Some people think climate change is something far or not serious. But for me, I have felt it. I have lived in it. The rain has really dealt with me before.
In the area where I lived before, once the sky changed and it looked like rain wanted to fall, everybody would start running. You must rush home. If you are not inside before the rain starts, just know you are sleeping outside. Because once it rains, everywhere will be full of water.
That area was always wet. The ground could not take more water. So anytime rain falls, the water will just stay there. It will not go. Everywhere will flood. Gutters will be full and start pouring out. Water will enter people’s houses. It was very bad.
The road was also terrible. Erosion had cut the road in different places. It looked like they used a hoe to dig all over, If you are not careful, you can fall or injure yourself. We used to remove slippers and walk barefoot in the water. The water was not clean. It had dirt, nylon, and sometimes even petrol or oil.
I remember one day, I came back home very wet. I was tired. I just sat down and looked. No light. No dry clothes. No food. Just cold everywhere. That was how rain used to disturb us.
People living in houses on low ground suffered more. The whole compound would turn into a river. They used blocks and buckets to lift their chairs and beds. Some people slept standing or sitting all night, and most children could not even go to school because the road was very rough and wet, parents could not risk the chances of leaving their children to go to school.
The worst part is that the rainy days always look like a nightmare in my formal area, people would be praying that the rain should cease because of its outcome. This always happens all the time during the rainy season. Year after year. We just managed it. There was nothing else we could do.
Now that I live in a new area, this place is sweet. When it rains here, you can sleep well. No fear. No stress. The first time it rained, I was already afraid. I thought the same thing would happen. But nothing happened. I looked outside and everything was normal. Water was flowing inside the gutter like it should. No flood, no erosion.
Since I moved here, I have enjoyed the rain. Sometimes I even walk in the rain for fun. I never thought I would ever say that in my life. The area is peaceful. The road is good. Drainage is working well. People are happy.
This made me think deeply. How can rain be good in one place and very bad in another place? Same rain. But different experience. Some places are planned well. Others are just forgotten.
I believe now that climate change is real. Rain these days is heavier. Floods are more serious. The sun is hotter than before. All these things are signs. People may not understand big grammar like “climate change” but they feel it.
I have lived in a place where rain made life hard. I now live in a place where rain is not a problem. Not everybody has the chance to move like me. Some people are still suffering each time rain falls.
So when people say climate change is not real, I just smile. I have seen it. I have suffered it. And I thank God that I now live in a better place. But I will never forget those days.
This is my response to this episode of hivelearners community prompt of #hl-w172e02 which the topic is tagged CLIMATE CHANGE
