Reminiscing 2022
“Adversity toughens manhood, and the characteristic of the good or the great man is not that he has been exempt from the evils of life but that he has surmounted them.” –Patrick Henry.
As the year 2022 ends, it’s hard not to reflect on all that has happened since what seems like a lifetime ago. With the global pandemic, deep economic recession, and civil unrest, this year has been anything but ordinary. Despite it all, we stand at a crossroads where opportunity is also abundant if you’re willing to look for it.
What stands out most about 2022 is how quickly things can change depending on your outlook and perspective. While some were left feeling helplessly overwhelmed by their circumstances, others saw opportunities they never knew existed before or had access to due to the fear of the unknown. One prime example would be my friend Derrick Were who has ventured into the realms of podcasting, hosting a show called “Mental Wealth,” which focuses on mental wellness and self-awareness of young people.
Derrick demonstrated to me that when faced with any challenge, one must courageously step up instead of succumbing to despair! It inspired me to understand more than ever why having clear goal-setting strategies is so important during times of chaos and uncertainty. No matter what obstacles get in the way, eventually being able to leave doubt behind in any circumstance life throws at you rather than accepting its limitations is key. We can always expand our potential growth and eventually accomplish whatever our hearts desire!
Personally, this year has been full of positive vibes, and a lot of challenges. Just as Molière put it, “The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it.” I’ve had some major victories and made some new connections that have done everything they could to expose me to the outside world and guide me toward career and social growth. One person that has worked tirelessly to ensure that I continue to chase the success that I have been made for has been joking for the rest of the year, saying, “If you ever write a book, I demand a chapter,” but does he really need a chapter? Of course, he does. I’m talking about Sam Nyamwange.
Sam has been instrumental in pushing me to go for all that I deserve. He has been there during the rainy days and has also been present to celebrate with me during wins. His words of encouragement have been invaluable in my current job, and he always provides a sounding board when I’m struggling with difficult decisions. I can honestly say that today, I am much more confident in myself because of Sam’s influence. He has helped me recognize my worth and the value I bring to the table. He has shown me that it is okay to set big goals and strive for greater heights, no matter how intimidating they may seem.
Sam has been a true mentor in every sense of the word. With his advice and guidance, I have learned to take risks, challenge myself, and not be afraid to take on new opportunities. He has also taught me the importance of having honest and open conversations with coworkers, helping me foster strong relationships that will last long after our careers together have ended. Thanks to Sam, I now have a newfound passion for my work, a better understanding of professional etiquette, and an unstoppable drive for success. His dedication and loyalty are unparalleled; without his support, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
As I reflect, there is a lot to be happy about. Earning happiness requires doing well and working, not gambling and being lazy. This can be attributed to the fact that I have stayed busy for the majority of the year. While being lazy may seem appealing, the only thing that can truly satisfy you is work. Even though I’m thankful for all of my victories, big or small, the following have come out on top, if there is such a thing.
1. Handling the USAID KIMs Learning Event communication. The Kenya Investment Mechanism (KIM) is a five-year USAID project that is facilitating $520 million in investment for key sectors of Kenya’s economy, including agriculture, health, water, sanitation, and hygiene; clean energy and infrastructure; women-owned businesses; and regional trade and investment opportunities under the Prosper Africa initiative. I’m grateful to have collaborated with the best minds in the country to make the event a reality. My job entailed overseeing all communication. I made certain that we reached out to people through various forms of content on social media while customizing the content to be existing and thought-provoking. I’m grateful that the communication reached over six million people directly and independently online.
2. Managing Soraya Teen Moms and Girls’ graduation and doubling up as an MC. Soraya works with teenage moms, providing them with entrepreneurial skills that kick-start their lives. The course culminates in a graduation event that I worked for hand in hand with the founder and executive director, Habiba Juma, to bring to life. We spent a significant amount of time in the early morning crossing all the Ts and dotting all the Is. Acting as the event manager and also the Mc was quite challenging, and at the end of the day, I had set a new record for how far I could stretch. Thank you, Habiba Juma, for believing in my skills and capabilities.
3. KETA Awards event. Since being founded in 2019 with Evans Ouya and I, we have seen an inspiring transformation in the perspectives of the people we empower. The Kibera Eight Town Awards annually celebrates people who are doing remarkable activities and use their stories to inspire the residents of Kibera. KETA Awards are always characterized by a lot of applications, verifications, voting, and endless communications to the participants. KETA Awards 2022 was no exception. We had to roll our sleeves up and handle the business while referring to the recommendations from 2021 and refining the process bit by bit.
4. Code with Kids. STEM is the future, and Africa should embrace it. Working as a project manager at Code with Kids shaped my thinking on how to best work with kids and the endless possibilities of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Special thanks to Renice Owino for the guidance and assistance during my tenure at Code with Kids.
5.NairoBits Trust. I handle communication at NairoBits Trust, and I must say that this is one of the greatest skills that I possess, having handled both sales and marketing prior. Personally, communication means being able to convince people to buy your ideology, service, or even product. At NairoBits Trust, I have been able to understand the dynamics of communication and how it works. I am confident that my communication skills will be an asset in any workplace environment and will help me interact effectively with colleagues, customers, and stakeholders. With my knowledge, understanding, and experience, I believe that I’m a valuable addition to any team.
Summing up Life works like yin and yang: one side is good luck or blessings, while the other may bring about bad fortune or curses; however, both sides are intertwined, with every experience having potential benefits if viewed correctly, no matter how unfortunate it might seem initially. Simply changing one’s perception can lead to new paths that allow individuals more control over their own destiny than ever before! So why not take back control? Why not choose yourself above anything else on this planet? Look at adversity as an opportunity instead of failure! Believe me when I say defining moments come quicker than we think, so don’t waste yours testing fate; focus on creating something awesome out there within reach right now because today is where your book begins its journey into tomorrow’s history; add some power behind each chapter written along with those words; live up against stereotypes set upon oneself through these chapters; endure existence without giving up once rather than twice! Adios ✒️
