Philip Saina.We used to call him Kimeli.Because am Wawaya I
called him Ole Tipis.He was a slender guy.I know he still is.Addition
to this he used to harvest honey without being stung by the bees.He
never wore any special attire,well that's Ole Tipis for you.Read
on.There's a lesson we will learn from him.
It was just the start of the year,most probably a time like this.I had been promoted to class 7 East.My worst fears were confirmed,Mr Jaluo Murunga was to be our mathematics teacher.He was our school's headteacher.I had heard and partly experienced his wrath.His office had a dedicated corner for 'viboko'.I dreaded him,mathematics wasn't my thing.I was so poor at it,in class six I would hardly manage a 40% .Our class six maths teacher mr Juma used to cane those who got below 50 percent,at one time he lowered the mark to 40%..guess what hehe..I was still among the number marching forward to be caned.It was that tough.With the entry to class seven,my fate was somehow confirmed.Wait.I loved algebra.Algebra would allow you to leave answers which looked "incomplete".Thanks for unlike terms.Am a christian,we all know the term "Do not be unequally yorked with a non believer".Well that's why 6p+7x can't be simplified further.As much as I was poor in maths I found solace in algebra.
Mr Jaluo(not his tribe) would 'kill us'.The canes.Whenever he went to teach a class later into the lesson you would hear 'blasts',the caning.I said to myself if I can't get this thing then my life would prove to be tough in that class.The teacher knew everyone in class by name.He would ask a question and say "Yes Juma,where do we start?".I would freeze for a second.Hehe Juma is my surname,stop looking at me like that.I would try to figure it out.Every end of a maths lesson was a relief,it wasn't easy.
Kimeli was poor in maths,but wait...I was poorer.Well,when the poor calls you poor
then that must be a peculiar problem.I had the most basic problems.I even struggled multiplying two figure numbers.Am so glad Kimeli taught me.I still multiply the same way to today.This was priceless to me.Kimeli didn't grasp everything but the little he knew he shared with me.What if we can be kind and helpful to others.
This entire ordeal changed my attitude towards mathematics.I slowly loved it.It had gradually changed from poor to better,then we finally clicked.Ours(Maths and I) was not love at first sight,but it was accepting that this love could exist and things worked out.My Primary school and High school certificates have that special place for mathematics,it comfortably sits in the first place,highly ranked.
I shared this with a last year's form four in mind,brother/sister/cousin/friend..you may not have achieved 'much' but remember God knows each one of us,you can make the most out of that you have. Don't just sit there and pity yourself,do something.Take a course,a certificate course,a diploma course..yes go ahead,you are an overcomer.
To other matters 'Neighbours',my Nigerian neighbour moved..I miss him,I miss his accent...especially when complaining and issuing ultimatums to the house agent.It always felt like watching afro cinema..hehe,am glad after that there was a voice in my head saying "afro cinena continues shortly.."hehe.One day our Mukorino agent knocked on his door...Chineke...hehe,it's like he woke up the gods,my Nigerian neighbour didn't have nice words for him."I am nat ivun satis faed wit tis house"(am not even satisfied with this house),he complained with the heavy accent.That said he was a nice neighbour...hehe but ofcourse with zero chills.
In the same spirit of moving houses,I have never found it boring to help a friend when they are shifting.I enjoy giving a hand..while at it I think I talk too much.It makes the exercise enjoyable.It always leaves me with the answer to the question:what are friends for?
Our cat has been missing in action,it has been withdrawn like Joho's security.After a while since the dissapearance I've seen the deployment of a fat,white cat.I hope it has a masters degree is catching rats.Only time will tell.
One last thing,our city is having water shortage,please let's use the little we have well.Always close your taps in the house before you leave..it's good for you and for others.We all know your house can flood right?,but again always do the right thing and be responsible citizens.
Thanks...see you in the next episode..
It was just the start of the year,most probably a time like this.I had been promoted to class 7 East.My worst fears were confirmed,Mr Jaluo Murunga was to be our mathematics teacher.He was our school's headteacher.I had heard and partly experienced his wrath.His office had a dedicated corner for 'viboko'.I dreaded him,mathematics wasn't my thing.I was so poor at it,in class six I would hardly manage a 40% .Our class six maths teacher mr Juma used to cane those who got below 50 percent,at one time he lowered the mark to 40%..guess what hehe..I was still among the number marching forward to be caned.It was that tough.With the entry to class seven,my fate was somehow confirmed.Wait.I loved algebra.Algebra would allow you to leave answers which looked "incomplete".Thanks for unlike terms.Am a christian,we all know the term "Do not be unequally yorked with a non believer".Well that's why 6p+7x can't be simplified further.As much as I was poor in maths I found solace in algebra.
Mr Jaluo(not his tribe) would 'kill us'.The canes.Whenever he went to teach a class later into the lesson you would hear 'blasts',the caning.I said to myself if I can't get this thing then my life would prove to be tough in that class.The teacher knew everyone in class by name.He would ask a question and say "Yes Juma,where do we start?".I would freeze for a second.Hehe Juma is my surname,stop looking at me like that.I would try to figure it out.Every end of a maths lesson was a relief,it wasn't easy.
Kimeli was poor in maths,but wait...I was poorer.Well,when the poor calls you poor
then that must be a peculiar problem.I had the most basic problems.I even struggled multiplying two figure numbers.Am so glad Kimeli taught me.I still multiply the same way to today.This was priceless to me.Kimeli didn't grasp everything but the little he knew he shared with me.What if we can be kind and helpful to others.
This entire ordeal changed my attitude towards mathematics.I slowly loved it.It had gradually changed from poor to better,then we finally clicked.Ours(Maths and I) was not love at first sight,but it was accepting that this love could exist and things worked out.My Primary school and High school certificates have that special place for mathematics,it comfortably sits in the first place,highly ranked.
I shared this with a last year's form four in mind,brother/sister/cousin/friend..you may not have achieved 'much' but remember God knows each one of us,you can make the most out of that you have. Don't just sit there and pity yourself,do something.Take a course,a certificate course,a diploma course..yes go ahead,you are an overcomer.
To other matters 'Neighbours',my Nigerian neighbour moved..I miss him,I miss his accent...especially when complaining and issuing ultimatums to the house agent.It always felt like watching afro cinema..hehe,am glad after that there was a voice in my head saying "afro cinena continues shortly.."hehe.One day our Mukorino agent knocked on his door...Chineke...hehe,it's like he woke up the gods,my Nigerian neighbour didn't have nice words for him."I am nat ivun satis faed wit tis house"(am not even satisfied with this house),he complained with the heavy accent.That said he was a nice neighbour...hehe but ofcourse with zero chills.
In the same spirit of moving houses,I have never found it boring to help a friend when they are shifting.I enjoy giving a hand..while at it I think I talk too much.It makes the exercise enjoyable.It always leaves me with the answer to the question:what are friends for?
Our cat has been missing in action,it has been withdrawn like Joho's security.After a while since the dissapearance I've seen the deployment of a fat,white cat.I hope it has a masters degree is catching rats.Only time will tell.
One last thing,our city is having water shortage,please let's use the little we have well.Always close your taps in the house before you leave..it's good for you and for others.We all know your house can flood right?,but again always do the right thing and be responsible citizens.
Thanks...see you in the next episode..
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