KENYA'S TREE TROUBLES - " why exotic trees may hinder climate change efforts "

 Climate change is a serious issue that threatens the very existence of our planet. In Kenya, the impact of climate change is already being felt in many ways, including changes in weather patterns, reduced agricultural productivity, and increased frequency and intensity of natural disasters. To combat these challenges, there is growing interest in afforestation and reforestation projects, but there is one issue that is branching out - the use of exotic trees. 

Exotic trees like eucalyptus, pine, and cypress are often used in afforestation and reforestation projects because they grow quickly and are adaptable to a wide range of soil and climatic conditions. However, these exotic trees can have negative effects on the ecosystem. For example, they may out-compete native species and disrupt natural habitats, leading to reduced biodiversity. They can also have high water demands like the eucalyptus, which can be a real problem in areas that are already struggling with water scarcity.

An illustration of types of trees

The negative effects of exotic trees on the environment have been well-documented. According to a study by the African Forest Forum, the use of exotic trees in Kenya has led to a reduction in the abundance and diversity of native tree species. The study also found that exotic trees can have negative effects on soil fertility and water availability, and can even contribute to desertification in some areas. I have been in kajiado a thousand times,while everyone is in the quest for water which is scarce in that semi-arid,acres of land have been filled with eucalyptus,tell me why the lands there won't continue drying up? the communities that rely on these ecosystems for their livelihoods are also impacted, the high water demands of some exotic trees can lead to reduced water availability for agricultural activities, which can have serious economic and social consequences for local communities.

So what can be done to address this issue? The answer lies in planting and caring for native tree species. Not only is this a way to improve local biodiversity and end desertification, but it also has numerous other benefits. For example, native tree species are often better adapted to local soil and climatic conditions, which means they are more resilient to the effects of climate change. They can also provide valuable ecosystem services, such as carbon detachment and soil conservation.

The good news is that communities can play an important role in these efforts. In many cases, afforestation and reforestation projects are community-led initiatives that involve the planting and care of native tree species. These projects not only provide environmental benefits but can also have social and economic benefits for local communities. i.e, they can create employment opportunities and provide a source of fuel-wood and other non-timber forest products.

Of course, there are challenges to planting trees in Kenya. These include finding suitable land for planting, securing funding, and getting local communities on board with the project. But with the right support and resources, these challenges can be overcome.

The use of exotic trees in afforestation and reforestation projects in Kenya is a serious issue that has negative impacts on the environment and local communities. By planting and caring for native tree species, we can improve local biodiversity, combat desertification, and provide numerous other benefits. And with the involvement of local communities, these efforts can be more successful and sustainable. So let's get planting and do our part to fight against climate change!

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TECHNOLOGICAL ENHANCEMENT TO CURB CLIMATE CHANGE

 Climate change is a pressing issue that has been affecting the whole world. Kenya, like many other countries, is experiencing the impacts of our own doing. The country is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, including increased temperatures, droughts, floods, and unpredictable weather patterns. These challenges have had far-reaching consequences, including the loss of lives, destruction of property, and the disruption of economic activities.  climate change has also affected the agricultural sector, which is the backbone of the Kenyan economy. Farmers have been grappling with the effects of change in rainfall patterns, which have led to reduced crop yields and food insecurity.

children using a solar lamp to read

One of the most significant challenges in curbing climate change is the high cost of technology. Many Kenyans earn a minimum wage, and they may not afford expensive technologies to reduce their carbon footprint. Moreover, most of the population resides in rural areas, where they may not have access to reliable electricity, let alone advanced technology. However, there are still ways in which technology can be incorporated into everyday life to help reduce the effects of climate change in Kenya.

Renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, can help reduce the country's dependence on fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. While solar panels and wind turbines may be expensive, there are more affordable options available. For instance, the use of solar lamps or lanterns can be a cheaper alternative to traditional lighting sources like kerosene lamps, which emit harmful fumes and contribute to carbon emissions. 

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), over 2.7 million households in Kenya use solar lighting, which has improved their quality of life while also reducing carbon emissions. The Kenyan government has been promoting renewable energy as part of its development agenda. In 2019, the government launched the Kenya National Electrification Strategy, which aims to provide universal access to electricity by 2022. The strategy emphasizes the use of renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and geothermal, which are abundant in the country. Moreover, the government has also introduced tax incentives and subsidies for renewable energy companies to encourage investment in the sector. ( though questions are stagnate here on matters to with over-taxing solar importation)

Transportation is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. Electric vehicles may seem like an unaffordable luxury, but there are other ways to reduce carbon emissions from transportation. For example, walking or cycling instead of using a car can be an effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while also promoting a healthy lifestyle. Our public transportation, such as buses, emit fewer greenhouse gases per passenger than private cars. The Kenyan government is also working towards a cleaner transportation system, with plans to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure and promote the use of electric vehicles.

