Ever Wonder How to Escape Poverty?
There was this popular break-time rhyme in Nigerian schools in the late 90’s. It says in part “Some have food but cannot eat, some can eat but have no food..”
At a point in my adult life, when I looked at my bank apps and see the radio frequencies as my balances, I remember that some people have access to wealth but do not appreciate it while some desire access to wealth but it seems like a lofty dream.
This garri is for the middle class. Not too poor, not rich either. It is just garri, N100 groundnut, and some ice-block from frozen satchet water.
If you see the garri of poverty, no one will need to describe it for you. Just garri that is allowed to soak and rise. Then with a sprinkle of salt, it is downed to quench hunger.
I was a private school teacher then, earning 70% below minimum wage.
At a point in my teaching career, poverty sat me down and said to me, “You, I will kill you.”
I loved my job. I was passionate about it so much that I would rather be in school for 6 days in a week than be at home. I attended trainings by Macmillan publishers, and by other professionals – that’s what they called themselves.
I worked in a rural area which I initially thought was a city, until I stepped out. I actually thought I was living fine. I was paid N15k,but my private lessons rake in extra 30k. I felt it was enough. Until I moved to a new city.
Life in Benin City
Paying higher rent that made me become a goof planner and manager. My rent was N13k per month but my salary was N25k monthly. Motivational speakers that eat ogbono will say that your rent should not be up to half of your salary. Yenyenyen.
The places with cheaper rent are like going into a village-like settlement. If you know Benin city, you will know that it is a city with expensive lifestyle but almost non-exisiting job opportunities with good pay. If not for Guiness and Coca-Cola, nothing else.
Steps Out of Poverty
I realised that no one is coming to save me.
If my father is unable to save me, should I expect strangers or extended family to do so?
Well, poverty sha still wanted to kill me even in my new residence. It sat on my neck like a sumo wrestler and was choking me, until COVID-19 happened. Really, it is true that what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger (except hunger). The months of lockdown forced me to learn Video editing. Then, in a discussion with a friend-mentor in Europe whom I met on Facebook, she opened my eyes to teaching online.
I spoke to another mentor, a father figure, who
- Gave me a loan to buy a laptop
- Hired Ayaba (my wife) as his child’s online teacher
- Made a shoutout post on his wall to appreciate Ayaba’s efforts.
There is no magical money anywhere. It takes planning and strategy to be where money is.
I’m not here to motivate anyone. Just to tell those who are wishing for a better work conditions that they may have to make more efforts than they are currently making now.
Many people have skills but they don’t know how to monetise it.
At times, a discussion with someone who wants the best for you can clear fog off your mind and make you see what you have been missing.
I wore suit and tie for several years but couldn’t afford a motorcycle.
People who wore tee shirt and shorts were paying my salary to teach their children.
Later, I enrolled for a web-design course which made it possible to design websites for businesses. You can book a call here NOW
When I got what they were doing right, I was able to say to poverty, “Not today. Not tomorrow. Not ever!”