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Trenches To Texas: A Story Of Courage And Perseverance Against Poverty - Travel - Nairaland

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Trenches To Texas: A Story Of Courage And Perseverance Against Poverty by 247Hustler(m): 8:39pm On Feb 02, 2023
The beginning

As the title reads, this is a personal account of my struggle in the last 20+ years. I hope this motivates someone to keep faith in the face of daunting challenges.

I am the youngest in a family of three, raised by a single mother. I am the only son and the first and only college-educated among my siblings. My parents divorced when I was two years old, and my mother took up the responsibility of raising us. Unfortunately, she passed away in 2003 when I was in the first year of junior high school, at the age of 12. This marked the beginning of my struggles.

Due to my mother’s death, I had to grow up quickly so I could take care of my basic needs with the help of my grandmother. And in the same year (2003), my sister and I were taken to stay with my maternal aunt to continue our studies, but we had to leave in 2007 when we were in SS2 due to maltreatment from my aunt. For survival, I became a motor boy, following pick-up trucks to load and unload firewood, charcoal, and other woods used in making furniture. The job was very stressful, causing me to often miss classes due to vehicle issues or problems with the police. I did this job for over two years before quitting after my high school graduation. I also worked as an operator, mixer, and carrier in a brick manufacturing company for a few months.



Seun, Justwise, DisGuy, Fynestboi and other moderators, please help move to the front page so others may benefit from this.

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Re: Trenches To Texas: A Story Of Courage And Perseverance Against Poverty by 247Hustler(m): 9:49pm On Feb 02, 2023
Moving to a new city

While growing up, I had a flair for anything drum. Hence, in 2004, I joined the choir in our local church and started drumming. My drumming skills caught the attention of the new clergyman that was transferred to our church in 2008 (the same year I graduated from high school). Back then, I had three other friends that were also part of the church workers, and we were all hustlers. However, among the four of us, the new clergyman took a special interest in me. About a year later, the clergyman and his family were transferred to a new city to oversee the affairs of the church. Before he left, he asked if I would be willing to join him in his new city and promised to support me in furthering my education. I accepted the offer and joined him four months later.

In my new home, I was warmly welcomed by the family and things went well for a few months thereafter. The family helped me secure a job as a fuel attendant at a local gas station, where I earned 5,000 naira (#5,000) per month. I worked there for over nine months and resigned to due to the poor salary. After my resignation, I stayed at home for about one month. During this period, my guardian assisted me in talking to a female church member that worked as a security on a popular farm in Ogun State. Through her, I was able to get a job as a security guard at the same farm. The job involved working for 12 hours every day, with one day break in a week. My off days often got cancelled because I usually took my textbooks to work. This was not a big deal as it was a small price to pay for greatness. While working on this farm, I registered to retake my O’Level exams twice, one in 2011 and the other in 2013. I also registered and wrote JAMB and post-UTME in the same year. Unfortunately, I could not secure admission in 2011. Hence, I had to resit for the exams in 2013. This time, I secured admission to one of the most prestigious public universities in South-West Nigeria.

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Re: Trenches To Texas: A Story Of Courage And Perseverance Against Poverty by ibland: 10:05pm On Feb 02, 2023
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Re: Trenches To Texas: A Story Of Courage And Perseverance Against Poverty by Spanishmilf(m): 10:08pm On Feb 02, 2023
Hi
Re: Trenches To Texas: A Story Of Courage And Perseverance Against Poverty by 247Hustler(m): 10:11pm On Feb 02, 2023
Admission and the challenge of paying for school enrolment

My joy knew no bounds when I saw my name on the merit list for admission. However, my celebration was cut short when I started thinking about how to finance my studies. This gave me a series of sleepless nights. For the curious readers, you may be wondering why I was worried since my guardian promised to assist me. I know you would also think I should have some money set aside since I was working. You are right about having those expectations. However, I lost faith in my guardian due to the series of events that unfolded in the course of living with the family. The most important of such events happened when I informed the family that I have been admitted, and instead of congratulating me, I was sharply rebuked for no just cause. As for my salary, I did save a portion of it with the family so I could use it to pay fees during my first and second years in school. In the course of trying to figure out how to raise the money for my acceptance fee and other mandatory fees, I discussed my challenges with my guardians and they promised to refund the money I saved with them. Over the course of the following weeks, I expected to receive the money but nothing was forthcoming. This reinforced my conviction that I may neither be able to receive the money I saved with them nor receive any support during my studies.

