A female teacher from the Democratic Republic of Congo has shared the reasons behind her decision to marry a former student, despite a considerable age difference between them. Jeannette, who is now happily married to Hassan Mamba Remy, a boy she once taught in high school, explains that she has no regrets about her decision, even though it surprised their community.
In an interview, Jeannette confirmed their unique relationship: “Yes, it’s true. I was a teacher, and my husband was my student. We’ve now been married for five years.”
Hassan, who mustered the courage to express his feelings for his teacher, recalled how their bond grew stronger over time. “We’ve been married for five years and have two beautiful children. She was my teacher, and she would come to my home to help me with extra lessons. We spent a lot of time together, and eventually, I found myself falling in love with her. I found it hard to focus on my studies because all I could think about was her,” he shared.
Despite the significant 12-year age gap, Hassan was undeterred by societal judgments. As the final exams approached, he took the bold step of confessing his feelings to Jeannette, explaining his struggle with the age difference. “I told her I loved her and was uncertain about how to express it. She didn’t turn me down; she just asked for time to think it over,” he revealed.
Jeannette admitted that she was initially taken aback by Hassan’s confession. “I noticed he wasn’t focused on his studies, and at first, I thought he was just playing around. I even responded harshly, thinking he was disrespecting me. But fate has a funny way of working; sometimes, those we ignore become important to us. As he persisted, something changed inside me. I realized I loved him, and all I wanted was to be with him,” she said.
Even though their relationship faced opposition from both families—Hassan’s relatives, in particular, urged him to reconsider, as Jeannette was significantly older—they persevered. Now, five years later, they proudly celebrate their love and their growing family of two children.
