Lessons from Mama; Happy Mother's Day

A mother is an irreplaceable asset in a person's life. Good or bad, dead or alive, we are born of one mother, that can never be changed. Thanks to our mothers, without them, history wouldn't know us. Many of us are where we are because of or mothers and the role they played, or are still playing. Long live our mothers.

As the world celebrates mothers, I join in celebrating too, because I owe who I am to my mother. The lessons I learned from her are worth sharing.

1. Do it. Don't wait for others to do what you can do. Don't wait to be told what to do, find something and do it. Don't be idle.

2. Take responsibility. No one will account for your life but you, be accountable. Learn to take responsibility, whenever, wherever. If you don't learn now, you'll learn it the hard way.

3. Be humble. Pride comes before a fall. No one knows what tomorrow may bring. Be as humble as you can be, humility will take you places pride will under look, and that's where your blessings lie. Do not look down on anyone.

4. Zip it! If you know nothing about it, say nothing. Yet still if you know it, unless it is necessary and helpful, shut your mouth. Your words are so powerful. They will build or destroy you. Watch your tongue, tame it.

5. Be smart. Think. Be critical, analyze before taking part in anything. Have a stand, do not follow a crowd.

6. Learn to say NO. It is easier said than done, but learn to say no. It is better to say no then change your mind later, than say no later after being trusted to do something.

7. Accept corrections. Have a teachable spirit, corrections will make you better if heeded unto. Take no offense, those who care to correct you want the best of you.

8. Be descent. From speech to dressing. Be presentable.

9. Read. Read experience matters.

10. Pray and trust in God. Above all, life and all the efforts will amount to nothing without God. He has all the answers.

The wisest man of all said
"Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it."

Happy Mother's Day to all mothers out there. We celebrate you.

WHY AM I BLACK?

To be born black and of black parents  was my first gift of nature. Many are times when the question "why are you black?" has been thrown at me, sometimes leaving me speechless. At first, I thought I was born black because my ancestors were black, my country men are black and so on. Yet I have discovered that there is a purpose in my being black, where black signifies the color of my skin as referred to by the world.

I don't know about you, but my world defines black as a relative of evil. From black mail to black list, black is not a good thing, no. So my sisters from another mother don't want to be associated with black, they bleach their skin to look "not black" though they remain black as far as race is concerned.  Black is beautiful, and handsome too. I have seen nothing as good as black. A melanin strong enough to withstand the scorching sun. Coming to think of it, I'm advantaged. There's nothing to regret about being black, thank God I'm black.

The first purpose of my being black is to change the world's definition of a black man. The color of my skin has nothing to do with my capabilities. If I can, I can. From Martin Luther King to Nelson Mandela, name them all  and those yet to come, it is evident that there's nothing impossible for a black man to achieve. The world I live in associates the black man with failure, I'm black to bring the point home. Success favors no man because of their origin, everyone will reap what they sow . Life knows no skin either, it happens to us all.

I am the definition of beauty. My world has its own standards of defining beauty, making my siblings feel lesser because they are black. To define beauty from the content of a person's skin is shallow, let alone from physical appearance. Beauty is what lies within, after what is without looses all its form.

There is a degree of beauty in each and every person, only if we look out for more than what meets the eye.

So why am I black anyway? I am black to let the world know that being black is not a disability, neither is it an inability. It is all in-between the ears.  I can dream, I can impact lives positively, I can change my world just like any other.

I'm proud of my race, it is the source of my grace.

A letter to my president, politicians and fellow Kenyan citizens

First and foremost, I thank the almighty God for putting us under one umbrella; our mother land Kenya. A home so beautiful, a people so wonderful. To describe it's beauty will fail me as my words are only understatements. Also, the diversity of its people I cannot exhaust. I am glad I belong and east or west, Kenya will always be my best. My first love, my true love.

Mr. President sir,

I curtsy before you then raise my face with a broad smile as I say "Jambo, Bwana  Rais." That you are  casual enough to shake my hand is humbling. Your smile is promising too. Allow me sir to commend you for the great job you are doing. I will be lying if I said that you have done zero work since you came into power. A round of applause to you  sir.  I am certain that if you continue with the same spirit and zeal, vision 2030 will be no more a dream but a reality.

 Mheshimiwa Rais, I pass my regards from my young African brothers who admire you and wish they could be free with their presidents as we are with you. They have never imagined taking a selfie with a dignitary like you, let alone writing a letter. You are not of our continent they say. They are right, you're heaven sent I tell them.