Time was going and I still couldn’t wrap my head around how I was going to pay the fees. By this time, the school had already sent multiple emails asking me to pay acceptance fees, school fees, and accommodation or I risk forfeiting the admission. When I thought about the struggles I have been through and the possibility of losing admission, I decided to think outside the box. First, I called one of my aunts that wanted me to live with their family after high school. Knowing her situation, I wasn’t expecting much but just wanted to try. So, I informed her that I had secured admission and needed money to run things. This made her sad as she could not provide support because her business was not moving. She then advised that I forfeit the admission and put in for a part-time program. I declined. Secondly, I wrote a letter to request support. I sent this letter to a couple of management staff with whom I had good relationships over the course of my stay in the company. I got some positive responses and I used the proceed to pay for my school’s acceptance fee and other minor charges. Around this time, I still had six months to work. Hence, I saved aggressively within the remaining months. This allowed me to raise money for my school fee and accommodation and still had a little left for other things

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Re: Trenches To Texas: A Story Of Courage And Perseverance Against Poverty by 247Hustler(m): 10:39pm On Feb 02, 2023
A life-threatening sickness

A few months later, I finally dropped my resignation letter and started the countdown to resumption. The last day of work finally came and I bided my colleagues goodbye, and I thought to myself “finally, I am free!”. I was wrong. The following day, I felt my head falling off my body and couldn’t wake up from bed. My body was visibly sharing and I could not talk, stand, lay down, or do anything. In fact, I thought that was my end and there was no way of ever surviving. During this time, the clergyman had gone out with his wife who was travelling to Lagos. Since I was literally motionless, there was little I could do other than pray to God for the forgiveness of my sins. This continued until a thought flashed through my mind. I thought about calling my friend who also attended the same church as me. Using my whole strength, picked up the phone and dialled his number and managed to tell him that I was dying.

My friend had been out of town and had not returned at the time I called him. Hence, he reached out to one of his family members to assist in taking me to the hospital. About an hour later, he also came to the hospital. At the hospital, I was diagnosed with chronic typhoid and the doctor said I was to be admitted. He also warned my friend that I needed to be treated as soon as possible or they would have to refer me to another hospital as they would not be able to manage it. For this reason, my friend and his family contacted the clergyman to let him know the state of things. Partly due to the money that would be required for treatment and partly due to his undermining the seriousness of the illness, he kicked against the idea of admitting me. When the healthcare workers insisted that I needed to be admitted, my friend contacted the wife of the clergyman who was out of town then, and she supported the idea of admitting me. They admitted me and began the treatment. I used nearly all my remaining savings to pay for it. While at the hospital, another church member heard about my condition and decided to supply food throughout my days in the hospital. I regained my health and was discharged about four days later.

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Re: Trenches To Texas: A Story Of Courage And Perseverance Against Poverty by 247Hustler(m): 11:00pm On Feb 02, 2023
Betrayal and disappointment

My school resumption was fast approaching and I had a few days left before leaving for school. I had not seen my family members for 5 years, so I was missing them badly. Realizing that I might not have that opportunity when I resumed school, I decided to take permission from my guardians so I could go visit my family. They were shocked to see me. Some of them even thought I had died as I didn't communicate with them during the last few years. I spent about 3 days with them before going back to prepare for school.

Upon my return, I was greeted with one of the most surprising things in my life! The surprise? Well, my guardians had decided to abscond from the apartment leaving their daughter at home so she could inform me about their absence. This sent a cold chill down my spine and I felt so disappointed. I called their numbers and they were switched off. I waited from morning till evening and saw no semblance of anything like them. When it became clear that they were avoiding me so they would not have to refund the money I saved with them, I decided to take leave for school without any money left with me. I packed my box and a backpack, hugged their daughter goodbye, and headed for school. All these events took place between late 2013 and May 2014.

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Re: Trenches To Texas: A Story Of Courage And Perseverance Against Poverty by 247Hustler(m): 11:06pm On Feb 02, 2023
I will be back with more updates. It is 3 pm here, I'm going to attend to other things.

Let me know if you are following cool

Edited: I have attached a couple of pictures here for the curious minds.

