I suffered because my father feared to further my education

I was born in a family of 7 made up of 2 boys and 5 girls. We stayed at home while the other boys went out to play with other children. They associated with all levels of children giving them more opportunities to learn and interact. We did the house hold chores and cooking. We were over protected so if affected the girl children negatively. Today I find it difficult to express myself due to lack of exposure and exchange of ideas.

I ended my education in the primary school. He father said if he sends us, we will abandon education and get married. This was because of the bad experience he had from my elders sister who had previously drooped out of school to go get married at form 4. Thank God that her husband sent her to complete her education and now she is working. Today she takes care of our parents.

So my dad transferred the aggression on me. I had to beg my dad to allow me get even a little out of education so he allowed me to but with a lot of restrictions. I was not permitted to go for morning classes and afternoon and learning groups so I wondered what sort of education I was acquiring. This made me very timid and dull. Yes I accepted my fate. I love sporting activities but I was not allowed to go out for practice or take part in it but I always manage to run out of the house with help from my mother to go and play handball. During practices I discovered I was very good at shooting because no goal keeper could withstand the force my ball came with. My school team was up for a competitive match and everyone was excited and so was I but when I told my parents, my dad refused again with the anger in his eyes I was so afraid and quit handball.

I stayed at home and did house chores, go farming with my mother and my dad was not working and at the end, I blamed it all on poverty. At a time, my dada asked me to learn a trade but I refused because all I wanted was to go to school but no one was willing to help me get what I wanted so I stayed at home.

From that day till date, I am not that educated as I ended my education in the primary level but thank God I can read and write. I promised myself none of girl child will go through what I went through just to get educated.

I strongly believe that girl child education is very good. Girl children always take care of the extended families whereas the boys focus on their wives and children.

I call on all mothers to stand up for the girl children’s education.

Our daughter will not have same experience as mine.