2010 in a nutshell

In December 2009, I was really on my downiest time of my life; I had to start a new life in almost all aspect of myself. But mid of that month, I saw the hand of God and things worked so well till the end of the year. I started the New Year with such zeal and hope. Yah, I did kick it off on a high note. January 2010 I was so optimistic of the coming year. I knew I would really work on my resolutions and goals I had here. But this is what it turned out to be:

1.       January

a.      Happy new year

b.      Matatus goes on strike, I report to school three days later.

c.       A cheque I was expecting bounces, I have to survive in campus for three weeks with KES 450 in the pocket.

d.      Unbelievable support from my campus family; Cecilia Njoroge, Maryanne Kagai Anne Olang'o.

e.      Meets Martin R Khay talk and he restores hope to live another day. Martin, I remember the chipos we had at that ka hotel and talking for three hours.

The lessons learnt in this month were; life bouncing castle, the higher you jump the higher you bounce.

2.       February

a.      The cheque matures; life is better, settles debts with my Sacco. Never felt that relieved.

b.      Initial drama in my relationship, meet to iron it out. The partner is left more than shuddered; I am left more than pieces of bloody heart.

c.       I am tired of school and take a whole week recess to Mwea, just one week to exam.

d.      14^th, Robert is one year old. Woken up in my room at 0000hrs by a group of gals I never forget, Cecilia, Anne, Kogos, Naomi, and others. Rumor had reached them that I am planning to escape that morning at 6am to head home. So they decided to wash me at that time. Ooh twas cold but the happy birthday song made me warmer. Thanks for the love. On the same day, goes to the children’s’ home and meet Blessol, Leila, Joyce and Gulliet. Gals you still rock in my life.

e.      Starts exams, closes school and goes to Kakamega for a week. Gets to know Esther Muthee more, can’t forget the fun we had as we trained together. You are gal destined for greater things in life.

Lesson: So many people say that you won’t amount to anything, you won’t make it, and you won’t succeed- unless you’re on your own. But those people forget the heroes standing behind them- the unsung warriors- the brave fighters and peacemakers- who make life what it is. These people are friends, compadres, amigos, amis and even the chums- add the vibrancy and color to this world that is otherwise a monotone black and white. These people- who no matter what is wrong and what they are doing, support you every step of the way and hold you up when you’re falling.

3.      March

Meet Patrick Kiarie Nyokabi, this man turns my life all the other round. We talked and I thought I was watching a movie. I see what God can do for his people; I moved a notch higher in faith. He ends up becoming more than a brother. Patrick Kiarie Nyokabi I love and treasure you so much. You are such a blessing.

Reports back to school for second semester. There is no much to do than read. The reality that I may have completely lost the one that I loved strikes me.  Maryanne Kagai your support is invaluable. Love you big gal.

Lesson:

So the grace You poured upon my life
Will return to You in praise
I'll gladly lay down all my crowns
For the name of which I am saved
Redeemer Savior Friend

4.      April

A very cool month, very rainy. A lot of attention to books, knowing that the end of year exams is just around the corner. Receives a sweet gift of books from my sweet mom, Rosemary Kestner. The books take me a higher notch in my spiritual life. Rosemary Kestner I still read the books and they are such a blessing. Thanks you so much for the books and can’t wait to see you next year.

My mother Josephine Wanjiru Maruri turns 54! She gives me a surprise in my life, am so not going to expose it until later.

5.      May and June

I have been a good member of G-Kenya Trust for one and half month and now acting as the secretary. I join the other members, David Kuria, Elphas Naivasha, Leonard Mutisya, Maurs Tunya, Ali, Gabriel, Javince, Chris Lilo . They are such a great set of brains, talents, friendships and life changers. Values you guys very much.

We sets out with the G-Kenya Trust to domesticate the Yogyakarta Principles; a universal guide to human rights which affirm binding international legal standards and promise a different future where all people born free and equal in dignity and rights can fulfill their precious birthright.

I am preparing to do the end of year exams. The SONU elections are approaching. There are bashments all over campus, noisy and very lousy. Elections are done; get back to normal life in campus. In no time, student’s starts rioting and we are sent home till further notice. It turns out to five weeks out of college.

I am so bored with life, but an opportunity to spend my time at G-Kenya Trust volunteering. This turns out to be a time when am molded into an activist, and to revisit my proposal writing skills which had dwindled since I joined campus two years ago. It was a breathtaking experiencing, empowering, eye-opening and all the same challenging in totality. Key thing I learnt in the period were to get to live with people of diverse opinion and personality and appreciate the inherent strength of a person, deal with prejudice and discriminations. I can forget what and experience it was working with  David Kuria, Elphas Naivasha, Leonard Mutisya, Maurs Tunya, Ali, Gabriel,  Denis Nzioka, Soloh, Owen. We had our differences, but am glad we tried to override them. Blessings to all of you and the good work you are doing. Hope we are going to do bigger stuff this year.

Other important people that I met at the place were; Sam Masai, your sense of humor and encouraging verses makes me miss you every minute.

