Forward Ever, Backwards Never

Today, I spent a lot of time working and talking with Emily. We counted the students and made tables for the schools they attend and the districts they live in to use for the newsletter. I thought it would be so inspiring to tell the stories of Lucy and Emily in the newsletter because they are two Maasai women who overcame so much to complete their education. Who better to run MGEF and encourage these students then two strong women who have lived that life? I asked Emily about her background and we launched into a two-hour long conversation about her life, her culture, and her dreams.

Emily is the only one of her siblings to be educated. She snuck out of the house to attend school when she was very young and dressed in shabby clothes. She had a desire and passion to learn that carried her all the way through business school. She now is working for MGEF and carries the financial burden for the rest of her family. When I asked her if she ever lost hope, she replied that she had a simple motto that got her through hard times, “Forward ever, backwards never!” She said that she just always looked forward with hope and never let herself look back with pity or anger. She also explained that her brother helped put her through school because he never wanted her to blame someone else for not finishing her education. Emily is an incredible, strong dynamic woman and I am honored to work with her.

Lucy and I then sat together for a while and worked on the newsletter. I was able to sit there and ask her what made her love MGEF, what made her get out of bed in the morning to work there? Because that is what we want a newsletter to capture. Yes it is full of logistics and time-consuming tasks. But the point at the end of the day is to capture for the public why MGEF is so incredible. Lucy and Emily’s faces lit up as they explained success stories of MGEF girls. It was wonderful to hear them talk with such pride about the organization. And it also made it very easy to decide what to capture in the newsletter. I explained that all you have to do is think of what you are most proud of that month, that year and put it down on paper. Write it in a way that a random reader will understand the power behind this organization. It was wonderful to work with Lucy and learn from her. She has a lot of experience and many great ideas. I think that we work very well together as a team. Laughing, smiling, and getting lots of work done!

When I arrived back at the children’s home, I was greeted by a little boy named Simon who speaks zero English and just says “yes” to everything I say, but who has the biggest smile I have ever seen. I ate dinner with the children, played on the swings with them, and even got to meet some of Sarah’s other children. I am very thankful for the community that Kajiado Children’s Home has welcomed me into. I am never bored or lonely. When I come back from work, I feel like I am truly surrounded by a loving family.