The Mind of a Social Innovator: A case of the Micheal William McRae & Family

Social Innovation focuses on the qualities of people who have an urge to solve social problems like hunger, poverty and unemployment. These people uphold boldness, accountability,resourcefulness ambition, persistence and some degree of unreasonableness. Pastor Micheal William McRae during his first sermon delivered at Calvary Worship Center narrated his story and the experience he went through before he finally succeeded to come to Kenya with his family  from the United States of America. I can dare say it was nerve Numbing for me. It remains  an act of Boldness,Ambition. And yes, some degree of unreasonableness of a Social Entrepreneur to do all that they did.

Can you imagine selling your own house in the United States of America just to come drilling boreholes in a country like Kenya? Is it reasonable for you to leave your friends to venture into unknown water in a foreign country as a missionary ? depending on other people to support you? To a normal individual, that is next to impossible. While preaching pastor Micheal William sounded a man at peace with no hint of regrets. After studying the history of great Social Innovators like Jesus the son of God  and Cornelius the centurion in the book of acts in the holy Bible , Muhammad Yunus of Grameen Bank in Bangladesh, i know it is Micheal’s passion and desire to bring change in the society that is keeping him hold on even in the very difficult challenges.

I have seen his challenges, but thanks to servant leaders like Geoffrey Alemba, who always makes other people challenges their own. I have seen him run up and down the immigration department trying to secure work permit for pastor Micheal. Geoffrey i appreciate your effort.

Indeed if we expect to see different results in future then we have to aid social innovators with that little support that we can.It doesn’t matter whether is only helping them find their way to your communities. it doesn’t matter whether is smiling to them for them to feel appreciated. it is your contribution. it is what we need to spark our imagination to think of better solution to our problems. For if we need prosperity in the field of social entrepreneurship in Africa then we should be ready to learn to embrace strategic collaboration. We should have an understanding and be willing to foster conditions that produce solution to social problems.

Pastor Michael and your family, know this today, you are great social innovators, continue stretching your imagination, continue with your global thinking.Just like in the Bible people followed Jesus because they saw the signs he had performed by healing the sick, people will follow you, for you will give them life- Water-, you will give them hope for the future.

I take this golden opportunity to welcome you to the family of C.P.Africa social Innovators.

Sick and Tired of Terrorist Attacks& Corruption In Africa: Develop Social Innovators

As the names of those consumed by the blood thirsty Al-shabaab terrorist in Garissa University College  were published in the Kenyan media, my attention was drawn by the headline in the Kenya people daily:  “Youth under grip of Shabaab spell.” Going through it i was forced to agree to what they stated as the cause as to why the youth are under the spell. It makes sense to guess that most of the youths might have been recruited to the group because they : lack the platform to heard , because of their low socioeconomic status, their perceived sense of injustice and a desire to change the world.

Just like Andreas Lubitz of Germanwings A320 told his friend ” one day i will do something that will change the whole system and all will know my name and remember it.” he brought down an aeroplane clashing with several passangers in. He instantly shot to the lime light in the world. The same might have been the case of the terrorist who committed the heinous act at Garissa University. However that is not my emphasis now.  I want to concentrate on why i think the issues raised by the journalists in the newspaper are valid reason to believe that the youths are at the verge of giving in to the dangerous groups like Al Shabab and other cults. And why i think the Government, religious organization, churches and parents need to consider social innovation as a strategy to prevent  the tragedy.

Believe me In the absence hope, disillusion is what occupy our minds, in the absence of appreciation and recognition arrogance and self-pity take center stage, in the absence of social and economic freedom, terrorism, robbery with violence becomes the order of the day. Most of our African countries young generation are the receiver of all these vices. Until we realize that it is important  to nurture the current generation, we should never dream of a better future, instead we should prepare for a more chaotic society. Personally i prefer peace to chaos. That is why i am ready to discuss the solution to these malady: #socialinnovation.

Social Innovation is a process of collective creation in which members of a certain society learn to invent and lay out new rules for a social game of collaboration and of conflict resolution -(Crozier and Friedberg 1993.) As Africans this is what we need urgently. We need to set out different rules if we desire to see reasonable change. It is what we need to prevent young people from being radicalized. Ask me how we can go about it? Beaural of European Policy Advisory (BEPA) consider Empowering people and Driving change as the essential elements of social innovation. I too think empowering, educating and offering platform for engaging the youth as crucial in impacting lives. Can we try it out. yes! but i leave that to you as a social entrepreneur to make a decision.