Agriculture is a crucial sector in Kenya, and farmers face the challenges of climate change, such as droughts and unpredictable weather patterns. While high-tech solutions  may be out of reach for small-scale farmers, there are still ways to incorporate technology into farming practices. For instance, using organic fertilizers and crop rotation techniques can help increase crop yields while reducing the use of harmful chemicals. Also using water-efficient irrigation techniques, such as drip irrigation, can help conserve water while also reducing costs for farmers.

The Kenyan government has also been promoting sustainable agriculture practices. In 2019, the government launched the National Climate Smart Agriculture Strategy, which aims to increase food security, improve incomes for farmers, and promote sustainable land use. The strategy emphasizes the use of climate-resilient crops, sustainable farming practices, and the adoption of technologies such as weather forecasting and crop insurance.

Technology can be a valuable tool in mitigating the effects of climate change in Kenya, even for those who earn a minimum wage or live

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ENDING CLIMATE WARS : Let's STOP Talking and Let's START Acting

 

Kenya has been facing severe droughts resulting in drying up of rivers and impacting agriculture. According to the National Drought Management Authority, in 2019 alone, 2.6 million people were affected by drought in Kenya. This situation is due to climate change and human actions like deforestation, urbanization, and overuse of water resources.

 

To overcome these challenges, rainwater harvesting is one of the most effective solutions. It involves collecting and storing rainwater for future use. This technique can reduce the strain on existing water resources, provide a reliable source of water even during times of drought, and improve water security in communities.

However, there are challenges to the implementation of rainwater harvesting in Kenya. These challenges include a lack of government funding, low awareness among communities about the benefits of rainwater harvesting, and lack of technical expertise in constructing and maintaining rainwater harvesting systems.

In some areas, the lack of government funding has resulted in poor implementation of rainwater harvesting. For example, in Kajiado County, the government constructed 16 water tanks for rainwater harvesting, but most of them are unused due to poor construction and lack of maintenance. In another example, the Kenyan government launched a $47 million project in 2019 to construct dams and water storage systems in drought-prone regions of the country. However, the project faced delays due to corruption allegations and has not been completed yet. The lack of awareness about the benefits of rainwater harvesting is another challenge.

The lack of technical expertise in constructing and maintaining rainwater harvesting systems is also a challenge in some areas. According to an article published by the Daily Nation in May 2021, the rainwater harvesting systems in Kisumu County are not properly constructed, leading to leakages and contamination. The article reports that some households have constructed rainwater harvesting systems using poor quality materials that easily break down, leading to leakages and loss of water. Additionally, some households use open storage containers, which expose the water to contamination from insects, animals, and dirt. Another article published by the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation in September 2021 reports that some households in Kisumu County have constructed rainwater harvesting systems without proper guidance and technical support. As a result, the systems are not functioning as intended, leading to water wastage and contamination. This situation leads to the waste of water and health risks to communities.

To address these challenges, the Kenyan government needs to prioritize funding for rainwater harvesting projects and ensure proper implementation and maintenance. Community education and awareness campaigns about the benefits of rainwater harvesting should also be prioritized. Additionally, technical support and training should be provided to communities to ensure proper construction and maintenance of rainwater harvesting systems. 

There are several successful examples of rainwater harvesting implementation in Kenya that have led to positive results. One such example is the RAIN Foundation's work in Makueni County, which has helped communities to construct and maintain rainwater harvesting systems. According to a report by RAIN Foundation, their program in Makueni County has resulted in increased water availability, improved crop yields, and improved livestock health. The report states that the program has constructed over 200 sand dams and other rainwater harvesting structures, which have enabled communities to capture and store rainwater for use during dry periods. This has reduced the reliance on distant water sources and has increased water availability for household and agricultural use. Another successful example of rainwater harvesting implementation in Kenya is the Taka Taka Solutions project in Kajiado County. Taka Taka Solutions is a social enterprise that provides sustainable waste management solutions, including constructing rainwater harvesting systems in schools and communities.

