I couldn’t face my friends so I went straight to my room without any feedback. Instead, I called my elder sister and bombarded her with how my day went. I was looking for someone to agree with me that I had tried my best but rather, she encouraged me. She advised I think about the kids and go back to the slum.
Needless to say, I lost my sleep. The first thing the following morning, I was on my way to the slum. I saw the city wake up right before me. I was not able to get any form of transportation so I had to trek. I saw as mad and homeless people woke up at their different stores.
Eventually, I got to the slum and was surprised to see the conditions in which they slept. I resumed my position from the previous night and watched as they woke up one after the other. They were shocked to see me. I’m certain they must have wondered if I spent the night there. I greeted them and waved at the kids as the elders still did not want them around me.
I sat with Galala who bought rice and beans for her breakfast and was eating it with her bare hand, she asked me to join her, I wanted to turn down the offer but I realised everyone was waiting on my reaction so I decided to join her.
I couldn’t leave and they wouldn’t leave for their places of work as well. The time was far gone and I was already feeling tired and sleepy but couldn’t just leave without making any headway. As I was thinking of how and when to leave, one of the fathers shouted at me in pidgin English “you deaf, we say we no wan school” meaning “are you deaf, we said we don’t want school”.
With this, I stood up and carried the chalkboard we brought the previous day and left. Meanwhile Galala who had just concluded her ablution couldn’t continue with her prayers, she stood still and was crying.
I was broken with hopelessness. I did not know how to help the kids. I went back to school, straight to the prayer ground, not to pray but to have a good cry. I told God how discouraged and tired I was. I determined to give it all a break and live like a normal student.
IN RETROSPECT:
I realised that,
- No doesn’t mean never.
- Its okay to take a break but don’t give up.
Let’s meet here soon, as I will be letting it all out. You sure don’t want to miss the next series.
DO YOU KNOW?
This period of lockdown is the best time to work on that dream of yours.
I will be glad to walk you through it. Let me know what you think in the comment section, I’ll be glad to read from you.
Your Friend,
Ma Funmi.
You dropped my jaw in your narrative. Well done.
Thanks so much mum,glad you’re following it.
Good work, Ma Funmi!!!
This “pandemic era” is an opportunity to discover that “hidden treasures” within us.
This is “awesomely brilliant”! 😀😉
Waiting for the next series…
Stay blessed, sis!
Thanks so much my learned colleague.Smiles. Glad to see you’re following. Special regards to my people.
I will create time to go through your write up retrospectively. Must say you are good at it, you took me back to the previous series, and was almost going to the one before that, if not for the meeting I have in the next few minutes. Am wondering if anybody that follows you will want to break out without serious competing reasons. Except, the person does not fave the interest o a child at heart.
Keep up the good work
Thanks so much for this kind words.
Hmmmm,ma Funmi…..I was humbled when you joined to eat the food,what if you got an infection, Hmm,this makes me relate to the post after this,Can you die for the course?? Hmmmm,I have a vision for the youth but sometimes I don’t even know where to start.
Good to read from you. You can private chat me,lets have a word regarding your vision for the youth. This season is the best time to work on it.
Very relatable
You made it easy to relate with and I felt every bit of story told both emotionally and physiologically, the story was well told and composed even someone will not much education will be able to relate well
Glad you can relate. Thanks for the kind words.
THIS IS GREAT. DEAR. YOU HAVE SPOKEN TO ME. AM REJUVENATED AND ENCOURAGED. GREATER HEIGHTS AND GRACE SISTER. MUCH LOVE