A girl from a small town came to the big city with her mom, a single mother with a little brother. We stayed with my uncle then and grandma came to visit sometimes. Travelling to and from the two towns made schooling hectic cos I always have to start all over again and again.

Sometimes eating three square meals was even a problem, but my mom always made sure we get something to eat before bed.

Life wasn't that bad for my little family until mom moved out of my uncles house and then it all started.

Mom had to leave my little brother to me and go out to work, sometimes we go with her to work, and it wasn't easy.

I had older siblings tho but never got to see them often, in the midst of the problems a woman decided I stayed with her, and she will in turn take me to school as I was not doing so at that time.

I packed up, and went and it was great staying with her, but it came with so much troubles. Anytime something get missing I'm accused of taking it even if I wasn't around, it continued till I couldn't take anymore, so I left when she went to town one day.

When I turned 12, I went to stay with a very rich couple, and they had a 2 years old boy at that time and the woman was pregnant when I went there.

I was so happy then and things went well, they were good to me. I couldn't go out like I used to, but everything is done like family.

I was part of their family, we went to the beach together, shopping together and even sometimes went on trips too,, and it felt wonderful during the stay there.

She gave birth to a baby girl after some months that I went to stay there, and it was great.

Birthdays are celebrated every year, and I was also schooling in a big school as well. It wasn't easy sometimes, but I still managed, sometimes staying up late to wait for her husband to back from work because she is asleep and being scolded so many times for something's I didn't even do .

I stayed till junior high school but there were so many things I went through that I wanted to end it so many times but just didn't get courage to, in my last year as a junior high student, she didn't want me to take part in the final exams, so I had to find means and ways to leave because then things were not so good there. A man staying in the same house tried to sleep with me so many times and I didn't even have the courage to tell her because I was afraid, so to me, it was my chance to leave for good.

I indeed left and went back to stay with my mom and stepdad but regretted ever going back, so I moved to stay in my school till I completed junior high.

School days are over, and now I have to face the life on my way.

After Junior high, I had to now go to Senior high school and there were no funds, so it also became a problem until the church I was attending decided to help, but I had to write a letter to our main church.

The letter was sent, and I was waiting for reply, I was supported by my church and I had to do something in return, so I was a teacher in the church.

During the time in school, I was a day student, so I go and come every day. It wasn't easy, so I had to stay with someone a teacher recommended for me, and it helped a little, but I had to go home on week ends.

In the middle of the term I had a chance to stay in the hostel with the help of a friend, there were so many things I wanted to do but couldn't do.

My life became school on week days and church programs on week ends. Life became a routine for me and everything was just one way.

Senior high school life was okay for me until final examination time and I haven't registered for it. The church send the money, but it was used for unknown reasons so a new pastor who was there to help at my branch had to talk with one in charge before I registered and was able to sit for the final exams.

God being so good, I wrote but just couldn't get enough funds for the next level of education, my stepdad wasn't able to help me because he never saw me as his daughter.

Someone I called a friend forced himself on me one day when I had to spend the night with him because my stepdad and mom were quarrelling.

In the cause of it, I became pregnant, and he denied it, he was my first guy too, and I tried terminating it, but it didn't work.

I had to tell my mom, and she told the elders of my family, and they had to talk to him, and then I was taken to the hospital for check up on the months and other stuffs.

Throughout the pregnancy stage, it wasn't easy, but I endured and gave birth to baby boy who looks exactly like the guy at that time.

He became responsible after the birth of the boy, and we became more like a couple, funny right I used to laugh anytime I remember it too.

Life became good because everyone was taking care of me and my newborn baby.

Unfortunately or fortunately for me, I got pregnant again when my baby boy was two years old, and he said I should abort which I didn't so no money for me when he is going to work, and I had to fed for myself, luckily for me my mom was around my area, so I leave the boy to her and go to work at a school till I was 5 months, so I talked to him to let me go to my town as it was easy there because I gave birth there.

He refused at first and told me to go to his mom side rather and the woman didn't like me that much, so I refused to go.

I had to always talk and talk before he allowed me to go, so I left the boy with my mom and went to the village and I gave birth to a girl and came back to the city to name her.

We moved into a new house and that was where I got engaged at the age of 23 years and was having 2 children.

I couldn't complete any of my goals or things I wanted to do.

Anything I liked or loved has been sacrificed for the sake of my kids.

Anytime I talked about going back to school or doing something I liked ,he never listens and so now I still teach and do other menial jobs when I get the chance to support myself.

I'm a married woman in my early twenties and everything I do for me and my family, but sometimes I feel like a total stranger in my own family. I have two kids, a boy and a girl which I love very much, and my husband takes care of them so much no matter what they want.

I teach in a school and that is where my kids are. I try as much as possible to take care of my home and myself as well.

Marriage life is so boring because there are so many things you cannot do on your own, anywhere you go, you have to ask permission and get a permit before you and if he refuses, you are not supposed to go, if you do, there will be troubles waiting for you. Most times I want to use my own will but end up going with his word because in African countries the men are the head of the family, so whatever happens, he will be favored more than a woman.

In Africa if a man cheats, the woman is to be blamed but if a woman cheats, then she is a witch or was **** during her school time.

A working class woman will be ridiculed and called names especially when she is married and works but then for men it is okay.

A woman who is married and refused to stay a full time housewife would be called names everyday by in-laws or the society.

When a woman doesn't conceive in a marriage, she is called barren, witch, sometimes she is being told to have aborted all her children when she was in school, but sometimes it is the fault of the man.

In Africa when a man can't conceive, the woman is told to keep it a secret and go on with the marriage, but outside people would be pointing fingers saying she is barren.

Women suffer in African marriages so much to the extent that they end up having depression and other illness that sometimes lead to death.

In my marriage, I decided to let everything pass away as if I don't care but deep down I do care.

When it comes to decision-making I'm not part, when it comes anything related to the upkeep of the family, I'm not told anything until it is finished.

When it doesn't go well, I'm partly blamed, but I had no idea of it.

I decided to take my own part which sometimes my mum doesn't approve but hell yeah I care less, I do things that will benefit me and my family and I can never do anything against my own family.

As an African woman sometimes you have to have a strong will and heart to rule as queen in your own home and life.

Be a queen for yourself and rule your own kingdom no matter what it takes don't let an enemy take you down either the society, your in-laws, your own parent or anyone.

My life now is not perfect but happy and I'm still hoping things will change as times go on and I'm still praying for more love in my marriage life.