The Egbukonyes were reunited in the summer of 2010 thanks to the generous support of our donors. After 1.5 years in the USA I wanted to get you all an update on their status and progress with their new lives here.
Dickson and Vivian are truly happy people and their zeal for life here in the US is contagious. I have been in touch with Dickson regularly and can tell you that he is a genuine man who desires nothing more than to provide for his family. He and Vivian both have worked hard to acquire skills so that they can earn enough money to be independent. They both have obtained their Nursing Assistant Certification and Dickson has been working at a convalescent home.
However, recently Dickson hurt his back and has been on disability unable to work and earn money to cover his rent etc. but in his true nature he continues to believe in himself and God that all will work out for the best. I know he is right.
Below is a slightly edited update directly from Dickson.
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"DISABILITY" IS NOT A PLEASANT CONDITION OR A GOOD EXPERIENCE TO ANY PERSON IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCE. NOTWITHSTANDING, IF YOU ARE PHYSICALLY INCAPACITATED TO PERFORM ACTIVITY AND DOCTOR RECOMMENDS THAT YOU STAY AT HOME, THEN YOU HAVE NO CHOICE THAN TO ACCEPT YOUR FATE.
IN MY OWN CASE AS A BREAD WINNER, BEING ON DISABILITY HURTS DEEP BEYOND THE MERE PHYSICAL PAIN ON MY WAIST AND RIGHT LEG, IT'S THE MOST TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE FOR ME AND THE NEGATIVE EFFECT CUTS ACROSS MY ENTIRE FAMILY EMOTIONALLY, FINANCIALLY AND OTHERWISE.
NOW AS I STAY AT HOME ON MEDICATION, I PRAY AND HOPE TO RECUPERATE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. ON THE OTHER HAND, I ALSO CHOOSE TO SEE THE POSITIVE SIDE OF SITUATION- AS I HAVE TIME TO HELP MY KIDS( DESTINY AND DUKE) LEARN TO READ, WRITE AND PLAY LEARNING GAMES, I ALSO DEVOTED TIME TO TELL THEM SOME INTERESTING BIBLE STORIES AND EVEN BABY-SIT AND DO A FEW MINOR DOMESTIC CHOIRS ON OCCASION WHEN VIVIAN(WIFE) WAS OUT ON JOB SEARCH.
THOUGH STAYING AT HOME WILL NOT PAY MY BILLS BUT I GOT TO FIND HAPPINESS WITH MY CHILDREN RATHER THAN BEING WORRIED OVER MY PREDICAMENTS AND THE BILLS, I MEAN THE THOUGHT OF IT IS EVEN MORE AGONISING THAN THE REALISATION THAT I AM INCAPACITATED AT THE MOMENT.
MEANWHILE, I DRAW MORE SOURCE OF JOY INTO MY HEART WHENEVER I GO DOWN MEMORY LANE AND FLASH BACK TO THE RECENT PAST OF MY LIFE, TO THE POINT WHEN I JUST MIGRATED INTO THE UNITED STATE OF AMERICA WITH MY FAMILY: VIVIAN, DESTINY AND DUKE, THEN DESTINY WAS 3YRS WHILE DUKE WAS BARELY 4 MONTHS OLD.
THEN WE WERE REALLY LIKE SOME FRESHERS FROM A DIFFERENT WORLD WITH NOBODY AND NO SPONSOR, SO WE WERE MORE OR LESS HOMELESS. TO PUT THINGS IN A MILD EXPRESSION, WE REALLY STRUGGLED TO SURVIVE. WE WERE PRAYERFUL AND THANKFUL AS WE ASKED GOD FOR HIS MERCY AND GUIDANCE.
WITHOUT A JOB, A PERMANENT SHELTER OR A CHOICE MEAL, I AM GRATEFUL TO GOD FOR USING THE CHURCH AND THE ORGANISATION CALLED THE "BRIDGES TO AMERICA" TO PROVIDE SUPPORT AND OUR BASIC NEEDS.
HOWEVER, IN DECEMBER 2010 BY THE GRACE OF GOD, I WAS ABLE TO ENROLL FOR THE CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT CLASSES, I DID THE STATE EXAMINATION, PASSED AND GOT THE LICENSE AS C.N.A
MIRACULOUSLY WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE CHURCH AND "BRIDGES TO AMERICA" I RENTED AN APARTMENT AND SHORTLY AFTER I MOVED IN, I GOT A JOB IN A CONVALESCENT HOSPITAL AS A NURSING ASSISTANT. I LOVE MY JOB AND CARE FOR MY PATIENT PASSIONATELY.
I WORKED VERY HARD, MOST TIME I WOULD WORK 16 HOURS EVERYDAY TO KEEP THE FAMILY GOING AND I SAVED UP SOME MONEY, PAID FOR VIVIAN'S TUITION FEES. SHE TOOK THE CNA CLASS, SAT THE STATE EXAMINATION AS WELL, AND PASSED WITH A CNA LICENSE IN DECEMBER 2012.
AS FATE WOULD HAVE IT, I WAS WORKING AS SUPPORTING THE FAMILY UNTIL JANUARY 14TH WHEN I INJURED MY BACK AND INCAPACITATED TO PERFORM ANY TASK HENCE MY DOCTOR ADVISED I GO ON DISABILITY FOR NOW.
MY WIFE (VIVIAN) IS CURRENTLY SEARCHING FOR A JOB TO SUPPORT THE FAMILY, DESTINY IS ON PRE-SCHOOL AND WILL BE 5 YEARS IN APRIL. DUKE IS 22 MONTHS OLD AND LIKE HIS BROTHER, DUKE IS SMART. HE CAN READ AND POINT HIS FINGERS TO ALPHABETS CORRECTLY.
THIS IS A SUMMARY OF MY STORY AND TRUE REFLECTION OF OUR CURRENT STATUS IN OUR STRUGGLE IN AMERICA.
WEEPING MAY LAST BUT FOR A NIGHT BUT JOY COMES IN THE MORNING.
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I am touched, as I hope you are, at this great man's heartfelt desire to get back on his feet and make the most of his opportunity in our great country. Please post your comments of encouragement and I will make sure Dickson will see them. If you are able to donate anything to help Bridges To America help the Egbukonye family help themselves please do so.
Thank you!
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