NightengaleBen

Goodwall - The Life Changing App is the inspiring story of Dera, a sixteen-year-old student in Senior Secondary School. Dera’s dream was to sit for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) alongside her classmates, but her parents were unable to afford the registration fees.

As the WASSCE registration deadline approached, Dera found herself in a difficult predicament. However, unwavering support from her family and the encouraging words of Mrs. Nnaji kept her determined, despite facing ridicule from others.

One day, Dera’s elder brother, Andrew, returned from his own school and shared with Dera about Goodwall, an app that had helped countless students. Initially, it seemed too good to be true, but Dera decided to give it a try by participating in Goodwall challenges.

Goodwall-The Life Changing App by Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu

Dera hurried home through a drizzle of rain after school, deciding not to wait for the bus as she felt it would be a waste of time.

'Dera, why don't you wait for the bus? You might catch a cold,' Jennifer shouted from behind.

'Thanks for your concern, but I don't have time to wait. I'll have hot tea when I get home. You go ahead and wait for the bus, okay?' Dera replied without stopping, continuing to run home.

Before Dera reached home, the rain stopped and the sun started to shine. Beatrice, Dera's mother, was planting some flowers in the empty beds along the front of the house. For the past three years, Beatrice had neglected her garden due to her husband losing his job, but today she had brought flowers from the meadow nearby and was determined to bring life back to the garden.

When Beatrice saw Dera, she paused her work and greeted her with a warm smile before answering her ringing phone.

'Has Goodwall announced the winners yet?' Beatrice asked.

'Not yet,' Andrew replied. 'Is Dera back home?'

'Okay... tell her not to worry too much. The winners might be announced later in the evening or maybe tomorrow. I just finished submitting my project. I'll take the next bus home.'

Beatrice smiled. 'All right, take care. Bye.'

After ending the call, Beatrice turned to Dera, who had been listening to their conversation. She had put the call on speaker so Dera could hear.

'Have some bread. I'll cook dinner later,' Beatrice said before returning to her flower bed to finish planting.

Beatrice wanted to encourage Dera not to give up, but she felt she had already done enough motivational speaking. Right now, she wanted to put even a small fraction of hope in Goodwall. If Dera managed to win one of the challenges, the prize money would greatly help with her WASSCE registration.

A tear rolled down Beatrice's cheek as she planted the last daisy, feeling that these flowers symbolised a new beginning for her family.

After finishing her work, she washed her hands and face in the kitchen before noticing Dera reading in the living room. Dera's books were spread out on the centre table, and she was immersed in her studies, hoping to be registered for the exams. Beatrice couldn't help but smile at the sight before preparing to cook dinner.

Chapter Thirty-Two