MY PERSONAL STORY

I was brought up by a single parent, my mother. I was made to understand that my father abandoned her when she got pregnant for me saying he was not responsible for the pregnancy. My mother in that emotional trauma and her little salary had to bring me up despite the challenges. She had to work extra hard to provide for my needs.
So, I went through school not knowing who my dad was and suffering from low self esteem and acceptance. This is because, where I come from, one who did know his/her father was considered a ‘bastard’ and was mocked at. I had to yield to peer pressure just to gain acceptance from my mates.
Haven seen all what my mother had gone through, my heart was hardened. I considered myself the unfortunate one who was not raised by both parents. I was not able to have all my needs because my mum could not afford. I didn’t have a voice in the family or community since I was considered a bastard as it is commonly called. I could not express myself freely because I considered myself less important and inferior to those raised by both parents. I grew up with this intimidation and I did not want to mention any thing about my father. This made me not to believe even in myself. It’s like there was no future for girls like me. Always filled with regrets, I thought my life would have been much better if I had the opportunity like other children to be raised in a home of love and care from both parents.
The upbringing and well-being of children need the presence of both parents. I know what it feels like to grow up with psychological stress and have to face the world and all it challenges. Fathers and mothers need to be part of the child’s development in order to make him/her strong and confident.
It is humiliating to be in a society where you are considered an ‘outcast’ that is one with no paternal background and have to bear your mother’s family name; always living in isolation.
After high school, I decided to read Journalism in the University, hoping that I wouldn’t be silent anymore but rather have the opportunity to make my voice heard by others. But unfortunately, it was not the case. Then a friend introduced me to world pulse online community, and encouraged me to use the forum as a means of speaking up and speaking my mind so as to bring about social change.
I believe there are other girls or women out there who have faced or still facing the same situation and need to be empowered by others like me, to build their confidence. I know this is a unique platform for me to make my dream/vision come true.