According to an article published by the Guardian, Taka Taka Solutions has constructed rainwater harvesting systems in six schools in Kajiado County, providing clean water for drinking and handwashing. The article states that the project has led to a reduction in water-related diseases among children and has increased school attendance.

Rainwater harvesting is a vital tool in the fight against drought in Kenya and the world at large. However, there are challenges to its implementation, including lack of government funding, low awareness, and lack of technical expertise. To fully realize the potential of rainwater harvesting in Kenya, the government and communities need to work together to overcome these challenges and invest in this crucial technique for water management. 

Together, we can prevent water scarcity and bring development to our country. May our current situation be our life's lesson...

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PROTECTING NATURE OR EXPLOITING IT?

 

Photo courtesy : zander worldwide studios

Conservation is an important aspect of Kenya's economy, as it is home to some of the most incredible wildlife in the world. However, the issue of conservation in Kenya is fraught with hypocrisy and double standards that threaten to undermine the very goals it is supposed to achieve.

On one hand, the Kenyan government has created many national parks and game reserves, including the famous Maasai Mara, to protect the country's wildlife. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) is tasked with ensuring that these areas are protected, and that poaching and illegal hunting are prevented.

However, there are many instances where the government and the KWS turn a blind eye to conservation efforts, and even contribute to the degradation of the environment. For instance, some of the most significant deforestation in Kenya has occurred as a result of the government allocating forest land to large-scale commercial projects such as the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway, as well as logging by Chinese companies. Additionally, some of the country's most critical water sources have been polluted or destroyed by industrial activity.

There is also an issue with the hunting of wildlife, which is a highly lucrative business in Kenya. While poaching is illegal and highly regulated, wealthy individuals and foreigners are often given special permits to hunt for sport, even in protected areas. In 2018, a German hunter named Rainer Schorr was granted a permit to hunt a male lion in a wildlife conservancy in northern Kenya. The lion was shot and killed, sparking outrage among conservationists and the public.

In addition to hunting, there are also concerns about the impact of wealthy individuals and foreigners on conservation efforts in Kenya. Many are involved in activities such as wildlife trafficking and poaching, which pose a serious threat to endangered species.

Overall, it is clear that the issue of special permits for sport hunting in Kenya is a complex and controversial one, with many differing viewpoints and opinions. However, it is important to consider the impact of these practices on the environment and the animals that call it home.

 The revenue generated from these hunts is supposed to go towards conservation efforts, but there are many cases where this money has been misappropriated.

Furthermore, conservation efforts are often geared towards tourist dollars rather than actually protecting the environment. Many people involved in the conservation industry in Kenya are more interested in profits than in preserving nature. For example, some animal sanctuaries and rehabilitation centers have been accused of keeping animals in substandard conditions in order to attract visitors and generate revenue. The Nairobi Animal Orphanage, which has faced criticism over the years for keeping animals in small, cramped enclosures and providing inadequate veterinary care. In 2017, an investigation by The Star newspaper revealed that animals at the orphanage were being kept in poor conditions, with some confined to cages that were too small for them.

Another example is the Giraffe Centre in Nairobi, which has been accused of keeping its giraffes in small enclosures and denying them access to natural habitat. In 2018, the center was criticized by animal welfare organizations for keeping its giraffes in pens that were too small and failing to provide them with proper medical care.

In both cases, the facilities have defended their practices, but the allegations have raised concerns about the treatment of animals in sanctuaries and rehabilitation centers in Kenya. It is important for these facilities to prioritize the well-being of the animals in their care, rather than putting profits or visitor experiences first.

Despite these challenges, there are many individuals and organizations in Kenya who are committed to true conservation and are working hard to protect the country's wildlife and natural resources. The success of such efforts depends on a shift in priorities, where the needs of the environment take precedence over commercial interests.

In conclusion, conservation in Kenya is a complex issue, with many competing interests and challenges. While there are certainly instances of hypocrisy and double standards, there are also many individuals and organizations who are working hard to protect the country's wildlife and natural resources. It is important for everyone to be aware of these issues and to support true conservation efforts.

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ALEXANDER'S MIND Part 2 : SELF-MADE MAD MAN

 

Everytime a rock falls,all that rings in our thoughts is the mountains are rolling down on us.How many times have I fooled myself,with the fact that I can do it on my own,actually I did,and had even extra space for everyone. I know I may sound insane,but I’ve had myself to lean on to,am sure you wondering how did I do that,a hug can do yes,but I need myself to believe in self before anyone does,and it isn’t easy actually,especially when you have a whole bunch of good deeds to offer to everyone. A prayer before anything,and the rest is just a process that takes self-respect as an antidote for peace of mind. We all work hard to get our lives to certain point,an ambition,a dream,a goal,unfortunately for some our journey’s end isn’t at the peak but I believe it’s  a lesson for some us not to repeat the same mistake to get to the peak of our highest mountains.

