Mbatimin Dooember Josepine makes history

The Youth Exchange and Study program is a US scholarship for 10^th Grade students here in Nigeria. The final examination was scheduled on the 3^rd December, 2013 at Katsina state. Arrival was on the 2nd, December,2013. I had sent a text informing all the successful preselected candidates ahead of time as the state Coordinator.

 The bus assigned to me by the Ministry of Education for the journey had no windshield and was to be repaired and serviced that day for a 12 hour journey considering the political instability and insecurity in the core North.

Just when we were about to take off by 3pm, a parent of one of the candidates called me pleading. Apparently, they had just received the text due to MTN network shutdown in Gboko for 3 days. I told her we couldn’t  wait so she should find a way. I was determined to get the 25 students to Katsina state so the entire state does not loose out on the program. It was the most frightening journey of my life more so  because  had 25 students in my care.

We got to Kaduna state by 10:30pm and no arrangements were made for accommodation so I proceeded to a friends place who has 2 rooms self contained with 25 students. We had no choice than to lay our heads as best as we could.

 The student left behind, Mbatimim Dooember Josephine (QRSS, Gboko) got to kaduna state by 2:30am with her Mum. They called me and were ready to proceed to Katsina state that night not minding the consequences.

I wept and stayed awake wondering as a mother the risk that poor woman had taken for her child. I had so many negative and fearful thoughts of Boko Haram or fanatics attacking them at the park. Most especially that they could not speak Hausa. It was beyond me to locate them and pick them up so I asked them to spend the night at the park, somewhere i considered safer than the unknown.

 We picked them up the next morning from the park and proceeded to Katsina State where the final examination took place. However, She took ill due to stress ( I was prepared with Ibuprofen and Peptol Bismol and treated minor aches though am no Doctor but didn’t have a choice).

To the Glory of God,  Mbatimin Dooember Josephine came top on the list. A total 18 students have been selected from 4 states;

 Benue-8 students

Katsina-4 students

Gombe-4

Kaduna-2

            BENEFICIARIES

1.      Mbatimin Dooember Josepine

2.      Amine Victor Tavershima

3.      Ankeli Oche David

4.       Alicha Joy Abgenu

5.      Gedor Ofu Joshua

6.      Nduul Andrea Selumun

7.      Iorkyaan Philomena Erdoo

8.      Ater Mimidoo Jennifer

ALTERNATE

1.      Frieda Ternguher Azongu

 Mbatimin Dooember’s mother is an example of what you and i would call an illiterate yet she stood by her daughter who will be travelling to the USA by August 2014 in this exchange programme.

 I am sharing this story because Mrs Mbatimin inspired me and I have come to respect her drive towards a set goal.

KUDOS to this GREAT woman MRS MBATIMIN.

  

Mrs Mmaasuur Gambe,

YES Coordinator,

Benue state