The boy I helped japa used my name to eat other people's money

My childhood friend in Ibadan called me in 2022. Her son, Tunde, wanted to come UK for nursing. She said Bose, you know this boy, help him. I said okay. I wrote his references, I coached him for the interview, I even gave him my spare room for his first two months. Everything free.

Six months later, my phone started ringing. A woman from Lagos. She said Tunde collected £2,500 from her for a care home job that no exist. She said he told her "Mama Bose is my sponsor, she will sort everything." My name. My own name.

I confronted him. He just looked at me and said "Aunty, na hustle. You no dey hustle too?" I could not talk. The same boy I carried from airport. I told his mother. She cried and said sorry. But the damage was done. Three other people had already paid him.

I stopped the japa consulting for one year after that. Now I only help people I can look in the eye. Lesson: not every child from home is your child. Some are just passing through your kindness.