highs, lows, suspense and great expectations that one could ever expect from a spectacular memoir. And woven throughout Patrick Asare’s tragedies and triumphs is an essential lesson to be learned about the state of public school education in the 21st century. This is a story not just about one man but also about society today and how the system often fails the young people who truly desire quality education and a successful life.
The story begins in a farming village in a place called Boadua in southeast Ghana. (If you couldn’t locate it on a map, you’re not alone.) Boadua is a place made up of mud houses with thatched roofs and plenty of farm animals, and, as Asare writes, an “overpowering smell of urine that permeated everything,” due to a lack of indoor plumbing. The author’s description of life in Boadua is incredibly well-rendered to the point where you actually feel like you are there. The stories of the back-breaking work just to fill big buckets of water and carry them back home are, in fact, quite visceral and deeply personal. The author states that education was not a real priority for most of the families in Boadua. However, Patrick Asare was fortunate to have grown up with two extremely strong parents who understood the importance of attaining a good education. Patrick Asare actually credits good fortune and hard work as key factors in his upbringing and the shaping of his personality. Though he doesn’t focus on it, Asare also benefited from his own persistent desire for knowledge and his unquenchable curiosity.
To say that Patrick Asare came from a place lacking in many necessary resources is a huge understatement. The village had no library. Students were given only two books for math and English per year. And often, food was scarce. Many times, the author and his 13 siblings had to make do with small portions or nothing at all for some meals. The family’s poverty eventually forced his father to have to leave to work on a farm about 20 miles away from Boadua. This would have a profound effect on Patrick Asare. Given the lack of transportation, this would mean Asare’s father was away during the week for much of his youth. Fortunately, Asare never let any obstacles prevent him from reaching his goals.
This is a memoir filled with sometimes horrifying stories of things like corporal punishment in school, deadly snakes, poor sanitation and countless other daily hardships. Still, Asare says that school was “a refuge of sorts. I could be with friends and engage in normal children’s activities.” That sense of school being a sanctuary becomes a recurrent theme throughout the book. Other stories focus on his proud and hard-working mother and father, as well as his supportive siblings. The importance of family is a major theme throughout “The Boy from Boadua.” Time and again, the author stresses the vital foundation that comes from a strong family.
In Chapter 5, Asare tells the story of asking a vendor of roasted plantains for the papers they were wrapped in. At 11 years old, Asare had discovered that food was often served on paper that had newspaper type on one side. Through reading these “news wrappers,” Asare sees an article about Achimota secondary school, which is an elite boarding school in Ghana. It was on that very day the author decided he wanted to study at Achimota and then attend a top-rated university like Oxford or Cambridge in England. While this may have been a naïve dream, Asare admits, it would remain the bedrock of Patrick Asare’s aspirations.
The remaining chapters of “The Boy from Boadua,” describe how Asare took an improbable and nearly impossible dream to eventually attend Achimota and then go to on to college in the former Soviet Union and make it into reality. After receiving his degree in engineering, the author makes his way across Europe and eventually settles in Buffalo, New York. Along the way, Asare recounts stories of countless hardships, along with strong role models and people who helped him succeed by offering a helping hand. He also has a lot to say about his experiences teaching in the New York state public school system. Asare spends a considerable portion of the book talking about race in America and how it impacts Black American youths.
“The Boy from Boadua” is an extraordinary depiction of how determination, a little bit of luck, strong family ties and keeping your eyes on the prize can lead to a happy and successful life. But it goes much deeper than that. This is the story of the power of love and the ties that bind us and, sadly, the life events that often separate us from each other. Just like the author’s life, this memoir is a helluva ride. Highly recommended.

