SHATTERED DREAM AND HOPE
This prompt really reminded me of a life event that I can't forget, no matter how hard I've tried to forget it.
'To whom much is given, much is expected,' but in my case, I gave much to my country, and nothing was given back to me. That truly shattered my dream and hope of becoming a public servant with honor.
Oh, see how the years fly by, yet I am still dreaming and hopeful.
It all started in September 2008 when I was posted to Benue state for my youth service after graduating from the university in 2007. When I got to the orientation camp, most of my colleagues were excited and having fun, but my case was different because the words of my late mother whispered in my ear constantly.
Mother: "Thank God you are going for your service. Remember, after that, the next step is to find a job that pays well so you can take me to the city to enjoy before I join my ancestors."
I replied, "Maa, you will live to reap the fruit of our labor, and I will make you proud." She gave me her blessing, and I left.
After our orientation camp, we were posted to our places of primary assignment. I decided to work hard and engage in community projects to make an impact in the state I was posted to. A week later, I dreamt of sinking a borehole in Igede land, where water was a major problem. My hope soared as I remembered that with God, all things are possible.
I named the borehole project as the major project and started working towards realizing it. I began with minor projects. My constant prayer was, "God, help me to complete this project so that the government can honor me and offer me a job based on merit, making my mother proud."
A month later, I started from my place of primary assignment, in the school, I formed a Young Farmers Club with interested students. We planted soybeans, corn, and yam, controlled erosion in the school compound, raised awareness about immunization in remote communities, and created road signs etc. The pictures will tell the story.
Then, onto the major project, I wrote to the local government and other dignitaries for financial assistance to help me fulfill my dream. They offered me hope but only a few provided support. Most would say, 'Corper, you can't sink a borehole in this community; it's too difficult.' I would reply, 'I can, for with God, all things are possible.' Most would laugh, and a few supported me with a token. The chairman of the local government said, 'Go and rest; you can't do what the government cannot do.' Fortunately, an angel from the state named Mrs. Armitey Joy linked me to the Lower River Basin, and I received all the borehole accessories free of charge.
To cut my story short, I executed the borehole project with the little support and all my monthly allowances and savings. When the project was commissioned, it was a dream come true, and I was the happiest person on earth. I was awarded the Best State Corp Member in 2009. I had hoped for a federal award as well but lost faith in the system when I was denied it, despite those who had witnessed what I had achieved.
The worst moment came when I took the state award to the director of the ministry I was assigned to, asking for the acceptance of the award. He said, 'Corper, I will sign this letter on one condition.' I asked, 'What condition sir?' He replied, 'You will be my special assistant and mistress.' I declined, saying, 'Sir, please sign my letter; I earned it on merit.' He insisted, 'You must be out of your mind; you don't know what you stand to gain by accepting my offer.' Aware of his malicious intentions, I left his office and packed my bags to visit my village and see my mother.
I returned home with the community's blessings and prayers, knowing that I had alleviated the water suffering of the people. Yet, I was saddened that the dream and hope of securing a government job immediately after my youth service were shattered, and I couldn't make my mother proud, as I had promised.
To this day, I weep when I think about my mother, who passed away without being financially well taken care of, and I wish she were still alive. But on second thought, I still haven't achieved my dream job. Oh God, I hope in you.
The end.
Thanks for reading and remain blessed
"All pictures were taken with my Tecno Spark P for my National Youth Service album, as I was using Nokia 3310 handset during my youth. I was much younger 15 years ago please View my pictures.