I was a street Child.

My Rescuer... Mrs. Adesokan

I remember that as a child, i used to think we were from a totally different planet, the cloths we wore was different, the food we ate was different and our house was sore sight.  It took me a while to realize that we were not from another planet we were just poor. 

I told myself that when i was much older, i would be like those other children, i would live a much better life than i lived now and i would have everything i wanted.  Unfortunately, at the age of 14, i lost both my parents in an accident.  I became homeless and lived on the street.  There were gangs on the street and i had to join them for survival.  We stole, robbed people, did anything just to get by, but i had the dream in my heart locked up, hoping that someday, i will live it.

One hot afternoon, as i was scavenging on the street, a car hit me and the last thing i remember was people screaming blood.  I woke up on a hospital bed wondering how i had gotten there.  A nurse came in and told me i had been in an accident and that i was brought here by the young woman who had hit me.  I tried to move but the pain that seized me made me stop.  The nurse explained that i had a few broken ribs and that i should not try to make any forceful move.

Later that afternoon, a woman walked into my room.  She was tall and chocolate skined.  Her smile was very comforting and i immediately felt safe with her.  She started by apologising for the accident and admitted it was her fault even though i knew it was mine.  She asked for my name and where my parents were.  I told her i was an orphan and lived on the street.  The look on her face suprised me, she immediately took on the motherly look i usually saw on my mother when she was alive.

That woman took me in after i recovered and changed my life.  She got me off the street and back into school.  Now i own my own business, i am living the dream i had many years ago.  Now i cannot tell my life's story withour mentioning her name.  She saw past my street life into the man i could become, she believed in me.

I just want to encourage everyone that street children are not exactly who they seem to be, many of them are on the street not by choice but by circumstances many of them had no control over.  I remember nights when we would gather under the bridge, which was our home and talk about the things we wanted to become before life snatched dealt us a blow. 

I would forever be grateful to this woman for rescuing me form the street.  I also run a charity that helps street children, i have been there and i know how it feel.

This is my story.

Written by- Tunde Babalola