Chapter 9: The Orphanage, Moi-Moi, and Second Chances

When I start university, every month I dey volunteer for orphanage.

Even before I meet Ifedike, na there my heart dey go. Orphanage dey teach person humility. E dey remind me of my own journey.

Even after I marry Ifedike—even as marriage no sweet—I never stop.

That place na my peace. Whenever house matter dey choke me, na there I go run, play with children, dey help clean, dey wash plates.

I even dey save the small money Ifedike give me to donate to orphanage.

Even if e no reach, every time I give, I dey feel like better person. Na small thing dey matter sometimes.

Because me sef na orphan.

This one dey pain me pass. My story no be secret. I dey use am help others make dem no feel alone.

I grow for orphanage till I reach eight, then one mama adopt me.

Mama try for me. E no easy to take another person pikin as your own.

Mama na retired teacher.

Her words sharp, but her heart clean. She dey always talk, "Ifunanya, always help person if you fit."

She treat me well.

She dey always make sure I no lack, even if she dey borrow to pay school fees.

My school fees and living expenses all na from her small salary and pension.

E no easy, but she no let me see hunger. That kind sacrifice dey humble person.

So as I grow, I follow her way, dey go orphanage help children like me.

I dey carry rice go, dey read to dem storybook, dey play amebo with small pikin.

No plenty young people dey volunteer for there.

Sometimes, I dey carry small moi-moi or fried plantain go give the children—na happiness dey their eyes.

Sometimes, na only me and two old women dey there. Everybody dey find big money, nobody wan remember where e start.

So Timi, tall and fine, just stand out.

You go see am from gate—shoe clean, shirt iron. I wonder wetin carry big man come this kind place.

At first, as Ifedike friend, I just wan avoid am.

After all, I hear all the things he tell Ifedike about me.

But Timi come meet me by himself.

He waka come, voice soft, say, “Madam, abeg, fit I ask you something?”

His company wan do event for autistic children with orphanage, so he come ask me about the kids.

I see say e serious, so I drop my wahala, explain everything. How to handle the children, who dey picky for food, who like music.

Even though I no too like am, e good for the orphanage, so I answer all his questions.

I swallow my pride, talk as e dey be. If na to help pikin, nothing dey big pass am.

Finally, I ask, “Any other thing?”

I dey ready to waka go. My hand dey shake small, but I no show am.

He look me well.

“Mrs. Ifedike, thank you for your help. Fit I buy you food?”

You know men for this side, once dem see woman dey do charity, dem wan show say dem get money. But me, I dey watch am.

I suppose refuse. First, I dey married. Second, na my husband friend, and he don call me materialistic before.

But as Timi talk say na suya he wan buy, my mind just shift.

Suya na my weak point. Na food for soul and body. My spirit just move.