God blesses the work of Eve Sisters...

By Njoki Karuoya

The Eve Sisters included Eve Gal editor Naliaka Wafula, Eve Woman writer Njoki Chege, KTN’s Anne Ngugi, Anne Kiguta and Edith Kimani, and Radio Maisha’s Esther Mwende.

Gospel artiste Daddy Owen entertains students of State House Girls’ High School in Nairobi.

Other powerful sisters in tow were senior officials of University of Nairobi’s Women Students Welfare Association (Woswa).

Besides me, Naliaka and Woswa’s Mitchelle Osok hosted the event.

Sharing Wisdom

But all the fun enjoyed at State House Girls would not have been possible without the efficient and seamless organisation of Aspire’s director Tichi Nyasani, and Clark & Hampton’s director Stephanie Mwite.

Most credit, however, must go to the headmistress of State House Girls, Joan Muoti, and her very able administration.

They opened their gates for us to come and chat with the girls and give them words of wisdom to help them cope with life in school and to begin to prepare for life outside the security of the school gates.

The students were given a reality check by Anne Ngugi while Edith Kimani encouraged them to express themselves.

Madam Muoti, Anne Kiguta and Tichi Nyasani spoke to them on the importance of education; Mwende talked about the power of accepting oneself just as he/she has been lovingly created by God and Njoki Chege emphasised the importance of determined focus in the race towards achieving one’s goals.

Highlights of what these speakers said are further described inside these pages. Keep turning.

Climax

The climax of the afternoon was the arrival of gospel bigwig Daddy Owen. Dressed all in black, he did not disappoint. Everyone loved his performances of Tobina, Kiriro and Saluti, but the most powerful moment for most was when he shared his life’s story.

His was not an easy life. Everyone was amazed by his candidness, especially when he revealed that he was once a petty thief, and that it is when he escaped death through a mob beating (though he lost one eye) that he saw the ‘light’, turning permanently towards God. He has never turned back.

Trend setting

As a result, God has favoured him with roaring success that has seen him become the top gospel artiste in the country, even bigger than the secular artistes, and a trend setter, earning numerous awards and becoming the first gospel musician ever to win an MTV Mama Award.

It truly was a blessing to listen to Daddy Owen’s testimony and the girls were moved.

I must thank Pulse’s senior editor Charles Otieno aka CEO for making this happen. He got in touch with Daddy Owen and convinced him to join us and motivate the students.

And I’m sure he must have known that there was no way those girls would have allowed him to just talk to them and not perform a song or two, yet he agreed to come and inspire, and at no cost.

For me, this is the best sign that God is truly with us in our Eve Sisters mentorship programme, which will soon be coming to the nearest town near you.