My desire and prayer will be for us to raise up and start mentorship programs. These can be a sure way of passing the right values to the young people. Religious Organization, should take the lead and  Education system reevaluated. The government systems should be reinvented. These together to sooth the fundamental changes in attitude, values, strategies and organization structures and the process of delivering services. In wholesome, we need to allow the voice of the young people to gain relevance by letting them to speak and considering their opinions  as significant in the collective fight against terrorism and corruption.

Social innovation holds the key to development of the society in this knowledge and service economy. Let us give it a chance. Take it from me Africa -social innovation will never let us down.

ARE YOU SEEKING SIGNIFICANCE ? BECOME A SERVANT LEADER.

A week ago while seeking to find ways to be relevant and successful in life, i sought the counsel of one Engineer, Pastor Femi Abidoye from Nigeria  of what he makes of being successful in this era of knowledge and service economy. During our conversation he brought out three levels that people belong in terms of success. 1. survivors 2. successful & 3.significance.

Just like the hierarchy of human needs, the three levels can be expressed in terms of a pyramid starting from survivors at the bottom and significance at the top.

To him survivors  are those who are working to live.To him people at these level have no option but to do whatever they can find and what they are told. They are at the mercy of those who are able to offer something. At the level of success, lies a number of people. I was surprised to learn that even presidents and those perceived to be accomplished in life can still be stuck at this level, never to experience significance.  at the level of success everything is about personal financial gain . While at the significant level the chief motivation comes from helping change a life. Helping to build a Just society. This where i finally want to be.

To me as a social entrepreneur, sick and tired of exploitation and social injustice in Africa  i sought to know where i am. I want to confess i was i bit scared. But Femi assured me that one can start from the bottom and achieve the level of significance.  Looking at some of the great men in  Africa like late Nelson Mandela, H.E.Kofi Annan and their great contribution, looking at the likes of Femi and their willingness to mentor and help young people grow to become servant leaders, my HOPE IS REKINDLED.

At the level of significance we will hear not of mega corruption like what we are seeing in Kenya, at the level of significance we will not hear of nepotism,at the level of significance tribalism will be a thing of the past. At the level of significance we can be assured of people taking personal responsibility for their misdeeds. At the level of significance we will be assured of economic development

Just like Martin Luther King Jr during fight civil rights in America dremt of a just society , i too dream of a better Kenya, i dream of a better Africa, I dream of Africa where leaders will not want to be flown to a crime area and leave the Recce squad who are supposed to tackle terrorist only for hundreds of students to butchered in the hostels like goats in a slaughter house, i dream of Africa where leaders will be willing to mentor others to take their positions i dream of Africa where we will be disturbed by the pictures of those who are dying of hunger and enact policies that will solve that problem. I know that is your dream  too.

My fellow young Africans, we can make it to the level of significance. Now is the time. Let us do it now  by challenging the status quo.