My prayer for you sir, is that you will keep focusing on that which is important and will move the nation forward. That you will seize this moment now to give your best to Kenyans, and deliver the promises you gave when asking for the position. What else did we trust you with if not what you promised?  Worry not yourself now of how to reserve your seat for a second term, instead, work harder that the people will see a need to have you back. Let not words speak out for you, but what you have done. Do not wait until it is late. Let it be done now, as your motto goes, Kusema na Kutenda.  Usha sema yote Rais, endelea kutenda.

Forget not sir, that some of your children are out there in the Diaspora. Most student's are having a hard time, among them scholarship students. These are the nation builders of tomorrow, why sir, won't you put them into consideration?  Motivating them to want to give back to the country will serve a great deal, as many will opt to remain in the Diaspora for greener pastures.  Ukraine for instance is going through a historical economic crisis, your  students are the only ones not receiving support from their government. Mr. President sir, something better than silence can be done, my opinion. Let those in the Diaspora  be happy to belong. They are raising the Kenyan flag higher and spreading the Kenyan spirit. In the Diaspora, you will  meet more patriots than in the motherland. With the Kenyan flag all over around them; bangles, scurfs, Tshirts, caps, name them all, with the Kenyan emblem.
Forget them not, Mr. President. Thank you.

Mr. Politician,

Our mama Kenya  weeps because of you. This grieves me too, I hate seeing mama cry you know.  I almost said we are not of the same mother because of the shame you sent out to the world. That aside, you have let your people down.  You have ignored the needs of the very people that sent you to serve them. You have given a deaf ear to their cries and changed your contacts, or even worse, rejected their calls.  You are fighting hard to secure your position and political dream, you are selfish.  You have refused to invest in the future of the capable youths you represent, you fear or know that given a chance to succeed they will come and do better than you. You are corrupt and give positions only to your own, you have failed.  You are doing bad. Instead of being possessed by power, fulfill the needs of your people. Build them. Leave not a legacy of greed, but that you served and positively impacted on lives. Learn from our heroes like Jesus, Martin Luther King, Mandela, Dr. Myles Munroe, to mention but a few who knew what leadership is all about. It is not about you sir. It is all about the people. Serve them, fight for their rights and needs, mentor them and your legacy will live long.

 My people,

 My siblings, it is well. Open your eyes. Once bitten, twice shy they say. But you are difficult, you don't learn from past mistakes. Don't be deceived, friends. By their fruits you will know them, from the pulpit to the parliament. For how long will you be manipulated? For how long will you accept bribes when you have a right? For how long will you sell votes for a dinner only to stay hungry for five years? Don't be short sighted, countrymen. See ahead. If they have not done it in five years, they will not do it in ten years. If they have nothing to show for the time they served, let them go! Don't listen to lies, my people. Forget about the promises, have proof that they are worth it, make no assumptions when bringing them to power. We are lagging behind because of the choices we made, we are the ones to blame. We would have no regrets if we made the right choices. Let us for once be wise. Just because he is a tribe mate does not mean he is fit, we are too old for that. Give credit where it is due. Hate speech and tribalism should be history, we are one people.

 Let us live in unity, a people united will always stand strong. Forget not that leaders are human too, they are not perfect, they never will be. Looking up to them for everything is like preparing for doom. They will disappoint, that is inevitable but they are still ours to love and support. Be patient,  but not door mats to be dusted upon. Know your rights as a citizen, play a role in the nation building.

A peaceful people is a peaceful nation. A better Kenya will be a better us. It all starts with us. It is not the president's role, neither is it the politician's. All of us as Kenyans must have it in our hearts to steer our country to greater heights whether at home, or in the Diaspora.  We are the Kenya we want to see, for Kenya to change, we must change for the better.

 In  conclusion, let us put into practice the words of our national anthem.  Justice be our shield and defender. May we dwell in unity, peace and liberty. Build this our nation together. Service be our earnest endeavor as we fill every heart with thanksgiving. Also, firmly stand to defend our homeland of Kenya, heritage of splendor.

 Daima, mimi mkenya. All Kenyan, All the time.

 With Love,
Liz.

#EndPovertyinKenya

What Could make poverty reduction efforts more effective in the future?

The World Bank's role in the fight against poverty can never be overlooked. That it contributes to the fight  is enough reason to have results, poverty reduction. Unfortunately, the fight goes on and on, making poverty look like an incurable disease. What then can be done, to see the fruits of what the World Bank is doing?

