AN OPEN LETTER TO THE GIRL CHILD

If there was a day when the girl child needed inspiration, if anyone doubted the strength of a Kenyan woman, if any prejudiced individual ever needed an opportunity to change his mind then Monday 11^th 2013 was the day and Brookhouse International school was the venue. Politics aside the presence of the only female presidential candidate amidst seven men, her eloquence and her determination to be the best was inspiring. It was not just inspiring the minority but it was a turning point that in a just Kenya sex was not a hindrance. All one had to do is be competent, be at their best and they would have an equal shot at the top prize, The Presidency of Kenya.

The way she confidently walked and fiercely debated her male opponents was inspiring, as the facilitators prodded her with questions she answered without the slightest hint of intimidation. She had her facts and was ready to sell her vision to the Kenyan electorate.

It comes at a time when the girl child in Marakwet is being forced to undergo female genital mutilation, at a time when some prefer to educate the boy child at the expense of the girl child who is seen as more suited for domestic chores. Yes there have been noted attempts to correct some of these but her appearance on the Presidential Debate was an inspiration.

The politics during the debate and whoever wins the presidency aside, it is my prayer that every parent, teacher, servant of God may continue to guide our daughters to be the best that they can be. I agree that the same zeal should be afforded to the boy child. Let us cultivate and fight to live in a society that believes that all men are created equal, and if so they should be treated equal irrespective of their race, sexual orientation and sex.

LEGACY

There is a gold rush to classes; everyone wants to be better than they already are. Self improvement is all over the place, from television, newspaper to the internet. We all want to drive that big car, live in a specific address, our children to attend particular schools. We want membership to golf clubs, dream holidays to destinations with exotic names. Do not get me wrong I also want good things but the big Q is…have we prioritized?

On that tombstone, it is only your name that will feature, a big car, huge bank accounts are not legacies but the betterment of humanity is. As my good mentor put it, we do not remember the watch that Wangari Maathai wore, neither the car that Mother Theresa rode in, we simply do remember what they did while present on earth. It is therefore crucial that we take a breath from all this razzmatazz and carefully explore our motive for self improvement. A story is told of a man who was able to take his children to the best schools around; the wife had all she wanted but him. He got promotion after promotion and thus making him busier, pleas by family members for his time were met by his request that he wanted to be president of the company and that is when he would rest and have time for them.

Funny he got his wish but at a price, when he finally became one it is when he realized that he had lost his wife to his former loyal driver, who had filled the position of man in the house and they were already expecting a young one. On the other hand his only daughter was a total stranger to him; she was deep in drugs and had even been expelled from college after being found in possession of bhang. Yes he had made it in his career but at the expense of family, all he could do was weep over spilled milk, it was late. As his wife sat there expectant with the driver’s child he wished to turn back the clock but could not, he contemplated divorce but soul searching made him realize it was his fault to neglect his wife. I hope that you do not get caught up in such a situation. Prioritize your life and I hope family comes first no matter what. Have a blessed month.

A COMPASS (TRUE NORTH)

Given a compass,it will correctly point towards True North, and with that any navigator will be able to move to their destination. On your way North there will be swamps,valleys,streams,storms and many more impediments but remember the compass does not include them.

Your ultimate goal is your destination no matter the obstacles,it is with this in mind that I challenge you to pursue your heart's desires.Most of us know exactly where we want to be but somehow cower due to the obstacles we face.I am inexperienced,I lack the resources,I am not a good salesperson, I do not have the personality but I challenge you to marshal all your courage and head 'North' remember a smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.

It is by courage and defying of obstacles that empires were conquered,successful businesses were built,great leaders rose in times of difficulty to lead their nations,I hope you have the courage to rise against your obstacles.

So what is it that you want to achieve, it is time to start moving no matter the obstacles.

DREAMS

I have a dream, Dreams from My Father, do blind people dream, there is a lot out there with regards to dreams. I keenly want us to take a peek as to whether dreams come true or people rise up to make dreams come true.

When Barrack Obama rose to be president had a dream come true or someone had worked hard and realized the dream, when you achieve something you have dreamt of, has the dream come true or did you work hard to make that dream come true? Our forefathers dreamt of an independent Kenya free from the colonial masters, did it just come or did they lose lives just to get that long dream of a free Kenya? More often than not people wait for dreams to come true but as we all know we have to take baby steps to our dreams. If we know this then why do we often remain inactive and continue making graves to become the riches place that bury dreams?

Fear, the day we overcome this is the day we start our journey. We all have to trust that the road gets straight ahead of that bend; we have to shun what the spectators say and pursue our dreams just like football players do their thing whether the crowd cheers or jeers. We have to value highly our own approval and not rely on others and we have to be ready to fail and try again knowing that when you fall you can only come back better than you started.

Resilience; along this journey you will meet obstacles, keep in mind that a smooth sea never made a skilled sailor, soldier on and when the going gets tougher assemble friends that will bring you up when down.

Legacy; the most inspiring dreams are selfless; them that pursue them seek the betterment of humanity. They package the dream in a manner that makes those around them want a piece of the pie. When Cecilia Mwangi fights jiggers, it is so that others and not her may be free from it, The Gates’ fight Malaria not because they are victims but they draw satisfaction in lending a hand to humanity. Is your dream selfless or selfish?

Commitment; In the face of obstacles and great odds, they push, they may never get their reward in their lifetime; but they dream all the way and also ensure that despite the opposition they meet the reward of their dream is so great to humanity that they are ready to pay even with their lives to see it come to pass.

Lastly, I hope that like I did, you realized that monentary reward was not in the picture. If it comes it is just the garnishing on the cake but not a priority or fuel for any dream. The reward for dreams is so great that it lives from generation to another. I hope that you soul search your dream and align it to the betterment of humanity. Then let it unfold