And that was the 8-4-4

As I am writing this text, I am not fully convinced whether today, 11^th December 2014, really marks the end of my 8-4-4 education or am just day-dreaming.
The journey was long, challenges real and many, but if I am not dreaming now, then it is finally done. Many years lie between 1997 and 2014, numerous things have taken place since I was just a small boy until today when a beard has started showing up.

Special thanks 

I want to thank the Almighty God for being faithful to His promises, as His nature is. He has given me all the protection I needed, guidance and direction in my education journey hitherto. Dear Lord, creator of Heaven and Earth, thank you for everything. Thank you for making it possible!

My dear parents, I cannot leave you out of this. God brought me to this world through you and you did your best to take care of and nurture me all these years since my birth day. May God bless you dear mum and give you longer life. As for you my dad, may your soul continue to rest in eternal peace!

Every other relative and friend, close or not, deserves a special appreciation too. Especially those that have played a noble role in supporting my education in one way or the other, God will reward them. The family of Uncle Blustus Konde, you were a central pillar in this, thank you. May God give all of you longer lives and may He continue to rest the spirit of my uncle in eternal peace!

My school mates, classmates, teachers and lecturers; you have molded my future which is already here. I remember many but will only mention a few in my nursery school – the likes of Alex Mwalewa, Joseline Kadzo, Peris Kasena, under the care of my first teacher who is the wife to my assistant chief. Primary school colleagues like Samson Ponda, Nelly Lewa, Mercy Tsuma, under the head teacher Mr. Callistus Changawa, wherever you all are, God be with you. High school ‘goons’ like Juma Katore, Erickson Juma, Kenny Amani, under the principal Mr. Vitallis Majeni; and finally my campus mates including Jacinta Nafula, Ronald Agak and Cynthia Ogolla – congratulations my dears!

My home church has also been of great benefit to me. The prayers you did for me concerning my studies and journey masses, the general spiritual growth you have facilitated, financial support and well wishes have all worked. You chose me to be the head of communications and announcements, something that closely relates to my course. That was great. My pastor Raphael Kenga and the whole congregation, thank you!

The journey

It began in 1997 after the heavy and destructive El Nino. That nursery school had no name, except being identified as one that was built by Plan International, which is a non-governmental organization. The building still exists but as a residential house for a certain family. That is where my education started. The red soil that formed a nice habitat for fleas and jiggers did not draw back my ambitions. I pushed through and finally got what took me to the next level!

January 1998. That is when I joined Ezamoyo Primary School. Unlike the previous institution where my assistant chief’s wife got it smooth by teaching us in Giriama language, Mrs. Lwambi and Mrs. Njoroge had a rough time, forcing me to understand what they were saying in some strange languages like Kiswahili and English. But I learnt fast and got assimilated into the system, until Thursday 10^th November 2005 when I did my last paper – GHCRE – the KCPE exam that gave me the qualification of moving on to the next level!

St. George’s High School was waiting. I did not join the provincial school on the required date, 23^rd January 2006. Rather I got there 11 days later but since it was on a Saturday afternoon, I had to wait for Monday 6^th February in order to complete the admission process. Admission number 3001 struggled with life at St. George’s in Kaloleni, a neighboring district, until mid November 2009 when I completed my KCSE exam that translated into a grade that took me to the next level!

11^th July 2011 was the official admission date for my lot at Moi University’s main campus. I still remember the tiresome admission process as if it happened yesterday. Mr. Kurgat, my first lecturer, took me through a unit called Introduction to Print Media. That is when I got the gist of what my work would entail in the media industry. Other misters, madams, doctors and professors then came in and successfully ‘corrupted’ my mind with the knowledge and skills that transformed me into who I am at the moment.

Moi University Press Club, a campus news publication, trusted my abilities and appointed me as reporter and finally Swahili Editor, a position that I handed over last weekend. Moi University Radio also did me a favor of making me part of its reporters and presenters until yesterday. I say long live main campus, long live Moi University!

Conclusion

Although the 8-4-4 journey has had numerous ups and downs, the silver lining in it is that it is over. I have realized that the uncountable challenges I have faced so far are more important than the smooth paths. They have taught me how to be hard along the hard way and how to face similar ones in future.

I am now fully prepared to face and take up the challenges of the world and may the Almighty God help and guide me in the next levels that may include, but not only, job seeking and possibly getting married – I don’t know!