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Ama ,being the first born daughter of her family, had always thought life is simple and fun. Growing up in a loving and caring family, she and her siblings had been carefully protected from the harsh realities of life. Her parents guided her through childhood and school, ensuring that she lacks nothing both at home and at school . Though they were not rich, they did their best to provide a comfortable life for her and her 4 other siblings. During the final year in SHS, Ama's father had a terrible accident, which made things very difficult at home ,but her mother, being a strong woman, was the one holding the family together. A few months after the accident, her father healed perfectly and started working again. Seeing her father and mother being so strong and life flowing gently, Ama always had the perception that life is easy and that the world is a friendly and kind place to be. But the moment she stepped home after graduation from the Senior High School ,reality hit her like a bomb,her parents and four other siblings looked at her with expectant eyes. "Ama, you'll need to get a job and help with the bills," her mother said softly. Ama froze " Job ?? bills?" she asked softly, "Yes Ama, " her mother responded. She had never thought of life this way . " But mom, I thought I have to rest and wait for my results, then I further my education ? her mother laughed. Ama, life is not a bed of roses,we struggle to get life this comfortable. Ama being confused said ,"Bed of roses? ,struggle?"All these words were new to her,she had always thought life is easy to navigate, but hearing these words from her mother just shattered her illusions. That night ,Ama laid in her bed with a heavy responsibility on her shoulder, for the first time in her life she saw the cost of being a first born daughter, she had being shielded for soo long that, this new found "responsiblity" sits deeply in her heart ,she didn't even realise her eyes being filled up with tears ,the world she had imagined, a carefree life now replaced with a life of responsibilities. The following days were a whirlwind of challenges .Ama woke up early to help with household chores before attempting to find ways to contribute financially ,she started teaching the kids in her area for small tokens though it wasn't enough she was managing it with her needs and the family's. One evening, Ama decided to quit the teaching because some of the parents do not want to pay since they know Ama from the neighbourhood, she decided to start selling fruits ,she quickly went to her savings. Ama checked her savings, but unfortunately, the money was not enough to be used as a start-up capital. She then decided to talk to her mom about her plans in the morning. Ama's mother was very happy with her daughter's plan, and she promised to help her with the rest of the amount. A week later ,Ama started selling apples,bananas,and pineapple. Business was moving slowly but steady ,she had few trusted clients here and there, and her mother was proud of her. Ama could finally help with the light bill,buy small groceries, and also afford her own basic needs . One of her trusted clients introduced Ama to a job agent who promised to get Ama a sustainable job. After a month, a call came through from the job agent, and he asked Ama to write her CV and apply to a health shop as a sales representative, Ama was very excited. She told her mother about this new job when she returned home from selling her fruits .Her family was excited too, and she quickly wrote her CV after eating. She submitted it to the agent the next day, and she was asked to go for an interview in the afternoon. She quickly took a cab home to prepare for her interview she barely had 2 hours left to the time for the interview. She wore a black skirt with a plain white shirt and a black stepper .She prayed with her mom and took a cab to the location of the interview. Upon arriving, she met five different people who were also there for the interview. She froze for a minute, but then she decided to do her best and leave the rest to God. Her turn finally came, and she did her ultimate best and went home with the hope of being called back for the job. Ama just hoped for the best and continued selling her fruits .3 days later, a call came through, Ama quickly answered the phone, and lo and behold, it was from the health shop, Ama got the job ,she was soo excited that she decided to close early in order to share the good news with her family . The whole family was happy. At least Ama has a sustainable job now, and she can take care of herself. She was asked to start working the following week. When the day came ,Ama woke up very early to do her chores and also to prepare for her new job . She finally finished her preparation and chores around 7 a.m. She finally reached her job at 7:30. Ama got a salary increment due to her extremely hard work and diligence. Her Wassce results finally came, Ama passed all her subjects except Mathematics. She was extremely sad and depressed with the setback. To top it all, her parents were disappointed ,seeing her parents looked at her like "failure" made her very uncomfortable, she decided to focus solely on her work,save and rewrite her mathematics again so that she can go into a College of education and become a teacher. Life being unpredictable, one of Ama's madam decided to relocate to a different city, and since it's a partnership business, they decided to close down the shop, meaning Ama has to start looking for a new job, she got the news after work one evening, Ama went home with tears in her eyes narrated everything to her family ,her father assured her that she will get a new job. Three month later, the other boss gave Ama a job at her new paediatric clinic where she doubles as a cleaner and a receptionist, the salary was very low but she was grateful .The job was very tedious and the closing time too very late .Still she refuses to give up on her family and dream of becoming a teacher. Ama has always been the type who tries again, no matter how broken she feels. She throws herself into a business idea she believes will finally lift her family from their struggles. She works hard, plans carefully, and invests everything into her new cereal business. Luck shined on her when her boss asked her to bring some of her products for her to try them out ,Guess what? she approved of the products and started buying them in bulk ,Ama was finally at ease, now she can save for school and also help her family financially too. For a moment, it seems like life is finally giving her a chance. She works hard, tries her best, and handles customers with patience. Until one day, a single complaint destroys everything. A customer’s false accusation costs Ama her job. No investigation. No defense. No second chance. Just a letter, a quiet dismissal, and a long walk home with tears she refuses to let fall. Now unemployed, broke, and lost, Ama returns home—back to a place where she is expected to hold everyone together while she herself is falling apart. Days turn into weeks, and she feels the weight of disappointment sink deeper into her spirit. She tries to stay strong for her siblings, but inside, she is drowning.