A Daughters Journey Nurtured by Love – Part 4 – A moment of realization to advocate for women empowerment.

The member of parliament, who currently serves as one of the ministers, responded to my inquiry, indicating that we needed to meet in person to discuss the fees. Initially, I felt excited, believing that my boarding and lodging fees would finally be resolved. I followed up, asking about the meeting location and time in hopes of scheduling an appointment. However, his response took a concerning turn when he stated, "If I have to meet your needs, you have to meet my needs first." As someone na?ve, innocent and trusting, I initially struggled to comprehend his intentions, assuming that a parliamentarian would have no need for additional favors given their position. Despite my confusion, I remained willing to comply. He requested a picture, and I promptly provided my Final Year ID card, followed by a passport-sized photo upon his request. But despite providing those pictures, he enquired for more images. His subsequent demand for a private meeting, specifying for my pick up time at 6:30PM and meeting him at a private location, raised red flags. Realizing the implications and after connecting the dots, I chose not to respond further, recognizing his ulterior motives. This unsettling experience prompted me to terminate any further communication or pursuit of assistance from him. Determined not to compromise my integrity or dignity for financial assistance, I resolved to find an alternative solution to my financial woes.

It was during this period of introspection and resilience that I decided to embark on a journey of entrepreneurship. Drawing inspiration from my mother's words— "Work for what you want in life. If you don’t work, don’t expect good things to happen"— I launched Abaisa Delicacy(My language – Abaisa is a young woman- My own interpretation-a refined and elegant young woman now changed to Abaisa Associates), a small business venture. Specializing in reselling hairpieces sourced online, I began advertising my services through social media and notice boards. Despite the initial challenges, word-of-mouth referrals and the support of my friends bolstered my confidence and pushed my business forward.

Driven by a desire to achieve financial independence and self-sufficiency to meet my boarding and lodging fees, I expanded my product offerings to include cartons of biscuits and noodles. Leveraging social media platforms and my personal network, I steadily built a customer base, generating income to cover my boarding and lodging fees. By the end of my second semester, I had successfully paid off my fees, and made it to my graduation. A moment of gratitude that’s still fresh in my mind and heart.

The journey to graduation was not without its challenges, but as I stood on the threshold of a new chapter in my life, I did so with a sense of relief and accomplishment. The hardships I faced along the way had only strengthened my resolve and instilled in me a deep sense of resilience.

Looking back on my journey, I realized the importance of empowerment and solidarity among women facing similar challenges. With this in mind, I initiated a support group aimed at harnessing our collective skills and talents to create economic opportunities for ourselves. Whether it was weaving meri blouses, providing hair services, or crafting earrings, we pooled our resources and expertise to build sustainable livelihoods for ourselves.

To younger girls trapped in similar financial predicaments, I offer words of encouragement and advice. I urge them to channel their energy and efforts into pursuing their goals with determination. While the path may be fraught with obstacles and challenges, perseverance and hard work will ultimately lead to success. I remind them that they are capable of achieving greatness, and no obstacle is insurmountable when faced with courage and resilience.

As I look back on my journey, I am filled with a great sense of gratitude for the lessons learned and the experiences gained along the way. Each challenge and triumph has shaped me into the person I am today and I am still learning and growing, still pushing my way forward, instilling in me a sense of resilience, determination, and compassion. As I embark on the next phase of my journey, I do so with a renewed sense of purpose and a commitment to empowering others to realize their full potential.