Lucy’s Article: Back in School in Ghana After Being Stuck at Home

Article #10 in the YCC Kids Club Ghana Student Life Stories Project
Re-Entering School After Three Years At Home
By Lawani Lucy, Age 13

After a long period of living in my precious home feeling very lonely, my parents decided that I should continue my primary education.

From the age of seven to the age of ten, I could not attend school because I was sick in my leg and could not walk. After my former classmates finished school each day, they would come visit my house and share their class notes with me. But it was not the same as being in class myself.

“You will be going to school now,” said my mother at last. Suddenly, I became scared.

“Wow,” I thought. “I will not go!” I told my mum.

But I decided after a few days that I did need to go to school. School is important, they say. On that day, my first day back in school, I was the age of ten.

“You should behave like a big girl there,” boomed my father at the top of his loud, vibrating voice. “Do not cry!” So on that day, I decide to wear my favourite dress, which is a yellow skirt and a blue shirt.

I jumped into the car and off we went, on our way. I was spying out the window the whole time to see whether or not we had reached our destination, and at long last we arrived!

We all got out of the car and went directly to the headmaster’s office to have an interview. At the interview, I answered every question. The headmaster looked right at me and said, “You are a brilliant girl.” I felt so good!

After that I entered the Grade One classroom with great fear, but the students were lovely. They all sang to me: “You are welcome!” I didn’t know what to say, so I just sat down in the place where there was a desk, and immediately the teacher entered the classroom and gave me a better place to sit.

On that day, Christmas holidays were beginning, so we could not begin learning yet. At about one o’clock, the bell was rung for the assembly and we said our last prayer for the day, heard some announcements, and all headed home.

In January, after the holidays, I headed back to school. But I had already forgotten the actual classroom, so I went to sit in the Stage Two classroom by accident! At last I realized that that place was not my classroom and so I ran to my real, new classroom.

I had fun together with my classmates before the teacher arrived, and when she did arrive she decided to conduct a test for us. In this test I scored a ninety percent!

The teacher praised me that day for being the best student, and she said that I would be class prefect. I had been out of school for three years, but I was now the lead student in charge of all of my peers!

After school closing I quickly ran home and told my mum all about my success at school. My mother smiled wide and cheered: “Keep it up!” and she bought some egg for me to eat.

Three years later, I am still keeping it up and getting wonderful grades, both at school, and at extra after-school classes at the YCC Kids Club. I have made my mum — and myself — proud! And I am so glad I am back in school.

Lillie’s Note: Please leave an encouraging comment or question for Lucy, stating the geographical place you are writing from!