By Kelechi Ihunanya Amadi

Of all the experiences I had in boarding school, I think the most harrowing was the constipation I had in the second term of my stay there.

I was barely 11 and, even with the presence of guardian angels such as Amadi Ijeoma, Juliana Nnokwe, Thelma Mma Ekezie-Mezieobi, Echefu Ihechi Linda and Amadiobi C Obiageri, I still felt homesick occasionally.

One of the causes of my nostalgia was the state of the dormitory toilets. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t get used to the sight of pile of faeces in the toilet bowl and, most disgustingly, used sanitary pads littered everywhere (those were my pre-menstrual days).

At a point, I had to program myself to use the toilet immediately after Saturday inspection because the toilets would be scrupulously clean for some moments before they were messed up again.

That meant I defecated only ONCE in a week – an 11-year-old! I naively couldn’t imagine cleaning another person’s mess even if I had to benefit from the effort. Ironically, a couple of times, I was compelled by seniors to literally pound faeces in a blocked toilet and then clean it in order for them to use. I still shudder from that memory.

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Initially, my body adapted to the weekly excretion arrangement, but not for long. The constipation began with my stomach getting bloated. Then the watery fecal discharge in my pant while I slept. Then the stomach cramps. Then my inability to pass stool. Then the fever.

The seniors I mentioned above did all they could to help me pass stool (bless their hearts) but nothing worked. I was in constant pain. I felt like I was dying. After about two days, I had to be admitted at the school clinic where I was given Mist. Mag. suspension. Few hours later, I felt the urge to push something out from my rectum. I ran out of the clinic just in time to pass the first lump beside the clinic toilet. The nurse unlocked the toilet for me to finish my much-anticipated business. It was sparkling clean! (I would later often visit the clinic on the pretext of having a constipation, be given Mist. Mag., and allowed to use the toilet.

My parents were contacted the next day. When they came, I simply told them I couldn’t cope with the toilet condition of the dormitory. My dad wanted to persuade me to stay but my mum, seeing how I laid on the clinic bed like I had just put to bed, instantly agreed for me to become a day student. I only returned to the dormitory when I was 13 and I was made the House Captain in my SS3.

Despite that horrible experience, from a personal perspective and without prejudice to day-studentship, a good boarding school has a lot of benefits to offer to students – academically and socially. Most of the survival skills I know were acquired within the confines of the boarding house. Most of my co-alumnae share the same opinion.

So, will I send my kids to a good boarding school? Absolutely!

Will I listen to my kids when they complain about anything in the dormitory? Absolutely!

Will, I de-board my kids when necessary? Absolutely!

Vanguard News Nigeria