How HELB monies run village economies

This money that responds to the name Helb. It is not just a student loan for many people. It is a source of income for many families in shagz, believe you me. So when you see students throwing stones, there is a section of them who are actually fighting for the livelihood of their families back home.

It is not that being granted a loan has nowadays become a right, it is just that there is an Awinyo somewhere in that mob of goons. His grandmother has been calling him for the past three weeks asking if he has absconded his financial duties to the family.

Defies wrinkles

Awinyo is the typical shagz guy who first rode on an elevator when he came to Nairobi in first year, and it was at Anniversary Towers, when he was registering for the student loan. Back home in Awendo, he has siblings who go to school, an aging grandmother who still defies wrinkles and tired bones to till the shamba so that Awinyo can get fare to come to Nairobi. Also, the pregnant cow is nearing its term, and soon, they will need  the village quack to help it deliver.

In Nairobi, Awinyo has to eat. He has a girlfriend to maintain and he has school fees to pay. Plus a man has his own needs. Needs that money is supposed to cater for. All these expectations and financial obligations weigh down on Awinyo. They break his back, weigh him down within an inch of heaven. But since Awinyo is a goon, and his spine has been toughened by the bricks life throws at him, he takes it all in stride. Life is hard for everyone, even here in this Nairobi of ours, life is hard, so you do what you have to survive.

Piece of paper

Even if it means blocking University Way for a few minutes in order to get these pencil pushers at Anniversary Towers attention. You see, Awinyo and these folks had an agreement. They promised to give him a loan on condition that he pays it all back after campus. He said yes. He had no option. He is a pauper, he does not have many choices. They write down the contract on a piece of paper. And it is a deal.

Now these same people are going back on their promise. This same promise that Awinyo relied upon to make certain choices in life. And they expect him to keep quiet? No bwana! He cannot allow! There is a reason promises are called debts.

So last week, Awinyo engaged policemen in running battles. He breathed in tear gas and his eyes are red and itchy. But at least he got his money.