Resist the spreading wave of despair

There is a wave of despair sweeping across the country. Just scan through a daily newspaper. “Nyandarua: Police decry high rates of suicides; at least 200 cases have been reported from June last year...” Summarised, the story spells one word: Despair. “Nairobi: Police arrest Form One student suspected to be behind tragic Moi Girls Nairobi school fire. Suspect is said to have tried to commit suicide twice - once by drinking a cleaning detergent and then by trying to suffocate herself using a pillow.” Again: Despair.

I could go on and on, but I do not want to depress you further. For despair is, after all, a highly contagious state of mind. A friend of mine wondered aloud: Why would a 14-year-old Form One girl want to take her own life? A good question that maybe should be broadened to: Why is a wind of such despair blowing across the country?