Success = Opportunity + Fate + Hardwork

In the year 2012 August together with my eight colleagues from the University of Nairobi while visiting my current boss Hon. Dr.Gesami at his home he said this about success: “success is a combination of Opportunity (luck), Fate and Hard work”. As I work for him as his Personal Assistant I keep on pondering on this statement said in a quiet and serene environment. To some extent I believe he is right.
Looking into oxford advanced learner’s dictionary I Inquire the meaning of each of the word that has been mentioned as a factor to success. Opportunity is defined as the time when particular situation makes it possible to do or achieve something. How can you detect an opportunity? This is one fundamental question that you need to answer before success can strike your way. Believe me you cannot encounter an opportunity while you are seated in the bunk or at the comfort of your couch. You can only encounter with it on your way while moving. Maybe that is the reason as to why Martin Luther King made this statement “If you can’t fly, run if you can’t run walk if you can’t walk crawl if you can’t crawl make sure whatever you are doing keep on moving.” In most cases serendipity is what leads you to an opportunity. I can attest to this fact.
Opportunities are not a select for certain individuals or class. It is for all those who are hungry. Like Les Brown state,you gonna be hungry for whatever you want to achieve. The bible says the kingdom of God belongs to the strong and will only be taken by force. I should not be mistaken to meaning fighting or depriving others of what they have worked hard for, what they rightfully own. No! I am a stronger believer of social justice. Being strong I mean you need to have the stamina to persevere and endure until you get the right opportunity. Success is build with time. Just like Rome was not build in a day you can’t build your success in a day. Never be cheated.
Fate is said to be the power that is believed to control everything that happen and cannot be stopped or be changed. Being a Christian I always believe that my destiny is in the hands of God and he has good plans for me. You are allowed to believe in whatever you subscribe to. In most cases I have no worry for I know I have assurance of divine protection. However sometimes you have power to your fate, if you will know how to activate the power of your tongue. The power of confession. Confess by your own mouth whatever you desire and you will achieve. Sharing your story. Declaring something gives your heart and mind the impetus to face challenges on the way.
Whenever you think of your fate just like me sometimes you get scared. However that should not hamper you from working hard towards achieving your dreams. Hard work is putting a lot of effort into doing something well. I insist that if you have to intensify working on anything it should be developing yourself. Take your sweet time to develop your talents, gifts and abilities. Developing oneself involves reading, interacting and helping others to grow. This is what Joel Osteen advises “don’t always try to work hard to be successful, help others to be successful and yours will come.” John C. Maxwell says a good leader is one who develops other leaders. It is clear you only need to concentrate more on developing others for you to succeed. But never forsake your personal development. It is good also to note that individual success sucks and can elude you if solely depended upon. So learn to create and maintain quality network for that is your currency which will connect you to opportunities.
With my vision of making Africa a better place devoid of poverty, ignorance and diseases I am set to help Personal Assistants through Contagious Passion Africa to discover their strengths as they help their bosses prosper. Join me in sharing your story to help others discover their Talents Gifts and Abilities.

BEYOND EXPECTATION

Can you manage to live beyond your expectations and that of others? Yes. I have seen and heard people who have lived past their expected time. Sometimes the doctors have given days to a patient to live, fortunately and miraculously they survive past the deadline. Sometimes you have been told you should not cross that line and most people have defied that caution and they have survived. Sometime you have seen a car crush and you think Gosh! Nobody survived from that accident. To your wonderment you realize that people were saved.
This is a reason I believe I can do anything that my heart desires to do by being cognizant of others. Since sometimes back I always wanted to be close to those who will comfort me, since sometimes back I yearned for somebody to say something good about me. However it seems to me rare numbers have decided to take the rules of human engagement by Dale Carnegie seriously. Many want to get what they want no matter the cost. It doesn’t matter whether it hurts your neighbor. You are the king! You are the queen!
I am not perfect but since I read that human interaction guide how to make friends and influence people I will confess I have achieved more that I think I will have achieved if I was arrogant and bitter. I tend to run away from arguments for from experience I have discovered no one wins in an argument.
If you want to succeed you need to give chance a chance. However, as we are doing that we need to prepare for any crisis and handle others with care. Quoting James Lee a crisis is when you are required critical decision that will change the lives of people. To him to handle the crisis is by you finding a way to make, incur or cause the least loss
James Lee surprises me by saying that we have to market the crisis. That we need to market the decisions we have to make that will affects the lives of people starting from you. To go back to dale Carnegie, we need to check on our words. We have no reason of being prophets of doom even if we were to we should make the doom someway better. To encourage someone should be our number one priority. I know one can be corrected via encouragement. Only that you need to train yourself on doing that. It is not easy but it can be done. But you can do beyond expectation.

MOTHERS: THE EPITOME OF INSPIRATION.

I sit in one of the coffee house in Nairobi city Kenya while enjoying my one month leave from the Kenya National Assembly as a Personal Assistant to Hon .Dr. Gesami reflecting of my undertaking for the last two years. It has been an exciting experience. For once I am ready and willing to appreciate the work of a personal assistant. I have been compelled to prop more to understand the value and role of a personal assistants.
You might be shocked what I have discovered. Fact: our mothers are the best and most accomplished personal assistants. Fact; mothers are the most unappreciated and unrecognized individuals in Africa. With these two facts then ask yourself a question: How will you want your mother to be appreciated? How will you want this to be done?
I have thought of a solution. Experts say that for a message to be adopted by the public then they have to hear it more than 20 times. We want to profile the experience of several mothers in Africa; we want to share their challenges while working as your personal assistant while you were a toddler. All these in the effort to encourage, inspire and improve the engagement of those who are working as personal assistants. These messages will be published in our Facebook page, in our website and many media channels.
I believe that hope comes from hearing. And we can only hear what has been spoken. Whatever that has to be spoken it has to be done through a certain platform. And that is the platform we want to avail at CAP Personal Assistant Consultancy