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Re: Trenches To Texas: A Story Of Courage And Perseverance Against Poverty by Zealoy(m): 11:31pm On Feb 02, 2023
Am here

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Re: Trenches To Texas: A Story Of Courage And Perseverance Against Poverty by Samcleffzie(m): 11:44pm On Feb 02, 2023
Following

11 Likes 1 Share

Re: Trenches To Texas: A Story Of Courage And Perseverance Against Poverty by morgang(m): 11:52pm On Feb 02, 2023
Omooo. I’m enjoying this.
Keep posting 😀😀

18 Likes 2 Shares

Re: Trenches To Texas: A Story Of Courage And Perseverance Against Poverty by reekay2000(m): 1:48am On Feb 03, 2023
pls, don't stop, enjoying every bit of your story.

12 Likes

Re: Trenches To Texas: A Story Of Courage And Perseverance Against Poverty by Slynation(m): 3:16am On Feb 03, 2023
Let's see how things goes from here...!!

Please tag me along...!!

4 Likes

Re: Trenches To Texas: A Story Of Courage And Perseverance Against Poverty by Yohans(m): 3:39am On Feb 03, 2023
Following

2 Likes

Re: Trenches To Texas: A Story Of Courage And Perseverance Against Poverty by TWoods(m): 4:24am On Feb 03, 2023
Following. I live in Texas as well.

27 Likes 1 Share

Re: Trenches To Texas: A Story Of Courage And Perseverance Against Poverty by gaby(m): 5:02am On Feb 03, 2023
Wonderful.

Destiny might delay but never can get denied.

I live in Texas, Abuja, too. grin

64 Likes 4 Shares

Re: Trenches To Texas: A Story Of Courage And Perseverance Against Poverty by 247Hustler(m): 5:20am On Feb 03, 2023
Thank you all for following. I will post an update soonest smiley

Edited: I am adding pictures here too. wink

16 Likes

Re: Trenches To Texas: A Story Of Courage And Perseverance Against Poverty by 247Hustler(m): 5:21am On Feb 03, 2023
Slynation:
Let's see how things goes from here...!!

Please tag me along...!!
I will post an update shortly @Slynation.

8 Likes

Re: Trenches To Texas: A Story Of Courage And Perseverance Against Poverty by 247Hustler(m): 5:23am On Feb 03, 2023
TWoods:
Following. I live in Texas as well.
That is great! It would be good to connect.

4 Likes

Re: Trenches To Texas: A Story Of Courage And Perseverance Against Poverty by 247Hustler(m): 5:38am On Feb 03, 2023
Resumption in school

In May 2014, I resumed my program and the second phase of my struggle also started. Upon resumption, I remember telling myself that going to school and dropping would be a terrible experience, but it was a better choice when compared to keeping my security job. Hence, I was prepared for the worst or so I thought. While going to school in May, I somehow manage to raise about ten thousand naira (#10,000) which I took with me. From this money, I deducted my transport fare and had about eight thousand left. Out of the remaining balance, I bought a mattress and a few kitchen utensils, and the money was exhausted. I was taken to my room, exchanged greetings with the old students around and my roommates, and settled in.

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Re: Trenches To Texas: A Story Of Courage And Perseverance Against Poverty by 247Hustler(m): 5:58am On Feb 03, 2023
Suicidal thoughts and a near-dropout experience

Apart from not having any money left to buy food, I was also informed that I needed money to pay mandatory dues to department and faculty-student associations. I also realized I had to pay another fee before I could be allowed to register for General Studies (GES) courses. Back then, students were required to do both online and offline course registrations, and not completing the offline registration meant that the courses would be removed from the student online portal. To be able to complete the offline registration, students were required to show receipts for payment of student dues and GES courses. In my case, I could not pay for any of them, which meant I would not be enrolled in courses in the session.

This time coincided with the student matriculation ceremony. Matriculation was not my business because I was busy fighting for survival. So I did not attend the ceremony. About two weeks later, the deadline for course registration was announced, and students that failed to register by the deadline would automatically lose their admission. This announcement greatly disturbed me and I locked myself in the hostel and cried all day on an empty stomach. I was going to lose my admission because of about twelve thousand naira (#12,000).

I was tired and frustrated at the same time. Out of my frustration, I decided to call my guardian again to see if something could happen. I begged them to assist me in borrowing any amount even if it was ten thousand so I don’t lose my admission. They told me that there was no money and they had no place to borrow it. After I got off the call, I became suicidal and thought I should end it all since there was no hope of survival. However, on second thought, I decided to hang on to see if a miracle could happen along the line.

