05/06/2022
In 2014, I joined the University of Juba, I was enrolled on the school of Business Administration. In my first year, I was staying with my uncle. My parents stayed in the village. They don't have enough money to take me through university education. Throughout the years I spent in primary and secondary schools my mother has been supporting me.
She was selling groundnut paste in the local market to support my education. In the community I came from child girls' education is not a priority, my mother was told not to waste her money on my education and that I would be impregnated anytime soon and leave school but she never gave up on me. When I was admitted to the University of Juba, my uncle was happy and he promised to pay my tuition fees until I graduated.
He brought me from State to Juba. We stay in Gudele two areas behind Zain's office. The first year was great. He paid all my tuition fees and he used to give me pocket money every day. When I reached my second year, his wife began to mistreat me, she had me cook from Monday to Monday. Whenever I come late from university she would nag.
So one day we were about to enter exams, my colleagues formed a group and I was in that group discussions, so one day we delayed in discussions until 5:00 pm. I boarded a bus at Disco park and when I reached Gudele Bomba there were too many traffic jams, I arrived home late at 7:00 pm. When she saw me, she yelled at me and told my uncle that I was in a hotel with a guy, I tried to explain to him but he did not listen to me.
She threw my bag out. I begged my uncle and cried to let me stay but he didn't believe me. I was having a friend next house. I asked her to let me sleep in her house. The following morning I packed my things and left for the hostel. I had wanted to go back to the village but I have an unfinished mission. I went to a hostel with nothing, no money only my books and clothes. By then the University of Juba was having meals during the daytime. I could only eat once and waited to eat tomorrow again.
I didn't have friends there, the only people I thought I could mingle with were my roommates. First few weeks in the hostel we were all cool. Then the following month I noticed some changes. It was like nobody wanted to mingle with me again. I didn't know why and mind you I never use their things too. I was just staying in my lane. I know ladies so I was cautious. Most of the girls were focusing on many guys as a source of their income.
I was poor but I never thought of anything like that. I focused on my academics always in the library. I never attended any birthdays in Staff club like the other girls. The library was my favourite place I met my coursemate there. She was always in the library. One day I was going from the hostel to the main campus, I was walking slowly just being myself and living my life.
I met this coursemate on the road she was going to get something in Hai Though. She waved at me and I waved back then she walked closer to me and asked my name. I have met her a couple of times in class. So we became a friend that day like study mates. In the third semester, we always learn together. The library was our boyfriend. Whenever she wants to go to the library she would call me so that we can go together. In exams, we did well and our friendship become stronger.
The next semester we continued and made good grades. All this while I never bothered to share my story with her. My coursemate and I develop strong relationships, we were just best friends always together. The next academic year begins and I couldn't afford that. I told her my story and how I have been struggling. She told me not to worry that her father will pay for both of us. I was happy I couldn't thank her enough.
I was not putting on nice dresses like another girl. Whenever she bought a new dress, she would buy it for me too. She never laughed at me, she never teased me, and she made me feel more important. Her dad paid my tuition and hostel fees from the third year and also my final year. She never told anyone that she was the one paying. Even when her church mate came to visit her she would tell them that I'm a cousin. The girl made me feel special, her mother and father were very good to me. We graduated with good grades and did our internship together.
During my internship, I was staying with them, the parents call me half daughter they never discriminate. I'm doing well now in life just because of my coursemate. She was my saviour. She was God sent to me. I'm naming my first daughter after her name and my first son after her father's name. I will be surprised if I haven't told her yet. Through this same girl, I have a good-paying job now. I'm stable in life now because of her (tears flew down her eyesðŸ˜ðŸ˜)
So it happened there are good people out there. Very good people but "POVERTY ISN'T GOOD THING" it's evil. "When I saw your book entitled 'POVERTY ROBBED ME' on Facebook. It moved me and I crave to read it," she said. I will always try to help whenever I get a chance to do that. I want to show my appreciation to her. We will be friends till death do us apart. I LOVE HER SO MUCH!
A certain lady narrated her story to Tong Lueth Matiok, author of the book" Poverty Robbed Me"
