I AM THAT GIRL CHILD

Once upon a time in the year 1987 a girl. Child was born ver bright and shinny. She grew up being curious and filled with wonders and. She dreams big alot. She came from the tribe where women are meant to stay at home, learn house chores, and prepare for an early marriage. However she learned some many things growing up while staying home, she longed for knowledge and adventure beyond the burders of her villiage, she dreamt if exploring the world and making difference. That girl child is LILIAN IFEMJIKA MEKOWULU. I am from URUDUNU IFITE ORAIFITE in EKWUSIGO local government of Anambra state Nigeria. I am that girl child that grew up in the family of six(6). I am the fourth child and daughter if my parents ICHIE SIR CHARLES MEKOWULU and LATE MRS ELIZABETH MEKOWULU. I have three senior sisters and two younger ones. I am that girl child who is priveledged to grow up in a middle class family. I am that girl child who grew up with so many lovely families both nuclear and extended, my uncles, aunties and grandparents. My grandpa LATE MR HYCENTH ILOZUE MEKOWULU WHO passed on in the year 1996 at 85 years and my grandma LATE MRS MARY NWANYINKWO MEKOWULU who also died in the year 2018 at age 103 years . I am that girl child who had lots of great memories both happy and sad ones. My happiest moments was Christmas period when my mother will buy new clothes and shoes for me and my siblings, another good moment is coming back from school and my late mum was cooking rice on an ordinary week day because then we only know rice as sunday food. The saddest moment of my life was the death of my mother at age 10. I am that girl child who gree up doing all kinds of chores both indoor and out door; cleaning and washing of clothes, farming, palm oil productions. Till today am enjoying my life so much being a girl I am that girl child that believe so much in traditions and the things of the ancient. I believe in reincarnation(ILO UWA IN MY IGBO DIALET) which simply means another version if a person either by appearance, character and attitude, posture and stature and other wise. Speaking if reincarnation, I was reincarnated by my grand mother in all aspect. She was born on nkwo day and that is why she bears NWANYINKWO which means a woman born on nkwo market day) which I was also born on nkwo day so I am another version of NWANYINKWO. I am that girl child at a younger age I understand traditions especially in my tribe IGBO from knowing my market days which are ( NKWO, EKE, ORIE, AFOR). I also know tradition about marriage rites where a man carries palm wine to the brides place and paid the bride price or dowry and may along the line he can still return plan wine again to end the marriage and the brides people returns the dowry to him. I am that girl child who never believe in less but greatness and hard work. I believe and live life more real but misunderstood at times as a fanatic and diabolic because I see life beautiful in every angle especially spiritual. I am the girl child born in the month of love February 1st 1987.I grew up in the midst if boys and girls. I am that girl child who believe so much in AFRICA and being ?? African is that girl child. I am that girl child that believes till the world ends love still exist: the love of God, the love of nature and the love of humanity. I am that girl child whom her African blood runs very thicker than the western jamborees, what African especially the women learnt and put to work unlike the days of our parents. I am that girl child who understand the olden ways of living knowing some kind of his about our mother marriages that they were married traditionally and ends it traditionally if need be. But these days our African especially my tribe IGBO has been corrupted with the DEMONIC FORCES OF COURT WEDDING where women has no respect for men in marriage, robbing shoulder with men because of the immunity the court paper gives them, they thereby loose their sanity forgetting where they come from. The court paper gives them wrong impression that they will mess and deal with a man and the judges will side with her in the court, this act makes marriage union of two people soar and insecure. I am that girl child who believes so much in peace. I am that girl child who believe in being africa, who believes in boundaries and respect. I am that girl child who believes and loves freedom that I made my motto FREE TO BE MYSELF. If all women will be free in mind, being the women the suppose to be, creating boundaries and allowing men be men, things will come back to normal, marriages will normalize, families will progress, children will know their boundaries, peace will take over and life will be longer. I am that girl child who grew up in a very religious home, Catholic to be direct. I grew up with a SAINT ON EARTH grand father who do not want to know your age and standard as far as going to church is concerned. I am that girl child who grew up going to morning and evening mass as my grand father was the high priest in our home who monitors every of your movement and characters. He punishes you when you sinned; I remember his punishment includes waking you up for morning mass even when others are not going and you must go to confession every morning after service. I grew up in BLOCK ROSARY CENTRE which I was opportuned to have in my family. I am that girl child who grew up outside friends and peer group because you dare not mess with my grandpa if not a package of 24 lashes will be delivered to you. I have quiet a lovely time in my childhood days, when I was growing up I noticed things about my grand father, he wears white even when going to church, to work, farm land, his hair too is all white that he was called PAPA WHITE. He was a great disciplinarian even unto my fathers forgetting they are grown with kids This kind of a girl child I am is a very unique one, in my family its filled with joy, no envy and jealousy, it is a family where u won't have a special bond