MY GIFTEDHANDS

As a child, what’s normally expected of them is to focus on their studies and do well academically and morally. They are not expected to earn or try to be responsible for the family. But then, we know that there are some exceptions due to unplanned circumstances. Here in my country, it is almost a norm for little children to go out on the street hawking or selling things on the road just to make ends meet. At a young age, these children are exposed to a life that most times makes them wiser faster than they should be.

Well, I was lucky not to have had such an experience. At some point, I actually thought about it because I knew my dad could use a little help, but instead, God blessed me with a gift that paved the way for me. I had a neighbor back then who made hairdos for people, and I was really interested in becoming a hairdresser just like her. I was about 8 years old then. Whenever I saw her making hair for anyone, I would stand close by watching her, and later, I would use my sister’s hair to try out what I learned. And that was it—I became good at it in no time, and that was when I got my first job.

For the fact that I was still small, not everyone would want to patronize me. But then, that didn’t stop me. Back then and even now, children make their hair more, so I still had a good chance. But then, since I wasn’t a known hairdresser, people were skeptical about my work. On one fateful day, I found someone who was disappointed by the person who normally made her hair. That day, I was so confident telling her I could make her hairdo, and for some reason, she didn’t hesitate at all. We agreed on a time, and that was how I got my official first job.

I spent so much time making her hair, but the hair came out really nice, and most especially, she loved it. After that day, I was able to attract more customers to myself, and that’s how I kept making more money from hairdressing. The first money I earned was around N80. It was really small, but it had good value then. I was really happy about my first earning, but I was even happier with the work I did that came out well.

This is my response to the IUcontest question on MY FIRST EARNING.

Thank you for reading through. 💜