Life is full of experiences and encounters, and my experience with Whisper has been thrilling. I call it a journey that led to the fulfilment of many dreams, and I am blessed to be among the many lives that embarked on it. Whisper to Humanity Foundation has been a breath of fresh air that has brought hope and meaning when hope was lost.
Finding Hope in the Whisper
My journey with whisper started when I was in Senior Secondary class 2, when I became the Senior Prefect in S.S.2. I was stressed, out and doing the best I could to be a leader other students could look up to. Then my predecessor, the outgoing Senior Prefect and our Government teacher, Sir Nwode Victor, invited me to join the Whisper Club in our School by the Whisper to Humanity Foundation! They were a literal breath of fresh air, bringing hope when I felt lost. They came into our school, whispering and continuing to whisper until they reached deep into our hearts and souls, making us feel the warmth that came to engulf us, and the millions it impacted.
The Moment I Found My Voice
The Whisper journey kicked off with a huge surprise: a radio appearance at Unity FM! I went with my Government teacher, Sir Nwode Victor, and our Deputy Senior Prefect, Peace Eze, who was amazing as the anchor. I was nervous—it was my first time at a news station—but hearing that the recording would actually play on the radio? Electrifying! So the next day we went to Unity FM. I was so happy, I kept asking myself, “Am I really here?” It seemed like a dream. When we started recording the radio show, I was trying to catch up with the questions, because that was like my first time being in any news station. In all the nervousness, I was so excited that my voice would be heard among people on the radio, and it gave me a satisfying feeling.
When I was told there would be another program to attend, I wondered what it was about, even though I thought it might be a Wedding party. I didn’t imagine that we would be given the opportunity to meet with Community leaders, Royal Chiefs and Ministries, not just as floor members, but able to discuss society, our future and how to make education more transformative.
Representatives of Whisper to Humanity then came to our school to fulfil the promise they had made of setting up a safe hub and playroom for the Whisper club. They brought educative games like the master chess, Scrabble, monopoly, Whisper cards and board games, paints, brushes, balls and lots more. Using the paints and brushes we were given to decorate the playroom to our taste gave us ownership of that room, and I must boast it was a sight to behold after the painting. I began loving Whisper to Humanity, which made me feel part of a whole community where I would not be left out. I became Assertive and better at my vocabulary with the learning of Scrabble and more Calculative with the learning of chess.
After that came a series of more programs which helped me boost my morals. I also learned a lot about Gender-Based Violence (GBV), including the fact that males can be victims too. During the 5-year anniversary celebration of whisper to humanity, my peers from other schools and I had a powerful talk show session, and we spoke on the big stage, addressing hundreds of people in attendance. We were invited by Whisper To Humanity to speak with other whisper clubs from other schools in the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Justice to talk about GBV (Gender Based Violence) and how it affects us as students in school and at home. I got to know more about School related Gender Based Violence (SGBV) and also became more confident in myself.
The biggest confidence boost came during a program called “Extreme Vibz”. My school was putting on a drama promoting Igbo culture, and we needed to deliver a speech after the drama presentation. My mate, who was supposed to speak, backed out right there on stage! I took a deep breath, remembered the confidence I had built from the Whisper club, then I told myself, “You have done this before”, and I took the microphone and addressed the crowd. The crowd cheered, and I knew I had Whisper to thank because before now, I knew I would have fidgeted in such a crowd.
…..then I told myself
“You have done this before”
and I took the microphone and addressed the crowd.
Before the end of the year, we were given another opportunity to speak live on the radio at Legacy FM! I was on cloud nine! from recording in Unity FM to Speaking lie on Legacy FM. I knew I wouldn’t remain the same after all that, and my confidence level is now very high.
A Special Thank You
Whisper has been a gift, a journey, and an experience. Thank you to my incredible mentor, Ms MaryJacob Okwuosa—a strong woman who has done what many men cannot. To her and the entire team, may God bless you all! We’ll hold you tight, Whisper!
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