This is the story of Mrs. Juliana Godwin, a 42-year-old Junior Secondary School I (JSS1) student of Junior Secondary School, Gosa, Abuja, who is one of those persons
with a strong will to change her condition.
Mrs. Godwin, who hails from Riyom in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, had her education stalled by lack of sponsorship that made her drop out of Lea Primary School, Riyom in 1983.
In 2001, she and her children left Jos to join her husband in Abuja, where they live at Gosa village, along Airport Road.
An industrious woman, Godwin became the bread-winner of her family, since she had skill in hair plaiting, that became a source of
livelihood for her and the family. Later she ventured into hawking of water in a basin in Gosa market to boost the family’s income.
In 2008, Mrs. Godwin decided to go into vocational training with a non-governmental organisation called Refocusing Nigeria Talents Organisation, RENITO, where she
was trained in soap (liquid, medicated and bar), pomade and disinfectants production.
“I came to realise that the business was lucrative and helpful to me and my family. I decided to make savings towards going back to school after I dropped out in 1983″,
she narrated
“My husband was against my decision and quarreled seriously with me. But I didn't give up on my decision. In 2013, I went on
to enrol at Junior Secondary School, Gosa, Airport Road, Abuja, where I started in JSS I F. I was able to raise N10,000 to pay for admission expenses.
“Why I decided to start from JSSI was because I had never in my life stepped into the four walls of a secondary school. I told myself I will start from JSS I, as it will help
me to have the foundation of secondary school education and to understand what I would be taught.
“My principal was surprised and asked me whether I could cope with secondary school education as an adult and a married woman. He and the staff also encouraged me to continue since I had made up my
mind. But my husband continued making trouble to stop me”.
She wants her teachers and principal to
treat her just like other students
notwithstanding her age or as a mother,
because she wishes pass through the
school system, and is ready to accept every
academic and moral discipline that will
shape her future.
“I am the oldest person in the class of 80
students. I participate in every school
activity, and I am happy with that. Even
when I come late to school, the teachers do
punish me just like other students, and I
have no problem with that, but I do behave
myself as an adult.”
She is a mother of four children, who she
sponsors to the tune of N9,700 in a session
while she also takes care of the family’s
upkeep. “I have seen great changes in my
life, and I am coping seriously. My aim is to
study marketing in the university after I
would have completed my senior secondary
education”, she added.
Culled from Vanguard Newspaper
Who says it’s too late to get Educated?
Education knows no boundaries.
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