“I’m Creating a Map for Others Who Look Like Me To Follow” — Ebelechukwu Doris Okolo

Ebelechukwu Doris Okolo had been told “NO” too many times in her life, but living with Hypocalcemia did not stop her from her dream of being a Software Engineer.

Who is Doris?

I would describe myself as someone who is fearless. I give my all and just jump right in without the fear of knowing if it will go through or not.

I was diagnosed with Hypocalcemia (Calcium Deficiency Disease) when I was 2 years old. From primary school, I was always the smallest in my class and I didn’t know I was different because I wasn’t treated any differently from my siblings at home. I carried out the same chores everyone else did and it all seemed normal.

So when did you realize you were different?

I discovered that I was seen differently by others when I was allowed to read the news and give speeches during graduation, but not the fun or cool things other kids did like dancing, singing, etc.

Did you experience bullying and mockery because of how you looked?

Yes, I was told so many hurtful words about how I looked, and people always took my possessions from primary school. But my real experience of bullying began in secondary school. Some people in my class were dedicated to mocking and laughing at me. In primary school, we were all children, but in secondary school, some people were older in class and that made it worse. I had to learn to walk into the class, sit down, shut my ear and mind my business till the day ended. It didn’t take long for me to have my first physical fight in my third year in secondary school. I fought, and winning that fight brought an end to people picking on me.

What do you recall as your first major encounter with people telling you — ‘you can’t do it’?

Growing up, I wanted to become a doctor. When I shared this desire with someone, I was told not to go to university and that I wouldn’t be able to study Medicine. He advised that I opt for a polytechnic and study a course that would be ‘easier for me’. Determined and self-willing, I went ahead and took the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exams and applied for Medicine. This however didn’t work out because when the results came out, I was offered Botany at the University of Nnamdi Azikiwe, Awka.

Hmm… So how did tech enter the picture?

After I graduated from the University with a Botany degree, I still wanted to study Medicine, so I wrote JAMB again. I however was denied admission. Covid 19 hit afterwards and that was how I got my first exposure to tech. With everyone locked up at home, I decided to take a 3-week tech class. It wasn’t anything serious, but I felt there was something there for me, and I wanted to pursue it.

When I rounded off my Service year in 2021, I was offered the opportunity to select from two jobs. I turned both down because I was so sure by then that I wanted to do something in the Tech space. I began hunting for Tech internships, and I attended a 3-month boot camp which I paid for. After the boot camp, I got an internship role as a Web Developer and as a facilitator at a tech startup. I also did home tutoring to students on the rudiments of Tech.

You were into tech already, why did you feel the need to come to Semicolon?

I am a visionary and I wanted to solve real problems. Even while I taught people the basics of CSS and JavaScript, I knew there was still so much I had not learnt. Watching videos of what people did online, I knew I wanted more. I decided to upskill using online courses from platforms like GADS, but I couldn’t continue because it wasn’t a one-on-one class and my motivation was so low.

In my frustration of not improving my tech skills, I stumbled across other people who had a similar issue and one day I came across a post where someone described her frustration. In the comment section of that post, someone posted — ‘Have you checked out Semicolon Africa?’ Curious, I checked out the website and I was pleased. I applied that day.

Joining Semicolon was a big leap for me. Coming from Anambra to Lagos where I had no friends or family or anywhere to stay created doubts in my mind. Finances was another battle and I still wonder how I pulled it off.

I however took the step for two reasons. The first was the fact that I wanted to be a real software engineer, not just someone who writes code. Secondly, was the fact that I needed a community that could encourage me and an environment where people would not see me differently. And from my inquiry stage, I already felt I would get that at Semicolon.

How would you describe your time at Semicolon?

Within my program at Semicolon, I had periods where I was burnt out and I fell sick severally. Once, I was out of class for two months because I was ill. My legs were hurting and I couldn’t walk properly. The program was really intensive and rigorous. But in all, Semicolon Africa was what I hoped it would be.

I got the two things I came for — the skill and the community. I never felt judged and I was treated just the same way as everyone else. I always wanted to be a software engineer, and Semicolon has set me on that path and has exposed me to what it takes.

So what’s next for Doris?

I am proud to say that I am a Software Engineer, and I plan on creating a map for others who look like me to follow. Being who I am makes me yearn for more knowledge, growth and stability because I’m not fighting for myself alone. I’m fighting for my family, and I’m fighting for everyone out there who’s just like me.