Diaries of a village corps member.

While I was still at the National Youth Service Course (NYSC) Orientation Camp in Mangu Local government area of Plateau State, I had the full assurance that my Place of primary assignment must be in a comfortable place. I never knew my source of assurance,maybe because I so trusted God to make all things beautiful for His damsel or because I was the Chief Medical Laboratory Scientist as such should be given a good place.

A week to the end of the Orientation camp, friends, NYSC staff, and my guardians asked me to make a choice of my PPA but I bluntly refused all the offer that came crawling my way. I made it clear to all that I would serve anywhere am being posted to.

On our camp pass out day, I got dressed early feeling so optimistic about the location. Got a glimpse of the kind place but was certain It must be good. We heard a lot of rumors spread like wild fire that the initial posting was changed by the State Cordinator. For some minutes I was scared with so much 'What If' questions run through my mind like a bride uncertain about her groom to be😜.

Cassy walked up to me, Nneka just relax, wherever you are posted to just be rest assured God has a plan for you.
Finally, I received my posting letter bearing Qua'an LGA. Have heard about some LGA's while in camp but never heard of this one. For few minutes I exercised a habit(crying) I have fought to stop.I encouraged myself and joined my other colleagues heading to same place. A passerby worsened the situation by stating the number of hours we would drive down to the place.

On arrival, I couldn't believe what I saw. I tried to hide the tears rolling down my cheeks. I can't stay here, I said to myself. No network, no light, no access to good water, and to crown it all no PPA allowance. I made several calls and painted the picture the way it appeared to me. Everyone I called made several calls too and painted worse picture more than I did just to ensure I left the place. Qua'an Pan now seemed like a dead Zone. I received so many sympathetic and empathetic calls and one thing was constant "Vicky sorry o, we heard what happened to you, the Lord is your strength".I will always shout Amen but the magnification of the circumstance from my callers was really alarming.

I wasn't sure again if the original source of information was from me. They all sounded like they once lived in Qua'an Pan.The more the calls came, the more fear gripped me. Their words affected me greatly and I almost forgot I was the one that dissipated the information at first. One of the days my mum threatened she wouldn't call me unless I get reposted. That made my pursuit for reposting more.

For weeks I tried getting reposted. The stress and insults I received made me regret not accepting all the offers made to me while in camp(somedays are like that). My colleagues were all settled and I was still walking round the streets of Jos seeking for another PPA. All efforts seemed non profiting.

March 4th, I decided to resume work at Qua'an Pan LGA being optimistic that I would enjoy the service year. Thank God the Clinic I was posted has access to 2G MTN and GLO network(Half bread is better that none you know)LOL. I have stayed there from the month of March through July and am still staying.
It's been better day after day. Spending a day outside here seems like a year to me unless when I want to have good taste of ice-cream 🍦 and cake.

I receive calls from those set of persons(family and friends) now and the conversation goes as this;

Caller: Hello Vicky, how's Qua'an Pan?

Vicky: Hi dearie, Qua'an Pan is beautiful o.

Caller: So how are you coping with the environment ?

Vicky :Coping? You should say how am I enjoying the environment. My dear I don't plan leaving here o. Wish youth service year wouldn't end so fast.

Caller: Oh really! So when do you want me to come visit you.

Vicky: 👀👀👀👀👀👀 see them nah.Well, you can come visit me whenever you are free.

***
In life, whatever definition we give to people as regards to our problem/circumstance, personality and lifestyle that's exactly what they cling fist to. You define it as bad and terrible, they become receptive to it and spread the news of it being terrible. You define it as good, awesome and splendid, then you have them follow same line.

Give that situation, circumstance, or problem you are facing a new word and approach, you will come to find the good in it just as I now enjoy Qua'an Pan(the picture below explains better).

Don't give people reasons or words to use to magnify your problem. It wouldn't solve it, rather it will make it 'seem' worse.