EXPERIENCING DIVINE ENCOUNTER :#socialentrepreneurs

These words are still resounding in my mind from the great sermon from one brilliant and intelligent electrical engineer Femi Abidoye from Nigeria. In between the sermon my heart sunk into the ocean of experiences I have had while growing in the village. It brought into fore the feelings of how lucky I have been, quietly and consistently my mind rolled through several divine moments I have encountered for over twenty years. It brought into remembrance my vision and mission as a #socialentrepreneur

As I sought to keenly mine from his reservoir of his illustration and explanations, I can dare say he never disappointed me nor do I think the other brethren were disappointed, because after the sermon all faces were glittering, smiles written over their faces. That is the only prove you needed to know that people were energized.The highlight of the sermon was the three main points that he focused on: 1. we should be sensitive for us to have divine encounter, 2. we must seize every moment for us to experience divine encounter, finally 3. We need to be pure.

As social entrepreneurs how can we use the points above for us to experience divine encounters, we need to be sensitive to other peoples plight, we should value others as equally created with ability potential and gifts that can also contribute to changing the community. It is because people were sensitive to my situation, that they took me as their son, paid my school fees when I had no hope back in the year 2002 December after my father was promoted to be we the lord. It is for that reason I am able to write this article. It is for that reason that my conscious is always inclined towards helping others to discover and develop themselves. It is for that same reason I am hungry for new knowledge that will help me to contribute to development of a just world. My fellow entrepreneurs it is for that reason that I encourage you to take action in educating, encouraging and motivating the despised in the society that they have the ability and potential to change their lives.

When I go through the words of great legends, great leaders in the world, Martin Luther King JR, Nelson Mandela and Mother Teresa, they were all cognizant of the challenges people were going through. They were sensitive to the difficulties the society was going through that they sacrificed their own lives to fight for their liberation. Isn’t it amazing, doesn’t sound illogical and crazy? But all the same they gave themselves. Abraham in the bible sacrificed so many things in different circumstances, David did the same who are we then to divorce from this reality. I want not to be part in this divorce.

We must seize the moment; that was another paramount reaffirmation of golden rule for social entrepreneurship that I have always upheld. Never waste your time. Humbly and graciously acknowledge that others are better that you. Seek to tap from their springs of knowledge, engage them in conversation, be patient enough to invest emotionally, socially economically and spiritually, you have to learn to create a relationship. I have termed relationships and networks as a social currency that you will use whenever you want to transact with others in a social world. Never look down upon somebody as the adage goes, be good on your way up for you might meet the same people on your way down. The only investment that cannot be depleted is the network that is created on mutual respect and trust. That is what I work hard to achieve in my life as a social entrepreneur.

Finally we need to be pure: we need to run away from exploiting others, we need to shun from misusing other peoples ignorance to demean them, we need to run away from the temptation of despising others we need to run away from corruption and use of power and position to steal from the poor. Rather it should be our responsibility to jealously guard the rights of others. We should strive hard to retain and sustain human dignity for we are all beautifully and wonderfully made.

May as you read this article experience your divine encounter as we prepare to make the world a better place for all. just like Nelson Mandela experienced divine encounter while i prison where he read for his bachelor of law.

RE-WRITING AFRICA STORY BY RE- EDUCATING OURSELVES ABOUT PROPER VALUE SYSTEM -ESSENCE OF SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP

