I heard this phase far too often in Kenya. I first noticed it as part of the “cons” on the streets of Nairobi. But I continued to see it in rural villages, on chance meetings, and in most social situations. One student in the Teret Secondary School asked this explicit question in front of two hundred of his peers. I struggled to determine if this was just a cultural norm, or if it was the result of too many years of aid – or too much desperation. Hence I was both surprised and relieved to hear the immediate and emphatic reply to this question by our Kenyan intern Isaac. Isaac immediately pointed out that help only comes to those who work hard – and then they don’t need to ask for it. He told his own story of being raised by a single mom and helping to support his siblings – all while paying his own way through college. His was an inspirational presentation to a group of students hungry to listen. I hope that they were inspired by his closing message – “No student who earns straight A grades is still living in their village.” Effort, determination, and initiative find a way.
I heard this phase far too often in Kenya. I first noticed it as part of the “cons” on the streets of Nairobi. But I continued to see it in rural villages, on chance meetings, and in most social situations. One student in the Teret Secondary School asked this explicit question in front of two hundred of his peers. I struggled to determine if this was just a cultural norm, or if it was the result of too many years of aid – or too much desperation. Hence I was both surprised and relieved to hear the immediate and emphatic reply to this question by our Kenyan intern Isaac. Isaac immediately pointed out that help only comes to those who work hard – and then they don’t need to ask for it. He told his own story of being raised by a single mom and helping to support his siblings – all while paying his own way through college. His was an inspirational presentation to a group of students hungry to listen. I hope that they were inspired by his closing message – “No student who earns straight A grades is still living in their village.” Effort, determination, and initiative find a way.
2 comments:
“No student who earns straight A grades is still living in their village.”
Isn't this part of the problem? If all the smart, hardworking people leave the village, who's left behind and what do they have? I'm under no illusions that rural life is easy, but surely we want smart people to stay in the places that need them most?
Thank you for your comment Paul. I struggled with this very issue as I wrote the post. The first comment I have is "don't shoot the messenger!" :-)
I've thought long and hard about this issue and have come to feel that it's quite likely that those who will best help the village are those who leave - but later return to apply their knowledge.
One case in point is David Kuria (http://www.ashoka.org/fellow/4356)an Ashoka Fellow in Kenya. David was trained as an architect, but chose to return to his native Kenya to find solutions for the urban poor. His sanitation solutions are providing a huge impact locally.
Yes, many do leave and never return. But I believe that those who do gain an education can and often to return to help those they left behind.
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