My name is Lily Douere Bandotubo, born 15th July 1989. I am from Delta State of Nigeria and a person with disability due to polio virus and due to that I started schooling late. I was awarded scholarship from Junior Secondary 1 to Senior Secondary 3 due to my school performance. My dream was to become a Medical Doctor so I can save lives. After my WAEC Exam in 2002, I wrote JAMB for 3 times but I was not getting the required scores. My best friend Bridget Udih advised me to go for another course to avoid wasted years. In 2005, I gained admission into Delta Polytechnic Ozoro, to study Agricultural Technology and I graduated with a National Diploma Certificate (Upper Credit) in 2007. While running my National diploma programme I was also undergoing a computer training and in 2007 I was offered a training certificate in Office Management by Interlink Technologies and Management Systems (NIIT). In 2018, I started a phone call business, the money I realized business was used to published my book, titled POETRY OF INSPIRATION WITH COMMENTARY ON WORDS OF WISDOM, VOLUME 1 in 2010. In 2010, I gained admission into Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island - Bayelsa State of During clearance, an orthopedic doctor called Doctor Amaefula Ejike Temple saw me and ask if I have even been to the hospital relating to my disability, I told him no. He said come for surgery so we can make you erect and you will start walking with a steel crutches. I told my parents and they accepted. August 15, 2011 surgery was on my left lower limb and September 25, 2011 surgery was done on my right lower limb. It was a tough time for me due to pains, sleepless night and having physiotherapy session too. The Ambulance driver, Daniel Lue was always saying to me I love your courage, you are a strong person and my next daughter name will be Lily and he actually named her after me. After the surgery, I deferred my admission for one season and I was discharged early 2012. I resumed 200 level by October 2012, my walking state was slow and coping with studies was not easy, affecting me mentality and academically. This eventually affected my Part 1 MBBS exams, I scored 42 in Physiology, 42 in Biochemistry and 34 in Anatomy instead of 50 and I was withdrawn from Medicine and Surgery. I transferred to Medical Laboratory Science with a CGPA and the transfer was delayed for one session for unknown reasons and base on the pressure from my dad, the HOD of Medical Laboratory Science told my dad I cannot transfer because am walking with crutches. I cried for months and felt depressed, always saying to myself did I make myself to be using crutches but I did not allowed depression take over me. In 2015, I applied for the Skilled Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP) for Catering and Confectionery. I chose Catering and Confectionery because when I gained admission into Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro - Delta State of Nigeria, I observed I had passion for cooking this is because my mum previously used to cook and sell food. I was awarded a certificate of completion and a certificate of recognition as the best trainee of Catering and Confectionery in 2016. After my programme I began to organize training programmes to empower others. That is how I began my Entrepreneurship journey. I was selected among top young Entrepreneurs for the YALILEARNS Conference for Emerging Entrepreneurs, Lagos State in 2017, that gave me courage to register my business under Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in 2017. In 2018, I was selected as an Alumni to attend YALILEARNS Conference for Emerging Entrepreneurs, Rivers State and received Kenwood Electric Mixer as a gift. I am also an Alumni of YALI RLC under Business and Entrepreneurship Track Cohort 10, 2018. Entrepreneurship led me into blogging and being a blogger has also added to my Entrepreneurship journey story and I have impacted various lives through skills and sharing of vital information, worldwide. I have also done various online courses and community development services for youth, women, students and orphans. In 2019 I was selected for PAN African Youth Forum, Ethiopia. Recently on January 21, 2020 I gained admission into Benson Idahosa University, Edo State to study Medical Laboratory Science under a Scholarship Programme and this opportunity came from my cousin, Jude Gbaboyor. This is another added advantage to my life. With this I can say every disappointment became a blessing to me. During those time of challenges, I never gave up because i used my challenges to bring out the best in me. Below are links to find out useful information about me being an Entrepreneur and a blogger. Website: https://www.liwonderfood.com Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LiwonderTheEntrepreneur/ Twitter account: https://twitter.com/LiwonderE?s=08 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liwonderfoodandglobalevents Food blog: www.liwonder.food.blog Personal blog: www.informationdayonline.blogspot.com
CREATIVE WRITINGS
MY ENTREPRENEURSHIP JOURNEY
MY ENTREPRENEURSHIP JOURNEY