Ryan Ubuntu, the intern from Clinton school of public service, you are a friend, a colleague and a mentor. Your expertise, zeal and diligence still amazes me. I will treasure you all along and I hope to see you soon.  We did a lot and we are going to do even more together. We share a vision. I am praying for you to get a new Job and a partner too!!HUH

6.      July

We are called back to school, with only one week to prepare for the exam. I receive bad news that Ryan Ubuntu cutting short his visit to Kenya. I remember meeting you at the hotel and seeing you off. I owe you big time dear. G-Kenya trust is rocking weakly in a wave that seems it will tear it up. A time to challenge prejudice and the real meaning of standing for justice. I still feel guilty that my assertive skills never worked and working on the even now. Huh am glad G-Kenya Trust stood that and came out stronger.

I am doing my exam, it was an uphill climb. Parasitology and Microbiology are making me tense all up. Oh, thank God I did it all.

7.      August and September

I am volunteering at G-Kenya Trust. Packing at a friend’s House, Elphas. It was cool, and despite all that happened later, thanks so much for the time. I owe you big time for your kindness, and commitment in the activism. Keep the spirit brother and I wish blessings to come all your way. I meet very humble people from Nairobi, guys from Mwaura’s, courtesy of Blessol and Joyce. I tell you, the story made me thank God for every single moment I sleep under a roof and for every thought of a bright future I find away.

8.      October

I am at home preparing to go back to school. two weeks of sleeping and relaxing. Thanks God for my mom and sisters, you just make me miss home everytime. Small bro Richard and nephew Ben Love you big. I miss seeing you off to school in the morning. I look forward to see you as big men in the community. You still come to be the Pilot and Doctors you want to be in future. God lead you.

I am reporting to school. I just realize I was not allocated a room by SWA.  And my most turbulent time of my year starts. I am just from clearing some issues that had been holding important things of my life and was not really standing on a good ground. Ferrying from home for two weeks was just too stressing. I thanks God for my family in campus; Cecilia Njoroge, Maryanne Kagai Anne Olang'o. Mbarikiwe tu sana. The collabo to host me is just invaluable. 

The same time I meet a very Important man of God who have really restored a lot of Lost hope in my life; Nebert Njeru. You are a God sent angel in my life and I tell you we are going to work together through thick and thin to see what we agreed comes to be. I am grateful that you shared a dream that no other person ever shared to me. I thank God that since I met you I can comfortably say I have a father. Mbarikiwa tu mpaka ufloat.

9.      November

I am just accustoming to school life. Trying to get the grip of studies, when a bad thing happens again. I lose my sweet lovely grandma. Nduta wa Korre. She is the one woman who fore saw something in my about influence and leadership when I was toddler and told me that I am destined for big things. I lost my hope when I was in high school and she walked me home assuring of success. I will not forget the times we have talked, the wise words you have told me. I will always miss you grandma. Sob Sob Sob! Surely you were a great woman, a politician, a mentor, a leader, a mother, a grandmother and a legacy we will sing of forever. You told that I may not be that masculine but I am a great man. You are my role model.

I am having the time with the lowest emotional level. I want to take a week or two from school to a place far away where I can get to focus on myself, deal with some anger and hatred toward God and some people for long time in my life. I can’t just get to class; I have no energies for that. And so I miss the classes, and at the end of the month I am called to go for training in Bondo. Probably, this going to be a breather for me.

I take one afternoon, go to certain garden, I cry and cry and cry and cry……….when am leaving there, I feel better though still mad at God and life, They are so unfair. Did I deserve all the suffering in my life?

10.   December

I am in Bondo at the beginning of the month. I am taking all the sweet time to reflect on my inner self and what I want to make out of life. I am having great company with colleagues and the guys we were training. Challenging times at Got Kojwang’, Pith Dero and Kamariga. I make new friends, Wabi, Maja, cate and Wilberforce. A lot to learn and a lot to keep for my life. I shall share them later.

Get back to school and on the day I arrive I am so not sleepy so I chat with a new friend on facebook, called Mwangi Mukami. Since that day, I knew I have met a brother, a mentor and friend. God bless you for all that we have shared and we are continuing to share. A lot of blessings you have helped me gather. You taught me the place I need to take in life ever and I am not going to bargain for anything less.

This happens to be the month that I am meeting very interesting personalities and friends, just to mention them, France Mwambia, Teapati Reinhard, Steve Jay, Fred Kinoti, Rae Ray, Izoh Chakaya and all my facebook friends who I can’t all enlist here here, Robyn Ndouch Ba-Chiru Friends. You are such a blessing to me, you encourage, teach and promote my wellbeing. Thanks for everything. Fred Kinoti, France Mwambia Mwangi Mukami, Nebert  Njeru looking up for bigger things from us this coming year.

There are also these special friends in my life who have been there for me by me and with me through thick and thin, life in and life out; Trizah Kamau- First love, John Mburu-Trinity Brothers, Patrick and Esther, Patrick Musibi, Veno Beacky, Fr. Edward and whole OFM Conv. fraternity, Sean Gits, Kiratu Douglas. Guys Tumetoka Mbali na Tunaenda Mbali pia.

Finally, when you look at Robert, don’t just see a man there; see the works of the Almighty God. Every ounce of me is because of his grace and love. You should also see the great work Josephine, my mother has done into my life and not to forget my siblings; Joshua, Alice, Mary, George, Marieh, Anne, Richard. That is the family that keep me beating, I love them so much!

I have no idea what to expect this coming year. I am tempted not to make any resolutions since the last years seems like a bounce back. One major prayer I have is a drive toward full independence, expanded boundaries and financial breakthrough, guidance from the God. I want to be a year when I will grow in faith, strength, career, in favor of God and Mankind.