Perekime’s Victory
Perekime Bekesu, waiting for his orders from the NYSC
After three years of patiently waiting for all of the paperwork to go through, Perekime, one of my Nigerian students from Bayelsa State in the southern part of the country, finally received his official invitation to join the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC), in West Nigeria. He did also explain to me earlier that he was extremely afraid that he would be sent to the camp in Northern Nigeria instead… it would have been much more dangerous there, because of Boko Haram and ruthless armed bandits that typically roam the region. Luckily he’s in the western part of Nigeria. It took him close to 24 hours to cross the country to get here.
Perekime, on his second day at the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC)
Not many people believed he would stick it out that long, even some members of his own family, especially after so many personal challenges he had to face, like flooding which devastated his entire community forcing many to flee from their homes, family ilness and personal loss, homelessness and hunger, being attacked and having his phone stolen amongst a few.
But I knew he would and I am so proud of his tenacity and commitment to believing in himself. He would always try to maintain a good spirit!
Some of you may know our story of how he and I first met and would eventually become good friends, but what transpired throughout this adventure is worthy of a good screenplay.
Perekime continues to inspire me. Tonight, he is performing one of his songs in front of a large crowd at the camp… when you see the video, you can certainly witness the natural talent, and what an amazing showman he is. Only having just arrived into the camp less than 24 hours, he is already swooning his audience!
Without a doubt he represents all of what we strive for here at SEE to ACT, to encourage young men like him to be the best they can be and inspire the same in other young men and women in their community.
Please join me in congratulating him for his courage and long awaited accomplishment. This is only the beginning of his story…
Please donate to our organization. We need you to help us help young men and women thrive, not just survive. Go to our website and give… generously… thank you.