Challenges birthed creativity

At a tender age, I've always loved to try new things, that is, being creative. I found myself in a country whereby you have to work hard to earn a living. Everything that seems like rights that should be provided by the government must be achieved by individuals independently, which means there is no help from anywhere. Earning a living at times is breathtaking, especially when facing the challenges of life. Challenges are part of the factors that made a success story worth telling. At some point in my life when I was a bit younger – that was during my primary school days. Then I was living with my grandma; my wish was to find something to do to assist her because she was working too, but as a young girl, nothing was coming to my mind.

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Until one Saturday afternoon, after plaiting my hair, I sat outside to watch my grandma's goats as they lay around, and I was even talking to them like they could hear me when something sparked in my mind. "I can do this and sell", I said to myself. Immediately I stood, and then things were very cheap, unlike now. I had a piggy bank where I kept money given to me by families who came to visit my grandma. It was made from plastic, which makes it easy to open and close. I picked a sum of #200 and then ran to the woman selling beverages. I bought Milo worth ₦100 and a milk known as Cowbell milk worth ₦100.

I poured both into a different cup and mixed with a little water. I moulded the milo into different shapes and then placed them separately on a plate to dry. I moulded the milk also but had to fry it a little just to give it a golden brown colour, and after that, I put the fried portions on a separate plate to cool down. While I was waiting for the Milo to solidify and the milk to cool, my grandma returned from the farm, and she saw me sitting in the kitchen with both plates. For some minutes she pretended like she wouldn't talk, but I was patiently waiting for what she had to say.

"Anu, what are those things on the plate, otun tin je ijekuje(you've started eating junk again)? Je kin gbo pe inun e (don't complain to me about stomach disorder)," my grandma said, and that was exactly what I was expecting her to say.

Without saying a word, I stood up, carried the plates to the room, and was waiting for her to enter because I didn't want our tenants eavesdropping on our conversation. After arranging the things she brought from the farm, she came in to the room. Then I had to explain to her all I did and the reason I did that.

"Maami (my mother), as I fondly call her, because she did not understand English. Won kin se ijekuje o, mo fe ta ni(these are not junks; I want to sell them)," I explained.

"Ki wa ni gbogbo eleyi?" 'What are all these?' Grandma asked.

"These are milk and Milo; I just mixed them with a little water and moulded them. I fried the milk a little, then I want it to cool and this milo to solidify, then I will pack them into the nylon and sell them to my classmates in school on Monday so that I can earn a living to support you," I further explained.

For some minutes, she was silent, just looking at me and the plates I placed on the table. Then she smiled and said, "Anuoluwapo (mercy of God is substantial); that's the name she calls me, though.

"I never said I'm tired of taking care of you, and I know when the time comes – that's after you've completed your schooling from primary to university and you started working. I know you will take good care of me then, but for now let's focus on your academics," Grandma replied.

I know she wouldn't want to agree because I was still little. As of then I was seven years old, but I just wanted to try and see if my creativity would be appreciated.

"Oda, motigbo(okay, I've heard you), I replied to her. I covered the plates till the next day. When I checked, they were well solidified. I packed one Milo and one milk in a nylon each, which is to be sold for the sum of #50. On Monday, when I got to school, I showed my friends and classmates, and they were all willing to buy. I sold all I brought before breakfast time. That was one of the happiest days of my life. I had more orders than I expected. I counted the money, and I made twice the money I used in purchasing the Milo and milk.

On my way from school on Monday, I bought double the ones I bought on Saturday and kept them in my bag. After freshening up, eating and being done with my assignment, I resumed my little business. I already knew my grandma's daily routine. I knew she would be going to church; immediately she left, I quickly did all I needed to do and then kept it on the shelf to cool and dried it for the next day. The next day, which was Tuesday, I woke up as early as possible, packed my goods and kept them in my bag while I did the house chores, had my bath, ate and headed to school. As expected, I sold it all, and that was how my little business began to get recognition. I always keep the profits in my grandma's purse because all I was doing was for her to start with. I continued, and I later confessed to her that I never stopped and I always keep money in her purse. That day, I received motherly prayers that are still working in my life to date. Challenges birthed that creativity in me then, and it was a huge success till I graduated from primary school.

Thanks for your time, and your comments will be appreciated.

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