By Rosemary Nwaebuni
The birth of a newborn baby is a thing of joy, but for Mr Michael Samuel and his wife, Agnes, the birth of their twin baby girls came with mixed feelings due to hardship.
Michael, who is a waste carrier with a PSP had concluded the matter of childbearing with his wife, Agnes five years ago in order to give the children a relatively better life to the best of his ability.
He said that, when his wife broke the news of her pregnancy, he was so confused because feeding his wife and three children was already very difficult.
He explained that he became more shattered when he was told that his wife was carrying two children and became more broken when his wife was told that she could only be delivered of the children through a caesarean section.
He disclosed that he only became a bit relieved when one Dr Henry who works at Specialist Hospital Asaba (SPA) made the journey easier by referring to SPA where the delivery via caesarean section and everything required for the delivery was carried out free of charge.
While thanking and commending Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for the free maternal health and all his good works in the state, Michael thanked Dr Henry who made it possible for a person of his status to access such services.
He solicited the assistance of government, good-spirited Nigerians, philanthropists and faith-based organizations in order to be able to cater for his children.
He noted that the stipend he receives from waste carrying could barely cater for feeding let alone the children’s education adding that his wife who was complementing from the proceeds she receives from working as house-help could no longer do that as she needs to take care of the newborn babies.
“I don’t have money but I have children. So, I am still very grateful to God Almighty for blessing me with these children. I don’t know what they will be tomorrow”.
“My only worry is the source of funding to be able to take care of them and give them good education so they don’t end up like me.
“I was orphaned at 13 years and could not get help from relations that’s why I am carrying waste doing any menial job to put food on the table.
“Sometimes, I drink only water from morning till night, when I go out for menial job, as buying common #100 bread to eat outside without my wife and children, looks like a crime,” said Michael.
Mr Michael could be reached through his mobile number 09067219534.
