At ten, all I could do was envy the children in my age bracket wearing neat school uniforms and looking smart. I was not born with a silver spoon and all I could console myself with was wishful thinking. Of course, I appreciated my only pillar, my mom, though she could not afford to send me to school, did her best to ensure we had a manageable roof over our heads and the frequent rumbling of my stomach from hunger had food to cushion it.
"You deserve much more my little angel. I'm sorry this is small but I am hopeful that by your next birthday, life will be easier on us." My mom hushed me with a comforting smile. Though dusk was far upon us, our ghetto neighborhood kids were around to celebrate my tenth-year birthday, the very first I have had to celebrate. My mom remained cheerful all while she dressed me to taste, and fortunately, her small radio set blew some cool and soul-lifting songs to our pleasure.
"Mummy Caro, I'm sorry I came late. The traffic around Abaka can be terrible. Here's Caroline's birthday cake." My mom's friend, Mummy Bola walked in just at the point mom finished dressing me. I stood up and clapped excitedly when I saw the cake before throwing myself into Mom's arms for a hug. I had the privilege of watching birthdays celebrated on neighbors' phones, never believing I'll have such a gift someday.
My mom set the cake on a small rickety table supported at its legs by stones to gain some stability. About seven other children of my age bracket gathered around me and sang me a happy birthday song in our 'ghetto' way. The love was massive and enough to cause some tears to drop from my eyes. The cake was round and on it was an inscription, 'HBD my star Angel' and though I was not literate, I could read and understand the words as I had applied myself to home study from old newspaper litters I hoarded.
"Mom, what's that in the sky?" I pointed to a moving star, distracting my little audience and well-wishers.
"Quick my angel, make a silent wish!" My mom urged me gently. Immediately, I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and felt a wave of hope rush within me. I had made my wish as I sighted the shooting star. Everyone clapped excitedly, especially the other children. The sight was amazing! The little party continued with some loud music from Mom's stereo. It was almost 8 p.m. and we needed to disperse the other children to their respective homes. Mom led the other kids to their respective partitioned homes, ensuring all the kids got in safely before coming back to me. Mom and I spent a little more time in the open, bonding affectionately, and relishing dreams, hopes, and aspirations. "I am certain someday, you'll be my saving star." My mom said as she gently nudged me into her arms.
About two weeks after my birthday, a group of people wearing uniformed T-shirts with the inscription, 'educating the girl child' came towards our home sharing fliers, and at first, I was skeptical to give an audience but seeing other kids rally around them, I joined them. One of them interacted with me and became impressed at how well I was responding in spoken English even though struggling. He called two other of his colleagues and they further interacted with me. My mom was called also to the scene and the story of our lives was narrated to them. They took my details and pictures with us before leaving for another venue.
Barely a week later, the same set of people that visited the week before came to our home with a few forms which they helped me to fill out after I dictated to them answers to the questions asked. I was thereafter informed of a scholarship granted to me and a few others. My excitement knew no bounds, going to school was a lifelong dream, and having it free was a blessing I didn't see coming.
My mom dressed in her best attire to their office for further documentations and immediately after, I was enrolled in an elementary school not far from home. I could not begin the class with the nursery students, I was way older than them. I was put in class three and special attention was on me by every teacher as I still looked bigger than others. Perhaps my courage and determination made the teachers give me extra attention and seeing I had a difference to make from my classmates, I devoted myself to more studies, returning home after school to help my mom who was always glad to see me return from school, smartly dressed.
My grades from elementary school paved the way for me to high school in continuation of my scholarship and just right when I was due for college, I secured the MTN fully funded scholarship. My joy yet again knew no bounds. My efforts in supporting mom in addition to the extra funds from the scholarship grants helped myself and my mom to relocate to a room and parlor apartment that we could afford while availing ourselves of meager jobs to sustain us.
"Come, my dear Caroline, I'm proud of you and all you do for me." My mom called me just before I was to resume college.
"You deserve much more Mom. Remember the shooting star on my tenth-year birthday?" I asked smiling across the table where we sat for dinner.
"Oh yes, I'm sure your wish was for the life you're living now." My mom replied with a smile.
I let out a small chuckle, stood up from my chair walked up to her, and hugged her. "My wish was for me to make you happy and proud of me Mom," I said and squeezed her a little more gently. I noticed tears begin to well up in her eyes and quickly, I cleaned them up. "It's fine mom, the future is ours to own."