When My World Crashed, the Internet Became My Wings.

“Sometimes the darkest nights give birth to the brightest mornings.” These words echo deeply within me because my journey into remote work wasn't born out of ambition, luxury, or convenience, but out of necessity, heartbreak, and a burning desire to rise above my circumstances.

By: Augustine D Kamanda

In 2010, just after I completed my high school studies, life dealt me a cruel hand. While I was anxiously waiting for my examination results, excited for what the future might hold, I lost my Dad, the only educated man in our family, that was able to have a formal education all the way to University level and my greatest inspiration. His passing didn’t just shake my emotional world, it shattered the very foundation of the dreams I had built upon his shoulders.

Suddenly, everything turned dark. I was left with nothing but grief, a broken family, and a single mother with little to nothing to sustain us. She later passed too, leaving behind a void no one could fill, but also a mission I was determined to fulfill, to uphold the values my father believed in which was God and education.

That mission became my light. It’s what kept me from losing my way when I was tempted to join the wrong crowd. It’s what gave me the strength to rise every day when hope seemed to vanish. And it’s what eventually led me into the world of remote work a path I never imagined would become the bridge between my broken past and a future I could rebuild.

A Scholarship Turned Sour

In my bid to make something of myself, I applied to Njala University in 2012, where I was offered a scholarship to pursue a Diploma in Agriculture. The news initially filled me with hope. However, the very day I was scheduled to collect my acceptance letter turned into another nightmare. Instead of celebration, I found myself in tears. Over 90% of us were rejected without clear explanation, and I was among them.

This experience left me disillusioned. The path I thought I would walk my university education, was suddenly blocked. I cried endlessly. I considered walking away from everything, joining bad company, or simply giving up. But deep inside, I knew I had younger siblings looking up to me. I had no option but to be strong for them, for myself, and in honor of my parents.

A Fork in the Road: Army or Ambition?

Out of sheer necessity, I applied to join the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF). At the time, I wasn’t seeking a long-term military career. I was simply trying to survive, provide for my family, and find some kind of stability in a life that had been anything but stable.

While I was undergoing field data collection training in Kabala (Koinadugu District), I received a call that many would consider a life-changing opportunity, my name had come up to join others for the Cadets Program at the Armed Forces Training Centre in Benguema Barracks.

For most, this would have been a dream come true. But for me, it was a turning point. I had just started working with Catholic Relief Services (CRS), a role that, for the first time, gave me more than just a paycheck. It gave me purpose. It aligned with the vision I had quietly been nurturing within me, a vision of building a meaningful and impactful professional life, not in uniform, but in service to people through development work.

I remember discussing my decision with someone older than me. He looked me straight in the eye and said I wasn’t serious. I smiled, said “thank you,” and walked away, because deep down, I knew exactly what I was doing. I wasn’t chasing status. I was chasing substance. I had finally found a path that spoke to my heart, and I wasn’t going to trade it, not even for a shiny title or formal rank.

YouTube, My Self-Learning Journey

With my peers moving on to university life, I felt left out and forgotten. But I found an unlikely friend: YouTube. It became my university, my coach, and my community. I spent countless nights downloading and watching educational videos, on business, research, tech skills, data management, and project management.

Little by little, my confidence and skills began to grow. What I lacked in formal education, I made up for in self-discipline, online learning, and relentless curiosity.

The Turning Point! Remote Work and Freelancing

In 2013, I took my first step into remote work. What started as short tasks evolved into major research and consulting projects. Since then, I’ve worked on over 37 projects with more than 24 organizations, ranging from local NGOs to international development partners, government ministries, and private firms.

Some of my notable engagements have included: Digital Disruption (USA), Save the Children International, UNFPA, World Vision International, IFAD, Avenair Health, Ministry of Health and Sanitation (Sierra Leone), and more. These experiences allowed me to engage with Managing Directors, CEOs, Donor Partners, Country Representatives, Consultants, and Entrepreneurs, all from the comfort of my home or shared workspaces.

So, Why Did I Choose Remote Work Over Traditional Employment?

Because at one of the darkest points in my life, it was the only light I could see.

I wasn’t born into privilege. I didn’t have the luxury of choosing between job offers or waiting for the “perfect” 9-to-5. What I had was responsibility, siblings who looked up to me, a grieving mother who had already given more than she had, and dreams that refused to die, no matter how broken life felt.

