I met Kwame through a dear friend in my third year at the university. He was living abroad but he came to visit his parents during the festive season. We started a long distance relationship after he went back. He took care of my financial needs and sometimes extended his generosity to my family. After my NSS, we got married and I later went to join him abroad. I furthered my education through his sponsorship and everything was going well. One day my father in-law called to tell us about some plots of land at a very good location that were up for sale. He adviced that we acquire them and start a building project in Ghana. We thought it was a good investment so we sent him the required money. We also sent some monies for documentations of the land and commencement of the building.
Things however started to fall apart when my hubby’s business partner betrayed him and we lost a huge some of money. We were strategizing on how to get back on our feet then the pandemic started. The company my hubby was working for at the time was downsizing due to the effect of COVID-19 and sadly they had to let him go. I was working and so I took care of everything at home. One morning, I woke up feeling very sick and decided to take a pregnancy test which came out positive. This pregnancy was different from previous ones in that, it came with severe morning sickness. I couldn’t stomach anything and this made me anaemic and very weak hence I had to quit my job. We started surviving on our savings with the hopes that my hubby would get another job soon but all his efforts to get one was futile.
When push came to shove, we decided to return home with the money we had left and start life afresh. My father in-law tried to discourage us from coming back. He said, “the country’s economy is very bad, you are better off where you are.” Our minds were, however, made up since bills kept piling up with no income to offset them. When we got back and it was time for my father in-law to show us our property he started acting funny and giving excuses that didn’t make any sense to me. To cut the long story short, he had squandered all the money! No building, not even a small piece of land in our name. That was when it dawned on us that he had forged and sent fake documents to us while we were away. I was devastated. I could not believe that the man whom I loved so much and taken as my own father could do this to us. I cried until there was no more tears to shed. After the birth of our child, we decided to leave the matter because there was no way my father in-law could pay the monies back.
Since we got back, my hubby has been trying to get a job, but to no avail. He even tried to get teaching jobs but when these schools see his CV they tell him sorry, you are over qualified we can’t take you. I remember one of the school owners calling him to explain why someone with his level of education and who had his tertiary education abroad would submit a CV in a primary school. After much explaination she said, you will hear from us and that was all. I never imagined that I would live to see a day where food to eat would be a problem for me and my family. Most times I pray to God to send help to us so that we can be re-established. One day as i was reminiscing about life, where we used to be and where we are now. I became so overwhelmed with the whole situation and broke down in tears. My son walked into the kitchen and saw me crying. He asked, mummy why are you crying? My hubby heard him and rushed to where i was sitting. As i lifted my head our eyes met and I could see tears forming in his eyes as I felt the pain in his heart. I have to be strong for him, I told myself.
Kwame is a good, God-fearing and selfless man who has made alot of sacrifices for me and the kids. He is seven years older than me yet he doesn’t do anything without consulting me first. Whenever there is need for us to agree on something, he would explain why he feels his suggestions are good and also allow me to bring mine with reasons as well. He never imposes his will on me. He treats me with so much love and respect and I never take it for granted. He would say, “Nkem seeing you happy gives me so much joy.” Don’t get it twisted we have our own misunderstandings like every other couple out there. However, kwame would never go to sleep if there is an unresolved matter between us. Even if it takes him to apologize for peace to reign in our home he would gladly do it. He helps me with house chores. He would wash the dishes while I do the laundry. He would take care of the kids while I cook. “Nkem, relax and let me do the cooking today he would say.” He is a REAL MAN!
I am sharing my story with the hopes that someone out there would be the angel that we need at this time and also for women to know that there are still some good men out there. When God gives you one, please love, respect, support and stand by him at all times. Do not insult, maltreat or take advantage of him