Beyond Being a Student

BEYONG BEING A STUDENT

Jacob Sule- Executive Director iRead To Live Initiative

Nigeria

A few years back, as my parents shared in my educational dreams and vision, they gave me support to pursue my education. I journeyed to the rural community of Ifetedo, Osun State, South west Nigeria and enrolled in the law school there. It was my first experience into Nigerian rural life, and I must admit, it was quite a culture shock.

I became frustrated and deeply saddened. In the capital city of Abuja, I usually had access to power supplies, access to uninterrupted internet facilities, and a few moments each day to listen to the news. In Ifetedo, I had none of these within my reach. Here, I realized that there was poor network reception from all network providers, and I was forced to accept that Osun State had many other notable challenges. The area has been without electricity for many years. They lacked banks and had no standard health care center.



 



As weeks continued to pass, I had several thoughts about the luxuries I had living in Abuja and about the reality of studying and living in a rural community for four years. I asked myself why this community was so underdeveloped. The children especially hit a cord of concern for me. Large numbers roamed the streets barefooted and without slippers. Many were inadequately clothed. These children hung around the hostel where I lived during school hours , more upsetting to me was the fact that these children seemed content-in acceptance that this was their place in life.

Feeling a need to give back to the community that so welcomed me as a law student, I began to formulate a plan that hopefully would engage many of my law student peers and help the children of Ifetedo strive for a better and more meaningful life, hence I established the iRead To Live Initiative that has supported children to have access to education and live a meaningful life afterwards.