Big dreams and a way to make it in Nigeria
Story and Reporting by Joshua Ishaya Mamza
Living Hope Vocational School does not only specialize in teaching a trade to students but is actively working to help students see the possibilities of a brighter tomorrow. Grace Abdulla is no exception. She is one among a high percentage of orphans who has benefited from free education by the school. When her father was killed in Lagos 8 years ago by armed robbers it seemed as though it would not be possible for her to succeed in life and yet God has provided for her in exciting ways.
It has now been 10 months since Grace graduated from the Bags and Souvenir class where she learned to use her natural talent in creative ways. Immediately after she graduated, she joined the SALT Nigeria savings group made up of graduated students and began her journey. Since the time Grace was promoted from her class as a graduate, she has been able to make close to 60 bags of her own and by selling some she has earned at least 10,000 Naira. ($27.80 USD) She reported to us that she wisely used only 4,000 Naira in personal use and has been able to save 6,000 of it in her savings group.
With her 6,000 safely in savings Grace was able to access a loan of 5,000 Naira from the group which she used to buy materials to make more handbags. In the interview she said that she has 9,500 Naira worth of bags ready and waiting to be sold.
When SALT staff asked what is her goal in this life? Grace smiled and then responded with a “Hmmmmm” and shifted in her seat. After a pause she said, “I want to be the best bags designer in the world, to start my own big workshop, train as many as possible, and help my mother by taking care of some responsibilities” Quite amazing is the fact that Grace has a lot of interest and confidence in what she has learned. In a society where head knowledge alone is prized, Grace has found that it is in application which is the true knowledge.
Grace told us that she knows the value of what she learned in her classes and has confidence that it will be a stable source of income for her. She is the first person I have interviewed who did not mention government jobs as being the most successful sources of income in Nigeria.
It’s clear to us that Grace has moved on with her life, forgetting the past and is looking with bright eyes into the future. May God help her to achieve what she believes she can.