Acceptance Of Change

By Beth Wairimu ( IG: @yellowrasta_ )

If there is one thing that has stood out for me in 2021 it is that anything is possible if you only believe. Sometimes the fear that is within us as human beings keeps us from going towards our dreams, our goals and vision but as long as we acknowledge that we have that fear within us and that we do not allow it to dictate who we are and who we are supposed to be, we have the ability to reach the highest versions of ourselves. Working with the community at Rafikistry has given me a larger perspective on what navigating through life is.

It is constantly showing up, despite the doubt and in spite of all the intrusive thoughts of self-criticism. It is knowing that life is full of seasons as well as transitions and figuring out the best possible way to steer through them, through the storms and the calm, up until you reach your destination of that season.

Change can be hard whether it’s positive or negative – whether it’s as joyful as getting a promotion at work or as overwhelming as a difficult health diagnosis, it is stressful. One of the most important instances we have had to showcase change as Rafikistry has been adapting to a different calendar due to the COVID 19 repercussions and although it was a bit different from what we were used to, we were able to transition with the times. I’m not going to say that it was all sunny and bright but I can say with confidence that we were able to adjust ourselves to accommodate the times.

Good things were also born from this change. We were able to start “Camp Ibuka”, a program we began for grade fours when they had to take a 10 week break while everyone else was in school! We started it as a way to keep them busy and funny enough we didn’t even know what activities we would run with them then. Lo and behold, the kids came and the activities began flowing because once we were able to know who we were reaching out to and what we intended to get out of this program, it became easier. We now have over 20 kids (now in grade five) who we have created a connection with and have started them on the Rafikistry TimeTrack – isn’t that amazing? Camp Ibuka is now being curated to become one first step in our time track and is hoped to be run from Grade 4 through to 6.

Another baby that was born during this transition period Is “Sip&Spill”, a project that was started in a bid to affirm that mental health is health! That it is just as important as physical health. We have run this program for a year now and I have learned so much, experienced a lot, I’ve been able to know what things would be causing me to act some type of way due to past experiences. I think the members who have attended all the sessions we had in the year have been able to deal with some things they could not name, have been able to work within their Wellness Wheel to know what brings them joy and what makes them sad? What makes them well and what makes them ill?

We hold the sessions once every month on a Saturday with the exception of two months where we take a break. I would urge you dear reader if you get a chance, to be able to pop in, sit with us and discuss about issues that are in our everyday lives.

But the most important thing for me this year has been family. Having each other’s backs through the laughter, the sadness, the anger, the confusion and sometimes the quiet, always had each of us know that we had a family to go back to, a community that cares and most importantly, one that continuously prays for you. That has been the highlight of my year and I pray the same for you; that wherever you may go you may always know at the back of your mind that you have somewhere that you can always go back to, that you have people that you can always count on and that you have someone constantly on your side. I hope whatever you encounter in 2022 will be easy on you and that you will know how to navigate. Happy sailing!

Beth Wairimu Ngatiri joined Rafikistry as an xCan? iCan! in 2015, interned with us in 2018 and is now the Youth Programmes Officer.

A holder of a BSc in Development & Environmental Studies she describes herself as an avid risk taker and a creative in more ways than one. Take a peek into her thoughts via her blog https://discoverneemo.wordpress.com/