MY SEED OF PURPOSE

         

          In the small village of Katsina, where the sun kisses the earth with an intensity that can either nurture or scorch, I strive to capture the extremes of life through my lens. 

My name is  Amina, and I am a budding photographer in a place where survival often drowns out the dreams of the dreamer. Every day feels like a battle against the stifling hold of tradition, relentless pressure to abandon my passion, and the fear of invisibility that clings to me like dust on my sandals.  As I care for my ageing mother, her weakening health mirrors the fading light of day, and the weight of potential failure bears down on me with each passing moment.

One scorching afternoon, on the brink of giving up, I wandered to the outskirts, where the baobab trees stood sentinel-like. It was there that fate matched my path with Halima's, a renowned painter seeking solace in the quietness of our village. The despair in my eyes, the dormant camera in my hands, made my dejection prominent. I spoke, my voice trembled with pent-up frustration, she listened with a compassionate ear, understanding the depths of my struggle, she pat me on the shoulder and whispered,

“Your vision is like a seed and seeds can grow even in the harshest conditions. You must water it with persistence, nurture it with belief, and give it the light of your dedication.”

Her words changed me. I immersed myself in documenting the life around me—the resilience of the women at the well, the wisdom etched into the hearts of the elders, the laughter of children echoing through the fields.

Sharing these stories online, the world began to notice. An NGO commissioned me, easing financial burdens at home. Today, I am organizing my first show, themed "Katsina: The Unseen Chronicles".

         Halima taught me that authenticity defines my work's value, not my origin. I accept my identity as a storyteller, enthusiastic with sworn resolve. Though challenges persist, I cultivate a garden where trees will bear the fruits of my labour. For now, that’s all I need.

Joshua N.✍️