After Vickie Remoe posted what was true “Sababu” and how Unemployed African Graduates can build their “Sababu” I was touched. Now, I want to tell my story of how I build my “Sababu”.
I’m Bosedeh Africans Harold George, I have a long name but have no original sababu. I don’t have relatives in high government position or parent that studied out of Sierra Leone. I know if I am to succeed in Sierra Leone I need Sababu.
Sababu 1, (Volunteerism )
As a year one student at the University of Sierra Leone, Fourah Bay College. I volunteer with Word Made flesh- Sierra Leone, a charity organization that is working among the women, Youths and children in Kroo Bay, Freetown. I work as a tutor with beginners and Junior School Preparatory examination classes and from 2014-2016. I learnt and gain a lot of knowledge working with the expats and patience working with the children and youths. I was building my CV and having work experience and network – Sababu.
Sababu 2( Entrepreneurship )
In 2017, I started my own small Business, kushe investment. Kushe investment is a local business that is aimed at creating a comfortable home for foreign nationals by breaking cultural and language barriers by teaching Krio language and doing Freetown Tours. Word made flesh(WMF) gave me the Sababu to meet my first Krio students. WMF know me and was sure that I can deliver very well as a teacher.
Sababu 3(Network and Respect )
With my Krio Lesson, have to build a network with a lot of expats. I am their Sierra Leone Sababu and they are my sababu. They help me to have more clients for my Krio lesson and I help sometimes help them find workers. I am very sure if I graduate they will not be afraid to employ me or write a recommendation for me. It’s not only because they know me but because they know what I am made up of. I treat every one of my Krio clients with absolute respect, make them smile at each lesson and deliver the best Krio lesson to them every time.
Sababu 4 ( Extra-Courses )
I know it’s was certain I’m going to graduate with a Bachelor degree in History and Politic from USL but I wanted to be outstanding among my fellows. I Started doing other courses in between my University work. I Obtain A Pre-certificate in Theology at Tyranus Bible school, Certificate in Christian mission and Trans – culture course and I study to obtaining a Diploma in Professional Christian Counselling but I did not complete it. I wanted to be my own Sababu.
Sababu 5 ( Fellowship )
In 2018, I started applying for jobs, fellowships and grants. Some didn’t even call me for an interview, others did but did not employ me because I was still in university ( Years 3). However, I was accepted for the Young African Leadership Initiative Training( Yali) in Ghana for a month. It’s was a great opportunity. It’s was my sababu that I was building made YALI accepted me among Two Thousand applicants. Only about 150 of us from across 9 West African countries were selected. I know this was “sababu” at work. My parent is not rich and famous but I know the sababu I want building will take me anywhere.
Sababu 6 (Free Opportunities)
Early this year, I heard about a blogging master class and I attended. I have ever let go of any opportunity to learn especially when it is free. Vickie Remoe teaches us how to blog and I love it. Two weeks later I write a blog post that I spend hours on and she loved it and made me part of her http://www.Switsalone team. Now I get paid for every story, I write that is accepted.
Sababu 7 (Phone and internet )
I have always made good use of my phone and the internet. I know I was struggling with my Grammer and I downloaded Grammarly and it has been helpful. Every night I watch and download youtube videos and read articles that are related to my course of study, my passion and great people. I learn new skills and I’m sure I’m building my “sababu”
Sababu 8 (Friendship and Dignity )
I meet with a lot of white people and foreigner nationals in Sierra Leone. I talked and joke with them and they consider me as their “Salone padi”. Even though there are times I had no money and thing are difficult I never beg them. I am sure that begging and always asking for favour destroy ones Sababa. On my birthday, I told one foreign national about it and she asks if I wanted a gift from her. I told I kindly, that I do not expect gifts from people and I have already brought all I wanted for as a birthday gift. I use my birthday as an opportunity to beg.
Sababu 9 ( Social media and Branding)
I know we are in a digital world and I am embracing it. I am using it to brand myself, create my Sababu and tell my story. I’m very conscious about what I post, like and share on any of the social media platforms. I know people have built and others destroyed themselves on social media and I definitely want to build mine.
I have friends in 8 West African countries and I try to talk to them as frequently as possible. I don’t ask them to send me money or tell them stories for sympathy. I do not only talk to them when I need a favour. So, when I want to go on adventures in their countries, they will be happy to be my host.
I am a Final Year Student at the University of Sierra Leone and a sure I will not be an Unemployed Graduate. I know what Sababu means to me.
I am my own sababu and Jesus is the Chief Sababu.