Monthly Archives: July 2026

Education, Entreprenuer, Family

My Younger Self Series – Wafula

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Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.

I grew up in a rural community in Kenya where agriculture was the backbone of our family’s livelihood. Our daily life revolved around coffee farming, cotton farming, maize farming, and cattle rearing. As children, we spent long hours herding cattle until late in the evening. We also hunted small animals such as rabbits, wild fowl, and other birds, which formed part of our way of life and helped our families survive.

Despite the challenges, I was fortunate to receive a basic education that taught me how to read and write. However, due to financial difficulties, I was unable to continue with my studies. Coming from a large family with many children, our parents had limited resources, and we all had to make sacrifices.

Looking back today, I thank God for giving us hardworking parents who did everything they could to provide for us. Their sacrifices, love, and determination laid the foundation for who I am today. I now appreciate how much they endured to ensure we had food, shelter, and the opportunity to learn.

Life has taught me that success comes through hard work, resilience, patience, and faith. I have also learned that we should never give up, no matter how difficult life becomes. Challenges are part of the journey. Just as a road has hills and flat sections, life also has highs and lows. We must be prepared to face every season with courage, hope, and determination.

To my younger self, I would say: Keep believing, keep working hard, and never lose hope. Every challenge carries a lesson, and every season prepares you for a brighter future.

With love and gratitude,
Your future self,
Bineah Wafula

Family, Home, love

My Younger Self Series – Judith

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“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” – Maya Angelou

As a single mother, I spent years working away from home to provide for my children. Every sacrifice I made was driven by love and the hope of giving them a better future.

When I grew older, I looked forward to spending my remaining years surrounded by family. Instead, my life took a turn I never expected. Today, I find myself in prison, separated from the people I dedicated my life to raising.

My journey has taught me that love and sacrifice are important, but so are wisdom and self-protection. Not everyone will value your efforts, and sometimes life’s greatest disappointments come from those closest to you.

If I could leave one lesson for the next generation, it would be this:

Love deeply, serve faithfully, but never stop protecting your dignity, your voice, and your truth.

With love and gratitude,
Your future self,
Judith Simiyu

Education, Family, Health

My Younger Self Series – Ben

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When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around

I was born in the early 1940s in the western part of Kenya, in an average family during a time when our region was not yet developed. Life was very difficult, and because of the challenges around us, I never had the opportunity to attend school or receive an education.

When I was still very young, I lost both of my parents. Their death left a huge gap in my life, and from that moment, survival became my daily struggle. Life was hard, painful, and full of uncertainty. I had no choice but to accept the situation and find ways to survive.

I started doing small farming activities, but deep inside I knew I needed something more to sustain myself. I decided to leave home and search for casual employment. After many struggles, I managed to get work on someone’s farm as a houseboy. The work was not easy, but I endured because it was the only way I could earn a living.

From 1990 until 2018, I worked tirelessly with the little strength I had. Years passed as I struggled day and night just to survive. Eventually, age caught up with me, and my energy started deteriorating. That is when I decided to return and settle back on my ancestral land.

Because of financial hardships, I never managed to marry or build my own family. Sometimes life does not go the way we expect, but I have learned to accept what God gives us.

Today, all my brothers have passed away, and I remained the last born and the only one left. Although I can no longer work for a living, I thank God because my brothers’ sons are taking care of me. Their support has taught me something very important in life — even when you have nothing, there are still people who can stand with you, support you, and show you love.

Through all the suffering, hardship, loneliness, and struggles, I have learned that patience, humility, endurance, and faith in God are what keep a person moving forward.

With love and gratitude,
Your future self,
Ben Munyapali Musee