Despite the challenges I faced growing up. As a South African single mom, I have experienced the difficulties of balancing multiple jobs, taking care of my child, and pursuing my education. It has been a journey filled with ups and downs but it has also taught me valuable lessons and shown me the strength within myself.

At the age of 19, I found myself in a situation where I couldn't afford to continue my studies. My mother, who was also a single parent with five children, was unable to financially support me. Determined to make a better life for myself and my family, I made a plan that involved saving money from my job as a cashier in the hopes of paying for my tuition after two years.
However, the reality of city life hit me hard. I had to pay for rent, transportation and basic necessities that I could easily get for free back in my village. Additionally, I felt the responsibility of sending money home to support my family, which left me with very little savings. Despite my efforts, two years passed and I realized that my plan was not working out as I had hoped.
To make matters more challenging, I unexpectedly became pregnant along the way and the father did not take responsibility. I had to navigate the journey of pregnancy alone while also managing my job as a cashier. It was an incredibly trying time and I often felt overwhelmed and unsure of what I was doing.
However, I didn't want to give up on my dreams of improving my life and my family's future. I knew that I had to find a way to upskill myself and create better opportunities. I started teaching myself how to braid hair through YouTube videos and practicing on my own hair. As I grew more confident people started complimenting my hairstyles, asking who did my hair. This led to a realization that I could turn this skill into a side hustle.
My clientele grew quickly and I was eventually able to leave my job as a cashier. My hair braiding business became profitable enough to cover my expenses, support my son, send money home, and even save some money. With this newfound stability, I was able to create a schedule that allowed me to spend time with my son while continuing to improve myself.
A year later, I enrolled in an online learning institute. I paid for a few modules to begin with and invested in a computer to assist me with online studying. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 lockdown interrupted my business as I couldn't offer my services directly to clients. However, the skills I had acquired allowed me to transition to online freelancing and continue to support myself and my son.
Through my journey as a single mom, I have learned that having a child at an early age does not mean that life has to come to a halt. It is essential to remember that drugs or negative choices are not the solution. Instead, it is crucial to hold onto hope and keep pushing forward.
My son is now in grade 5 and I couldn't be prouder of the young man he has become. Despite facing various challenges, he remains respectful, kind, and determined to succeed. My experience as a South African single mom has taught me that with determination, perseverance, and faith in oneself, we can overcome any obstacle and create a better future for ourselves and our families.#AMAKACulture #AMAKA