When you have yourself to worry about and even lean on,you have a lot to loose,the respect others would call it,but my view is you loose self-discipline. You believe in yourself more that even every life you help change,helps you change yours. How many times have felt like not getting out of bed,keep my phone off,eat not,in short,felt like doing nothing at all. When those calls come in,you just take a minute to get that fake smile settled on your face for the following conversation, All you will need to say,”all will be well!” words you’ve lived by,and you say it to everyone in return you get the inspiration they receive but in a reciprocated way.

On this wrecking day,In the house,pulled more hair from my head,and my floor is more hairy than your favourite barbershop,the water taste bitter,the food taste soar,the music sounds weird and the sleep seems impossible, for hours I try to distract my thoughts into Hollywood movies,actually some anime, a favourite one did; Boondocks, but an episode doesn’t run half-way before boredom gets the better part of my feelings,and I pause it,with no sleep or music I have myself to talk to,others may call it insane,but a favorite musician would quote as ‘thinking out loud’ and wishes are if I was just dreaming and reality kicks it with how hot the sun is,you can tell from the shirtless chest and sweating forehead,and am still in my own hand-made cage,or in lameman’s tongue,in my house,so it won’t change anything if I go out,it will only make it worse. I comfort myself with several cups of hot coffee,I couldn’t feel the heat anymore as far as my mind gets busy wondering why it was so sweet. I share my thoughts and feelings to my cup,and we both laugh it loud. Several hours has passed and no calls,I guess if you don’t call they won’t call,how desparate can a human get to waste time in a war of self-respect,and I just laugh it out more. I actually am not okay,and this call comes in;and the response I have is the same old song I sing everyday,Am good and smile,but my head is spinning in thoughts,pain ravaging my mind in deceptive reality,and I remind myself I still have myself to lean on to,and for others to lean on to remember.

I taught myself to trust my issues with myself growing up,when a shield turned into sharp arrows that pierced through a desperate heart. It wasn’t late to turn away and pick up the pieces and build a strong wall characterized by what the world would thing talking too much,but it has always been a tactic to make them think they know everything but they only know what I allow them to. It has taken years to even date again,cause how do I let in anyone while I have locked myself out too and misplaced the keys. It is a world full of misfortunes and there is no time or space for a weak man. So years I have collected the stones that came my way and build the walls more taller,and now no man can reach to my other side of reality,and as it is the norm, drink the bitter water,eat the soar food,listen to the weird music and fake the midnight sleep.and before all that,spice it with a prayer,and the cycle becomes the story of the lonely  ,or what the world would say; ‘Self-made Mad man’

ALEXANDER'S MIND Part 1

 

Why would silence be compared to pride? Silence has always been a defensive weapon,It has always been a source of peace of mind when the noises matches in rumbles in a quest to make your world a living hell,as they turn your simple smiles into a fantasy. Words can not explain how innocent you were,but since you stood on your grounds,they crowned your name with ‘ proud you ‘  Now let’s try breaking this reality into something far from a lie.

Ever wondered why sleeping turned into a luxury and joy into what the world would phrase into,’myth’ Their questions only rotates with the wind blowing their way,and the rest is upto an innocent heart to pleed guilty for the sake of peace of mind. How can you even live with self-guilt,one that eats up your confidence,and feeds it with your fears. How can you ever afford to even fake a smile,and because you can not,and your life has turned into a caged world of experience,which you lost the key while swimming in your ocean of doubt. Reality hits again,and before you realize deception turns word coming out of your mouth into a mask of perfection, perfect life, perfect job, perfect food,  perfect relationship and I  believe this triggers a doubtful laugh,cause you don’t believe anything in your circled existence is a possibility of perfection.

Your Late nights have repeled every bit of peace of mind, as even the early morning bird’s song pierce your ears with noise, music becomes a one-time melody, and the second time it turns into a floor cemented with broken glasses and you are walking barefoot, and because you can not hurt yourself,you remain stagnant ,and into what; self-guilt. In an excuse that your eyes are irritated by the light, you find a reason to stay in the dark, and now ‘ light at the end of the tunnel ‘ becomes just a fairytale, like the ‘ The one-eye orge, The clever hare ‘ only because your cocoon is submerged in guilt, and no one can break you free apart from yourself. Who knows, maybe some fairytale can come to life; the tortoise might win a real race,baby-steps leads to extra-ordinary wins they never say this.

