Today in one of the English classes we found ourselves discussion the question - what event in your life shaped your the most?- The student said, she had many, and when I asked her to pick one, I also mentally picked one.
Hers was the period between her parents' divorce at 16, teenage rebellion and the resocialisation she experienced when she moved away to study at 19 years old.
I told her about moving in with my mother at 17 years old and suddenly becoming aware of my new position. Before, with my grandmother and uncle's family- I was just a growing child, then young woman. With my mother, I was an adult that needed to pull her weight.
I didn't also mention that it was also at this time I realized that I had squandered all my chances.
Let me explain.
I was a performer, an A student through primary school. In highschool I just lost interest. So when I came home with a very average B, in a year when 60% of the country's top students had an A and A-, it wasn't well received.
My chance to get into a mainstream Uni, where I would get a Government Loan was lost. My mother could not afford a private Uni.
I was cooked.
And right away I realized I was gonna have to work twice as hard to take care of myself because the period of handouts was over.
That is how I found myself doing two jobs and evening classes at 19.
I am still doing multiple things. I teach, I lock hair and I sell my books.
My third book is out now and you can order it at +254701030005.
Price: KES 1,300
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