Peter Kibe teaches......

Kibe: Maboyz, nani anapenda kunyeshewa aki lala? (Boys, who likes to be rained on when they are sleeping?)
Kwetu Boys: Hakuna (None of us)
Kibe: Si, mukienda base, mtanyeshewa mkilala? (When you go to the streets, won't you be rained on when you are sleeping?)
Kwetu Boys: Ndio (Yes, we will)
Kibe: Hapa mukilala, mnayeshewa? (Here in the rehabilitation center, are you rained on when you are sleeping?)
Kwetu Boys: Hapana (No, we are not)
Kibe: Kwa hivyo, sitaki kusikia story ati msee amehepa (Therefore, let me not find out that one of you has gone back to the streets. Okay!!)


These words oozed out of young Peter Kibe on the 24th of May 2012, having spared time from his busy attachment schedule, to cheer-up and challenge the boys at Kwetu Home Peace Rehabilitation Centre. I admired every bit of his counsel, and spoke to myself, admitting that there is nothing more for me to add, because you had said it all. *can't believe I am referring to you in past tense*


I must admit, it has been a long time since I shed tears, and the news of your demise totally opened up the tap in my eyes, and as the tears raced down my cheeks, with every eye shutter  commanding a larger flow of eye-liquid ,  I collapsed to my knees. I found myself not questioning God's will but simply giving Him thanks. Thank him for gracing us, COP and Kwetu, with you in our lives. I believe, that no one dies 'too soon' in this lifetime, but only upon the will of the Almighty, and when I look back into your life, you served well my brother. I salute you.


I recall the day we were sent as representatives of Strathmore University, to the Sankara Hotel, and sat among the crème de la crème of society. They wholly admitted, for such a small bodied man, you embodied a very huge voice and oozed off plenty of confidence. We did well, I believe, and I recall you dishing out your personal-cards with much gusto, affirming to them you are an asset they should all be willing to invest in. Our hour to depart came, and they insisted we should not leave without having a small bite. Aiye, we ended up eating breakfast and lunch combined, with you telling me, that no one knows us, thus we should not waste the grand chance. Mtu nguyaz, tuliswallow vi-ajab. You taught me not to worry much about what people think, for as long as I undermine them not.


First time you vied for a seat in the Student Council, and many times we shared counsel. I told you where your flaws lay as far as public speaking was concerned, how best to improve them, and you took each word to heart, not troubled by the defeat, but assuring me that you will be better next year. Oh, yes you did. And you served well when you won the next election contest. You taught me that learning never stops and never to give up.


Come the epic tales of ladies, and we shared them a lot also. I recall asking you a thousand times, how you manage to attract and get the cute and beautiful ones your size, and you humbly laughed it off. It was and still is a mystery to me. They shall miss you without doubt. You taught me that no lady is impossible to sweeten


Yet peace partially engulfs my heart, because I know I told you so when you did good, and when you could do better. I wish I told you more. Thus us we embark on our life-journeys, knowing that the sight of your smile is with us no more, I would like to share with the world, more lessons you taught:

1. It is never too early to start giving, thus in our own small ways, we can be a difference
2. A past defeat should not define our tomorrow, cause tomorrow brings with it hope, that we can do better, and defeat offers lessons, that we need improve
3. We can make time, and that 24 hours is more that enough for us to be impact-full in society
4. No one is unworthy of our time, and that we should learn to give, and give to learn
5. That we should learn to say thank you more, and appreciate people when we still have them
6. That yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift, and that is why it is called the present

Your Message: I am certain, that you want us to celebrate your life, rather than mourn you. To fill the void you left better, than you lived it. That we counsel the Kwetu Boys more often, than we already do. To make more hearts smile, than we always have. To bond more as a family, than we ever have. We shall try. 

As I sign off bro, for the three years I knew you, I hope and pray that you are in God's embrace, and He is saying to you "Welcome home my child, you represented me well, during your visit on earth." You have challenged us to be a better people, and with each sunrise and sunset, we shall work towards being our best. Thank you.

