As I look back, I remember my childhood being difficult. I lived with my aunt till the age of 10, and then returned home.

My siblings and me grew up without a father figure as he abandoned the family right before I was born in 1988.

Helping my single mother with the marketplace activities brought in some income to the household, but not enough to meet the requirements of 5 young children, still growing and learning.

Hence dropping out of school was the most feasible option for me.

It was difficult for me to navigate through school, one because I had to help my mother in her work & two because my peers would talk about their fathers, and I didn’t know where my father was and how he was.

I grew up not knowing what a father’s love is, I felt like I missed out on an important part of my life.

Though my mother cemented strength into her children, not having a father around made a huge negative impact on us.

My mother was my mentor; she told me to look around & observe the difficulties around her and how she’s struggling to make ends meet, and she told me to work hard & make my future better, because she didn’t want the same for me.

With my stepfather entering our lives, it came like a blessing and impacted me for the better.

He clearly stated that his priority is to ensure that all the children completed their formal education, after which I resumed my schooling and completed it.

He played a huge role in switching the scenario at home and emphasized on the importance of being educated with the basics.

My stepfather being a community leader, he understood that the cycle of responsibilities is different for women that do not have opportunities or the moral support.

On his agenda was to create opportunities for women of his community to seek change and stand on their feet to be able to see a better tomorrow for themselves & their family.

Visiting the families of our community with my father, I saw the struggles of the women around me.

I felt lucky to have his complete trust & support, but I could see many helpless & abandoned women leading their life without any hope.

I decided indeed to work hard and build skills that I could bring back to my community which can give them hope.

As I made the tough decision to join the Evolvin’ Women program with support from D’NOUR, I was determined to face the challenge head on, and make sure I changed my story from this stage.

To provide for my future, to balance out my career and my responsibilities and to break the stereotype is my biggest goal, and I inch ahead every day to make a positive impact on everyone around me.