What makes Jemima a special friend?

I was 18 and going to college for the first time. College was 10,000 miles away from home, I was not only new to the college, but I was also new to the country. I knew no one and did not have a single friend. I was an international student in a country and university I had only visited once before.

I had dreams of becoming a dietitian since I became a young carer to my dad, who has chronic diabetes. There weren’t many opportunities to study to become a dietitian in the colleges in my home country Gabon; at least none that I liked but, Nigerian universities offered a good variety of exclusive Nutrition programs.

So, I applied to study for my dietitian degree at a Nigerian university.

I arrived at the Murtala Mohammed international airport around 2 pm and took a bus to the city where my college was based. It was a 3 hours trip. As soon as we got to the state, the clouds began to gather and everywhere became dark.

Somehow, I got confused and alighted from the bus earlier than I should have, some distance before the school bus stop. Then it began to rain and everywhere became dark and lonely.

The use of online taxis was not yet a thing in Nigeria at the time. I didn’t know what to do with myself.  I was on a lonely road with heavy luggage and rapidly approaching nightfall.

I knew hiding in a shelter was not an option, so I began to trek to the nearest bus stop hoping that I could catch a bus from there onwards to the school gate. At a point, I began I cry. I was afraid, tired and despairing.

How on earth did I find myself in this mess? I thought to myself. I waved down a couple of vehicles, but they all sped past me without making any attempt to stop.

I dragged a piece of luggage and placed the other on my head as I made my way down the highway that night. I had no one to call, and I knew no one was looking for me. I murmured a prayer under my breath with tears rolling down my cheeks. 

A few minutes later, a car stopped and beckoned on me to come in. Her name was Jemima; she was a final year student at the College and heading back to the school campus from visiting her parents in another city. She listened to my story and told me how dangerous that highway was in the evenings.

She then took me to school, bought me food and ensured I settled in well before she left. I had made a friend. Throughout that school year, Jemima showed me the ropes. She helped me adapt to my new environment and to absorb the cultural and educational ecosystem of the university.

Jemima and I went on to become good friends. It has been 8 years since I met Jemima on that highway. Next month, Jemima will be getting married to her best friend, Phillip.

I have created a Firacard for Jemima to wish her well in her new life, and I have invited all of Jemima’s friends to add good wishes too, in messages, photos, videos and so on.

Jemima is a kind, generous and loving person, and I want her to know that I and all her friends wish her well.

Maria, Gabon

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