Makagbeh Princess Sesay's remarkable journey from civil war survivor to University of Manchester graduate has reached its triumphant conclusion. The 52-year-old, who fled Liberia in 1990, received her Bachelor of Science degree in public health on 20 July 2026, a "dream come true" after years of hardship and perseverance.
Ms Sesay's early life was marred by tragedy: she crossed into neighbouring Guinea with her family in December 1990, escaping the escalating conflict in Liberia. Her parents' death during this period left her to grow up as an orphan among thousands of displaced Liberians in Guinean towns. "Frightening" and "dangerous" conditions, including a severe lack of food, security, and sanitation, were a harsh reality for Ms Sesay.
Despite the challenges she faced, Ms Sesay found purpose in volunteering with humanitarian organisations like Action Against Hunger, assisting other refugees with health education, hygiene campaigns, and food distribution. Her fluency in English enabled her to work effectively, and she also received training from the International Rescue Committee and collaborated with CARE International.
Ms Sesay's path to the UK was a long one, involving resettlement in Norway in 2003, where she initially struggled with the language and felt unable to pursue her educational aspirations. Twelve years later, an opportunity arose to move to the UK, leading her to pursue a diploma at Manchester College. After several years working as a carer, she embarked on her three-year degree course at the University of Manchester in 2023.
Her lecturer, Sam Aston, praised Ms Sesay's "remarkable journey" as a "testament to her resilience and determination." Mr Aston highlighted Ms Sesay's "passion and compassion for public health," which he said had driven her to transform her personal experiences into a meaningful educational pursuit. Ms Sesay now plans to dedicate her skills and knowledge to helping other refugees and vulnerable communities, aiming to reduce health inequalities globally.