·         Follow Up

Mostly, non-governmental organizations (NGO's) head the programs on poverty reduction. Sometimes, the government too assigns bodies to chip in. This normally starts with a boom then in the middle of it, nobody knows what happens  to the projects. Either, the funds were not enough to see projects to completion, or someone played a game somewhere.

Unfortunately, funds belonging to those in dire need end up being embezzled by those who already have more than enough. The poor cannot question what happened to their funds when in the first place the question is directed to the responsible persons. This habit has caused stagnancy in the fight to end poverty. The poor remain poor as the rich increase their riches with what is meant to help the poor. The poor have no one to speak out for them, let alone listen.

The World Bank should therefore follow up on every project they fund. Have those in charge held accountable for every penny. Demand results, progress. Send representatives to the people, find out randomly what is happening. The sad truth is that there are instances when the poor receive not up to the half of the aid sent to them. Why? Those in charge, divide some share within themselves, or even use it as a source of income. Aid can be sold or sent to family members. This happens because there's corruption everywhere, given a cent, the able shut up their mouths as the poor continue lacking. I believe this would be different if the World Bank had  teams that follow up on these projects.

·         Teams

A team other than the local people. A people, who have no hunger for money but who see the need of the poor and truly want them to have a better life. A team that would by no means take or give bribes, but give a penalty to those found stealing from the poor. A team that can speak out for and not only listen to the cries of the poor, but be the answer.   We lack such teams, most of those who operated are corrupt, and selfish.

Transparent, trustworthy and performing teams will bear fruits and make the poverty reduction efforts more effective.

#EndPovertyinKenya

Issues the World Bank should tackle; Areas that would have the biggest impact on reducing poverty.

Poverty reduction and its end in Kenya is an achievable goal. However, this has become a common song such that  we empathize when it plays and forget everything about it until the song replays. The fight against poverty therefore goes on, year in, year out. I believe that if good measures are taken, poverty will be only but a history.

·         Education

Most of the Kenyans languishing in poverty have  never seen the door of a classroom. Despite the fact that they do not have the fees to pay, there are no schools. This makes it difficult. The pastoralists will turn into herding cattle, others will stay at home. Thus  their basic needs cannot be met.

Give a man a fish, he will have something to eat for a day. Show the man how to fish and he will eat all his life.  The world bank could use this ideology. Instead of always sending aid, invest in educating the people. The young ones should be given an opportunity to go to school, as the old ones are educated on how to make it count. What can they do to help end this? At the end of the day, the fight to end poverty will be fruitless if those in it don't play a role at all. What role to play they don't know. If in a drought stricken area, provide them with irrigation plants, let them water their crops and have something for food. In the long run, the people will learn and even come up with creative ways of sustaining themselves.

The people should be challenged too, to do something in that line. There's need to let them know that they don't have to accept poverty as a part of them, but walk out of that state. Giving them practical lessons on how that can be achieved. Letting them know what to expect if they personally joined in the fight, and how their life will be turned around for the better.

It is difficult to make a person who has lived in poverty all his life believe that there is a way out of it. As they say, seeing is believing. The world bank should aid in educating personnel who will create this awareness, and also those who will work for the project.

Personally, I don't have to be paid to educate a child out of poverty. Given the resources (for instance basic needs), I believe there are more than enough volunteers who can give a hand in this.

This is an issue I think the world bank should highlight.

#EndPovertyinKenya

Kenya's efforts to reduce poverty.

I love the Kenyan spirit, especially in the fight against poverty. Poverty is a terrible thing, it hurts to imagine the pain of those who die just because of hunger.  I am impressed that Kenyan's are uniting as one, to help reduce poverty.

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and I believe my country Kenya is heading to a No Poverty zone. In her efforts, Kenya is opening doors for support  not only from the locals, but from the World Bank too. This is a clear indication that if we choose to fight on, our dream will become a reality.

Volunteers are people we can never thank enough. They make the goal of ending poverty worth pursuing. They give a hope that joining hands together will help get there. That is the oneness spirit, impressive. Whether poor or rich, we are one as Kenyans and together we can do more than reduce poverty; end it!

A country that meets the needs of its people is what every citizen dreams of. A country that cannot be satisfied when her children are dying in poverty is a remarkable one. The efforts of Kenya towards seeing an end to poverty is a clear indication that this is a nation for the people. As a Kenyan, I join hands in seeing us bid goodbye to poverty. It is possible.

Together we can #EndPovertyinKenya.