Rest in Eternal Peace

Peter Kibe

LESSONS FROM THE STREETS

For the couple of months I have been in absentia, life has been intriguing. So much has happened in such a short time, and life has given me plenty lessons. Buried in this six feet hole of experience, I managed to resurrect better and smarter, expectant of less, yet giving of more, thus I share my lessons from the streets. My work entails empowering university students with an opportunity to serve society. Through this just cause, we mentor street kids who are open to rehabilitation. The humbling encounters starts here.  

Its the middle of night, and your father has left you to sleep. Six hours earlier, he had scorned you for loosing his bicycle without a beating, which, with you being an 11 year old, was easily robbed off by a group of 10 , rowdy 20 to 25 year old boys. As the sleep creeps in gently, and you toss and turn in oblivion, the lash of the belt takes your skin hostage, making you wail in pain and even you pee yourself. Your body is in total shock. Out the off the door you find your way, into the midnight light, to start a homeless life...

Just twelve years old, and you simply find it unfit to wear a shirt that is not long sleeved. Scars of burns by a hot knife, inflicted on you by your mother, are screaming truths of the torture you went through. Reason being, you came back home without change. Whether it was robbed of you, and you are okay, got lost while you were walking home is no excuse to your avail..Thief becomes your birth right, and pain escorts it.   

With many more tales of grief, which I choose not delve into, I seek to draw lessons of life and love from them and share my two cents. 

With all the cruelty these children face at a tender age, they somehow manage to find a way through life and somewhat be optimistic. Secondly, whenever we loose loved ones, we get torn apart, knowing we shall never manage to see them again. The pain slowly fades away, and we live our normal lives again, only to remember them once a year. Now, what I find interesting, is why we give too much control of our lives to those who hurt us, yet still are breathing. Yep, our Exs. They scare us from loving again, scare us from trusting again, at times making us miss chances in life that only knock once. They make us look down upon ourselves, and feel sorry for ourselves, feel ashamed to being who we are etc.. If we are on the wrong, then an array of apologies we send, but somehow, they will always find a way of clinging the mistake to you, like a shadow. Bullcrap to that!!

That it hurts when you err someone you love, willingly or not, or are hurt by the same, is perfectly human. Perfection is relationships is a façade. My problem though is when we  cling to the pas or the pain, letting your present be torched up, smoking away your future. What the kids taught me plain and simply is that, life has to much to offer to be left clinging on to straws, yet you were never meant to drown. Simply leave the straw and start swimming, cause you may find your way on to an island, hehe. Therefore, be upbeat about life, beat the crap out of clinging straws, and caress the waters of life with gentle strokes onto peace and paradise. 

Simply don't be expectant of a thank you after doing good, or expecting forgiveness in the equal measure you give it. Life is much simpler and interesting, whenever you get surprised by the kindness of man, than when you get down trodden by the cruelty in people's acts, leashed onto high expectations. I dare not say be hopeless, but simply state, be hopeful, be hopeful to the one person you can control. You. The young boys, have faced life's wrath, being chased away by the same people who teamed up to bring them to earth. Harsher than the loved you met. That they can spare time for prayer, for a hearty laugh, and give thanks, gives me more than 1000 reasons to keep my faith buzzing and be the best I can be. 

Wishing you all an insightful weekend, full of moving on, than clinging ons!!! Yet I know, it is easier said than done, but fact has it, its not impossible.!

Mr. RIGHT weds Ms. PERFECT?

The so called day of love, Valentine Day, is here with us, and from where I am located, the double RR code of Red-Roses has been on the rise with every minute that tocks by. Many remarks have been highlighted today, with men being verbally battered for being too macho, and women being shunned from expecting too much. Therefore, it is without doubt that egos have been bruised, hearts have been broken, and some have conquered all odds and opted to stand tall. Anhu, in all this fascination, there is one issue that always comes to birth, the existence of Mr. Right and Ms.Perfect...well, I stand to be corrected!!


From the counsel I have attained thus far in life, research and keen observation, one fact stands tall-love is about giving, and in life, perfection does not exist. I find it hilarious that a lady would seek a Mr.Perfect, yet majority want a man they can work on-(consciously or sub-consciously). Deep down a lady's instinct, is the maternal thirst to improve a state of being. This craving, plays a key role in luring women to bad-boys...the belief that they can make them fall in love and tune them into their ideal mate, is rampant. Every woman, from their ripe days of playing with dolls, always wants to be an agent of change-and this is for the better mark you. Therefore, the essence of penning down a list and expecting a man to fit the billing, yet at the same time seek one to 'improve' is wholly paradoxical. Compliment and not content is key to relationship bliss.