[Arthur B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

If this book doesn't convince you that the American Dream still lives and remind you of the incalculable benefit of attracting immigrants of the character, determination and fierce ambition of Patrick Asare, then you, poor soul, are pitiably what Mr. Asare is not--hopeless.
His rags-to-riches saga—from mud hut in Ghana to the executive suite in America, with stops at Purdue and Dartmouth to earn degrees--is so remarkable that it transcends cliche and verges on incredible. Even more admirable and appealing is the way he tells the tale--in a style that is lucid and direct and in a voice that is so humble and companionable that it's easy to see why Mr. Asare has made friends readily in every part of the world he has visited and lived. He is also unsparingly honest--about himself, his insecurities, his mistakes, his prejudices, his regrets.
Inevitably, this is a book about class and race, and Mr. Asare is unflinching in expressing his dismay about what he observes in the United States, such as the shocking lack of appreciation for education among so many of the Black high-school pupils he encounters as a teacher in Buffalo. He is appalled by their disrespectful and disruptive behavior, their laziness and lack of motivation. By comparison with the village school he attended in Ghana, their schools are endowed with vast resources, and they are privileged and fortunate. Yet many take it for granted and seem determined to squander the opportunity to improve their lot—as Mr. Asare has managed to do in spectacular fashion. We meet the insolent Jamal, who refuses to cooperate, defies discipline, and terrorizes the shy and studious Antoine, who is picked on for “acting white.” Jamal and Antoine, so opposite in temperament and classroom comportment, have one thing in common: Both are being reared by single mothers because their fathers are absent.
Mr.Asare is a compassionate man who tries to be sympathetic and non-judgmental, perhaps to a fault. His writing is restrained and diplomatic, and he duly places his criticism in the context of slavery and longstanding racial discrimination. Nevertheless, his message is clear: Much of the pathology in the African-American inner-city community stems from Black fathers who sow their seed promiscuously and fail to stick around to support and guide their children, especially their sons, abandoning them to the care of beleaguered mothers.
For Mr. Asare, this is a matter of conviction and an issue about which he is justifiably and understandably passionate. Why? Because the dereliction of Black fathers in the United States contrasts so starkly with what he was blessed to possess: an heroically devoted father who toiled relentlessly to feed and clothe him and his 13 siblings, a task that required working from dawn to dusk raising subsistence crops on his remote farm in the snake-infested jungle and spending weeks away from his wife and family. Mr. Asare grew up revering his father not only for his prodigious work ethic but also for his judgment and wisdom, the product not of book learning (his father can’t read) but of life experience. How sad that his father is no longer alive to witness the full measure of his son’s success, and how amazed and thrilled this noble man would be to learn that his son paid tribute to him and his powerful influence in this eloquent and uplifting book --and that his granddaughter is a graduate of Princeton!

[Grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspiring memoir - and a Must Read!

Ghana born Pennsylvania author Patrick Asare delivers his life experiences in his memoir - THE BOY FROM BOADUA - a book that not only is well written, but also provides one of the most informed visions of life from a vantage rarely equaled. As he shares his lifelong pursuit of a dream, he demonstrates that he gained first hand experience with poverty and illiteracy in Ghana, with living in the Soviet republic of Ukraine and learning Russian, with immigrating to the USA and teaching in New York public schools while becoming aware of racism, with his commitment to school reform, with earning advanced degrees in electrical engineering to become a successful corporate professional, and now in addition to his articles and books on social, political, and energy topics, he frequently posts on his website pieces on Putin, the Ukraine and the current martial status, and comments pertinent to us all.

Asare’s eloquent prose lifts the spirit and magnetizes attention to his journey to now. As he shares in his Prologue, ‘This book is not only a narrative of that journey, but also a reflection on issues such as race, socioeconomic status, education, culture, the importance of role models, and some of the differences in social structures between Ghana and America that cause similarly situated schools to function differently in those two countries.’ From the opening of his book, revisiting his childhood in Boadua, Ghana in ‘veritas cinematica,’ a manner that opens our eyes to perceptions of the spectrum of socioeconomic and cultural differences between Asare’s early life and his discoveries as an immigrant to America, through his multiple levels of education (Donetsk National Technical University in Ukraine, Purdue University, Dartmouth College Tuck School of Business), to his current status with UGI Energy Services and as a Democracy and Development Fellow at the Ghana the Center for Democratic Development - here is a man driven by perseverance, courage, optimism and hard work to achieve his dreams.

While it is important to view his life journey as a series of successful achievements, the joy of reading this book is the candor and honesty and constant sense of discovery that exudes from every page. This is a rare book, one that solidly underscores the impact of Patrick Asare’s life while providing enriching entertainment with accompanying precious moments of insight into paths of achievement he makes available to us all. Bravo!

[Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Boy from Boadua by Patrick Asare is a captivating chronicle that traces Asare's journey from his humble beginnings in the small Ghanaian town of Boadua to his accomplished adulthood in the United States. This engrossing narrative is a testament to Asare's youthful aspirations and his relentless quest to surpass the constraints of his unassuming origins. Readers are treated to a vibrant exploration of Asare's growth and evolution, skillfully entwined with a rich portrayal of Ghana's culture, traditions, and adversities.

Asare's adept storytelling paints an immersive picture that transcends geographic boundaries, allowing readers to journey through previously unexplored terrains, and empathize with unfamiliar struggles. His straightforward, lucid prose, bereft of excessive lyricism or metaphors, serves as a pristine canvas where his compelling narrative unfolds uninhibitedly, with the spotlight rightly shining on the messages he aims to convey.

The characters in the story are imbued with remarkable realism, be it the father's sacrificial love or the protagonist's innocent frustrations during his childhood. This authenticity fosters a deep connection with the reader, lending a universal appeal to the story. The Boy from Boadua particularly shines in its nuanced exploration of human responses to varied life circumstances. Asare deftly illustrates the multifaceted nature of circumstances, the diverse elements influencing one's life, all the while inspiring readers with the tenacity and perseverance that have been the guiding lights of his life journey.

