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Lessons In Flawed Existence

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Lessons In Flawed Existence

By Scola Rwamba

Life can make us comfortable in our lists and plans for our future, however what happens when everything on that list becomes irrelevant? What happens when life forces you to tear it up and discard it, when your well laid plans become your waylaid plans?

A Perfect Mess

At times we create spaces for ourselves where we feel perfection fits like a glove and stick to our fixing and sprucing. When life shines a light on our imperfections, the easiest route is denial and distance from who though? Us? When my so-called perfect walls tumble down around me I am learning that I do not have all the answers and that some questions remain unanswered!

Puzzle Pieces

We tend to magnify what we lack, our shortcomings and our scars. On the flipside we belittle how far we have come from what the journey has taught us, our lessons seem insignificant to what we have not received or achieved yet. My flaws make me who I am, therefore I can improve on them or treat them like a sore that I keep picking at which ultimately becomes a habit. If I cannot live with my own flaws then my outlook will always be flawed. In essence I am a flawed puzzle piece who is continuously seeking!

Closing Doors

We tend to hold on to things, people and circumstances more than we should. I am guilty of waiting longer than I should have, giving excuses when I should not have and not letting go when I should have. I am learning that there are doors that need closing because life will not let you keep them open…they are past and do not serve my present and are hindering my growth.

It hurts to let go because we had held on to hope that change would occur however the truth is it gets better, and when we do grow we realize….that the lesson only began to take root when that door closed and my has it taught me!

Showing Up For Myself First

Sometimes the mirror is the reflection we need; to look ourselves in the eyes. We tend to give our best to the world and leave the rest for us when in reality how can I expect the world to be kinder if I am not kind, how can I give positivity if all I do is find fault in myself? I am learning to first start with myself because whatever I reflect into the world cannot be different from what I am – if it is, I lack authenticity and eventually the truth will rise! I am not perfect therefore I do not and should not expect perfection from others. First I show up for myself and unpack my own struggles (not to the world, to myself), and I will be able to navigate this terrain called life.

Discovering who I am and the responsibility that comes with living each day with accompanied fraying and unevenness leads me to continuity. I hope that I can continue to be resilient, be life’s diligent student and walk my faith, live my hope and speak my love both to myself and to those whose paths cross my own.

This list is not exhaustive as always as in life, to be continued!

Scola Rwamba Nyaga is an accomplished accountant and a budding development practitioner.

As a RafiKey (Rafikistry’s Band Of Benefactors) she has committed herself to making her contribution to the achievement of Rafikistry’s goals and the related impact.

A wonderful closet poet, read her musings on her blog https://thedahliacanvas.blogspot.com/

Acceptance Of Change

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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/

SEXUAL ASSAULT, WHO IS TO BLAME

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by Lulu Kinyanjui

How many times have women been harassed in the busy streets of Nairobi and we turned a blind eye?

Often do we find fault in women. We tell them cover up, don’t show off too much not in the name of decency or culture or religion but because most men have refused to learn the art of not sexualizing women.

So, to what pleasure is there in stripping and harassing women sexually for even those decently dressed cannot claim to not have been victims in the busy streets of Nairobi for even a simple sexual act such as spanking becomes sexual assault but many are the times we tell …

… women when they complain that they are overreacting. It’s such a pity that this happens to women of all ages but society tries to silence women’s voices when they speak up dimming them as ‘attention seekers’.

The question remains, who is to blame? Is it the women or the uncultured men that try to find excuse in harassing women? Many cases are not reported. Many women remain silent trying to protect their reputation and dignity for culture silently wants them to.

For fear that even though they are victims society will see fault in them and so many women have been forced to silently ignore harassments and quietly be traumatised rather than tell and be judged.

But let it be known that there is no such thing as getting used to sexual harassment because sexual harassment is still sexual harassment. No one has the right to tell women how to feel about it.

And the question still remains, should we blame women for indecent dressing or men for sexualizing women?

This article was first published on the Daily Nation – Feb 2021. Lulu is a Nawiri Initiate 2014, Nawiri Plus Mentee 2015-2018 and xCan? iCan! Graduate 2019.

We Came // We Walked // We Conquered

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We Came // We Walked // We Conquered

August 10, 2019 for many started very early. By 6:45AM Karura Forest’s Gate C was teeming with yellow as our walkers started streaming in in readiness for the first ever #FriendshipWalkathon. In quick succession many others followed including three bus loads of participants.

After some briefing, updates, stretches and warm ups we were ready for the flag off.

First off were the 5KM circuit takers. This batch also included the face of the Walk who is also the Rafikistry Founder Joan Njeri donning jersey 001 who opted to do the 5KM thrice before embarking on the 10K to Roysambu.

The larger group opted for a more scenic 10KM walk through the park. The walk was graced by a diverse group of walkers including who were arguably the oldest at 70 years and the youngest at just below 1.
Grace, The Oldest Walker Accompanied By Her Family – She Covered 10KM
Kush, The Youngest Walker Accompanied By His Family! He Just About Cleared 5KM With Help From Mum And Dad.

Some ran, others walked while others rode. 

After taking in all the splendor that is Karura, (surviving) participants took to Kiambu Road, on to the Northern Bypass, Mirema Drive, Lumumba Drive and on to Roysambu Bus Stop which marked the end of the Walkathon leg giving way to the second event of the day – the #FriendshipRoadshow.

The Roadshow had been snaking its way around our main project areas covering the larger Roysambu Subcounty including Kahawa West, Githurai and Zimmerman since 9:30AM. The walkers joined in with the roadshow team at Roysambu turning Kamiti Road into a sea of yellow with the Friendship message making three stops along the way.
With a quick lunch break for the walkers that also allowed first time visitors get a glimpse of the Rafikistry Teen Life Centre, all was then set for the third event of the day – #OpenHouse Season V, the #HypeMadness Edition. This took place at the Roysambu Primary School Grounds. Unlike previous years, the edition this time was toned down off the usual activity of surprise events and match ups (it’s had been a long day) – however games, song, dance and hype were at a good measure.
The highlight of the afternoon had to be the tag of war pitting the ladies verses men … and did the ladies take it?
A thanksgiving prayer was made to bring to a close a wonderful day of celebrations but not before participants shared some snacks to cap the day. 
Click Here To See More Pictures

We’re adding to the picture album as they come through.

Please note that due to cost constraints our official photographer did not take any pictures within Karura Forest (there’s a cover charge of 5,000/- for this) and we’re therefore crowd sourcing images from participants. Kindly add what you may have captured onto the repository here.

Special thanks our partners, sponsors and supporters including:
– Emergency Aid Training Services
– Apex Security Services
– Braeburn Schools
– All Saints Community Chapel
– Pacific Reality Investment
– Eden Crystal Drinking Water 
– Nairobi County Government, Roysambu Sub-County
– Elanka Design & Printing Services