As for good boys, well, nothing much can be done, because they do it all right..and that's there undoing at times. Thus, to all surprise, a lady may start complaining that the man, is too good, or is weak-solely because, I believe, the man provides no room for contribution to growth for the lady, offers no room for adventure and is thus, a boring, composed song, with no hope of riddim remix . Women hustle us much to put down the toilet seat, squeeze the toothpaste from below etc., petty, you may think, right?..they simply want the gratification that they made us better...that is why the slightest wrong act can cause havoc..she must be an agent of change and growth and that is one of the keen ways of sweetening their ego, and ascertaining their value to a man. 


Thus, what am I driving it...hmm. Simple, be who you are, and accept those you want for they are. Don't be naive and be caught up in the delusion of 'better the devil you know', you are way better than that, you deserve an angel. Yet again, errs are what make us appreciate the input and value of someone else in our lives, thus, expect no perfection, but simply wed reality!!


Just for a Minute: Think about it, perfection in relationships does not exist even in cartoons and stories: Cinderella was a popper, Beauty wed the beast, Snow-White fancied the dwarfs, the so called prince who was kissed-was once a FROG, in Notre-Dame, the was a hunchback etc... It is not that I have no faith in man, just that reality has explained it plain and simple: Nobody is Perfect. Even the Supreme Being himself, knows man shall err, no wonder there is provision for forgiveness. Anhu, back to matters emotion.....




My Opinion on Nyeri-Battery:I believe that the women pleas of communication have simply fell on deaf ears, thus have opted to the last resort-ACTIONS. NB-Actions, speak louder than words, don't they? What say you? 

2012 ISSUES A BLANK CHEQUE...

2011. Yes, 2011!! 365 days filled with amaze and wonder are behind us now. A new year has blossomed, and all are expectant of a better year than the one that was- I pray that your wishes shall come to pass. Before I highlight the main heartbeat of the post, I would like to highlight my 2011 just a little bit: I narrowly escaped death in mid year (food-poisoning), witnessed the rise of Youth in Middle east and chickening of dictators, saddened by the death of icons (Steve Jobs and Wangari Maathai), lost my grandmother, got a job I love, started my first business and got a great deal, met icons and people of great inspiration, found love, widened my family to India with amazing ladies (Team Awesomely Amazing), and thus resolved to: Better my best, make hearts smile and count my blessings. Wish you all a HEALTHY 2012!! (Thank you for reading along)

HUMAN IRONY :The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider roads but narrower viewpoints. We spend more but have less, we buy more but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, we have more conveniences but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge but less judgement, more experts yet more problems, more medicine but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. 
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years, we’ve been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble going to meet a new neighbour. We conquered outer space but no inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We’ve conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less, we plan more but accomplish less. We’ve learned to rush but not to wait, we build more computers to hold more information to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

There are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete… Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going around forever.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn’t cost a cent. Remember, to say, ‘I love you to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. An embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again. Give time to love, give him/her to speak!... and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind. REMEMBER ALWAYS: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Therefore, with such food for thought, I hope you shall not have an average year. That you shall not get accustomed to routine, but have moments that shall take your breath away (not the kiss of death). If you are a man, grab your balls and stand to add value, if you are a lady, grab you ( hehe, I know not) and be an icon of change, even in the smallest way you can. You are worth only what you think you are. 2012 has offered you a blank cheque...state your value!!!

Lodwar in a jiffy....

Residents we had gone to help!!

It has been ages since I last wrote here. This is because I chose to take time off and concentrate on settling at my new job. Oh,  I chose a job I love, and thus,not working a day in my life-Confucius.  This experience was born as a result of the new job, and though 3 weeks old, found it healthy to share so that you can understand my love for society...


NB: Lodwar is a small town located in Kenya's Turkana county. It is in the vast dry part of the country, and its main inhabitants are the Turkana people. The Turkana people form of greeting is: 'Ejok'-Hello; 'Ejoka'-Hello to you!!