The Boy from Boadua is an alluring novel that instructs readers about perseverance, injustice, resilience, and the boundless potential of life. A stirring emotional journey that delivers its message with unflinching honesty, it comes highly recommended to those seeking to be deeply moved and engaged by a powerful story.

[Brad Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, this is one hell of a great story! Patrick Asare’s autobiography, ‘The Boy from Boadua: One African’s Journey of Hunger and Sacrifice in Pursuit of a Dream,’ takes the reader from the villages and jungles of Ghana, in Western Africa, to various cities in the Soviet Union and thence to America. Taking place from the 1960s to present day, Asare’s iron will, blind determination and ability to “make my own luck” proves a mesmerizing journey.

Now, in terms of making “his own luck,” he is well aware of all those who helped him on this against-all-odds odyssey from soul grinding poverty, as part of family with 13 siblings, to a teacher and then a highly accomplished electrical engineer with a beautiful family.

Key amongst those were Patrick’s father, Opanyin Kwaku Asare, and mother, Augustina Mampomaa. Amongst all the struggles, ably chronicled with emotional realism, he keeps coming back to one intangible aspect of his father’s personality: ‘What made the difference for me was that my father looked at the world differently.’ His mother was an absolute master of the house, one who often sacrificed meals so the children might have sustenance.

Trying to touch on the many ups and downs in this story is pointless, however, it’s worth saying ‘The Boy for Boadua’ will make us view some of our own problems in a new light. As we all do at various junctures in life, Patrick Asare had to take that big leap of faith, with little optimism about a positive outcome, so many, many times. You will find yourself rooting for the underdog, hoping against hope while learning about the ever-changing perspectives of this fascinating man. You will also learn a lot about yourself!

Brad Butler, Author of ‘A World Flight Over Russia’ & ‘Without Redemption.’

[Lloyd Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Through my many decades(!) of reading books, I have read some amazing stories about people succeeding against great odds. But I don’t think I’ve ever read a book like The Boy from Boadua. Patrick Asare faced obstacles that nobody would even think about overcoming. But he did it. And he did it with a bang!

Patrick grew up in a loving family in a very small village in Ghana. It was so small that the other Ghanaians Patrick encountered in his travels had never even heard of it. Patrick had 13 siblings, and he was one of the younger ones. His mother oftentimes went without food to make sure her children had at least something to eat. His father was gone most of the time, tending to a farm by himself that was several hours away, but that provided much needed income for the family.

How did Patrick go from being a very poor child in a very small village in Ghana to being a principal in UGI Energy Services, LLC in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania? What about the stops he made in the Ukraine and Buffalo, NY? And don’t get me started on the very large number of educational institutions he attended over a very large number of years. Finally, why did Patric wait 20 years to publish his incredible story? Am I being vague? You bet. I do NOT want to take away from your journey of reading about Patrick’s journey. What I do know is that you will often be shaking your head in disbelief. I know I was. Bottom line is: Get a copy of The Boy from Boadua and prepare to be amazed.

[Nana Dadzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Memoirs are tricky things. They may teach lessons or inspire. They can hold up a mirror to one's life or even take one back. However, they can also be un-relatable or even unbelievable. Patrick's is riveting and very relatable, inspiring, and heart-warming. I sometimes felt like I was looking into the mirror and watching my life being played back. Though those of us who grew up in Ghana and struck out to find our fortunes abroad can relate most to his story, the lessons will also touch anyone who has ever left home, every immigrant, and everyone who has surmounted seemingly insurmountable odds. As a matter of fact, everyone should read this book.

[Yasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who has had the immense privilege of growing up in the states, it was incredibly eye opening, and valuable for me to learn about Patrick's journey. Patrick offers a refreshing perspective on a variety of different issues that Americans face & shares his own inspiring triumphs against all odds. This truly is a must-read for everyone, especially Americans.

[L. Storms · Rating 5 out of 5]

A phenomenal look into an inspiring life. So grateful to Patrick Asare for sharing his story with the world.

Life’s not over yet. Can’t wait to see what he does with the next chapter of his life. Grateful for our mutual friend who provided me with a copy of this book. I could hardly put it down.

[Elaine Torres · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing, Insightful, and Inspiring!

What an incredible story of persistence and perseverance. This book should be required reading for adolescent Americans to help them get a different perspective on life in the US and Africa.

[Nina Chachu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting life history of a diasporan Ghanaian. I did wonder who the intended audience was for this book - at times it seemed to be aimed at US based readers, yet a lot of the earlier part of the book was perhaps more relevant and understandable, and even appreciated by someone living in Ghana.