The Power to Succeed

Ngozi Okpalaenwe

Description

This is the fascinating story of a young girl from a very poor family who raised her head high and raised the dignity of women through her own personal and determined effort. She did not yield to the victimizations of corrupt minds, nor to the temptations of apathy and pessimistic thinking; rather she saw everything optimistically and through many hardships achieved her life�s ambitions.

Sujets

• Fiction

Informations

• Publié par: Langaa RPCIG
• Date de parution: 17 mai 2011
• Nombre de lectures: 25
• EAN13: 9789956717132
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 4 Mo

Extrait

The Power to Succeed Sr. Elizabeth Ngozi Okpalaenwe

The Power to Succeed Sr. Elizabeth Ngozi Okpalaenwe

Langaa Research & Publishing CIG Mankon, Bamenda

Publisher: LangaaRPCIG LangaaResearch & Publishing Common Initiative Group P.O. Box 902 Mankon Bamenda North West Region Cameroon [e-mail] www.langaa-rpcig.net Distributed in and outside N. America by African Books Collective [e-mail] www.africanbookcollective.com ISBN: 9956-579-46-7 © Sister Elizabeth Ngozi Okpalaenwe 2011 DISCLAIMER All views expressed in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Langaa RPCIG.

Opening Poem History lives on when the writers sleep Story may look old and outdated Satiable minds renew its vitality The experiences of heroes never sleep A grim of light shatters darkness within, A little smile wipes away mirth and misery Misery is created by greed and jealousy But the power to overcome lies within. History repeats itself again and again A new insight is discovered at its every round Wise ones learn the message found While fools stir in wonder again and again Rise, my friend, claim the power within you The power there is to change your situation Why wash hands with spittle inside an ocean Awake from your slumber, see the light within you.

i

ii

Acknowledgement t has taken quite sometime for this work to come to its I final stage. I am immensely grateful to God for His unfailing mercy and love that sustained me throughout the period of this work. I am highly indebted to the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary for their invaluable assistance, encouragement and care that helped me in this work. I am sincerely grateful to Rev. Fr. William Neba, who appreciated and edited this work, for his time, ideas and useful advice throughout the period of writing this novel. My profound gratitude also goes to Mr. Cyprian Diyen who read this work and made some corrections and strongly encouraged me to publish it. My gratitude also goes to Mr Peter Nsanda Eba, Rev. Fr. Englbert Kofon, Rev. Fr. Conrad Mhepo, Br. Francis Verye, Mr. Felix Awah Suh, and many others for their invaluable assistance throughout the period of writing this novel. I am indebted to my lecturer in Abia State University, Mr. C. Utenta, who helped me to develop interest in writing and the appreciation of values. I am also indebted to my family especially my brothers and my mother, who always support me with love and care. May almighty God reward each and every one of them.

iii

iv

Foreword he well known saying “From grass to grace” always low T ly girl is rewarded with what human efforts are usually all seems to describe the endeavours of super heroes. But here in this simple story the determination of a young about. Mercy faces a lot of strain and frustration in her underprivileged life. She fights hard and overcomes many trials and deceptions with her mind set for the ultimate. Her self-mastery is very admirable. In the end she achieves her goals. There is a very clear message that Sr. Ngozi has for the young, especially the girls who need to come out of ignorance. The fairly happy-ever-after part of the story makes for compelling reading, and the reality of the event situates well in our society. I would wish every young and underprivileged person to have the courage and determination to be like Mercy. Mr. Cyprian Diyen OLLSS Mankon

v

vi

Introduction ave you ever been face to face with poverty? I mean H the real poverty that never blinks its eyelids till it victimizes its prey; that makes one do anything just to survive? This type of depressing poverty needs a strong heart and a determined mind to resist its wanton worries and temptations that present themselves as the almighty god. It takes out one’s breath to raise one’s head high for a respectable position. Could poverty raise its head from grass to grace, from the downtrodden to the honest height? Could one who was actually poor from birth change the nature of one’s background? This story tells us that it is possible. The will to change is all you need. This is a fascinating story of a young girl from a very poor family who raised her head high and raised the dignity of women through her own personal and determined effort. She did not yield to the victimizations of corrupt minds, nor to the temptations of apathy and pessimistic thinking; rather she saw everything optimistically and through many hardships achieved her life’s ambitions. This story exposes the ills in our society. Some men and women have reduced themselves to fourth and fifth class citizens, living a debased life that deadens the conscience. Many healthy people shamelessly turn to the streets and want to snatch from the hard earned sweat of other people. We need open hearts and minds to effect a change that will benefit all. God always helps the poor who are honestly struggling. There is no easy way in life but life is easy when you accept your situation and make the best out of it. The happiest people are the honest struggling poor who believe that nobody has power over their life except God. You have the power and the right to choose what you want. Never sell!

vii