Disappointing Chika|| The sad story of a lovely mother- My Thoughts and Opinions

It was a sunny day on the 2^nd of October when I was told the sad story of a lovely mother. It saddened me so much that, the very night I couldn’t sleep although it was drizzling. You know cold nights are some awesome moments that make us enjoy sleep, but, on this very night, I was turning my head over and over because I was unable to get it out of my mind what Antonio my friend told me earlier in the day.

Do you see the reason why it is important for everyone to stay safe, healthy, and cautious about what is going on around us? The world has gotten to a point where every human must be very vigilant.

What happened.

On this very day, I had washed Jessica’s clothes and hung them on the dry line while I waited for mummy to serve me my breakfast. Food is another thing that we need to sustain our energy and growth. This year’s vacation would last for three months and that’s the job I did daily, wash our last born's soiled clothes, eat and sleep but today felt so different. Antonio is a close friend of mine who has always loved to share with me the most recent information that he has come across. He would often tell me about his newfound job, friend, or something like that. This morning, he looked sober, and immediately I knew something was amiss.

Chika was a beautiful lady who lived in our neighborhood. She had lost her husband about a year ago and was left with three children she’s trying her best so much to cater for. The country is in lack of job employment and every citizen wants to do something handy to earn some money. This mother from Nigeria, Abuja, currently dwelling in Ghana, has been in Tema since 2018. She was popular among us because of her personality and character. In fact, everyone who came across Chika loved her.

Due to the lack of a job, Chika was unable to provide for her three daughters a daily square meal. The neighbors did provide some support but certainly, she might have got tired of always being provided and hence may have felt like a beggar.

According to Antonio on the account of what he heard among his friends, Chika was so desperate for jobs that she decided to do any kind of work that she could fall on.

One night, while she was navigating Facebook, she came across a post about a job offer. Little did she know this was a scam and doom that she was supposed to flee from. The payment was quite encouraging so she decided to go in for this job offer to work in a factory. My dearest gentle reader, before I proceed, you must be very careful when you come across such misleading posts on the internet. Life is precious and both you and me must handle it with absolute care.

The chats Chika had with these pretentious employers revealed that they had informed her to meet them at a remote location with a CV and some documents. This false recruiter told Chika he was working at a construction site and wouldn’t get the time to direct her to their office but could help her by submitting her CV on her behalf.

Do you know what? they make this feel so true and authentic that even the smartest person with a lack of experience or knowledge will fall for these schemes.

This post is to create awareness among us humans so we can always stay on the safer side. Personally, I remember in 2020 after my Senior High School education, I was in Kasoa in desperate need of a Job.

I came across a poster on a wall with news of job employment and a good salary. I called the number provided on the poster and I was asked to submit my CV and some amount of money. I wondered which job offer took money before employment.

Chika, oblivious to the fact that this was a fraud, she fell prey to those predators. She gladly took the time to meet the man in question at this remote location. Upon arrival, they forced her and took her phone, abused her, took her last savings, and left her to herself.  Indeed, this is total wickedness and unmerciful hearts.

My fellow Ghanaians and readers all over the world, please let us be aware of these happenings and protect ourselves. If not for God’s grace and the help of a stranger, Chika wouldn’t have made it out of that area alive.

What we must be aware of?

Based on this heartbreaking story of Chika, I have personally outlined below ten precautions that you must be aware of and protect yourself from similar scams and predators.

• The first the least is being aware of suspicious job postings online, especially the ones with vague descriptions, grammar that is very poor, or salary offers that are very suspicious

• Secondly, you must not give out documents that are personal, make payments, or give out your payment details, since this information may be used to hack your accounts. Please note very well that, legitimate employers will not request for payment before giving you a job offer.

•  You must conduct thorough research on the company and the recruiter to ensure that they are genuine before you make your next move or decisions.

• Put your safety first and get the police or security personnel involved if need be.

• One mistake you should avoid is the mistake of not informing your parents, guardians, friends, or any family members before going for interviews or meetings.

• Be aware of jobs that require little or no experience from you but promise you large or high-paying positions or salaries.

• You must use platforms that are recommended for looking for online jobs, which involve no scams at all.

Other alternatives to consider if you find yourself Hardships

If you find yourself in hardships or difficult situations, the first thing I suggest you look at or go for is reaching out to friends and families for assistance.

A family member can help you with some Capital, help you establish your own business, or pay your bills. Being Desperate for a job, without awareness of the danger ahead can result in various mishaps.

What made Chika desperate to look for a job

Children to me are like precious delicate eggs that should be treasured and handled with care. They are the future and the future is them. Chika as a mother, wouldn’t want her children to suffer hardship, hard times, or even the slightest difficulty. The mother hen wouldn’t see her children go hungry or beaten by the rain, or taken by a hawk, how much more a mother. She definitely would do everything possible to provide for her children, give them the best education and care, and provide for them in all circumstances. This is a major reason why she needed a job so much because of the money. Money is an important asset in every human’s life. Money does solve various problems. This incident must also serve as a rod to guide other parents and guardians to take the right steps in their decision-making and make the choices in life.

 My Thoughts on Chika's Incidence

We can only imagine the devastating sense of isolation that comes from having no one to turn to, no shoulder to lean on, and no listening ear to pour out our hearts. The feeling that comes with this loneliness, like being the only person left in a big empty world is really suffocating to be in such situation. I am a victim of this loneliness and boredom myself. My dear friend, it is a battle to fight, hard to overcome, and painful to bear. You and I can only imagine this without feeling the pain of it if we haven't found ourselves in such lonely states before. If you have experienced one, then you know where I am coming from and what Chika might be going through.

Chika's story is a gentle reminder that sometimes, even when we are surrounded by people we can still feel alone, not just alone but desperately alone. Perhaps, how would one know, that she had reached out to those around her, soliciting for help, support, or some guidance but was met with all sorts of disappointments. People who she trusted may one way or the other disappoint her, talk at her back, insult her, tell her something so discouraging and hurtful. The worst of it all is that, perhaps, she was even ignored by the greater number of people. 

For my brother, my sister, my aunt, or anyone at all reading this, the pain of being ignored or rejected by friends, family, or closest relatives can be very painful. Often, this rejection feels like you are totally left to yourself in this big universe. It makes you feel that you are not worthy of the society in which you live or you are not important to anyone. Can you imagine the pain of being rejected by society? I bet you, this feels like being asked to walk on a hot coal for a crime you have not committed or falsely and forcefully accused of. Chika may have been suffering all kinds of pain that no one could imagine or be aware of. Perhaps, she made the decision of keeping it to herself or suffering it for her sins. Life needn't be so.

Do you know that extreme loneliness can force people to do things recklessly without thinking about it? Chika's eagerness to secure a job or any job at all was what led her to take the risk of meeting a fraudster and a total stranger in an isolated place without the consent of any relative or friend at least. My little advice and thoughts on opinions is that, as humans, loving one another, and being there for each other in difficult times should be a thing of major concern. Let us be one another's responsibility, watchful of each other's back and our brother's keeper. Let us not feel so pompous and look down on other people, and arouse in them the feeling of low self-esteem. I hope this article finds you well as we develop the habit, love, and care for helping one another on our planet. Let absolute peace dwell among us. 

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