2020 as a year has really shaken me to the marrow. It will no doubt go down as one year that took from me a really important part - my father. Prior to his demise, the first major blow that came around was the demolition of my mom's shop by the Apapa Local Council Government.

One of the promises he made then was to find every way possible to get her a new shop, as the rates for the newly constructed one (3 million naira) was absolutely impossible. He was however unable to achieve this before death came knocking.

The sustenance of my mom and siblings was a weight I had to bear, especially when extended families didn't bother to look back after the burial. Considering the fact that my mom was placed in what I call 'a cultural house arrest' and was restricted from going outdoor till February next year, the burden became tougher.

I have been able to get a new shop for my mom about a week ago; this is as a result of money made from sleepless nights of freelancing, contest auditions and the likes. However, a lot of tasks still lie waiting to be done - asides the sustenance of my aging widowed mom till February where she can come out and start her trade afresh, I still have to stock the new shop with goods (she sells soft drinks and wines) of which I do not have any certain hope of amassing the funds needed for that. I believe that if there's a ready source of trade with goods intact, returns can be made from that and no doubt, it can be a stable source of livelihood. But what then is the essence of a building without residents, what is the value of a shop without goods available to complement it?

I had to do this without her knowledge because she might not readily subscribe to the idea. Assist me in putting a smile on my widowed mother's face and moreso, fulfilling my father's last wish by donating to this course. Any amount at all is significant to this and I believe primarily that this will go a long way in restoring the hopes of my mother that went down the drain immediately her husband died. Please, assist me in reassuring my mom that there's still hope, even at the face of stark neglection and pessimism.
It's my promise to carry everyone along with the stocking and opening of the shop afterwards. Help put a smile on a widow's face.