Glory’s journey with A2S began back in 2017, marking a pivotal year in her life filled with both challenges and opportunities. As a young woman navigating the complexities of growing up, she had faced the loss of her father a decade earlier.
Despite this, Glory completed her high school education in 2015 and performed admirably on the Nigerian SAT equivalent, the JAMB. However, the harsh reality of extreme poverty in Nigeria prevented her from pursuing a college education, even with a 50% basketball scholarship offer. Nevertheless, Glory remained determined to chase her dreams against all odds.
During this challenging time, Glory crossed paths with Andrew Lovedale, introduced by Coach Tony, who has played a vital role in our basketball camps for many years. Coach Tony shared Glory’s story with Andrew, explaining her predicament: she had received a basketball scholarship offer from a Nigerian university but lacked the means to cover the remaining expenses. Through A2S’s Scholars program, Glory was granted a scholarship that would alter the trajectory of her life. Backed by support from A2S, Glory embarked on a journey of academic excellence, attending Benson Idahosa University on both a basketball scholarship and an A2S Scholarship.
Glory fondly remembers A2S’s summer camps, from where she learned important lessons of resilience and perseverance. One of her favorite memories at the summer camp was a lecture by Lovedale about “the difference between polishing and punishing. The former can feel like the latter when our mindsets slip.” As a collegiate basketball player, she learned exactly what this meant through the tough love only a coach can give. Glory was able to keep herself in a polishing mindset instead of thinking of her coach’s words as a punishment.
She received mentorship and guidance from A2S’s staff all throughout university. A2S remained a steadfast source of support, providing not only financial assistance but also guidance and encouragement. As Glory navigated the challenges of academia, she found solace in the knowledge that she was part of a larger community committed to her success.
Glory graduated from university with a bachelors’ degree in English Studies. Her journey took an unexpected turn as she transitioned from scholarship recipient to staff member. When she left for college, her prospects on the tight Nigerian job market looked dim. She ended up returning to the same kind of petty trade work that she was doing before receiving a university education. This is commonly known as “Vulnerable work”, as it does not provide enough money to live off of and has workplace protections one might find in a more structured job.A2S did not expect to bring her on as staff, but the Youth Center was about to open and needed a librarian.
Glory saw an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in her community by volunteering at the Youth Center. To her surprise, A2S offered her a full-time staff position instead of accepting her offer to volunteer. Initially hesitant to accept a salary from the organization that had supported her through university, Glory’s reluctance confirmed to Andrew that she was the perfect fit for the role. Now serving as an associate librarian, Glory embraces her role as a mentor, role model, and source of inspiration for the next generation of A2S scholars.
At the Youth Center, Glory embodies the principles of Godly stewardship, viewing her role as an opportunity to create lasting change. Drawing inspiration from the parable of the Talents and her experience as a petty trader, Glory approaches her responsibilities with a sense of accountability and integrity. She strives to ensure that every child who enters the Rutledge Johnson Library feels valued, supported, and empowered to achieve their goals.
Glory’s journey from scholarship recipient to staff member exemplifies the transformative impact of A2S. Her story reflects God’s unpredictable plans for each individual’s life and underscores the organization’s role in empowering Nigerian youth. As Glory continues to pay forward the blessings she has received, she serves as a beacon of hope, resilience, and empowerment within the A2S community.