We are growing in a world that is confusing and contradictory, we are growing in a world where social injustice and intolerance are key words that can better describe the circumstances, we are growing in a world where impunity and big man syndrome is crippling development, we are growing and living in a world that hopelessness is blurring the unemployed youths in most of our African states. The question is, are we to continue sitting and waiting for manner from heaven like the Israelites did? NO!
We need to rise up to the occasion to counter these vices and rewrite a new vision for Africa- we need to dream a new and better dream for Africa, we need to gather courage and confront the atrocities meted on innocent people. And how can we do this? Through reeducation. From the English Oxford Dictionary: education refers to a process of teaching training and learning, it is also defined as process of improving knowledge and developing skills.
Previously we have been thought, we have been trained and we have learned in a corrupted system in terms of values, we have been fed the trash that we are seeing as a by- product of utterances of obscene languages used by the so called leaders-for as the nugget of wisdom state as a man thinketh so is he-It is a disgrace, but the sad reality is that is what we will produce if we were to be in the same position ,because that is the way we have been socialized, that is the way we have been brought up. And that defines us. That is why we need to redefine ourselves as young people
Is there any remedy as far as change is concerned. I say YES! we need to start educating ourselves about different kind of value system. And I envision those values to be the ones that consider everybody as one with innate capability and capacity to contribute towards meaningful development of the society. I envision that system to be one that does not compromise on the character of an individual , I envision that system that embraces social justice, I envision that system that allows every individual an opportunity to access basic utilities without having to bribe finally I envision a system that insist on appreciating and encouraging individuals within the society
Methinks we can only achieve these dream as African youths by starting to reeducate ourselves of what matters. We need to reeducate ourselves to unlearn the rotten values that we have been thought before; we need to reeducate ourselves to utilize our energy in meaningful tasks like helping others to discover themselves, to discover their talents, gifts and abilities. We need to take up the challenge of dreaming a better dream for African progeny. We need to start dissecting and bringing down the wall of clansim, nepotism and tribalism which has characterized African leadership. We need to stand bold enough to denounce links with the dark world of African leadership which is synonymous with impunity and corruption. we need to discern the selfish interest of our for fathers and find ways of creatively disengaging from them, declaring ourselves free from the shackles and chains of THE AFRICAN SPELL We need to start a conversation.
A conversation is an informal talk involving a small group- oxford English dictionary but of interest is the definition by #Jim McCann in his book The art of conversation leadership he says- conversations are ways of exploring imagining hashing things out, bouncing ideas of others while seeking theirs. For me as a #socialentrepreneur this is what we urgently need in Africa just like now. I want to appreciate many youth organizations that have realized this and have started the conversation. Silencing the guns by the AFRICAN UNION and many of the individual youths who have taken to the social media to speak out on the change of our mind set as a key ingredient for the development of Africa. I acknowledge the effort by @GraceMageka who is taking Africa on social media, @stephen machua who is so passionate about mentoring young people instilling the proper values that will set the base of the new dream for the future of Africa. I think this is what we need it doesn’t matter how small.
As we educate young people in Africa I am convinced the power of the crowd (youth bulge) is what will set the rotten African leadership systems packing as it drowns in the sea of oblivion. However a word of caution, the power of darkness can be challenging sometimes soothing, we may be lured by glittering things to sway us off the right path of conversing let us have the courage to desist from them just like Jesus in the bible did when Satan tried to tempt him with giving him the whole world of wealth if He worshiped him. The irony though is Jesus is the creator of the universe. The same way we may be tempted by the corrupted leadership of the corrupted system to disown the right values in exchange for wealth, the sarcasm will be the same narrative as that of Satan. I believe we have innate ability to build our wealth in the right manner
Let us start the CONVESATION!!!!

SOCIAL CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY (CSR) IN A FRICA IS A FALLACY!