Finally, it was the last day of course registration and I still couldn’t find the money to register. THEN, I GAVE UP AT THIS POINT!

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Re: Trenches To Texas: A Story Of Courage And Perseverance Against Poverty by 247Hustler(m): 7:28am On Feb 03, 2023
A glimmer of hope

In the course of seeking assistance on campus, I asked a few students about the process to be taken for deferment of admission. I was told to visit the Student Affairs Division and my request would be granted. On getting to their office, the officer in charge advised me to talk to the school’s psychologists at the Youth Friendly Centre (YFC) of the school.

That same day, I headed for the centre. On getting there, I met a very beautiful psychologist who I believed should be in her late forties. She was very friendly and made me so comfortable. Then she asked about the purpose of my visit. I narrated everything and ended it by informing her that I would be deferring my admission. She then looked into my eyes and told me I was going nowhere, as I was there to complete my program. After the session, she gave me food, money to pay for GES and pocket money to feed. She then called her friend that worked at the student work-study office and connected us. This was how I got a part-time job on campus.

Within the same week, our fellowship announced that there was a need-based scholarship that gives a stipend of about ten thousand (#10,000) to deserving students. I applied and got the stipend the same week. This enabled me to pay for my departmental and faculty dues. By this time, some of the electives that I wanted to borrow from sister departments within our faculty were no longer accepting students. Hence, I had to complete my electives outside of the faculty.

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Re: Trenches To Texas: A Story Of Courage And Perseverance Against Poverty by 247Hustler(m): 7:45am On Feb 03, 2023
I seem to be the only one here. Let me know if you are following smiley

205 Likes 7 Shares

Re: Trenches To Texas: A Story Of Courage And Perseverance Against Poverty by SirKay3(m): 9:19am On Feb 03, 2023
247Hustler:
I seem to be the only one here. Let me know if you are following smiley

You are not alone. Following your story. God bless you indeed

55 Likes 4 Shares

Re: Trenches To Texas: A Story Of Courage And Perseverance Against Poverty by Sweetvie: 9:23am On Feb 03, 2023
247Hustler:
I seem to be the only one here. Let me know if you are following smiley
I'm following you back to back op

17 Likes

Re: Trenches To Texas: A Story Of Courage And Perseverance Against Poverty by Penpaddie: 9:27am On Feb 03, 2023
I'm following, please continue

9 Likes 1 Share

Re: Trenches To Texas: A Story Of Courage And Perseverance Against Poverty by ibland: 10:41am On Feb 03, 2023
Baba I dey wait for ya story

Please kontinue

12 Likes

Re: Trenches To Texas: A Story Of Courage And Perseverance Against Poverty by Emychina(m): 10:59am On Feb 03, 2023
247Hustler:
I seem to be the only one here. Let me know if you are following smiley
you are not alone

10 Likes

Re: Trenches To Texas: A Story Of Courage And Perseverance Against Poverty by MrSuama(m): 12:06pm On Feb 03, 2023
247Hustler:
I seem to be the only one here. Let me know if you are following smiley

Following

7 Likes

Re: Trenches To Texas: A Story Of Courage And Perseverance Against Poverty by Mrtaye: 12:37pm On Feb 03, 2023
247Hustler:
Resumption in school

In May 2014, I resumed my program and the second phase of my struggle also started. Upon resumption, I remember telling myself that going to school and dropping would be a terrible experience, but it was a better choice when compared to keeping my security job. Hence, I was prepared for the worst or so I thought. While going to school in May, I somehow manage to raise about ten thousand naira (#10,000) which I took with me. From this money, I deducted my transport fare and had about eight thousand left. Out of the remaining balance, I bought a mattress and a few kitchen utensils, and the money was exhausted. I was taken to my room, exchanged greetings with the old students around and my roommates, and settled in.


You bought mattress from 8k?

13 Likes

Re: Trenches To Texas: A Story Of Courage And Perseverance Against Poverty by Chigorkizz(m): 1:54pm On Feb 03, 2023
Come and finish what u started o

8 Likes

Re: Trenches To Texas: A Story Of Courage And Perseverance Against Poverty by Homeboiy: 2:01pm On Feb 03, 2023
🙄

2 Likes

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