Violence and village fires have taken so much from Blessing – loved ones, financial security, stability – but she continues to learn and grow herself not just for herself but for her family and her community.
My name is Chungyang Blessing Ayuba. I am 28 years old, from Dengel village in Vwang District, Jos, Plateau State (northern Nigeria). My husband and I are both farmers. We cultivate maize, fonio, millet and guinea corn. Our marriage has been blessed with a daughter, Rose, who is three years and five-months old. I have two adopted daughters as well; both children of my late brother-in-law who died after a brief illness in 2010, but his wife left and remarried.
My crisis experiences are not what I would wish upon my enemy.
The first experience was in December 2001. That day, I had gone to the market to prepare for the Christmas celebration. Getting back from the market, we heard gunshots and started running out of the house. We returned home amidst fear and could not sleep for months because of fear of the unknown.
Years passed and we thought it was all over but in 2014, there was another attack. It was a normal day; my siblings and I had just returned from the farm when the gunshots started. It was real chaos, people were screaming and running, and there was smoke everywhere. Until today, sometimes it feels like I am chocking from that smoke and the smell of burning bodies. My aunty after running realized that two of her children were not with us, and she ran back to get them. We tried to wait for her for a while but unfortunately, she never returned. We lost her and the children, and everything in the house that was set on fire.
All our farm produce and livestock, months of hard labor down the drain just like that.
Those were very difficult times for the whole family, unanswered questions on how human beings like us could be so cruel. For a long time, I harbored bitterness in my heart with nobody to address it to. All the government and security agencies could do was to condemn the actions of the unknown gunmen.
I heard about the Women for Women International program from some women in the community. I was happy to join because I have seen the level of transformation in the lives of the graduates. I have learnt a lot of things that makes me look forward to an amazing experience that will make a great change in me, my family, community and the society at large.
On the topic of women’s solidarity and building effective social networks, and knowing the benefits of associating with other women, I have learnt to value relationships. We are important to each other, and we must cherish the people around us. This is what makes the world beautiful and gives us hope.
On the topic of the value of women’s work, I now value the work I do and appreciate other people as well. I used to think that it is only the work that gives me money is classified as productive work, but I learnt that even caring for others and community work are also productive work and create time for all and ensure that I give in my best.
On the topic of health, I am now able to focus on taking care of my health. My late brother-in-law’s daughters have learnt from me how to take care of themselves during their menstrual cycle - to ensure they change their sanitary pads frequently.
One of the most interesting topics for me in the program was Developing Advocacy Skills. I now understand that women can be more effective in promoting change in the community if they are willing to work together as advocacy groups.
I saved my stipends for the first three months and used part of it to buy a piglet. I plan to use to put into my poultry, piggery and soup condiment business. I will eventually save to further my education until I fulfill my dream of becoming a teacher.
I am grateful to all who have come together to ensure that the lives of women change for the better. I will give my best and be committed to the program to the end and ensure that I practice all that I learn to make a great impact in my life, my family and my community.
