OMOLOLA KOLAWOLE AN RDSF SUCCESS STORY

My name is Omolola Mariam Kolawole. I am from Ibadan, Oyo state, and I recently graduated from the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho. I hold a Bachelor of Technology in Agricultural Economics with a CGPA of 4.42/5.00. This is a dream come true for me. I am currently undergoing my oneyear mandatory National Youth Service in Oyo State, Nigeria. I also run a cake baking business in Ibadan.

My Family And Financial Background

I am not privileged to be born with a silver spoon. I am the first child of my parents and I have four siblings. I grew up in a family where eating could be difficult at times. My father is a commercial motorcycle rider, and he does not earn much. My mother on the other hand is a trader; who sells whatever she knows can put food on the family’s table.

“My father is a commercial motorcycle rider, and he does not earn much. My mother on the other hand is a trader; who sells whatever she knows can put food on the family’ s table.”

I can say that my mother is the breadwinner and caring for the whole family has been a big burden on her. I attended a private primary school but it got to a point when my parents had to withdraw me to a public primary school. This was a great challenge for me as I began to operate in a new academic environment with a lower standard of learning.

I could not blame my parents because the decision was induced by our financial condition and even as the first child, I made a lot of sacrifices just for my siblings to be educated too. There were times my needs were delayed or unattended to just for my siblings’ needs to be met.

My Academic Goals And The Obstacles I Faced

After secondary school in 2013, the thought of “what next?” started running through my mind. I checked my family’ s financial status, if they could afford to sponsor me to attend a university, but the probability was very low. I wrote my first WAEC examinations in 2012, while I was still in SS2 and I had great results. I passed all subjects even though I was yet to complete secondary school and in 2014, I got admitted into Ladoke Akintola University of Technology for a one-year pre-degree program. This was a challenging for me and my family as there was no hope of paying my tuition, but my parents had to borrow and beg for money to pay the tuition. During my undergraduate days, in order to support my parents, I worked as a waitress at events in Ibadan even though I was schooling in Ogbomosho.

Anytime there was a break, I engaged myself by taking up menial jobs to help me raise money for foodstuffs and basic needs in school. I kept surviving this way till my second year in school.

How I Met Rdsf And The Support I Received

In 2018, I had to change my hostel because I could no longer afford the rent where I stayed, and I knew my parents were under pressure to look for funds for my sister who had just gained admission into the university.

It was at this time that I met a neighbour; Eunice Olatunji now Mrs. Eunice Joseph. She was in her final year while I was in my second year and my room was just next to hers. I started moving close to her because I noticed we shared the same values.

Her dedication and level of commitment to her academics was top-notch. Whenever I had an assignment from school, it was her phone I would borrow to do my assignments because I did not have access to any device connected to the internet.

There was this day, I was in her room, and during our conversation, she asked about my CGPA and I told her; I think she was impressed, from that day the bond became stronger.

I took her as my elder sister from the same parents. I started relating my challenges to her, my parents' condition, and how I was able to stay in school. She shared her own experiences and how she was able to break through.

“In January 2019, I applied for RDSF support and it was successful.

This was one of my biggest achievements because I never thought I could get support from anywhere. RDSF supported me from my third year till my final year in the university.”

From there, she introduced me to different scholarship bodies, as the applications were coming on stream, and I used her phone to apply. In July 2018, after so many attempts with negative responses from those applications, she told me about RDSF and how she and others have benefited from the Foundation.

In January 2019, I applied for RDSF support and it was successful. This was one of my biggest achievements because I never thought I could get support from anywhere. RDSF supported me from my third year till my final year in the university. This really means a lot to me, and I am grateful for it. I could not have been where I am today if not for RDSF. At the point I was giving up they came through for me. RDSF made the rest of my journey in school seamless. It has always been my dream to pursue a Master’s degree abroad.

I give Glory to God because the dream has come to pass. I will be starting my Master’s degree at the University of Alberta, Canada, this September and my study visa has been approved.

This is a great milestone to achieving my career goal. Here I am today, the daughter of those poor parents, now traveling abroad to study. This achievement cannot be mentioned without acknowledging the great impact of RDSF.

“I give Glory to God because the dream has come to pass. I will be starting my Master’ s degree at the University of Alberta, Canada, this September and my study visa has been approved.”

My Advice To Those Facing Similar Challenges

While going through those challenges, I was driven by the desire to change my family’ s financial status. I decided in my heart that none of these challenges was going to define me, so I learnt not to give up. I had a goal for myself and I envisioned the future I wanted even though it did not look possible. I knew that the only thing that can deter my success is to quit; even though so many times I felt like quitting, I still never gave up. My advice to those facing similar challenges in their family is to never quit.

“While going through those challenges, I was driven by the desire to change my family’ s financial status. I decided in my heart that none of these challenges was going to define me, so I learnt not to give up.”

It is never easy but education is still a pathway to break the vicious circle of poverty. It will not be easy but trust me you will overcome it. Also, wherever you find yourself, please be humble and respectful. Do not look down on anybody because who you think will help you might not even look at your side and the stranger next to you might be the one God has sent to you.

In conclusion, I would like to give glory to God who has brought me this far. I also appreciate my parents and every other person God has used to support me in one way or the other. My sincere appreciation goes to my mentor, Mrs. Eunice Joseph, who held my hands all through this journey.

I really appreciate your kind gesture, and your timely advice and support, you are such a rare gem. Lastly, I appreciate the entire Board of Trustees of the Rehoboth Dream Solid Foundation, those who are working tirelessly behind the scene to help the younger generation get a solid education. Thank you so much.

God bless you and your entire family.