My word: Don’t let fear hold you back

Growing up, Kendi had always dreamed of ‘making it big in the city’.

She had wanted so much to be like her aunt who worked as an assistant in a major telecommunications company.

Her aunt Emma was so pretty. She wore high heeled shoes and her lipstick was magical. It was green but when she applied it on her lips, it turned red.

Aunt Emma was also so self-assured and so organised. Her hard-shell suitcase was always neatly packed. Her clothes were arranged according to function. She had silky nightdresses, unlike her own cotton one. Her clothes had a light fruity scent that was left behind whenever she walked by.

And wherever she walked, everyone knew she was coming and they would stop to look at her as she approached. She commanded attention and she deserved it.

Then one day, Kendi happened to visit the city with her mother and they dropped by her Aunt Emma’s office at lunch time.

While they waited to see her at the reception, they watched the activity in the office with a lot of interest. There were not many women in the office. The few who were there looked very young, just like Aunt Emma.

When Aunt Emma finally came out, she was carrying her wallet. She said something to the woman at the reception and said, “Let’s go out for lunch, I have something to celebrate, would you like some ice cream?”

When they finally sat down, Aunt Emma smiled at Kendi’s mother and said, “Guess what? I got a promotion. And it’s all thanks to you!”

“Me? What do I have to do with your promotion?” Kendi’s mother asked in surprise.

“You’re the one who taught me to believe in myself and speak up,” Aunt Emma said.

So at that very moment, Kendi decided she would grow up to be courageous like Aunt Emma.

Christine Koech, Editor, Eve