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Outlook: 14/10/2015 11:06 GMT: Refugee Who Wants to Become President

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Gulwali Passarlay

14/10/2015 11:06 GMT

14/10/2015 11:06 GMT: Refugee Who Wants to Become President

Refugee Who Wants to Become President

BBC World Service - Outlook, Refugee Who Wants to Become President

Gulwali Passarlay fled Afghanistan - now he wants to become its president.

Gulwali Passarlay left Afghanistan aged 12 and reached the UK after an epic journey. One day he hopes to return and enter politics.

Gulwali Passarlay grew up in eastern Afghanistan, not far from where the al-Qaeda leader, Osama bin Laden, had his stronghold. Gulwali's family were very pro-Taliban- his uncle was a senior commander - and Gulwali grew up hating the West and all it stood for. He has been on a phenomenal journey since then - both physically and mentally. As a 12-year-old he made the journey, by himself, from Afghanistan to the UK, facing one catastrophe after another. Now 21, he is a final year student at a leading university in Britain.

When Melody Gardot was a teenager in the American city of Philadelphia she was knocked off her bicycle in a road accident and suffered brain damage. She was also left with chronic pain and walking difficulties. Using music therapy as part of her recovery, she discovered a talent for singing and playing the guitar. She is now a Grammy winning recording artist who has sold millions of records across the world. 

Chester Williams was a star player of South Africa's rugby world cup winning team of 1995. Rugby had always been seen as a white sport in South Africa, and black rugby fans tended to support anyone but the all-white national team. Chester was the only black player, and the team's success helped unite the Rainbow Nation.

(Picture: Gulwali Passarlay)

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