By Valerie Effik

2017! Hmm! It was a good year.
It started out rough though having left my previous job in December 2016 with the hope of going fully into my clothing business but I had no idea God had better plans. He gave me a better job I could not resist in February 2017 and as we all know, some things cannot be kissed good bye lol.

BUT the best part of my 2017 was watching my princess turn 16 wow! and this inspired me to finally start the single parenting foundation I have been procrastinating which now caters for the emotional, intellectual and self development of single parents… I mean how fortunate can anyone be to watch her child grow from infancy to adolescence. God favored me!

Being a single mother for 16 years has been the best choice I have made in life. Yeah! It was tough at the beginning being only 16 and inexperienced but rather than wallow in self pity, I took up the challenge and vowed to be the best mother a child can possibly ask for.

I cannot recount how many times life has dealt me a hard blow for choosing this path but hey! No pain, no gain.
I have been disappointed, mocked, rejected, heartbroken but it only fueled my hunger for excellence. Each time I have a melt down, I look at my daughter growing so wonderfully, intelligently and healthily and I say to myself “this is all the conviction I need to keep pushing”.

Nothing compares to having my 16 years old undergraduate by my side. Her courage and encouragement shows me my best years are just beginning (she is world’s best cheerleader just so you know).

2018 started with a bang(don’t ask for details please lol, I will share it soon) and I cannot wait to unwrap all of God’s blessings this year.