Mueni was my friend we met at the university here in the city. It was easy for us to bond within a very short time given we shared a hostel room. She was smart and her intelligence quotient matched with the elite's. Of course! That's why we were in the university.
Like myself, Mueni too came from a humble background and she was a devoted Christian. She would never skip her morning devotions as she would always say that trusting a higher power is what kept her sane. She was a display of anything glorious and her virtues were enviable. We both had accents and it was hard fitting in to the new environment but with time we accepted our fate. We all hailed from different cultures that had shaped our thoughts and approach towards life. Most of the things we did and what we believed was highly dictated by our cultural background. Nevertheless, we coped just fine and it did not deter us from developing a friendship that was meant to last.
Mueni was the eldest amongst her seven siblings, her mother had died of meningitis when she was in her final year in high school. Her father was a water vendor in Tseikuru after working as watchman in his youthful days in Machakos. The proceeds would cater for the family and Mueni's school fees. Before her mother's demise, they both had agreed to educate Mueni and her two siblings who would later help in paying fees for the rest. Most of them had given up on education and resorted to being village thugs and addicts despite their young age.
These were not just stories but the reality she had left behind as she now focused on her education believing she would change the lives of her family. She'd weep every time she spoke about her home and the poverty that seemed to have found its residence within their household. Joining university wasn't a walk in the park either, a fund drive had been conducted by the villagers who aided her transport and a few coins as her pocket money. It was never enough, though grateful.
We would share meals and personal care items just like two dear sisters. We never had proper bras or innerwears for that we considered as luxury. We became quite popular due to our mode of dressing since it did not fit in to the city standard. She literally became a part of me and every wake made us glad that we were alive to change our stories. She was a firm believer of hope and somehow that kept her going.
During our second year as we were about to break for the holidays, she received a call from her former high school teacher -Mr Karani_who lived near her home in the village. He was one of the few people who had a mobile phone and Mueni's father always went to the teacher's hoouse in case he needed to communicate with his daughter. On this day, it was not the father speaking, rather it was the teacher informing her of his father's fatal accident. He was at home in the village but he was afraid that Mueni's dad wouldn't walk again. That broke Mueni's heart and I recall finding her in the room with pills ready to end her life. She was still grieving for her mom and the news about her dad drained the little strength left in her.
Fortunately, she braced herself and made the decision to be strong for her siblings. Just before we went home, she expressed her fear that she might not return to the institution given the turn of events. I encouraged her to press on regardless and fate would be on her side. This I said to console her as we hugged each other tightly at the Country Bus Station. We bid each other farewell as I watched her board a bus to Tseikuru.
Eary Christmas morning she called me and she sounded over the moon. My girl had just been awarded a sponsorship to Yale university and was to travel the following year on January second. This made my heart glad knowing that she had received an opportunity to not only upgrade the family's state but many other persons would equally benefit. On January first we met in the city in a hotel where her and the sponsors were to spend the night before the flight next day. We exchanged pleasantries and wished her well.
This was the last we ever spoke and saw her. I still believe that Mueni is somewhere thriving!
Like myself, Mueni too came from a humble background and she was a devoted Christian. She would never skip her morning devotions as she would always say that trusting a higher power is what kept her sane. She was a display of anything glorious and her virtues were enviable. We both had accents and it was hard fitting in to the new environment but with time we accepted our fate. We all hailed from different cultures that had shaped our thoughts and approach towards life. Most of the things we did and what we believed was highly dictated by our cultural background. Nevertheless, we coped just fine and it did not deter us from developing a friendship that was meant to last.
Mueni was the eldest amongst her seven siblings, her mother had died of meningitis when she was in her final year in high school. Her father was a water vendor in Tseikuru after working as watchman in his youthful days in Machakos. The proceeds would cater for the family and Mueni's school fees. Before her mother's demise, they both had agreed to educate Mueni and her two siblings who would later help in paying fees for the rest. Most of them had given up on education and resorted to being village thugs and addicts despite their young age.
These were not just stories but the reality she had left behind as she now focused on her education believing she would change the lives of her family. She'd weep every time she spoke about her home and the poverty that seemed to have found its residence within their household. Joining university wasn't a walk in the park either, a fund drive had been conducted by the villagers who aided her transport and a few coins as her pocket money. It was never enough, though grateful.
We would share meals and personal care items just like two dear sisters. We never had proper bras or innerwears for that we considered as luxury. We became quite popular due to our mode of dressing since it did not fit in to the city standard. She literally became a part of me and every wake made us glad that we were alive to change our stories. She was a firm believer of hope and somehow that kept her going.
During our second year as we were about to break for the holidays, she received a call from her former high school teacher -Mr Karani_who lived near her home in the village. He was one of the few people who had a mobile phone and Mueni's father always went to the teacher's hoouse in case he needed to communicate with his daughter. On this day, it was not the father speaking, rather it was the teacher informing her of his father's fatal accident. He was at home in the village but he was afraid that Mueni's dad wouldn't walk again. That broke Mueni's heart and I recall finding her in the room with pills ready to end her life. She was still grieving for her mom and the news about her dad drained the little strength left in her.
Fortunately, she braced herself and made the decision to be strong for her siblings. Just before we went home, she expressed her fear that she might not return to the institution given the turn of events. I encouraged her to press on regardless and fate would be on her side. This I said to console her as we hugged each other tightly at the Country Bus Station. We bid each other farewell as I watched her board a bus to Tseikuru.
Eary Christmas morning she called me and she sounded over the moon. My girl had just been awarded a sponsorship to Yale university and was to travel the following year on January second. This made my heart glad knowing that she had received an opportunity to not only upgrade the family's state but many other persons would equally benefit. On January first we met in the city in a hotel where her and the sponsors were to spend the night before the flight next day. We exchanged pleasantries and wished her well.
This was the last we ever spoke and saw her. I still believe that Mueni is somewhere thriving!
accident kidogo mtu amekatwa mguu unasikia ilikuwa fatal! But Mueni needed it anyway!