Started from the bottom......

Peeping through the window to get a glimpse of what was thought in the classroom. I had to somehow learn to read and write. On my way home, I always looked out for broken pencils or any sort of writing material so I could practice all I learnt during the day. We were so poor; my mum told us it was luxury eating 3 times a day, that we were blessed having 1 or 2 meals in a day. I never complained, I was born into poverty but I didn’t plan to die in it.

I hoped to be a doctor someday…I watched ER from my neighbors window some nights and I imagine saving lives like those doctors.  I was 7 years old and in Pry 4 (if you count window schooling as a sort of education), common entrance was fast approaching and I had to enroll to write this exam.

There was this inter-state exam for the physically challenged, it was done every year, and the top three were given scholarships to finish secondary school. I had to do this exam. I went to the venue with my elder sister who kept making fun of me by the way, trying to demoralize me, but no, I would not give in to such unnecessary pressure. I matched forward to the admin officer and told her I wanted to enroll.

She smiled at me. Is your leg broken love? No. Do you have a problem with your sight? No Ma’am. Do you have any difficulty whatsoever moving around? Not really. So you cannot apply for this exam, it is for the challenged students of this community.

I raised my shirt to show my ribs that were almost piercing out from my flesh. I am very hungry yet determined child ma’am so that qualifies me as a challenged person, maybe not physically but in every other way.

I am sorry child; there is nothing I can do for you. It’s the standard regulation; anyone enrolled must have a kind of challenge. I backed off. I had to seek plan B.

My saving grace came. This lady asked me to visit her church for a test and they would advise further. Of course I did super well in the exams. I got a scholarship to attend a federal secondary school. It wasn’t easy. After all the bullying, washing of toilet, cutting grass, washing clothes for seniors, I still managed to pass my exams. I had to keep the end in sight.

Daddy passed on. He wasn’t able to support my ordeal in any way but he was an important figure in my life and I would miss him dearly. RIP daddy. I will always love you and will do you proud.

SSCE was fast approaching and the thought of university always came to mind. I had saved all I worked for and it still wouldn’t cut it. All the holiday jobs, alabaru, washer girl, fetching water, house cleaning, baby sitting…..the money from it wouldn’t even pay my first year in the university. My mum had ruled me out. You think you can be as lucky as the last time. How many people get a scholarship through the university…life isn’t all about luck oo.

You know what, I put it into consideration, and I didn’t bank on been as lucky as I was…I am 14 years old now and in SS2 it is a miracle I got here in the first place….