The
kemi dowokpor
story
A tapestry of favour with men
Around 11am on 22nd March 1975,
Island maternity hospital in Lagos Nigeria, I let out my first cry.
I think I must have been thinking
“ What would this life be like, I wonder; What will my future be, I wonder...It could be so exciting ,to be out in the world to be free…” (courtesy Sound of Music “ I have confidence”)
My parents Sir and Mrs Akinruli were educators, Dad was VP of Kings College Lagos and Mum taught in various schools St Gregory and Queens College are those I remember. My elder sister and brother , Tolu and Gbenga played their role as dotting siblings ( sometimes getting me into trouble, especially Gbenga) giving me a foundation of joy, laughter and confidence. “ I know we had no money but I was rich as I could be “ (Dolly Patron, coat of many colours)
Following my graduation from Queens college in 1993, a whirlwind of circumstances connected me with the French language and I ended up studying French language, culture and civilisation in the university of Paris in 1994. My Fairy God mother, Mrs Bawo Omiyi was a Unesco diplomat in Paris at the time and lovingly welcomed me into her home. Her term was over a little while after my arrival and I was left to fend for myself.
Then the storms began, I was diagnosed with systemic lupus, ,in a coma for months, dealing with administrative and right to remain challenges due to my inability to continue my studies. In this season of my life, there is a face that is a constant reminder of the friend who sticks closer than a brother,(Ps 18:24) Pastor Bola Ogendengbe. Heaven alone will tell what her endless visits at a time where I was completely disoriented and confused meant.
The next phase was moving to London in 1997 (not a deliberate decision), I went to London for respite, had a relapse and ended up in hospital for 6 months. Ps 144:1 says “Blessed be the LORD my strength which teaches my hands to war, and my fingers to fight” and truly a warrior (terminator as Apostle Yvan fondly calls me) rose up within defying the odds of sickness and homelessness to complete a degree in legal and economic studies.
This is the point where I honour lawyer Nicki Adesemowo who took on the British immigration system to ensure I was given leave to remain in the UK on medical compassionate grounds despite the odds, Jane Roberts, and Maxine my tower hamlets social worker and my homeless shelter coordinator who fought to keep me active during my years of "administrative lock down”
2001 dawned with the granting of my extension of leave to remain in the UK on medical compassionate grounds. I was blessed with my first paid job in the UK, PA to Rachel Lampard the then Secretary of Parliamentary and Political Affairs of the Methodist Church in Great Britain. Rachel was not your typical boss, she was a teacher, coach and friend. Can I ever forget Rachel and her husband Steve ensuring that I had a painting party when I was given a council flat in Tower Hamlets and taking it upon themselves to lead the party! Rachel was the one who groomed me for my next career move once I graduated and coached me for the interview that
This role began in the winter of 2004, I remember my first meeting with Bishop Herbert and his genuine interest in who I was. He found out that I had limited leave to remain in the UK and supported Nicki, my lawyer, in applying for indefinite leave to remain in the UK followed by citizenship. I want to acknowledge Simon Best, Richard Wheeler, Valerie Geldard, Jenny Ottwell and many others who made my stay in the Diocese sheer bliss.
In 2008, having begun Mind Your Language French clubs a few years earlier as a side project, my passion for transmitting French to young learners grew to the point where I knew I had to face it head on. I resigned from the Diocese and have since run various projects promoting the French language. (See www.mylinternational.com). I can never forget the unwavering support from Bishop Rob Wickham then rector of St John of Hackney but now CEO of Church Urban Fund.
Space will fail me to mention all those who have been part of the journey of developing MYL international, mentors, coaches, vision helpers, sponsors, sounding boards, shoulders to cry on, destiny helpers and the list goes on. I count people like Ade D’Almeida, Shola Emmauel, Derin Talabi, Emem Opashi, Kehinde Nwani, Bola Kalejaiye, Magaly Losange, Uwadiale Agenmonmen, Samira Jibir, Honorable Adegbesan, Mohammed Usman and Ajo Balogun.
I began teaching online before Covid and launched MYL English. It became necessary to look at creating a branch of the Mind Your Language in France. France once again presented an administrative fortress and it was through Laetitia Mouille that Goliath was overcome. We are now in our third year of operating our Cambridge English language programme fully recognised and quality assured by the French Government.
In addition to all these people like Moses in the basket on the Nile, God provided me with a spiritual ark of pastors, fathers, mothers, prayer warriors and partners who have ensured that my soul stays secure and restored connected to my Lord and savior Jesus Christ.
Pastors Mohammed and Liliane Sanogo, Pastor Yvan and Modestine Castanou, Pastor Agu and Sola Irukwu, Pastor Matthew and Yemisi Ashimolowo ,Pastor Soji and Yemi Otudeko, Pastor Dipo and Peju Oluyomi, Pastor Abiodun and Nike Popoola, Pastor Joselito and Adeline Lukeba, Minister Rex and Dorothy Obeng. I am so grateful for your various ministries.
This tapestry will not be complete without mentioning those who God has given me as spiritual children, they have all taken it on themselves to call me mum and so I acknowledge them and pray that I will be a blessing to them always, Yanis, Axelle, Oluwajenladun.
My indefatigable MYL office team Nana, Esenam, Paris, Thierry, Ed'ricka, Emerick, Tosin and Mireille.
How could I not mention the friends who I hold oh so dearly Chantal Landu, Laetitia Kpenou, Landry Zamor, Beatrice Mukendi, Beatrice Boulet……
The year was 2011, I had just had a stroke, single and broken, I met my boaz Bright Sam Dowokpor. 13 years on he is still my teddy bear! Honey I am grateful for your presence in my life, for fighting for me, praying for me, stretching me and being committed to our marriage.
May we continue to see the goodness of God in the land of the living.