Product Description
by Pauline Esoga (Author)
This story takes place in a small village in Nigeria, where Ngozi was born. Her father, a truck driver by profession with no formal education, but had the opportunity of traveling outside his village, town and country. He knew the merits of having an education and career, and made a decision to ensure that all his children become educated, even against the cultural norm of his time. Ngozi witnessed her father, a man endowed with great wisdom and communication but, struggled with communicating in English language both verbally and written. On one such occasion, he was denied his meager salary due to his inability to sign his pay check. Ngozi was determined not to find herself in such situation, will do anything within her strength good education. She did not allow any challenges, no matter what, to stand between her and her goals. Whenever any challenges came her way, she would immediately and positively find an alternative means of forging ahead. Her energy was geared toward always positive outcomes. In her education, marriage, and career, positive energy was all she required to overcome the difficulties and challenges before and after her migration to the USA to seek a better life. A lot has been documented as to the reasons behind global nurse migration-the "pull and push" factors-but for her, the decision to overcome obstacles as well as the strength and willingness to sacrifice and achieve her goals, constitute the push behind her move. Above all, Ngozi believe that whatever successes or failures encountered in her migration, her firm belief is that God had a purpose for her life .This belief is rooted in: Jeremiah 29:11. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (NIV).
Author Biography
Ngozi Okeke was born and raised in the Mbano Imo State of Nigeria and is currently the nurse manager at the Howard County General Hospital in Columbia, Maryland (a Johns Hopkins affiliate). As a nurse of diverse experience, Ngozi spent forty-plus years working in the nursing field both in her home country and in the USA. This gave her insights on the lives and times of immigrant nurses in the USA, which necessitated her writing this wonderful story. Ngozi holds a law degree from Nigeria, where she practiced for several years as attorney prior to her migration to the USA. She also holds a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN), Master in health services administration (MHSA), several nursing certifications in areas of her expertise. She is happily married to her husband, with four children and three grandchildren. She is a Christian who has strong faith in her religion and the founder and president of Calvary Torch Missions Inc. USA, a nonprofit organization that has conducted and is still conducting medical and nursing education short-term missions to Africa. The missionary work is tied to her strong belief in giving back to communities and people, as directed in the Great Commission of Matthew 28:19-20.
