Page 11 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 34
P. 11
Community
Your Solution is
Closer Than You Think
Look within
By: Samuel Phillips
on Facebook very recently. Even though it was a a major one without having to ask
curation of her personal experiences and moments anyone for a dime for it), I was broke
of deep vulnerability, I found her post to be very broke. Savings were gone, and we
profound, and in line with the perspective I wanted could barely survive. I was down and
to share with you here. out. Rent was due and then the house
got marked for demolition.
Below is her story. (Slightly edited for grammar)
Between 2021-2023, I was doing averagely well. I I could barely feed the house. There
had a fairly good job, getting jobs with my fashion were a lot of days that the only people
house and everything in between. I had a sizable eating were Jas and my mum. I was
amount saved. buying 1k gas every few days. I was
giving my daughter water and sugar to
Despite my mother’s health getting worse and the drink instead of Milo. And she would
bills all over the roof. We did fairly well. take it with grace, smile, and hug me.
Then Jas my daughter got ill, and everything I had a godmother (Mama Edo) who
went to hell from there. Between caring for her, was sending food to us 2-3 times a
for my mum, and keeping the house afloat I was week. Sometimes Mummy would send
overwhelmed and eventually resigned from my job. soups in bowls, including Pap for my
I couldn’t keep up, I was making so many mistakes mum (That’s why I don’t joke with her
and barely sleeping. in this season of my life).
And then we were about to be
By the time I had paid for her surgery (which was homeless.
ISSUE 34 | FEBRUARY 2025 11
