Repost from Wanyaga blog:
Photo credits- Amina Live Foundation
A sigh of relief. A breath of fresh air. A community of like minded people. It was the miracle I didn’t know I needed. I don’t want to sound like I’m overselling it or I’m painting it out to be better than it actually is. I’m really not. In fact, if anything, I am underselling it. Honestly, it was among my first major wins of 2023. Where do I start? Let’s start from the beginning. I got the application from a Whatsapp group. You know, among those many applications that are sent, one just calls out to you. It was an easy application. They didn’t make my work too hard like other job applications that you have to jump through 1000 hoops just to get to the application itself. But, I had to sell myself. There was a section where you had to write 100 words describing yourself. I’m a writer, that shouldn’t be too hard right? Wrong. I decided, in that moment, sitting at my desk, in the kitchen, write from the heart. Don’t ask me why my desk is in the kitchen by the way. I hoped and four days later, I got a confirmation email. Let me tell you Maina, I jumped. I was seated in class so you can imagine my classmates’ reactions.
Saturday 4th February couldn’t get here fast enough. I remember getting lost trying to find my way in the area. Getting exploited by nduthi guys because I didn’t know the prices. But most of all, I remember the warm reception by Wavinya, the moderator. Meeting Prinscia and Michael and they were so kind.
The classes where all our mentors were just dripping with knowledge ready to quench our young thirsty souls. And thirsty we were. I remember when people introduced themselves, I kept thinking, ” Wow, they are saying the things, I never dared to say in fear of being looked at differently.”
My first friend, Lisa, I don’t even know what to say other than, I’ve found a confidant for life. Those five Saturdays were the highlight of my month. Especially since I experienced a major tragedy in that same month. Meeting psychologists like Stacey who is a great listener was just phenomenal. Her presence is so calming.
Spencer’s smile. Ladies, you know what I’m talking about. Such a gentle soul. The games we played were so interesting and made us even connect more. Maggie, our singer, talk about talent. I did not expect her beautiful voice to capture us in the way it did.
Meeting Amina was phenomenal. I couldn’t believe she was right here. In front of me. The woman I only saw on TV was the reason I was even in that room. The woman who was the CS education when did my KCSE. I was so humbled. Asking her questions. And then she called me and I quote, ” My Daughter,” I could literally scream. I felt overwhelmed with love.
Don’t get me started on the mentalist and all the tricks he had tucked away up his sleeve. He still owes me a conversation now that I recall. Learning about personal branding with Firyal, first impressions with Samali and finances was a personal highlight.
I didn’t realize finances could be fun. That was until I met Robert Yawe.
I always shied away from those conversations but playing cashflow with Robert Yawe and getting out of the rat race I realized I could face this monster that was finances and conquer it.
I remember Ian from our team was the first one to get out of the rat race. That was one of my favourite sessions.
Ooohh, there was the food. I need the caterer’s contact. That’s all I have to say about that.
I also didn’t realize that there was a difference between a career and a job. That was included in the vision forecasting session with Doreen. This was the foundation of our masterclass. Now, we’re getting to the icing and the cherry on top. The speed mentoring and elevator pitches. Everyone of us brought their A game. Talk about pressure. We called it speed dating. Reason, it was fun. The mentors there were phenomenal. I met amazing people and mentors who made me feel so embraced. Mind you, there were authors, CEOs, big people in major companies. I felt intimidated but I also felt at home. And all of them had one message for us: Be the best at what you do. I can’t believe I was part of such a beautiful experience.
Don’t remind me when I started fangirling Pinky Ghelani. And we can all thank Kweya for the experience. He was the brains and he brought the idea to life. When I first saw Kweya, I ran, no flew in the opposite direction. I just wondered, how do I approach him and even if I do, what of importance am I gong to tell him. But then on our graduation day, when I finally got the chance to talk to him, the conversation was endless.
The banter between him, Vance, Lisa and I was just hilarious. Lakini, eh Vance si uko na comebacks. Even in the group, the banter among all of us, Tourquine, Adeline, Vance, Kweya; you never fail to keep things interesting.
My fellow journalists from Alive Cohort One; I can’t wait to produce magic with you guys. Thank you Phelix for always keeping me on my toes with my blogs. Thank you Bonfas for your reviews and input. There were 30 of you and all of you touched me in some way. Kinya, shout out for your advise. You caused a revolution and you don’t even know it. I am proud of you guys. And I am proud of us for showing up and graduating. Forever grateful to Amina Live Foundation and Ambassador Amina Mohamed.