We had gone there to offer food and medical assistance, having just witnessed a harsh drought that had doubled the misery of the residents of Lodwar. 


MY TALE:
23rd October gave birth to the longest road trip I have ever had. A two day journey to the 'hot' lands of Lodwar lay forth, and the atmosphere was buzzing with loud excitement. We were an army of 46, blended gender mix, driven by the sole-purpose of making hearts smile.

The journey was long and tedious, the road was rough and bumpy, and this is what sweetened the adventure. Our bus could not stand the pressure that it had been subjected to, and waved the white flag, in the vast wilderness. This was after we had seen a 12 year old boy, carrying a rifle, as he was guarding his camels. Oh yes, the night was fast approaching, there was no mechanic in sight and terror was taking charge. The closest police post was almost 2 hours away, and though we were a huge number, the only ammunitions at our mercy were our voices and arms-guess I can safely say then, that we were armed!! haha!...thus it was evident that we could not stand against any attack, were we to be subjected to one! Anhu, sadly, we encountered not an attack, thus managed to reach our destination in one peace.


Fatigue was reigning supreme, and all we were yearning for was rest, in readiness of the hot day that lay ahead. Upon arriving at our lodge, fear met fun, and the wild surroundings found their own way of welcoming us. Being almost 36 degrees, it was only logical to take a late night shower before going to bed. Upon reaching the bathroom, one was joined by an army of locusts, whom, for the strangest reasons, were keenly looking forward to join in the shower. This resulted in shouts and name calling in the bathrooms, battles between man and locust, that wholly complicated the showering process. Hehe. It was a major encounter indeed. Try it!!


During our one week stay we managed to interact with the locals, and provide counsel and comfort in what they were going through. I was part of a team that went to visit AIDS victims in the area, and was subjected to shock, dismay and sorrow. It was drawn to our attention that some of the residents of the area prefer to be HIV positive, rather than be negative, in order to get access to food donations, that often come hand-in-hand with the AIDS medication. Yep, you can read that again. This was a bombshell to our esteem also. Gloom took toll, and honestly, though 3 weeks down, I am yet to recover from it.


The flip-side of it all was when we toured the great Lake Turkana, which had its shores dressed in white sand, peacefully guiding the crocodile waters from surpassing their boundary. It was beautiful. Very beautiful. This site, and the one of the orchard we managed to visit, shone hope in our hearts, that all is not lost. 


I concentrated on the highlights of my encounter, as a detailed report of the experience would warrant much more space, and I think the blog isn't home to that. ANhu, it was and shall remain, to be one of the best weeks to have defined my 2011 experiences.

Quote of the year: “Little things are only little things, but to be faithful in little things is a big thing and that is how some people become extraordinary”. 

A Toast to Life!!

Life...sweetened heartbeats in the caged ribs of every man, that ascertain one is alive, and has a capacity to learn something new. Of the few things I took from my campus days, is a lesson shared by a lecturer I adored, "Always leave room in your mind to learn something new. You should know, that you can never know, all that is to be known." As each day awakens, my brain takes a jog in the Reality-stadium, so as to keep abreast with the man-eat-man society. As much as I may hate to call it so, this world has no room for sissies. Anhu, as we all take a step forth, kindly take a look at this prayer, found in the Alchemist book, written by Paulo Coelho. For those who have read the book, it won't hurt to read it again...if you never have...then say it with me....


The Forgotten Prayer by Paulo Coelho
"Lord protect our doubts, because Doubt is a way of praying. It is Doubt that makes us grow because it forces us to look fearlessly at the many answers that exist to that one question. And in order for this to be possible...
Lord protect our decisions, because making Decisions is a way of praying. Give us the courage, after our doubts, to be able to choose between one road and another. May our YES always be a YES, and our NO always be a NO. Once we have chosen our road, may we never look back, nor allow our soul to be eaten away by remorse. And in order for this to be possible...
Lord protect our actions, because Action is a way of praying. May our daily bread be the result of the very best that we carry within us. May we, through work and Action, share a little of the love we receive. And in order for this to be possible...
Lord protect our dreams, because to Dream is a way of praying. Make sure that, regardless of our age or our circumstances, we are capable of keeping alight in our heart the sacred flame of hope and perseverance. And in order for this to be possible...
Lord give us enthusiasm, because Enthusiasm is a way of praying. It is what binds us to the heavens and to Earth, to grown-ups, and to children; it is what tells us that our desires are important and deserve our best efforts. It is Enthusiasm that re-affirms to us that everything is possible, as long as we are totally committed to what we are doing. And in order for this to be possible...

