Against all odds : Amaka's journey

The break of dawn was at the start of the first of January. Amaka stood at the edge of her small house in the village nursing a mug of tea. It was glacial air but in her chest it was toasty with eager waiting. She looked at the left pasture, a field she has been working in since she was a baby. Life had not been easy but she always did the best she could.

This year, Amaka was determined to change her life. She used to set lots of New Year's goals every year but by February she would never remember them. This year would be different.

Her son, Emeka, came outside and sat beside her. He was eight years old, full of energy and questions. "Mama, what is your New Year's resolution?" he asked, his eyes wide with curiosity.

Amaka smiled and looked at him. I'd like to help something good toward us, this year," she said. "I want to start a small business. I am tired of struggling with just farming. I want to give you a better life, Emeka."

Emeka nodded, though he didn’t fully understand what his mother meant. He just knew she worked very hard and deserved good things.

Later that day, Amaka walked to the market. She wanted to start selling vegetables and fruits. She also had a bit from her farm profits of the previous year. There, she saw women screaming to call customers, baskets loaded with the fresh vegetables. Amaka stood at a corner, feeling nervous.

“What if no one buys from me?” she thought. But then she remembered Emeka’s smile that morning. He was her reason to keep going. She bought some tomatoes and peppers to sell and carried them home in a tote.

Amaka got up with the sun rising for the next couple of weeks. She brought her basket to market and sat on a table. At first, customers passed her by. They didn’t know her yet. But Amaka didn’t give up. She greeted everyone kindly and kept her prices fair. Slowly, people began to notice her.

One day, an older woman stopped by her stall. “Your tomatoes are always fresh,” the woman said. “I will tell my friends to buy from you.”

Amaka’s heart swelled with joy. Her hard work was paying off. She began to earn enough to buy school materials for Emeka. He stopped to walk to school with torn books and a broken case.

As the months passed, Amaka’s business grew. By December she had saved up enough cash to repair their leaky roof. New Year's Eve she sat in their small living room with Emeka. They cooked rice and chicken, which they weren't able to buy last year.

Emeka said, "Mama, you did not budge.

Tears filled Amaka’s eyes. “Yes, my son,” she said. “This year, we didn’t just survive. We lived. And next year, we will do even more.”

Amaka knew that change was attainable if she remained focused and worked diligently.

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