AMADI CALLISTUS EJIKE, NURSING SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA, NIGERIA
MY PERCEPTION OF JANET AMU FOUNDATION (JAF) EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCEHOW I HEARD ABOUT THE FOUNDATION
The day I heard about JAF was on Sunday inside my church in the year 2018. That was the year I got admission. Already, I knew that my parents didn't know anyone who could stand for me and enable me to become successful in JAF educational assistance. I felt reluctant and decided not to apply. I told my mother, and she encouraged me to apply for it because God may want to help our family through this means. I was hopeless and never believed that I would be successful in JAF because of my background.
MY PERCEPTION ON APPLICATION
Moreover, I got the form and applied. My first surprise was that the form was free. That was how I started having positive feelings because it was really meant for the poor. From that day on, I started preparing for examinations because I knew that should be the next step. I was preparing more than I prepared for JAMB. I was surprised again to hear that I was not writing any examination and that it would only be an interview. At this point, I was confused but hopeful at the same time. I was perplexed because how could it be called a scholarship when there was no exam? But I was feeling hopeful because of God. I kept assuring myself that I would be successful.
MY INTERVIEW PROCESS
On the day of the interview or examination, I prepared very early for it. My feeling at this point was inexplicable because I didn't know the nature of their questions. My heart almost fell out of its cavity that day. When it reached my turn, I entered, but my phobia became intense because of the members of the Board. I was still hopeful that I would be successful. We were told at the end of the interview to keep checking the bulletin for the names of the successful candidates. I started buying bulletins every Sunday because I don't want to be left out.
PERCEPTION ON MY SELECTION
The day I saw my name in the bulletin as one of the successful candidates was unbelievable to me. I thought that it was a dream. I wanted to shout inside the church because I was feeling so excited. I said to myself, "Ejike, God really wants you to go to school". I told my mother, and she said that I should check very well. My younger brother checked it and confirmed that it was my name. I was temporarily mad throughout that week because of the joy that I will now continue with my education. However, some of my friends asked me who worked it for me; who did I meet? I told them nobody but none of them believed me.
MY AWARD OF #100,000
The day I was given my first cheque of #100,000.00 was still unbelievable. I felt relieved by something because I never saw it coming. I felt intoxicated. That was also my first time of winning something that worth such amount. I was there with my mother, and that was the first time I could see Chief Marcel Amu (Ikeoha). He told us his own story and encouraged all of us to work hard. He built my self-esteem, and my self-perception changed after that day. I started to see myself as a destined child. He told us that we are now one family. From that day on, I removed impossible items from my catalog. I saw myself among the privileged. Till now, I still perceived JAF as an outstanding foundation that truly added a cushioning effect to the sufferings of humanity. They initiated a change that is difficult to believe exists in Nigeria. I still perceived JAF as the best thing that had happened to me. Indeed, I felt that God had been on top of my matter.
God bless my fellow beneficiaries.
God bless JAF Board Members.
God bless Mr. Marcel O. Amu (Ikeoha) and his family.
To God be the glory.
Callistus Ejike Amadi See Other Beneficiaries...
