THE JOURNEY OF MY UNIVERSITY - Glad man Edem

it might inspire someone.

I didn't go to university as a single boy.

I went as a husband.

As a father.

As a first born.

As an uncle that younger ones were looking up to.

*MY STORY: I WAS ALREADY A FAMILY MAN BEFORE UNIVERSITY*

I was not a boy when I entered university. I was already a man.

A husband with a wife who trusted me with her future.

A father with children who called my name before I even called my own.

A first born with the weight of an entire family on my shoulders.

An uncle whose younger ones looked up to me and said, "If brother can do it, we can do it too."

I didn't have the luxury of being just a student.

When my mates were worried about what to wear to class, I was worried about what my family would eat that day. When they were talking about night parties and flex, I was calculating house rent, school fees, children's food, and transport to school the next morning.

I remember mornings I would dress up to leave for lectures, and my little child would hold my trousers and say, "Daddy, don't go." That moment would break me. But I had to go. I would kiss them and say, "Daddy is going to school so that your own tomorrow will be better than my today."

Class was not just class for me. Sometimes my body was in the lecture hall but my spirit was at home. Is my wife okay? Is there gas at home? is there food? Did my children eat?   has school fees been paid?

People saw me as just a student. They didn't know I was also a provider. While others were collecting allowance from parents, I was the one sending small thing home.

I have read for exams with my baby sleeping on my chest, afraid to move so I don't wake him. I have written assignments at 1am with a small torch after my family had slept off, because that was the only quiet time I had.

I have sat in class on empty stomach and still raised my hand to answer questions. I have smiled when friends asked "Guy, you good?" but deep inside I was tired.

Being a first born, I could not complain too much. My parents raised me to be strong. My siblings were watching me. If I stopped, who would show them it is possible?

There were days I cried inside. Days I asked God, "Why me? Why this heavy load so early?" Days I felt shame because I was older than many in my class, already married. But my wife — God bless that woman — she never stopped believing in me. She would say, "Go, we will manage. Just finish."

So I did not quit.

One semester after another. One carryover fought and cleared. One night after another.

And by the grace of God, I made it.

i really appreciate my wife who sacrificed, for my children who endured, for my parents who prayed,🙏

Let me tell you today: It is NOT over.

If you are a husband, a father, a mother, selling in the market, doing okada, doing tailoring, etc and you think school has passed you, it has not. If I did it, married with a family before I even entered, you can do it too.

Today I am a graduate. I am still a husband. Still a father. Still a first born. But now I am a man who can look back and say — despite marriage, despite children, despite responsibilities that would have broken many 

I did not give up.

It will not be easy.

You will be tired.

You will be broke.

You will feel like giving up.

But keep going. One day, you too will wear that gown and say...

*I MADE IT.*

#fypシ゚viralシ 

#uniuyo 

#education 

#fellowers 

#blessingossom 

#ogayenne