Of Beetles and Angels: A Boy’s Remarkable Journey from a Refugee Camp to Harvard

The Epilogue is a transcription of Mawi’s commencement speech, delivered to Harvard’s graduating class of 1999. The speech references his childhood in Africa in a Sudanese refugee camp, and emphasizes we are all part of a human community to which we are obligated to give back. He implores the soon-to-be graduates to “do a little deed of kindness” as regularly as possible, and he encourages them to devote their lives to improving the quality of life for all (138). 

In the Afterword, specifically written for the 15th anniversary edition of the book, Mawi updates the readers on some of his personal and professional milestones in the intervening years. As promised, he has devoted his life to helping others, with an emphasis on refugee and at-risk youth. His brother Tewolde continues to be a source of strength to Mawi: “When I need inspiration, I reach into my wallet and pull out Tewolde’s old ProClean business card. I ask myself: If Tewolde could start a successful cleaning business as a high school student, what can I do as a Harvard graduate?” (144).