File photo of a confused woman
Dear GhanaWeb,
I am a university student from a very poor background. As the first child of seven siblings, I have lost both of my parents and now bear the full responsibility of caring for myself and my six younger siblings. Life has been incredibly challenging for us, and sometimes, I struggle to afford even a single meal a day.
Most of my parents’ properties were taken by my uncles, who have labeled us as ungrateful children. However, by God’s grace, the church has been a great support to me and my siblings. But there’s a problem I’m currently facing that has left me feeling deeply depressed.
Since finishing high school, it has always been my dream to continue my education at university. However, I couldn’t afford it until my church decided to organize a fundraising for needy but bright students. After the fundraiser, I was selected, and they generously covered my fees for the entire first year. They also provided more than enough money for my upkeep. After the first semester, I was proud of my results, and so was the church.
My pastor called me into his office and gave me a new phone as a gift. This continued until my second year, when a new semester was about to begin.
One day, my pastor called me to his place to inform me that this year’s fundraising had not been as successful as in previous years, so there would be a delay in the payment of my fees. He asked for my patience. I agreed, hoping everything would be resolved soon. However, when my pastor asked if I was in a relationship, it felt strange to me, as I had never been in one before. I told him no, explaining that I was solely focused on my education.
He told me to come give him a hug which was no problem for me, but while we were hugging he was holding my waist so tightly and rubbing his hand around my buttocks.
He told me I am very beautiful and that men would want to take advantage of me so I should take care of myself.
He also said I will be a great person in future so I shouldn’t mess with my life and I will need a good man for myself.
After first semester, I went to do my internship at my pastor’s company and that’s when things began to fall apart.
During my internship, I had to go stay with my pastor so we could go to work together.
He was married with 3 kids. My stay there for a while was awesome, they treated me like one of their own.
One morning, I woke up at 5am as usual and while I was taking my bath, I heard someone entering my room.
In a few minutes, the bathroom door opened and to my surprise, my pastor was standing there naked.
He slept with me in the bathroom, it was my first time and was really painful. After we were done, he asked me not to tell anyone and according to him, he is in love with me. I wasn’t myself the whole day when I went to work.
When this happened, his wife and children were in the main house and I was in the boys’ quarters.
He slept with me every single day and this continued till I was done with internship and I had to go home.
I went home for a month and he never touched me during those times till school resumed and I had to go inform him about my school fees.
I went to his office and I was on my period that day, he told me he has missed me so he wants to enjoy me.
I told him I was on my period but he insisted and had his way with me. I gave in because he threatened that I should forget about my school fees.
Later, I heard he has been doing this to other girls and when they get pregnant, he tells them abort it.
If I tell my church members about this, they won’t believe me so I have been keeping it to myself. Honestly this is really hunting me and I sometimes don’t feel like going to the church again but I know they would say I’m ungrateful due to the help the pastor had given me. Now what should I do? Who should I talk to? And who would even believe me when I tell them about this?
FG/EB
Meanwhile, watch as Afenyo-Markin explains how he became rich