There were several hints in my childhood that pointed to poverty
but I didn't acknowledge them until my mid teens.

Age 6. When I showed amazement at my friends having icy juice in their lunch kits during lunch. ‘How did you get the ice in the bottle?` I asked incredulously. I thought only groceries and restaurants could afford fridges.

Age 7. Noticing that the teacher usually skipped my name when calling out what snacks each student had to provide for the end of term class party. I assumed my teacher arranged that with my mother in advance.

Age 8. Teacher asking me where was my mother employed. ‘At the welfare office,’ I replied. ‘As what?’ replied the teacher. ‘I dunno,’ I said merrily, ‘But she gets a cheque from them every month.’

Age 10. My cousin Keeghan seeing me in a green shirt with an apple image sewed onto the pocket. ‘Hey that's my old shirt!’ he says excitedly. His mother, my aunt, shouts across to him from the room. ‘Keeghan! Shhh! We had a discussion about this last night.’

Age 13. Talking to my gamer pal in class about Mortal Kombat 1 and boasting about all the fatalities I knew by heart. Suddenly he guiltily interjects, ‘I don't really play Sega Genesis anymore. That's old. Used that when when I was a little kid. I play Mortal Kombat 4 on my PlayStation now.’

Age 15. Watching my aunt lecturing her son David about how my brother and I took such pride in the Reebok sneakers she gave us three years ago, how we kept them spotless and he should learn from us about taking care of things. ‘But it doesn't even fit them anymore,’ David protested, ‘They can barely even walk in them.’ She replied ‘Yes, but the point is they took great care of their belongings.’ ‘Of course they did,’ David replied, ‘That's their only pair of sneakers.’

Elijah Williamson

when I didn't have any new stuff.

Vix805:
when I didn't have any new stuff.

In my early teens when I always bought little peanuts to eat during lunch cause I couldn't afford a reasonable meal and when was not involved with my mates during photo shoots cause I had no money to afford one.

In my high school, I have to starve till closing time.

Life

I thought I was living a comfortable life until I left Nigeria.

Lol

Nigeria has reshaped many destiny.

When it's time to take responsibility

2021... My mum almost died. Poverty is a disease.

Sweetplum:
Nigeria has reshaped many destiny.

Reshaped your destiny in what ways??

When i lost my dad was when i knew what poverty really meant.

I was sure we weren't rich in 2008 when I was in Primary 4.

That night I eavesdropped on my parents' conversation hoping to hear an unforgettable encomium after an impressive P.T.A meeting on the day my alma mater's midterm break commenced.

The theme of the discourse depressed my young mind when I realized that they weren't even talking about the prizes they won at the P.T.A outing as reward for my outstanding academic performance and impeccable character.

They were cursing the management of the school for suggesting that pupils will vacation in the UK during the long break despite the harsh economy.

Two weeks after we resumed from the midterm break, a circular was given to pupils to return to their parents. I can't vividly remember the cost of the excursion which was not lesser than 6 digits, but I was sure even as a child who hadn't clocked puberty that my parents couldn't afford it for me and my siblings.

I didn't only dissolve the circular in water, I stole and destroyed those of my siblings as well .

Why didn't I give a try, show them the notice and see if they'll pay for the trip?

My young self knew that my parents were not going to tell me they cannot afford it. They were going to tell me it was not safe to leave primary school pupils under teachers care for days in a foreign land. They'd also remind me in subsequent weeks that I want to go to London but can't wash my clothes well or mop the house.

One nostalgic moment from childhood!

14 years later I haven't visited the UK yet. My friends say it's not a long journey. Just 6 hours.

Will my dreams ever come true M , the obedient matyr?

Thank God for his breakthrough and his blessings.
By this time last year I had no crib.. I was sleeping under a tree sitting on a rubber chair with my blooda polo g.... Damn saw a lot shit back then

Allison012:
When i lost my dad was when i knew what poverty really meant.

same here , that was when I get to know the meaning of poverty , chai men don surfer sha

N3TRAL:
Will my dreams ever come true Magnolia, the obedient matyr?

EthicallyRight?

Deep

This thread deep.

Magnoliaa:


EthicallyRight?

Don't rat me out please

N3TRAL:
Don't rat me out please

Of course, it had to be you.

Last I saw you on these streets, you were defending some pedophile.

How's it been going for you?

Magnoliaa:


Of course, it had to be you.

Last I saw you on these streets, you were defending some pedophile.

How's it been going for you?

my jollof.

The one that has been making my heart go "chukudi chukudi chukudi"

Allison012:
Reshaped your destiny in what ways??

I mean the country has reshaped your destiny by not providing you basic amenities and putting you at a disadvantage position like your peers in developed countries

Bluezy13:
I thought I was living a comfortable life until I left Nigeria.

Seriously? Hahaha.

Magnoliaa:


Of course, it had to be you.

Last I saw you on these streets, you were defending some pedophile.

How's it been going for you?

No sweetie.

Last time I was on these streets, I was professing my love for you.

I've been working so hard to conquer the world and make you my Remi Tinubu.

How's life, intelligent thing?

Sweetplum:

I mean the country has reshaped your destiny by not providing you basic amenities and putting you at a disadvantage position like your peers in developed countries

Why using the "you" on me. Biko no vex (eweniwe)

N3TRAL:
I've been working so hard to conquer the world and make you my Remi Tinubu.

How's life, intelligent thing?

Light and darkness do not co-exist anywhere in the world. The fact that you're for Tinubu and I'm pro-Obi poses the greatest aversion ever.

Have a great life.

Magnoliaa:


Seriously? Hahaha.

I swear...

I realized I have a long way to go.

Bluezy13:
I swear...

I realized I have a long way to go.

Like an economic culture shock or something like that .

Magnoliaa:


Like an economic culture shock or something like that .

More like an opportunity factor

Magnoliaa:


Light and darkness do not co-exist anywhere in the world. The fact that you're for Tinubu and I'm pro-Obi poses the greatest aversion ever.

Have a great life.

I'll make money in this life, track you and shower you with a specie of love even Romeo didn't have for Juliet.

Don't throw me out of the Titanic before we even became a ship please

Christianity and Islam are at opposing ends of the spectrum, yet my candidate defied all odds, married a Christian woman he loved and cherished, supported her as she served God , watched her as she became a Pastor and let their children join Christianity.

I won't bring links from last decade about how your candidate treated those who weren't Catholics because I'm not campaigning. I'm telling my future bride I love her.

Michelle70:
my jollof.

The one that has been making my heart go "chukudi chukudi chukudi"

Chukudi chukudi chukudi...
That meme though.