Africa: I’ve never had sex in my life,say this 88-yr old nurse
By THOMAS OGAGA USHIE
Gwendolyn is her name. Ordinarily, she would be taken for a grandma. But this 88, year-old nurse is several poles apart from that ascription.
Last week when encountered by National LIFE, she dropped the bombshell: that she has never had sex with any man in life. In essence, this octogenarian who though a missionary but not a Reverend Sister, is a virgin!
She has spent more than 40 years in Nigeria. She witnessed the lowering of the Union Jack and the hoisting of the Nigerian National Flag. Recounting the post independent days, she said with nostalgia: “Where I came from is quite different from Nigeria. There, the government takes care of us. Even up till date, they still look after me by remitting some stipends to me. In those days, we did not give offertory in the church. The government took care of the church. But here in Nigeria, bad leaders have spoiled the country. I believe things will get better soon.
“Some weeks ago, the Reverend Father said that robbers raided some churches. I was very shocked. I have heard of robbers stealing but not in the church. It wasn’t like this in those days. Things have gone worse to the extent that offertory are being stolen in the church. It is bad,” she lamented.
Beaming with smiles in the Holy Family Home, Regina Mundi Centre, Mushin, she said: “My name is Gwendolyn which means ‘a gift from God’.” Although she has refused to go back to her country of origin, she would not fail to let you know where she comes from. When our reporter enquired about her welfare, she quickly educated him: “I am not a Nigerian. I am from Barbados.”
A nurse by profession, this 88-year-old woman left the comfort of her country for a missionary work in Nigeria after undergoing same in many other countries. And she has lived a sexless life in order to do the work of God, giving back, the gift God has given to her.
“I had a wonderful childhood. I came from a very wonderful country. While I was in school, I told my mother that I don’t want to marry. I wanted to give my life to missionary work and which I did. I was under 16 when I applied to become a nurse. But the school authorities turned me down because they had a policy of not admitting students below 16 years in age. I was later instructed to write another application which I did and was admitted.
“Upon completion of my nursing course, I proceeded to the London Bible College and furthered to Israel where I studied for five years.
“After my studies, I embarked on missionary works in Japan, China, India, and many other countries before coming to Nigeria.
Coping without sex
“One can subdue the lust of the flesh and live without having sex. Marriage is very good when you have the right person. If you marry the wrong person, you are in a very big trouble” she said.
Does it presuppose that she did not see the right person to have spent 88 years on earth without marriage? She responded in the negative. “I gave my life to God’s work and chose the life of celibacy. I have no regret for not marrying or living without sex all this while!”
Advice for immoral youths
Can mortals serve God without sex? Mama Gwendolyn said that “in the sisterhood here, there are young, beautiful girls who are serving God faithfully and would not marry but are happy. Sex is good. But it must be done within the confine of marriage institution. Young boys and girls should channel their energies to their educational development because every good thing would come at its appropriate time. You can cope without sex.”
Given the opportunity to go back to her country, would she oblige? “No!” she answered. “I have lost my sisters and brothers. But I still communicate with nephews and nice. We speak on phone. One of them visited me some time ago.”
(thenationallife.com)