Growing Up In Poverty.

Written By Sivuyile Tshalana.

Many people live in poverty and that forces them to be able to think on their feet. These people wonder when is their next meal is going to come from and that if it does come or not. In the Oxford dictionary poverty is explained as being poor, basically having very little money or other resources. When people grow up in poverty it has a huge impact on their childhood and how they view life as a whole.

When people grow up in poverty, many of them think that it is how their lives will be forever and that they will always live in it including generations to come after them. Growing up with hardly any food, proper shelter and clothes is frustrating, quite challenging, especially within children because they do not understand why they are living in such conditions while other children are wealthy, and can afford and have anything they want while others cannot have it. Children that live within poverty stricken families generally ask typical things like toys or even money to buy chips or sweets. This is very stressful for parents, because its even harder to answer their children when they ask for something and especially since they not working. While some parents go out there looking for part time jobs or just any general job that can help them bring something on the table for their families to eat, because they are desperate they end up doing somethings that are not so good, like prostitution just for the sake of money to feed their families. Whatever these children get whether it is food or clothes, they need to learn to share whether they get in order for everyone to have something to eat or wear. Many people that grow up in poverty are exposed to sicknesses caused by malnutrition due to lack of proper diet. They are also exposed to the cold since they do not have warm clothes, a bed with warm blankets and even proper shelter to protect them from getting cold. These children find it hard to even go to school, because they do not have uniforms, shoes, school bags and even food to carry at school. Let alone that parents cannot even afford to pay school fees. Hence the children's future is affected, because education is the answer to poverty.

Growing up with nothing is a big challenge in life, but people should not let that define them as they are meant for finer things in life. No-one is meant to live in poverty for the rest of their lives, it's just a passing phase but a person has to work harder to move out of poverty and shape the next generation's future. Whatever people think they are, then they are what they say they are. A positive mindset is everything when you grow up in poverty and especially when your trying to get out of poverty.

Letter To My Ex.

Written by Sivuyile Tshalana.

I don't usually do this, its actually my fist time that I've felt like this about anyone, especially my ex. I don't have many regrets or any regrets at all, I just currently thought of you and I said let me put everything I remember down on paper. It's very rare that you find me thinking about any girl that I've dated, you might have really made an impact in my life for me to even write about you. To be honest you really did, when I think of the times we spent together there wasn't any signs that we would end up separated as we had a time of our lives. We enjoyed every seconds, minutes, hours, days and weeks together.

We made each other happier. The most amazing part is that our relationship was like a rare breath of fresh air that comes once in a while and once you miss one breath its over. You still the most amazingly beautiful both inside and outside human being that I've ever met and I'm grateful we had one of the greatest relationship of my life. Hence I will never forget you and all that we've done together. The way we both made each ease everything bad that was happening in our lives. We knew that we could have each others backs at all times. I remember how you used to find it so hard to go back home after we've been together for the whole day. You used to even get into trouble because of me as you were hardly home in the afternoons. You remember how you used to ask your sister to cover up for you when it comes to your mother and grandmother so that we can be together.

Sometimes your sister got even tired of doing favours for you. I was attached to you in all ways and you declared me as your one and only boyfriend. Your actions spoke louder than words as I saw that you truly loved me. The thing is when you came into my life I wasn't looking for anything serious, as I had a couple girlfriends and you changed me for the better. I was then able to date one girl which was you, all thanks to you as you made me a better loving human being. I loved your loyalty, respect and introvertness. You definitely knew what you wanted in life, its sad at times that you didn't deserve to be hurt or cry. You've been through a lot in the previous relationship, and I added to all your heartache and headache. While all you needed was unconditional love, tolerance, more happiness and to be cherished as well respected at all times. I can never say why we broke up as it doesn't really ring a bell on how it all happened but obviously I blame myself for everything that lead to the break up and all the hiccups we had leading to the break up.

Now that I think of it, I believe it all started when I was caught up in my own world, I acted single a couple of months within our relationships and that lead to lack of communication. We started having useless arguments and conflicts that became unsolvable. Next thing I knew our relationship was on life support and I switched the plugs off not really thinking the effect of my actions. I also loved you so much, but I didn't accept your love fully as I already loved myself a lot. I blame myself for everything that happened to us, I will forever love you and you the realest girlfriend I've had so far in my dating life. I trust you happy, relationship wise and life in general. Take good care of yourself and your loved ones.

From your ex-boyfriend that wasn't meant to be an ex.