Due to our company work
ethic policy, I kindly request that you do not post mu name. However, I have a
personal story and an encouragement to those seeking for jobs; anywhere in
Kenya.
I graduate form a local
Kenyan University with a Bachelors of Arts Degree, Second Upper Class, in the
year 2005. Immediately upon graduation, I came to Nairobi to pursue my dream
career. Honestly, I longed to work in a bank.
While in Nairobi, all over
sudden things seemed to turn upside down. My cousin, the usual good mannered
and trusted cousin turned against me. He felt uncomfortable hosting me in his
room. Upon investigation, I realized that this was out of pressure from his
girlfriend who felt that I was infringing on their privacy. ‘Sometimes people
say strange things’....I thought. How could he ever tell me to move out of his
house; in one Month’s time! Where was I to go when he was the only relative I
ever knew in Nairobi? All these were happening within my one month’s stay with
him.
Shocked I was, but held my
head high. I knew and hoped that sooner or later, I would secure a job anyway,
and give them the space he deserved. A small voice inside my mind alerted me to
confront him and ask why he had changed all of a sudden. Shock on me, His
response was “every villager has a relative in Nairobi. I do not necessarily
need to be your relative in Nairobi. Find the next relative or simply create
one’. I couldn’t believe him. I didn’t want to continue with the conversation.
It had to end.
Life can sometimes be
mean. Today you can be extremely happy and the next moment, you are extremely
saddened. I had to move on. I continued dropping my CVs to some of the local
Banks for consideration. I had to do this walking on foot from Eastland’s to
the Various Banks Headquarters within Nairobi City. This was the lowest moment
of my life. I had to spend Kes.50/= per day on food and on my job search. I cursed the day I had thought about coming
to search for a job in Nairobi. Walking along Njogoo road from Eastlands on
foot to town is like walking to hell on broad daylight. It is not only
embarrassing, but its tiring, discouraging and intimidation. However, I had to
endure this since I had an eviction notice.
Being the only child in
the family, I had to make it or die. I had no option. For some strange reasons,
I more often recalled a quote from my ailing father….. “always remember that
its challenges which make life interesting. Without challenges, life would be
meaningless.” Theoretically, this looked like some valuable piece of
information, but practically, I simply could not withstand my predicament. I
needed a miracle.
Coming from a poor back
ground; life had taught me to appreciate everything. As a believing Christian,
One Sunday while attending a church service, there is this Pastor who came
forth and delivered a sermon on trusting in the Lord. And he read the book of
(Psalms 37:3-9), ‘Trust in the LORD and do good; live in the land and be safe.
Seek your happiness in the LORD and he will give you your heart’s desire. Give
yourself to the LORD; trust in him and he will help you. He will make your
righteousness shine like the noonday sun. Be patient and wait for the LORD to
act; don’t be worried about those who prosper or those who succeed in their
evil plans. Don’t give in to worry or anger; it only leads to trouble…..A
quotation from Good News Bible. That was exactly what I needed. I had to find a
source of inspiration bigger than myself. On that Sunday, I allowed God to be
God and had to trust my life to his guidance.
Yes miracles still exist.
I experienced one. The next day, which was on a Monday, at almost noon, the
same time the pastor had delivered his sermon on the previous day, I received a
call from one of the Bank’s I had earlier dropped my CV. They were inviting me
over for an interview for possible urgent consideration. Shocked, confused,
overwhelmed and to be honest, ashamed. I couldn’t believe everything. I went
blank and empty. I could not hold my tears back, I had to naturally cry. This
call came on the last week of my eviction notice.
In summary, I secured a
job as a bank clerk, reported for training in two days and the rest was
history. The next week, I reported for work in one of the Bank’s branches
within Nairobi, secured a soft loan from their ‘chama’ and moved out of my
‘cousin’s house in order to guarantee their privacy. God is faithful. My life
which was almost equal to that of dogs was renewed. I was indeed given a second
chance and forever, I have remained grateful. Today, I serve as a Manager in
one of the Bank’s Branches in Nairobi.
Today, I bless the day I had thought about coming
to search for a job in Nairobi. Had I given up and returned to the village,
then perhaps I could not be where I am today. I am living my dream job. Now I
can definitely say that “challenges are what make life interesting, worth
fighting for and subsequently worth living”. Challenges will often make you
feel who you are, where you are and where you intend to go.
To the job seekers, I know
it is not easy. Looking for a job has turned into the ‘real job’. However, you
must stay focused, be determined and make a commitment to succeed no matter
what. Don’t give up. Just keep on keeping on. Even when you receive no feedback
from your job applications, just keep on sending new ones. I am wishing you all
the best and God’s favour.
Thanks all and be blessed.
Jack