Value Bread, Value Tin Tomato, and the Red Phone Booth
Value Bread, Value Tin Tomato, and the Red Phone Booth: - How three things can hold great meaning but not in a PTSD way.
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When I came to the UK as an international student in 2000, I didn’t work during term time (for the first two years). My parents and elder sister believed I should just focus on my education and I thought that there would be no need to work as a student.
My parents ran a very successful business in Nigeria, but a lot of factors beyond their control meant that the business was failing, and ultimately failed while I was a university student.
As a result, living here became very difficult. My sister and her new husband (my brother-in-law) went beyond normal efforts to make sure I was okay.
As a young adult, I had needs that weren’t met. Although I got some money to pay for my accommodation, I would still struggle for food money. At this point, I discovered that a lot of people often forget to take their change when they finish using the phone booth. So I would spend some evenings walking up and down the streets of Liverpool to pick up the leftover coins in phone booths.
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With the money, I would buy supermarket value bread and tin tomatoes that would last me for some time. The church I went to was very good at looking after students, so meals on Sunday weren’t a problem.
Life as an international student can be lonely. With a team of people, I chair an organisation called Friends International -Coventry centre
(Coventry and Warwickshire branch).
We do a lot of stuff, but mainly we are friends to international students. Please consider partnering with us- "Coventry Centre". ( See the comments section)
Whilst I was going through that journey, I never saw myself as less than I should. I knew it was a season, and it would pass. Although I felt sad sometimes, overall I remained positive and hopeful.
“Life as an international student can be lonely
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You might be reading this while going through tough times right now. I want to encourage you to take courage. This too shall pass. Merry Christmas. Christ is for you!
Pharmacist
29 January 2025
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