Remote work didn’t just appear as an option, it became a lifeline. Where traditional employment required me to sit in an office I couldn’t reach, to submit credentials I hadn’t yet earned, and to prove myself to gatekeepers who didn’t know my story, remote work saw me for my skills, my grit, and my commitment.

It gave me freedom to rise before dawn or work after midnight, to take a break when life hit hard, and to say “yes” to opportunities without asking anyone for permission. It gave me flexibility to work from a café in Bo, a quiet room in Kabala, a borrowed laptop in Freetown. I didn’t need to wear a tie or clock in, I just needed to deliver, and that I could do. And it gave me fulfillment, a sense that I was finally building something of my own, that I was writing a different story for myself and my family, one project at a time.

I still remember the first client who paid me online, and it was $30 data entry task. It wasn’t much, but to me, it felt like a million dollars. That payment wasn’t just for a job well done, it was validation. Proof that I could compete globally from Sierra Leone, that my dreams were valid, and that even without a corner office, I could still make an impact.

Since 2013, remote work has allowed me to collaborate with more than 24 organizations, from international NGOs and government ministries to individual clients around the world. I’ve worked on over 37 projects, connected with CEOs, development consultants, donor partners, and business owners, most of whom never saw my face, but trusted my output.

Platforms like Upwork, LinkedIn, and Fiverr became my new offices. YouTube became my university. Every video watched, every course completed, every email sent and job delivered, brought me one step closer to the life I had once feared I’d never live. This journey wasn’t about escaping tradition. It was about creating my own, as remote work didn’t just give me an income, but, it gave me hope, dignity, and a future. And I believe it can do the same for anyone willing to learn, grow, and stay the course.

Remote work constantly pushed me to upgrade myself, leading me to invest in personal and professional growth through online platforms like Coursera, and LinkedIn Learning. Over time, I built a strong digital resume filled with globally respected certifications, including Google Project Management, Market Research from the University of California, Davis, Customer Relationship Management, Entrepreneurship from the University of Pennsylvania, and Successful Negotiation from the University of Michigan.

In 2022, I took a bold academic leap by enrolling in the BSc in Business Administration program at Institute of Public Administration and Management, University of Sierra Leone, a journey I have proudly completed. I am now preparing to pursue my MBA online with the University of the People, as I await the submission of my undergraduate transcript. Remote work gave me what traditional employment could not, and for which I called it, a fighting chance. It allowed me to grow beyond my environment, rise above my circumstances, and pursue a future that once felt out of reach. For that, I will always remain grateful.

Overcoming Skepticism

Sadly, not everyone believes in remote work. Even those who have directly benefited from the revenue I generate question its legitimacy. They see 9-to-5 jobs as the gold standard. But the world is changing.

According to Forbes, over 25% of all professional jobs in North America are now remote and this trend is expected to continue rising. View full statistics here. Statista also offers extensive data on remote work trends. View statistics here

What You Need to Succeed in Remote Work

Venturing into remote work isn’t as simple as owning a laptop and a Wi-Fi connection, it requires a solid foundation of marketable skills including technical, analytical, communication, and digital proficiency. Patience is essential, as building trust, earning reviews, and scaling up takes time.

A growth mindset is equally important, because in the remote world, the more you learn, the more you earn. I have secured opportunities through platforms like Upwork, LinkedIn, and Fiverr, but what truly sustains success is reliability, meeting deadlines, maintaining clear communication, and consistently building trust with clients.

My story is not one of overnight success. It’s a tale of resilience, vision, and self-belief. Remote work gave me a second chance when life tried to take everything from me. It gave me the ability to support my family, invest in education, and live a life filled with purpose and progress.

To anyone out there who feels stuck, left behind, or limited by their circumstances, remember this: Your environment doesn’t define your potential. Your mindset does.

Have You Explored Remote Work?

Have you tried working remotely or freelancing? Have you used platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or LinkedIn to find work? What challenges or victories have you experienced?

Let’s continue the conversation. Drop your thoughts, questions, or experiences in the comments or feel free to connect with me directly.

If you’d like help getting started with remote work, learning digital skills, or setting up your online freelancing profile, I’m always open to sharing my journey and providing guidance.

Let’s build a world where location no longer limits opportunity.