In 2016, I crossed paths with a man who would unknowingly become a huge part of my life. At the time, he was selling shoes at Makola Market, while I was a pupil teacher at a local school. Although he wasn’t wealthy, his kindness and generosity stood out. Even with the little he had, he shared what he could. His selflessness inspired me, and I found myself wanting to contribute to his future. I was saving up for training college, but seeing his determination to improve his life and further his education made me want to support him. After all, if he succeeded, his success would undoubtedly impact both of our lives in a positive way.
By 2018, he had enrolled in a business administration program at the University of Ghana, Legon. While studying, he maintained his shoe business by having a trusted boy mind the shop in his absence. Despite the limited resources, he managed to balance school and work successfully. His affordability and drive even allowed him to establish himself on campus. When we first met, he was living in a modest single room in Dansoman with only a bed and a TV. Wanting to make his life easier, I bought him a fridge so he could store food, and a microwave to make meal preparation simpler. I spent a lot of time at his place, helping him settle in, and as time went on, we grew closer.
By the time he was in his third year of university, our relationship had deepened, and we decided to live together. I took out a loan from my workplace, added some of my own savings, and together we rented a small apartment, a chamber and hall, where we began to build our life together. It wasn’t always easy, especially since my mother didn’t approve of many of my choices. However, over time, she began to accept my decisions, even though it took some persuasion. My mother ran a foodstuff business in Accra, and during one of my visits, I introduced her to him. Every time she received new goods, she would call me to pick up food for both of us. Our bond felt like that of a married couple, living and supporting each other in all ways possible.
At one point, I discovered I was pregnant, but after discussing it with him, we both realized we weren’t financially or emotionally ready for a child. It was a difficult decision, but I made the choice to terminate the pregnancy. Despite the emotional weight of that decision, we both focused on our individual goals. I was fortunate to secure a better-paying job at a new school and also took on extra tutoring to increase my income. With my new earnings, I resumed saving to continue my education. Meanwhile, he completed his degree and graduated, marking a significant milestone in his journey.
This story is one of sacrifice, love, and mutual support. Through the years, we built each other up, faced challenges together,
