In my village there are two kinds of family; the nuclear family and the extended family. The nuclear family is a smaller social unit made up of the husband, his wife and children while the extended family is broader comprising the nuclear family, the grandfather, grandmother, grandchildren, aunt, uncle, niece who are related by blood. In Igbo traditional society it also comprises groups of families that have common descent. It is a system that brings together every one of the such families. Extended family in my village is a very close unit. During festivals our fathers hold meetings. In the meetings they discuss family issues including pressing problems of individual members such as wedding, birth, death, education, etc. I am from a fairly large extended family. The name of my extended family is Dike family of Ezere Village in Isiala Ezere Autonomous Community, Isuikwuato Local Government Area, Abia State, Nigeria. As the story was told , my great grandfather was rich by the standard of his time. He trained his children in various arts and trades. His son's and daughters followed his footsteps. I am the first child of my father. He died when I was eighteen years of age. Before his death hisvwish was to give me good education. I had written my General Certificate of Education and the matriculation examination and was awaiting the results when it happened. He suddenly became sick and died. It was like my world had fallen apart. It was a brief illness. My results came out in quick succession after his burial. There was no money with which my mother will send me to school. One day as resumption of my new school was drawing near my mother approached the eldest surviving member,the head of our family, and he promised that I will be sent to school. I doubted him and continued to pray for God's help. As I waited, praying for miracle to happen, my mother went to the chairperson of the meeting of the women married into our family and told her about the problem facing us and she asked my mother to tell her the amount of money she needed and the condition for repayment. Infact before going my mother already knew that the money the women will give her was repayable.With the terms of repayment settled she,on behalf other women ,advanced her the initial money with which I paid for the acceptance fee . I set out the university of Benin where I was given admission to makes payment. On my way back I worried about what will happen next and what my mother will do if our family head disappointed us not knowing that he had contacted the fairly well to do family members to assist train me. I had not known then that in the village, extended families competed over the welfare of their less privileged children. I did not know that my admission was as an honour and a thing of pride for the entire family and this is why they collectively swore to see me through the University and they did just that. I lacked nothing in school and did not disappoint them either.

How My Extended Family Helped Me

My extended family helped me in the ways I even did not expect. They did as much as my father would have done if he were alife. They took care of my tuition fees, logding , book allowances, dressing and medical allowances. Some members go out of their ways to give money and other items anytime they visit the village.

My Challenge at that Time

My Challenge after my father's death was how to source money for my education. I was no thinking about any other thing at all.

Thinking about their Capability

As a matter of truth I thought so much about whether they can fund my education. I knew that if they have they will give me but I never believe that even though individually they have not much but they were able to task themselves to ensure I went through school. The most amazing thing is that like my father did not go through the four Walls of a school not to talk of the university.

How I See My Extended Family Members

I am lucky to be part of such a unique family who foster children of their deceased family members. Even though our family is large we children see ourselves as one family. They are wonderful people. I will not have survived without them. I wish them well. May God bless and protect each of them and their families.

Conclusion

I am lucky to belong to Dike Extended family. They showed me love and cared for me when it mattered most in my life. Without them I do not know where I will be today and what I would have become. My family gives each one of her members who are in trouble the shoulder to lean on. To me I am indebted to my extended family and I have promised that for as long as there is breath in me I shall raise at least three graduates for my family. Thank you for reading my post.