A Little Lost a Lot Found

A few weeks ago, I wrote an article here on how I was feeling a little lost. The link to the post is here if you want to go back and check. I am currently seated in the same room where I wrote the article, but on a different seat directly opposite to the one I was in last time. The withdrawn and confused feeling I had back then has been replaced with deep conviction and optimism. What changed?

I was fortunate enough to be selected as one of the candidates for the Trevor Noah Foundation Education Changemakers Program conducted at YALI Regional Leadership Center East Africa Nairobi. It was 28 days of intensive self-reflection and self-discovery. I examined myself from every angle - inside out, outside in, perpendicular, parallel, longitudinal, and transverse - and eventually, I found the answers. I am no longer lost. I am now in a prime position to see clearly where I want to go, the path I need to follow, and what I need to do to get there.

During the program, I had moments of awakening. I came to understand my paradigms and how limiting they have been, and even worse, how my everyday habits have continuously kept me stagnant. There were times when I was awed, wowed, and confused, but I emerged from the program refined. I went into it with a selfish and mean mindset, but I gained valuable insights. The learning environment was rich in resources, with qualified and experienced facilitators, a diverse pool of experiences from 88 participants from 13 different countries, engaging content, insights from guest speakers, and sumptuous meals.

It was amazing to see young people fighting their individual battles while trying their best to bring about change in the communities they serve. Each one of them found a way to make a meaningful impact in the education space that will help hundreds, if not thousands, of people. Their determination was evident in the way they woke up early and went to bed late, despite feeling exhausted. The variety of cultures and languages, from places like "Where" (pronounced we-ya) to different cultures with different "clothes" (pronounced clo-the-s), all working together to find solutions to the common problems facing our education system in Africa.

On the first day of the second week, I wanted to come back and fix my workplace, my relationships, get married, settle down, and take control of my life. But I was not familiar with Mr. Emmanuel's plans. The following day, he made me realize that there was nothing wrong with my workplace, my love life, my dreams, or the environment I come from. The problem was in my mindset and paradigm. It was screwed and skewed. It was the demon that I had been told to confront. It was the constant voice that whispered to me not to try. I had been holding myself back.

We took part in a design thinking challenge with a $5000 reward. I presented the need to provide bicycles for girls who have to walk long distances to get to day schools in rural areas. However, I failed to convince the panel. Maybe my love for bicycles and the solution clouded my judgment. But honestly, I wouldn't have voted for my own project either. Even though it addresses a pressing need, the other participants presented solutions to even more urgent needs. I still feel that there were other projects that deserved the reward more than mine. Projects aimed at supporting refugees in Kakuma and Dadaab refugee camps, among many others. But we carry with us the aspiration to change the world, one child at a time.

I made friends. I made memories. I got transformed. I got energized. This experience made me realize the impact that Elewa , led by Mike Kipkorir Bill and Jente Rosseel , has had on me. I also appreciate the love that Nice Nailantei Leng'ete , the founder of Nice Place Foundation , had for me, giving me the opportunity to be away for a whole month.

I am forever grateful.