When the rains come, we just celebrate, no more drought, but there are others who see it as their downfall,whereas we both have experienced the harshness when it did not rain. My point is, there is always a choice to choose from,to win or to loose,to laugh or to cry,to love or to hate, to give or to take, and the decision  is always our to make,every reality, every fantasy, every farytale, and every experience always have a two-way lane on the drawing book, but we make our choices not from what favours us, but what favors others into believing it favors us. We are so much into pleasing others that we forget we even exist,and that’s where we all go wrong, we become victim of our own floods. When reality hits, it is too late to change our past; and this is also where we go wrong, and we just can’t blame others for our failures, as the same way we can’t blame them for our success. We are  caged in bars we bend with our own hands.

The world is ours to rule,the joy is our to enjoy, the wins are ours to experience, and my hope is we become men of our own words, and that means leaving myself not out of it.

VICTIM OF MY OWN PRIDE

The glass of wine ,still full and now my desire to obey my thirst ,is killing my nerval  patience ,wondering whether or not it would be worth it , atleast for an hour ,or maybe a day out of my own sane way. Now all that my passion to stand ,breathe and maybe laugh, is cornered by the reality of life. I’ve been in my thoughts for an hour ,or more ,but it is becoming a way of life. I remember how my teacher used to tell me ,how important it is to use my creative thinking ,and later get home and my mum unique high end commanding voices echoed me to use my common sense. Now the common sense and the creative thinking have brought in a friend ,critical thinking ,and filled my mind with nothing but overthinking. They explained and ordered me to be that ,but it’s overwhelming my ability to be me ,to atleast laugh ,maybe smile ,even like a blink of an eye.

All this time I am sitted in the sitting room ,enjoying silent music ,and dancing to the rhythm of my heartbeat ,though not really dancing ,cause my mind is racing ,I guess the heartbeat is nothing not far from a workout song. Workout?  Yes, to get rid of all the unwanted facts of life ,casting all that the heart has been holding on to. Done with the metaphors and riddles ,I’ve been going through my diary ,Yes I have one ,and I write what’s in my mind ,weird I guess ,to find a man doing that from my kind of upbringing ,they say most men who notes their daily life on diaries might be serial killers ,fortunately I am not one ,not even associated with one ,which maybe I might have killed someone else dream in the long-run.

On this dated day ,My alleged girlfriend wakes me up in the middle of the midnight ,her voice so harsh ,and her tone so loud and sounds angry ,she is breathing heavily ,I think she can fire an air balloon ,cause my phone is overheating too. A message pops before she had called ,but before I could even open ,the phone rang ,for the past 5 minute she’s been mentioning only one statement, “ how could you? “ You’re wondering to what really was wrong ,me too ,cause the three-sentenced chorus is becoming more boring. I gathered my courage and asked, “ What have I done?” “Stop pretending you don’t know what you’ve done” could I be mad ,to even listen to lectures, but am hoping she’s just hungry, ‘A hungry man is an angry man.

As I can’t take the lectures ,I decide to keep my sanity busy ,am on to  checking the messages on my messenger ,see who’ve been missing my craziness ,And I can’t help to open the message from her ,and I see a photo ,of me actually never thought I was a cute guy on cameras ,I thought for a minute how my life would be magical ,being a model ,the good lifestyle ,the money ,the fame ,but the fame is where my pride draws the line ,Am an introvert ,thought you should know ,but they mention it always, never say never ,but that’s a dream for my next reincarnation I guess. This company should pay me ,am advertising their product already. I know you’re wondering what the photo is all about!

