Every person is looking for a direction in life that gives them meaning. Some find it easily, others have to work their way to it through all kinds of life's challenges. Like Waliu-Deen Abayomi Rezek, a young man with Czech and Nigerian roots who had a difficult childhood and decided to join the Active Reserve of the Czech Armed Forces. His journey was not easy, but he was clear about one thing - he wanted to give back to the Czech Republic what it had given him.

From underdog to fighter

Wali, as his friends call him for short, was born in Ireland to a Czech mother and Nigerian father, but as a child he moved with his mother and sister to the Czech Republic, which he considers his home. Adjusting to his new surroundings has not been easy - he has experienced bullying, loneliness and the feeling that he doesn't belong anywhere. "I was always different from others. Not just because of the colour of my skin, but in general. My name was exotic, I had a different origin and people noticed it," he recalls. He grew up without a male role model to show him the way and help him find the right values. After primary school, he started an apprenticeship as an auto mechanic, but he still felt something was missing. "I was never the type to sit at home and do nothing. I was always attracted to having a purpose, a direction in life. I wanted to have people around me that I could rely on."

A major turning point in his life came when he discovered the airsoft club. For the first time he felt the team spirit, met people who shared his interest in the military, and showed him a path he hadn't seen before.

"Suddenly I had a group of people around me who thought the same way. It wasn't just about running around in the woods and shooting. It was about cooperation, tactics, communication, helping each other. For the first time, I felt part of something bigger. I had real friends." It was here that he first met soldiers who explained what life in the military was like and how to get into it.

The path to active backup

A professional army would have been a big commitment, but the active reserve allowed Wali to combine a civilian job with army training. He applied online at doarmady.cz, passed medical tests and a psychological examination, and got into the Basic Training Course in Vyškov. "I realized that I have a home in the Czech Republic. This country gave me a chance for a better life, it took care of me. I want to give back - to be ready to help if something happens," he says with determination.

Six weeks that change a man

The basic training course was a test of physical and mental strength. Marching with heavy equipment, push-ups and running. But he had already started preparing for Vyškov in advance, so he had no problem with the physical training. The training was worse. "Lots of new things to remember, different procedures, names, ranks, orderly room, medical. It was really a lot, but there was time for self-study and those who didn't slack off gave it a go," he described. For some, though, stepping out of their comfort zone was a challenge; quite a few recruits, for example, slept in the open for the first time. "We slept outside in minus eight degrees. I wore all the clothes I could, but it was still challenging. It taught me to appreciate things I normally take for granted," he says with a smile.

He acquired skills that opened his eyes. But not everyone made it. Some came just for the financial reward, but they gradually dropped out. "You could see who was a heartthrob and who wasn't. But every day I thought to myself: "Since I'm here, I'm going to give it my best. It's very much about the head and you have to have motivation other than money. That's just not enough, you have to really want it internally."

Oath Day - Pride Day

After six weeks of hard training came a moment he will remember for the rest of his life - the military oath. "When the national anthem was played, I got goosebumps. We were all standing there next to each other, looking at the flag and thinking about what we had been through. It made us stronger. I suddenly realized that I was now part of something bigger. It's a feeling that can't be described, only experienced."

What's next?

After completing the course, she plans to develop her skills further. He wants to finish his high school diploma, get a professional driving license and, if the opportunity arises, join the professional Army of the Czech Republic.

"Now I know that my decision was the right one. I don't want to be a spectator watching when something happens. I want to be the one who helps." For him, being part of the active reserve doesn't just mean wearing the uniform a few times a year. It's a commitment, a responsibility and an honor - being ready to serve your country when it's needed most.

His story is proof that even a tough start doesn't have to mean a loss. Courage, determination and the right decision can change the destiny of any man.

"Everyone looks for meaning in what they do. Active backup gave it to me. And if anyone feels they want to do something more, let them join us. Because when a crisis situation comes, I want to be the one to help. And the more of us there are, the better."