Lord protect us, because Life is the only way we have of making manifest of Your miracle. May the earth continue to transform seeds into wheat, may we continue to transmute wheat into bread. And this is only possible if we have Love; therefore, do not leave us solitude. Always give us Your company, and the company of men and women have doubts, who act and dream and feel enthusiasm, and who live each day as if it were totally dedicated to your glory. Amen"


TRUTH: Mr.Coelho summarized it all, I can't top it up. Life is what we choose to make of it. God, for those who believe in a Supreme being, avails us with the circumstances, but we, we are the ones who have the mandate to make the choices and decisions.
Live smart!!

MALE RETARDS

STARK NAKED!! oh yes, stark naked she stood at the bus station, totally bemused and confused by what had just happened. Sadly, unlike men, women have 'more' private parts to cover from the eye of the public, thus with two hands available, it does prove to be  a tasking ordeal. This was a scene at Nairobi's Bus station, on the 29th of September, 9.30am. My colleague had passed by the matatu and bus terminus, and witnessed the sight of a lady, a foreigner, being strangled with fear, shock and shame, all in the name of being scantily dressed. Fast Forward-October 2nd, one of our local broadcasters, KTN Kenya, highlighted the issue, attesting that 3 women, had fallen victim to the idle male youth. Strangely so, as I was watching the interview, I realized that the guy being interviewed, is someone I knew-SHAME ON HIM!!


REALITY: What amazes me, is that this 'moral' chaps, have no issue with young men who sag. Recalling my stand-up comedy research, sagging is an act that started in the American gaols. It was a move picked up by gay jail-mates, who wanted to draw attention from their male counterparts. Bearing this in mind, judging not people for their different preferences, I wonder why the scoundrels don't act on this. I believe, whether scanty or not, a lady who has chosen to dress so, is doing so, out of her own comfort. Many a times, I may wonder why a lady can opt to dress in a certain way, yet again, I never picked the dress, so, who am I to deny her freedom. Let it be known, that strangely, in a non-racial way, that if the sort of scanty outfit, was worn by an Asian or White lady, the chaps would hardly make a move. Yet they declare morality on all women, yet its our sisters who bare the shame.


The fact that I have two sisters, and  that I may not want them to dress scantily, in honor of their own dignity, I cannot tell them what to wear, or undress them, should they choose otherwise. Double standards should simply not be applied--trying to pretend to uphold tradition in one, and embracing #westernization in the other. Circumstances are availed to all by life, but choices are for the self. A woman who dresses scantily will make men OGLE, but many men shall luck the thirst, her to GOOGLE, because there will be no need to search for information, as it would have already been availed. hehe. That is my view. Fresh, don't you think!! Fact remains though, who are we to judge. I have previously said that, men are naturally, solving beings, and allured by mystery. Knowing so, then a lady who wants to draw attention, yet uphold her dignity, should learn how to make men's visual impair-ness work for her.

Blogger's Stand: I believe women have the right to dress how they want. Call me westernized or brainwashed, and all I will say to that is #bullshit. Why pretend to take a higher moral ground, yet we all have our flaws. Oh, and for crying out loud, the lady left the house so, because she was comfortable in the outfit. I know, I would not do well in a miniskirt and such, but since I have never worn, neither do I intend to, I cannot tell, whether the bearer of the outfit, feels most comfortable in it, or not. Its loads of crap, to pretend to uphold dignity in specific matters, and scorn it in another. 


NB: October is here with us, thus for those who have managed to see it come to birth, kindly thank the Heavens. Ladies and gentlemen, let us not forget, that this is the CANCER MONTH.....create awareness, and let your loved ones get tested. Prevention shall always reign supreme!!