“Corporate social responsibility is as a result of lack of public social responsibility” these are the powerful words of Joe Biden the Vice president of the USA. While I wander through my mind trying to figure out the ailment of our African states that have been on the mark for all the very nasty reasons, violations of human rights, corruption and imperialism.
When I first came across the word public service, I tried to find out what was the exact meaning, I found out from English oxford dictionary that it referred to something that is done to help people rather than making profits. Marrying the statement OF Joe Biden why does he seem to prefer public service than that of corporate. Corporate are always geared towards making profit even at the expense of the people. That the world for a corporate is all about cutthroat competition which is detrimental for even development of the society. Looking at African society where the elites have taken the society as a vehicle to get political power. Exploiting the poor by giving them handout.
Ironically when they have achieved their goals, they are termed public servants. How can you think of that, how dare you imagine that, when they have a hole in their bank accounts which they dug while giving you bribes for you to vote for them. They literally buy our vote. It means our votes become their commodity not a voice that gives us the moral authority to ask them to serve us.
In the search to refill their sacks with money they will give you every time they form corporate companies that they use to milk public coffers. Have you ever seen the zeal, with which some companies are protected in Kenya, do you know why some powerful individual will support a certain presidential candidate to death? it amazes me. They sign a contract with them that when they come to power what they have gained should be protected. I have come to learn that some people own the country while others just exist. It is indeed unethical but what can we do we are the very people who have caused that to ourselves. How you will ask? We have generated a superhuman perception of the “MHESHIMIWA” that they have capable of offering quick fixes to our problems.
If I had the ability now I will say let us develop public service responsibility, where the public utilities comes first before companies, I will prefer having people passionate people to serve rather than having corporate leaders leading the public entities. I will teach people that to be really happy you need more than pleasure and possession. That you must have to help others develop their talents and skills. It is true that if we smile looking for opportunities to be kind to the others and develop self- control we will be more successful happier and probably live longer
Currently most of the leaders we have had have squandered their opportunities to show leadership, they have thrown their manners to the dogs they have stripped naked of their respect. They have lost the moral authority to lead us into Canaan. That is why I want to invite my fellow African youth to imagine why we have few if any of our leaders can inspire hope for the kid to hope for a better , Africa ? Why is it that there is an American dream but not an African dream?
It is a time where we need to call ourselves to public social responsibility first before we do corporate social responsibility. Even as we seek to ask people to sign performance contracts , let us know that the only fortune worth finding is the purpose in life and it shall not be found anywhere else than in our hearts. We need to let go off our comfort zones, let go off what make sense to us in order for us to discover the wonder of the unknown to get the life that we want.
Finally let us hold fast to what is true and know that every one of us has a unique ability to help build Africa into a better place- aluta continua from where TATA Nelson Mandela left, That we will be among those that will build an AFRICAN DREAM. That we will be the Martin Luther king who dreamed of a better AMERICA. It is your obligation, it is my responsibility.

PROMISES TO KEEP IN 2015

We are into the sixth day of this year 2015. Many of us have made resolutions but I don’t know what promises you have made to yourself, and those that you will interact with. Towards the end of last year I had the opportunity of reading through the autobiography of Joe Biden the current vice president of the United States of America, wherefrom I have derived my title for this article. “PROMISES TO KEEP”
Throughout the book I am persuaded that every day’s activity contributes to keeping the promises that you have made. Unless we do that we will utterly fail.it is true that people who live out their purpose build credibility by making plan and executing it effectively and demonstrating that it was a right plan. Whatever we do goes into the most fundamental of our socialization. Socialization is a result of what we do every day as we interact with others. According to Biden his religious background and the values that his parents instilled in him became an anchor in his live as a senator and public servant In the US senate.
In fulfilling his promises of fighting injustices meted against black people and their civil rights, he committed himself to personal growth. I was amazed by his hunger for new knowledge. He became an expert in foreign policy. His knowledge came in hand to help President George. W. bush while fighting against terrorism after the 9/11. Maybe you have resolved this year to personal growth like I have done. It will be a great experience, I can dare say like some of the great people who have gone before us that self -growth is tender, it is holy ground and there is no greater investment than that. Even as we do this may we remember that we live in a community where many need our help. May we not shun the habit of sharing valuable information that will help us grow together. for we are together strong than our own.
But even as we resolve to personal growth let us not be blinded by our daily success, for we are vulnerable to calamities and misfortune. After Biden lost his first wife and daughter in an accident with his two boys injured immediately he had won the senatorial seat,  he was devastated, it was heart breaking,but he had those who supported him, we are not an exception we need to build that support each day , it is life, I don’t know what befalls me when I am done writing this piece, it is a mystery. But we hope that we will live to see the next minute and therefore let as be mindful of others. And if anything goes have I created strong support system to keep me going is the question that linger in my mind. Let us learn to appreciate them and help them if we can to know what they are good at, what their talents gifts and abilities are. This is what a call the heart of a social entrepreneur. He is not alluded by self-importance but humble enough to help others.
Let us guard our habits, we can do this by checking our daily actions for as Horace mann,a great educator said “habits are like cable we weave strands of it everyday and soon cannot be broken”. Let us be committed to personal growth, let us go back and rediscover our lost values, may we observe dignity of others , may we respect other peoples opinion, may we shun from the sense of irrationality and mediocrity that was portrayed by our so called honorable members of the National Assembly of Kenya on the 18th of December 2014, may we seek to understand others before we seek to be understood, may we shun sycophancy and embrace logical and meaningful conversation of what we want to achieve as Africans, as young people and human beings. If we keep these things then we will keep the promise of personal growth.