Devaan says…. A 2.1, five years with a N15k a month job, an aged mum, 7 siblings, life is frustrating

Dear Ma,
I graduated from Benue State University with a 2:1. That was in 5 years ago. I read English (Education). While I never aimed to teach, I had hoped that having a good result could expose me to good job prospects. That has not been the case. At a point I even settled for a job in a primary school offering 15,000 a month. Not only is the salary a pittance, it’s been a year of all work and no pay.
I have an aged mother and 7 other siblings looking up to me. At 29, I would have loved to have started my own family now but how do you marry when you can barely fend for yourself?
I feel extremely frustrated especially seeing those who did poorly in their academics flourishing. I am a hardworking young man willing to apply myself in any legal way to earn a decent living.
Any advice?
Devaan says…
Dear Anonymous,
Yours is, sadly, a very common narrative nowadays. I can only advise that you don’t give up.
I don’t know how active you are in your church but some of them tend to have some remedial schemes for members who are financially constrained. See if you can get a small loan. Try setting up, for instance, a pop corn business in a very busy part of town. People tend to underestimate how well small chops and drinks sell and the high turnover they frequently bring. In fact you might even ask your school if they are willing to give you a space there for the business, then put a trusted sibling in charge and do everything in your power to exercise enough discipline
1) not to sell on credit
2) not to spend your profit and seed money.
This might be a little difficult at first because having been without money for so long, you probably have debts and urgent needs but try.
Make sure the church or your funder is aware of your progress or challenges and if necessary request for an extension of time to start repayment.
If your church doesn’t give soft loans, you could advertise your services in church and offer home teaching services for those who might need such. That’s another idea which tallies with your current profession.
Sorry I keep saying church because I assume you are Christian since Benue is predominantly Christian and I am assuming you are an indigene. Even if that’s not the case, you have an idea of what I mean.
Above are the ideas that readily come to mind. Keep thinking. Others might pop up.
I wish you every luck.