In the small community of Makurdi, there lived a boy named Samuel. He was the first child of five, born into a struggling family. His father was a petty carpenter, and his mother sold vegetables in the local market. Life was harsh—many nights, the family went to bed hungry, and school fees were always uncertain.
Samuel loved learning. Even though he often went to class in worn-out sandals and sometimes without notebooks, he always sat in the front row, eager to catch every word his teacher spoke. He had a sharp mind, and everyone in school noticed.
But things changed when his father fell sick and couldn’t work again. Samuel’s mother became the only breadwinner, and soon, she could no longer afford his school fees. At just 13, Samuel had to drop out. He started selling sachet water on the streets, running under the scorching sun while watching other children in uniforms heading to school. Each time he saw them, his heart broke a little more.
Still, Samuel didn’t give up. Every evening, he would sneak into a nearby church where a kind pastor allowed him to borrow books from their small library. By candlelight, he taught himself subjects his mates were learning in class. His determination caught the eye of an NGO worker who often bought water from him. After hearing his story, she decided to sponsor his education.
Samuel returned to school with joy. He worked harder than ever, topping his class year after year. When he finally sat for WAEC, he scored distinctions in all his subjects. The NGO later secured a scholarship for him to study engineering at the university.
Years later, Samuel became a well-respected civil engineer, building roads and bridges that connected rural communities. But he never forgot his beginnings. He returned to Makurdi to establish a free learning center for children whose parents could not afford school fees, just like he once couldn’t.
Today, hundreds of children sit in classrooms provided by Samuel’s foundation, and every wall carries his favorite quote:
“Your background may delay you, but it should never define you.”
Samuel’s story teaches us that no matter how rough the beginning, perseverance and kindness from others can rewrite any destiny.