with your parents because any body is your mummy and daddy and you will be ready to run any errand from any daddy or mummy. I remember how many knocks I got on my head by my late mother training me never to keep malice or group fight all because someone offended her or my siblings. She taught me to fight my fight and never to fall victim of another's mistake. I am that girl child that can tell my growing up stories without getting tired because I explore my childhood with meaningful activities. I also explored my childhood going to the river to bath, watch clothes and fetch water because as at that time there is no bore holes in our home then except the community bore hole which was pumped once in a month, sometimes by the contribution of the community to get petrol because of power failure. Despite the availability of social amenities now present I still enjoy my old days because that outdoor chores kept me so energized till date. I still miss my growing up days. . EMPOWERING A GIRL CHILD Being a girl child is all about empowerment. An Igbo adage says " NWANYI BU IFE" meaning A WOMAN IS SOMETHING, I am empowered today because of some hard trainings I got from childhood being with my uncle's wife as a teacher made me know life is hard even as a kid. Women has grown so much on today's society to be powerful in all areas. I am diginified today as a virtuous woman with honor because I paid close attention to every little things life brings to the table, I am opened to learning both from old and young. Being a girl child gives many opportunity in life physically and spiritually, I love being that girl child in this life and in my next life. The girl child is a beacon of hope and resilience. Throughout history, girl child have faced numerous challenges that hinders their growth, development and contribution to the society. Every girl child has a numerous fun time growing up: 1. Imaginations and creativity: girls always have a vivid imagination and love to engage in creative plays. Their imaginations can take them to creative adventures and help them develop a creative thinking skills. 2. Friendship: Girls tend to form strong bond with their friend, have fun time with their peers, sharing secrets, playing games and supporting each other. Having strong friendship provides them with strong sense of belonging. 3. Dressing : many girls love to dress up and express their personal life styles. Dressing up can be a fun way for girls to explore their creativity and develop their unique sense of fashion. 4. Hobbies and interest: Girls being girls often widely develop a wide range of hobbies and interest as they grow up. They might enjoy dancing, playing a musical instrument, participating in sports, reading, writing or engaging in other activities. All these helps the girl child possess sense of fulfilment and discovering their passions. 5. Celebration and special occasions: 6. Education and learning 7. Role models and inspiration. 1. Education as a foundation : Education is the fundamental right that lays the ground work for empowerment. Unfortunately, girls has been denied access to education due to gender discrimination, cultural norms and economic constraints. By providing with girls education does not only provides them with skills and knowledge, but also empower them to break free from cycles of poverty. Education provides girls with tools to challenge societal norms, pursue their aspirations and becomes the agent of change. 2. Health and well- being: Promoting the health and well being of a girl child is crucial for her overall development. Girls often face a lot of challenges including lack of adequate nutrition, health care facilities and sanitation facilities. Gender inequalities led to neglect in a girl's child health even sometimes to her puberty age. 3. Ending Gender- Based violence: Gender based violence is a grave violation of Human rights that affects girls world wide. Whether it be physical, mental , s****l and emotional a***e, these experiences can have a long- lasting and devastating effects on a girl child self -esteem, mental health and overall well- being. Empowering the girl child involves creating safe environment, creating awareness, promoting gender equalities, teaching her about her rights and self defense. Girls child safety is an overall thing to do for her to live without fear. 4. Economic Empowerment : Economic Empowerment plays a pivotal role in enabling her to reach her full potential. By ensuring equal opportunities in employment, financial institution. Economic Empowerment provides girls means to support themselves and their families, break cycle of generational poverty and promotes gender equality. EMPOWERING a girl child to learn skills helps her economically contribute in reduction of poverty. 5. Leadership and Decision - making: Empowering a girl child also entails nurturing her leadership skills and creating an environment where her voice can be heard and valued. When girls are given opportunities to lead, they inspire others, champion social issues, and contribution to the development of their communities, leadership programs to up coming. 6. Role models and positive influence : Having positive role and mentor is very important in a girl child personal and professional development. It is essential to provide opportunities for a girl child to interact with successful women leaders, professional and achievers who can advice them to reach their full potential goals In conclusion, I want to say that being and having a girl child is a huge blessing. I experienced joy growing and free to be me. Girl child is future not minding the igbos claim to value men more than women but no matter how unf a girl child travels he still looks back, she also brings an in-law home to help the family. I AM THAT GIRL CHILD I AM THAT GIRL CHILD I AM A BLESSING I AM FREE TO BE MYSELF I AM AFRICAN I AM A PROUD IGBO GIRL LONG LIVE AFRICA AFRICAN OUR CONTINENT GOD BLESS AFRICA GOD BLESS EVERY GIRL CHILD .