WRITERS CAFE GHANA

There is a story I’d like to tell
I met this beautiful girl in an uncanny place
Stirring banku, sweeping, washing plates, cutting vegetables
I greeted the household and went on to see my parents
Then my sister, Maame Fosua, dragged me to her room
She asked “Did you see the girl washing plates outside?”
I nodded
“She has completed JHS and had aggregate eleven”
“And so?” I asked
“Her father says she should work for some time and go and be a dressmaking apprentice”
My mouth opened wide
Memories of my own struggles flooded my mind
Tears came to my eyes

II
My mother chimed in like the bell of Basel
“She is very respectful
She never talks back
And she works tirelessly
Abena, you need to help her if you can”
The clause was if I could
I thought hard
I thought hard about the many students sharing my meager salary
I thought hard
I thought hard about the almost depleted savings I worked hard for to fund my further studies
I thought hard and hit blank
I was swimming in debts
With my vulnerable students on my hands
And a toddler to raise
Tears, hot tears clouded my eyes
I spoke to her and knew
She would go to school even if I had to sell my soul
True, I had no material things to sell

III
So I turned to think
To beg for money online
But I didn’t want a girl to start life looking like a begger
Then it struck me
Writers Cafe GH is there
There, intellectuals resided with heavy mouths
Higher senses
Big hearts
And could make this happen
I was right

IV
They did right
From JQ to MK to ML to BD, to ML to EG, to MAAK to MB to IQ
…who overpaid and built for her hope she hitherto knew not
And so I sit in this small room
Thinking of how to bless them
Knowing there are many children needing this help
Seeing my young self in that four years of frustration
And thanking those who at least prevented the birth of another frustrated girl
I say thank you GAW
For being that log
Which helped this girl to step on the success ladder

V
And to you reading
Work hard
Look around with your hearts
See those needing to be seen
Help without being asked
For you may be building our next president
You may be building our next pilot
You may be building the best fashion designer
You may even be building the next doctor
Who may save you from a sickness waiting on strong legs
…to ferry you to a yonder sphere
This is the story on my mind
A story of Thanksgiving and a story of humanity
Amoafowaa Sefa Cecilia © October 16, 2025 for the WhatsUp Group Writers Cafe  Ghana.