17/01/2018
MEASURING STRENGTH IN ADVERSITY
Growing up in the city of Port Harcourt was fun and exciting. Inequality in status was not easily noticed. Children from the rich and poor went to same schools and played in the same playgrounds even same library, and attended same parties. There was mixture and as such nobody felt inferior or small before each other.
In my case, Even though I had lived in (three different neighborhood) rich, medium and poor neighborhood, I blended very well in all categories. Change of living condition or neighborhood is as a result of change in my father’s job. In my 0-7 years, we lived in government quarters in Forces Avenue in Port Harcourt. In fact the governor’s house of then rivers state was our highlight of the day. His children and that of the ADC were our friends; we ate on same table, went to same schools and played hide and seek together. There was no class issue at all. We were all equal.
From my 6-9 years, I moved from medium to a poor neighborhood. As I can remember, we lived briefly in Mbonu Street in d/line, thereafter to old Port Harcourt Township. I schooled in orogbum and Bernard Carr respectively where I participated in school plays and sports. I was always in the center of activities. From my 9-10 years we moved to rainbow town where I finished my primary school in army children’s school.
It was in army children’s school, I noticed some kind of difference between myself and other children. It was not from their attitude or behavior, but appearance. I went to school with my church shoes and trekked to school. Other kids who were my friends came in chauffeur driven cars or school bus. We had kids from shell, then elf and Michelin. Children living in shell camp came with the school bus while Michelin and elf children were either brought to school by their parents or drivers and nannies.
I will look at them with admiration and wondered what it will be like in their home. They spoke good English language and I made sure I did the same even though at home we spoke pidgin. For every play that we were asked to come with a m***i, I will make sure my mum either sewed a new dress or bought something new. Because of my parent’s lean purse at that time, mum will bring out her wrapper and make something new for me.
My understanding of the world changed around that time. I started dreaming and having a purpose, a purpose and a desire to change my life. It was on the road to school one beautiful morning and my friends coming to school in their respective cars and will just wave at me and go, never telling their parents or driver to give me a ride. On that day I made a vow at 10 years old, I WILL NEVER LET MY CHILDREN TREK TO SCHOOL. I will study, go to school, have a job, marry and have children. I will provide the best things in life for them. They will never lack and I will give them, the necessities of life.
In that young age, I believed that education was my gateway to a better life.
I want to ask , how do you measure your strength when you have not encountered the problem?
People tend to judge others when they have not found themselves in a particular situation. I want to hear your take on this. Kindly send your contributions on my blog/website ( www.giftnwankwo.com ).
Reach me directly via email: [email protected]
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