Chef Braakman

Can Surrogacy Be Ethical? A Mother’s Journey Through Loss, Law, and Love

May 28, 2025 3 Comments

After three miscarriages and countless tears, I found myself exploring surrogacy, not just as a medical option, but a legal and ethical maze. As a Nigerian woman married to a Dutch man, the complexities went beyond borders. Dutch law demanded altruism, while unregulated markets in places like Nigeria exposed heartbreaking exploitation. I found solace and insight in the ancient story of Hagar, the Bible’s first surrogate, and saw how her pain echoes in modern realities. Can surrogacy be ethical? Only if love leads, laws protect, and no woman is made invisible in the process.

From Snapshots to Stories: My Journey Through History, Slavery, and Self-Discovery

May 26, 2025 No Comments

Travel used to be about pictures and passport stamps. Now, it’s my classroom, my calling, and my way of reclaiming history.
From the slave forts of Ghana to the genocide memorials of Rwanda, and the haunted beauty of Curaçao’s colonial past, my journey has transformed. It’s no longer about ticking off cities but about understanding stories, stories of pain, resilience, and identity. I’ve walked the lands where my ancestors were taken, and I’m learning to listen to what the soil remembers.
This isn’t just travel. It’s relearning who I am, and where we’ve come from.

Evolving on Abortion: A Reflection from Faith, Experience, and Listening

May 24, 2025 2 Comments

I was raised Catholic, and abortion was a firm no, no debate, no gray areas. But life has since given me reasons to pause and reflect. From witnessing a desperate teenage abortion attempt in boarding school to navigating the complexities of IVF and high-risk pregnancies myself, I now see the issue with deeper empathy and nuance. This isn’t about changing beliefs but understanding the stories, pain, and difficult choices women face. Today, I believe abortion is not just a political or moral issue, it’s a woman’s rights issue.

My Period Was Always a Stranger

May 22, 2025 No Comments

My period was always a stranger. In boarding school, I only got it once a term, with pain so severe I relied on my anesthetists father’s medication. Years later, I found myself in a public park, washing up with sachets of water, ashamed and confused. The diagnosis came in 2006: PCOS. No answers, no empathy, just a suggestion to get married and take Clomid. Two decades later, I’ve birthed five children, become a nutritional therapist, and now I tell my story, not as a guide, but as a lifeline

From Probation to Purpose: My Journey as a New Immigrant Professional in Canada

May 20, 2025 No Comments

In 2013, I walked into a job interview hours before flying to the Netherlands for my wedding. Two weeks later, I returned as a newlywed with a new job, but also with the weight of proving myself in a country that asked for Canadian experience I didn’t yet have. What followed was a test of patience, resilience, and self-worth. This is the story of how I survived probation, stood up for myself, and reclaimed my confidence.

The Price of an “A”: My Story of Harassment in University

May 18, 2025 4 Comments

It was my first week in university. I had no intention of dating, just wanted to study, mind my business, and maybe play some badminton. Then I met him. He was unremarkable, just a skinny guy I chatted with at the bank while waiting in line. The next day, he walked into my classroom as the lecturer. What started as a casual friendship soon spiraled into something darker. And when I refused to play his game, he weaponized the one thing he had control over, my grades.

The Sick Bay That Changed Me: A Boarding School Story That Shaped My Health Advocacy

May 15, 2025 4 Comments

In my Nigerian boarding school, sickness meant a visit to the sick bay, and almost everyone got the same treatment: paracetamol, folic acid, and antimalarials. But one tragic experience changed the way I view healthcare forever. After losing a dear friend to a misdiagnosed illness, I made a vow: I would never take my health, or any doctor’s decision, lightly again. This is the story of how that pain turned me into a relentless health advocate.

Bahrain: The Underrated Gem of the GCC

May 14, 2025 No Comments

Often overshadowed by its glitzy Gulf neighbors, Bahrain quietly surprised me. From ancient burial mounds and royal camels to the warmth of its people and a tree that thrives in the desert against all odds, this tiny island proved that even the most underrated destinations can leave a lasting impression.

Reading the Bible Again—with New Eyes, a Wiser Heart, and Open Hands

May 12, 2025 2 Comments

Ten years ago, I read the Bible during one of the darkest seasons of my life, grieving multiple miscarriages and searching for meaning. Now, a decade later, I’ve begun again, with fresh eyes shaped by motherhood, faith, and my global travels. From infertility in Genesis to the wisdom in ancient laws, I’m discovering a powerful God who isn’t afraid of my questions. This journey is changing me, and I can’t wait to share it with you.

Kuwait: A Surprisingly Enjoyable Detour in My Mission to Visit Every Country

May 10, 2025 No Comments

Kuwait surprised me during my brief visit, shifting my initial perception from just oil and gas to a vibrant culture rich in history. Despite visa issues and a less-friendly atmosphere, I discovered warmth through food, museums, and religious tolerance, ultimately gaining a newfound respect for this enchanting country.

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