I saw Mrs. Fatima at Hmedix the other day and I ran into her arms for a warm embrace, It had been over 12 years since our paths had crossed, but the moment I spotted her familiar face, I was overcome with a sense of nostalgia and gratitude. Without hesitation, I rushed into her arms for a warm embrace.

Let me take you back to a pivotal moment in my life, one that ignited my passion for writing and storytelling. It was in JSS2, that Mrs. Fatima, my English teacher, asked us to write two essays one on our recent holiday experience and the second on something meaningful. Little did I know, that simple assignment would change everything.

I vividly remember sitting at my desk, pen in hand, as I recounted the adventures of my trip to Bauchi for a family reunion. The words flowed effortlessly, painting a picture of sun-soaked days and laughter-filled nights. But as much as I enjoyed reliving those memories, it was the second essay that truly captured my imagination.

You see, for the second part of the assignment, she encouraged us to write about something meaningful to us, something that resonated on a deeper level. The sight of a dirty environment always bothers me, not just for how it affects my immediate surroundings, but also because I'm aware of its broader impact on the planet. So, I turned to a story my mother had shared with me about how regular sanitation days were conducted. It was a tale of community spirit, of neighbors coming together to clean up their surroundings and make a positive impact on the environment.

The words flowed like a rushing river as I wrote, carrying me along on a tide of inspiration, I wove together vivid descriptions and reflections on the importance of present day sanitation efforts. And when I finally read it aloud to the class, a lot of my classmates had never heard of sanitation days. The essay transported them to a Saturday in the 90’s, allowing them experience the sights, and sounds, firsthand. It was at that moment I realized the power of storytelling – its ability to connect with others, to inspire empathy and understanding.

But what truly left a lasting impression was Mrs. Fatima's encouraging words, followed by her initiative to organize a market clean-up with volunteers from our school and community, reminiscent of the old days, this turned out successful and we organized a few more afterward. From that day, writing became my refuge, I poured myself into every assignment, into every journal entry relishing the opportunity to document and express.

In that brief but meaningful encounter at Hmedix, I was reminded of the power of a teacher's influence to shape the lives of their students long after they parted ways. Have you ever had the feeling that you've made a meaningful impact on someone's life, an impact that they cherish and hold onto dearly?