My problem, my solution... 2013 VOF Week 3

My family consists of my father, three wives and thirteen children. I am the eleventh and last of my mum who is the second wife. Our kind of polygamous home is such that the responsibility of the children lies with the mother. I was lucky to have a working mother who tried her best to see us through secondary school. The norm is after that you are on your own. Either you learn a trade or skill and get married or have a rich boyfriend to sponsor you through tertiary institution. I can't explain what made me decided, maybe due to my nature of always being different, I made up my mind to further my education not at the mercy of any man but through hard work.

It wasn't easy. I never had enough, am always lacking something. Can't afford handouts most times so I would collect from my friends, read and jot down things I can read during examination. During school breaks I would travel round visiting uncles and relations so that by the time school resumes I would have some money for tuition fees and accommodation. My mum also sold her gold and also helped with her pension to encourage because my sister and I were so determined to be educated.

During my travels I learnt how to bake, make beads and a little of hair dressing. Most times I do buy things to sell from the money given me by relations but I can't sustain a business because as am selling am using the money for upkeep. At every opportunity I get to make money I used (legally). I worked in a radio station for two years and had to stop when it started affecting my studies. The journey through school was not easy but am glad I passed through it because that's the story am using to teach less privileged teenagers. It also taught me to be contented with the little I have, live simple and to manage my resources well.

It was through my struggles I realised the solution to my problem- entrepreneurship and skill acquisitions. If I had that knowledge earlier I won't go through so much hardship in school. Am glad some private educational institutions are taking entrepreneurial studies serious and are including it in the school curriculum.

I graduated from the University as one of the best students in my department (so proud of that), I finished my Youth Service last year and am presently working at the Centre for Entrepreneurial Development Studies of Covenant University, Nigeria. At every opportunity I get I teach students the importance of acquiring a vocational or enterpreneurial skill. I admonish young girls that they have no excuse of not been educated, all they just need is determination and a little push through encouragement to learn to be self dependent. Am proud of what I am and what I will still do to help young girls be employers of labor by maximizing their skills and potentials.

BeckyBold

NB
Am sure I've exceeded the word limit. I can't just stop writing because am always excited sharing my story. Sorry pls winks