My name is Asogwa Ogechukwu Chidiebere. I am from Ovoko Ulunya in Ekete-Local Government Area. I am 15 years old. I was born in 1991 into the family of Mr Asogwa Michael from Ovoko. My family has nine children; I am the seventh child of my parents. I started primary school at the age of 7. The School is Holy Trinity Nursery and Primary School Iheaka.
It is in Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area. Then, when I managed to reach primary four, one Rev. Sister from my town came to my parents one day and told her that one of her friends needed somebody who would help her with household work, and the person would be going to school.
My mother refused and said that instead of her child stepping out again in the name of staying with somebody, let the person stay with her. and manage whatever she see.
She said this because my elder brother had once stayed with somebody and was maltreated. He did not go to school, as she promised my parents.
But my father accepted, commenting that so far, the visitor is a Rev. Sister and that she is not going to allow me to stay with somebody who will not treat me well or send me to school.
When I arrived at the town named Lagos, I stayed for the whole year without the woman even remembering her promise. The worst part is that one day I tried to remember it for her, she nearly killed me that day and said that I am not happy that I am eating two times in a day. If it is at my parent’s house, can I eat like that? Rather than once a day. I was amazed that day because I nearly lost my life in search of the person that would help me move further in education.
Then, one day, as if I was in a dream, I heard the sound of the car through the window; I stood up from where I was screaming and praying, and it occurred to me that the Rev. Sister was the one who came to know how I was. And immediately I saw her, I packed all my clothes without wasting any time.
I informed her that nothing would make me sleep in that house again. She argued for sometimes telling me to stay even if it was for one month to see whether she would pity me and send me to school this term, but I refused. Later, she accepted that she would take me home.
When I returned from Lagos, my parents were flabbergasted when they asked me what class I was in, and I told them I did not move further. My mother started crying, along with my brother and sisters. But the Rev. Sister who brought me home consoled them and also consoled me, saying that I should not worry too much and that all the suffering I overcome should be a blessing in the future.
One fateful Sunday, the Catechist of our station announced that the scholarship form was out. If you know you are intelligent and your parents don’t have any money to sponsor you, you should come and buy the form with N100.00.
Then, by God’s grace, my father took five baskets that he made that weekend to market, and that enabled him to give me the money for the form. I went and bought the form without wasting any time. By that time, I somehow managed to be in primary six. Will I end up staying at home or what? He handed all these things to God, who is in heaven. From the day I bought the form, he did not rest until the day we took the examination.
After the examination, the date on which our interview would be held was fixed. On that fateful day, my father and I prepared. On our way, we discovered that we were not with the letter Rev. Fr. Charles Onu gave me. My father was angry about that.
He then told me to wait so he could go back to get the form, but we would trek home after the interview. Rev. Fr. Ikpe Fidelis was among those who held the interview. Then, after the interview, Rev. Fr. Onu said that we should go that the result would be out by the coming Sunday. We all departed and went to our different homes.
On Nkwo day, which is the day C.W.O. used to hold their meeting, Rev. Fr. Charles Onu came and asked who the mother of Asogwa Ogechukwu was. Then, one woman told him that my mother was not there. She told him that my mother went to Fr. Obayi’s adoration. Rev. Fr. Onu introduced the good message to them, saying, “Tell Asogwa Ogechukwu’s mother or father that their child has won a scholarship.”
When my parents got the message, they were very happy, together with my brothers and sisters and all my relatives. I was extremely happy. At once, I forgot all the things that I had overcome in Lagos.
Finally, I want to use this small opportunity to thank you for all you have done in my life. I pray that the almighty God will protect you from evildoers and also give you a long life so that you continue to live and progress.
Thanks!
Asogwa Ogechukwu Chidiebere.
