OLANREWAJU BLESSING AN RDSF SUCCESS STORY

Background

I am Olanrewaju Blessing; the first child of a family of two children and I am from Esan Local Government Area in Edo State.

I studied English Language Education – NCE & B.E.D. I am the proprietor of Auxano Haven (Early Years & Primary School) and I am happily married with a child.

HOW IT ALL STARTED.

Growing up for me was difficult, as my mother who had a failed marriage struggled alone to raise my younger brother and I, while living with our grandmother.

My mother did all kinds of jobs to cater to our needs. She managed to see me through my primary & secondary education. After my secondary education, I applied for the A-level IJMB program hoping that would help prepare a better platform for my admission to the university.

Unfortunately, my mother passed on to glory before my tertiary education began. The goal of the

A-level program was defeated as I was not able to meet up with the financial requirements.

“Unfortunately, my mother passed on to glory before my tertiary education began. The goal of the A-level program was defeated as I was not able to meet up with the financial requirements.”

I therefore couldn’t access my results, even though I came out well with 13 points -BBB; but the results were withheld by the school administration as I had not paid my school fees.

THE SEARCH FOR GREEN PASTURES.

I left Ilorin where I sat for my Alevels for Lagos to stay with a church leader who promised to get me a job in his school, so as that I could save up money for my school fees. I worked there for several months while living in the school premises before I was called by the school where I did sults freely. I happily travelled down and got my results.

THE STRUGGLE TO ACCESS EDUCATION.

Having gotten the A-level result, I applied for admission to Olabisi Onabanjo University. I was granted admission into 200 Level to study English Language.

I paid the acceptance fee and other fees. Unfortunately, during the final registration, my A-level results which was the basis for the offer of admission was rejected.

“I paid the acceptance fee and other fees. Unfortunately, during the final registration, my A-level results which was the basis for the offer of admission was rejected.”

I made several calls to a professor in the school who made way for me to see the school heads, as well as the vice chancellor; but all to no avail.

In the end, the admission was withdrawn and the fees paid were not refunded. It was a tragic experience indeed! I went back to square one.

“In the end, the admission was withdrawn and the fees paid were not refunded. It was a tragic experience indeed! I went back to square one.”

In fact, I couldn’t go back to Lagos, since I had already resigned from the school I worked to resume school at OOU.

Turning Point

One of my leaders in the church told me of an admission opening at the Federal College of Education, Abeokuta.

At first, I was reluctant to process that, as I had no money on me and of course, no one to help or support; especially as all the money I saved while working had already gone down the drain as I pursued OOU admission earlier.

This leader paid for the forms on my behalf and I went for the school screening. I went to the school because I had no other choice; never could I have imagined myself going for a National Certificate of Education (NCE) programme.

“After securing the admission, I had another milestone of paying the school fees. At some point, I lost hope and went in search of a job at least to feed myself.”

After securing the admission, I had another milestone of paying the school fees. At some point, I lost hope and went in search of a job at least to feed myself. While my mates went to lectures, I went to work.

Fortunately for me, I got a call from one of my church leaders –Mr. Komolafe, who linked me up with Rehoboth Dream Solid Foundation (RDSF), and that changed my story for good.

Rehoboth paid my fees all through my stay in school and I was able to settle down with the school work where I eventually graduated with the best results in the department of English language and School of Languages.

“Fortunately for me, I got a call from one of my church leaders – Mr. Komolafe, who linked me up with Rehoboth Dream Solid Foundation (RDSF), and that changed my story for good.”

God helped me, as I completed my NCE programme, I applied for a degree programme as a part -time student while working with the NCE results.

Here am I today, managing a school in a bid to impact and mould lives for a glorious future.

Many thanks to the Founders and the Board of Trustees for giving people like me hope.