So this beautiful lady is helping me take a cake bite ,She is beautiful by the way ,I’ve always mentioned that to her ,but probably she turned a deaf ear to that amazing fact. I have a very weird flirting technique ,one I have developed with time ,thanks to her . What’s wrong with the photo? Why is my girlfriend making it a big deal? I refresh my mind to her call.” What’s wrong with the photo? I don’t see the wrong deal with my closest cousin giving me a cake ,infact I invited you to my parents anniversary ,and you bailed on me ,so what’s the point of complaining? “ She slowed her breathing, “ You could have told me ,atleast I wouldn’t have gotten that annoyed for no good reason, I didn’t know she was your cousin,” “ How many times have I invited you for my family gatherings ,and always you claim ,it will appear weird, these are the kind of issues I tend to avoid ,am an introvert out there ,but near my family ,am someone else ,learn that and have a goodnight! “

Immediately I hanged up ,the phone ,thoughts were still ravaging in my mind ,but for a minute ,I had a sign of relief. Why does she has to have all these insecurities ,whereas I have shown her all that she needs to know to believe I adore her? It’s high time I call this relationship off ,am done being the one  mending the cracked walls of our castle ,whereas she is the one causing them. I picked the phone and called her ,it is as if she was expecting my call,” We are done!” and I hang up. She tried calling me for hours I estimate ,even texting me ,but she preferred calling ,cause she understood better how I suck at texting ,unless am writing a letter.

I close the diary and am just wondering ,could I have been the reason for all my breakups? She was just securing her relationship ,making sure it was intact. Rather than  relationship ,how many friendships have I ruined in the name of setting ‘boundaries’ Am truly a total disaster whenever I go ,whatever I touch ,I really don’t deserve to be among people, I am just a burden to everyone around me. It was high time I acknowledge that and think of a way to mend it ,and the only solution is get out of the picture for good ,in a lame-man’s language, commit suicide ,but before I think of an idea of how to go about it ,I have to make sure no one is at home, wait, My sister has been in the bathroom for the last two hours or more. I believe that is very unusual of her ,she is in and out of the bathroom within the first five minutes ,she does not apply make up,she is definitely a natural beauty. I head to the door and knock while calling her name out ,but she was not answering ,and that  really worried me.

I hit the door wide open ,and all that welcomed me was a pool of blood all over the floor ,which in turn mixed with the shower water ,my sister was lying on the floor ,weak ,she couldn’t even talk ,leave alone move a finger. What knowledge of first aid did I have to even wrap a mere cut ,leave alone such a big deal of an accident ,but I wasn’t sure if it was really an accident. Who would I  even call ,cause the last time I checked ,I had sabotaged all my communication devices cutting all ties with everyone except my family ,though I was sure they had noticed my sudden change of character ,been avoiding everyone ,and am not sure if anyone was willing to help someone who for the past couple of days been avoiding them ,but I had no otherwise but to call my alleged bestfriend ,who happened to be my neighbor too . You are wondering why I couldn’t call my mother ,but here is the deal ,on the bathroom floor ,is my sister and on her wrist is a deep-cut wound ,one that was intentionally done by her ,so why would I call a single mother and tell her that her only daughter tried to commit suicide ,though am not sure if she will survive as I wait for my bestfriend ,her pulse is fading and is keeping me worried. I hope she survives ,cause I couldn’t tell what came into her mind to do something like that ,but I can’t blame her ,I was about to do the same thing ,Her situation saved me.

The paramedics were already at our house ,and they were doing their best to make sure she survives. In a fifteen minutes we were already in hospital ,she was now struggling to survive. Questions were just spinning in my head ,why would she do that? She’s very young to be stressed ,I would have thought ,but now I understand it well that ,we all have experience a mental breakdown ,no matter the age ,but I couldn’t now imagine ,if I had not realized earlier ,and if I had taken my final race ,the pain that my mother would endure ,loosing her only two children ,for what ,just because I couldn’t trust anyone to share my problems with? She had been taking night and day shifts just to make sure we stayed in school ,and we never lacked any. I am just a victim of my own pride.

My mother was shouting all over the hospital ,I could hear her from the rooftop where I had gone to get some fresh air ,and try understand the nature of the days scenario . What if I did what I had planned to do? How do I even approach my mother and tell her what’s going on with me ,is it because I fear she might just loudly  wonder what worries me ,whereas she is always providing everything we needed ? The truth rested on that fact though ,her voice was becoming more uneasy already. I am used to my mother exaggerating things ,I knew for sure she would not give the doctors an easy time ,now that her young and only daughter was struggling to live ,but I wouldn’t put it that way ,she was doing her best not to survive. I decided to go downstairs and try sooth my mother down. “  Mom! Please stop ,she’s going to be okay ,the doctors have assured me of that!” I exclaimed “ Are you even listening to yourself ,where have you been in the last twenty minutes?” She cried out, “ rooftop ,cooling my head a bit, why?” I emphasized, “Your sister is dead…”

 

 

WRITTEN BY ALEXANDER KIRUGA  alias ALEXANDER’S MINDKE