Last night I took a trip down memory lane. I couldn’t help but smile at my experience: the good, bad, ugly and dirty! I’m not much of a writer, but somehow I just wish I can pen down everything in details.
Last time I checked, it’s almost two (2) weeks to sum it up to year I had my POP. I decided to share a few reasons for prospective corps members who haven’t made up their minds about accommodation ish, and why you should consider staying in family house. Mind you, there are stringent rules to be obeyed, but then I kinda feel the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages for a corper relying on your allowee.
Coming from someone who stayed both in the family house and corper’s lodge for a reasonable length of time, I see the following reasons as advantages one can benefit from.
(1) SPIRITUAL GROWTH: For a graduate with Christian upbringing and who honestly wants to live a Christ-like life, the family house is the best place you can think of. Prayers and worship are usually not less than twice in a day.
(2) LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE: As a member of family house, you may be elected for various offices such as the President, Vice President, Secretary-General, PRO, Treasurer etc. You stand to gain a whole lot from such leadership pedestal. Such leadership positions can be written on your CV and the activities involved could be referenced during behavioural interviews.
In addition, all the CLO during my service year were staying in the family house.
(3) FIRST-HAND INFORMATION: This is sequel to point (2) above. The CLO is a corps liaison officer. Information on clearance, POP date & venue, NYSC-related matters, etc passes from the CLO to the immediate occupants of the family house before it gets to the ‘Ordinary Corper’ in the same village/town.
(4) SAFETY: Family houses are safe to a reasonable extent. There are rules to be kept to ensure everyone’s safety.
(5) CULINARY AND HANDCRAFT SKILLS: This is where we know the potential wife materials, lol. There are ladies on the cooking roster that you just wish they could be made to cook every day! They cook so well that you can’t help but beg for more. On the other hand, there are names you see on duty and be like ‘’guy, make I reach Express chop, na Princess dey kitchen today o!
The good thing is you will be made jest of, but in the long run, you must learn. Also, anyone who is eager to learn bead making, wire works, and all that ish is opportune to learn, most times for free!
(6) HAVEN FOR NURSING MOTHERS: There are willing corpers who would happily babysit your cute baby while you sleep, wash or go out.
(7) RELATIVELY CHEAP: With monthly subscription fee ranging from N4,000 to N6,000, depending on your location, you are guaranteed a decent two-square meal and a place to sleep. Just move in with your clothes, toiletries, laptop, etc. You need not bother about buying pots, stove, palm oil, and general foodstuff. Just subscribe and enjoy. You can get your personal provisions though.
( REFERRALS: Staying in family house means you’ll be present in church often and also join the youths in various activities. You get to be seen by people and trust me, you never can tell who’s WHO amongst the congregation.
(9) YOU’LL NEVER WALK ALONE: This is self-explanatory, wherever you wanna go, even if it’s just a casual stroll, there’s always someone interested in same thing. Just make sure if you are a guy, you don’t always hang out with a particular girl, cos everyone will assume you two are dating. Bottom line is wonderful friendship is established there.
There are entertainment gadgets like TV, DVD, GoTV or games to add fun to your stay.
(10) POST-NYSC: You could always show up at the family house even after POP. Maybe you need a place to stay for that important interview or aptitude test, you don’t have to feel stranded.
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