The Young Nation of Sundays recently covered the amazing story of Abigael the Young Weaver from the neighborhood of Matuu Township in Machakos County. At 9 years only and in class 3, the young girl has on her own, learnt about knitting of door mats, upon observing the various steps, from a book, while accompanying her father in a Matuu bookshop.
Soon after arriving home, Abigael needed only a crochet and rolls of wool, which her parents provided. Immediately, she set on weaving door mats and has ever since been doing so during weekends and after school. Practice has become perfect to the extent that the young girl has attracted the media.
Could this early opening of Abigael’s eyes have anything to do with the Competency Based Curriculum – CBC? It’s not easy to tell, since it’s still in the implementation stages. Interestingly though, there is no history of weaving in Abigael’s family. Why did this article attract me?
A few days before Abigael’s story, I had encountered an amazing lady in a social set up. She was very busy conversing with her lady friend, taking her drink and at the same time knitting a pullover with crochets. Alongside, Hannah’s (as we can refer to her) multi-tasking, attracted my attention and I decided to initiate a conversation. How come you are able to cope with the different activities at the same time? I enquired after saying hello.
Hannah: I don’t have any choice. I have to combine knitting with other activities to avoid losing time.
Me: Why so?
Hannah: Knitting is not only a way of life, but also business for me.
Me: Since when, given that you seem to be more of a senior citizen?
Hannah: You are right. I am 69 and soon celebrating 70 years.
Me: Have you been knitting since your youth?
Hannah: It’s a long story, but in short, I lost my spouse in 2012 (about 9 years ago). Soon after, I not only experienced loneliness, but also encountered a medical challenge related to my back. That is why I use a walking aid.
Me: Oh my! Sorry about that.
Hannah: My children are based outside Kenya and arrangements were made for my travelling to UK – United Kingdom, for medical attention.
Me: How were you attended?
Hannah: I was admitted to a hospital for 3 months. During the stay, I became very idle and thought of how to keep myself busy. Alongside, I remembered that I used to love knitting when I was a young girl. Immediately, I asked my children to bring me crochets and wool that was capable of making nice pullovers.
Me: Who were the pullovers meant for?
Hannah: No one at all. I was just keeping myself busy. However, nurses started getting attracted. Soon, purchase orders started flowing from nurses not only for themselves, but also their families too. Somehow, I started making some little money, while still undergoing medical attention.
Me: And now?
Hannah: Knitting became my full-time business of making pullovers for children and adults, largely for the export market, which has continued expanding. A piece for children retails at 4k while that for adults goes for 8 k.
Me: Wow: I admire your passion. Are the orders in bulk or just pieces?
Hannah: Every two to three weeks, I export pullovers worth at least Kenya shillings eighty thousand. Surprisingly, Westerners are very fond of handmade items. That is why I am always busy. In fact, I have to leave so that I can organize for tomorrow’s shipment.
As Hannah walked away, I admired seeing an almost 70 year old lady, driving herself and being so economically active. What is your passion? How are you likely to spend your time upon retirement? Further, what efforts do you put towards encouraging our future leaders under your care, to harness their passion and particularly align with their natural orientations?
The truth is that ALL those who are passionate about what they do, easily end up becoming economically active throughout their lifetimes. It doesn’t matter whether they follow their physical or intellectual orientations. Did you know that this is the main fucus of the CBC? Apparently, those still under the 8-4-4 system are not in any way excempted from this focus. The right guidance is however absolutely necessary, isn’t it?
FYI
Based on a recent enquiry, please allow me to share the focus of our empowerment strategy. But first, can people solve problems, which they have no idea on exactly how they happened? in our case, participants in students’ seminars, need to know:-
- What exactly are the guiding success principles, and exactly how are they applied in real life?
- Why has this success not been easy to achieve for the majority?
- What are the key challenges bedeviling our country and why are they so persistent?
- What can each student do to bring change or to avoid contributing to the persistent challenges?
- Particularly, how does one focus towards achieving full personal potential?
For teachers, they can never give what they don’t have, can they? Secondly, majority of teachers are dispassionate about work. Why and what exactly can be done to improve on this? Thirdly, teachers need to understand how to become admirable role models, isn’t it?
Could solutions provided based on these concerns not readily lead to achievement of the desired empowerment, in the school system?
Rgds
Mwangi Wanjumbi (MKIM)
Personal Empowerment Coach
Seasoned Speaker/Trainer on Strategy, Performance, Change Management and Leadership.
Architect of the Competency Based Curriculum-CBC
Author of 1. KICD approved Career Dynamics in the 21st Century, 2. Living Beyond Survival:No More Tiptoeing in Life
- The 21st Century Student:Are You Creating The Future Today? Also, Retired 5 Year Monthly Strategy Columnist (2013 – 2018) for The SME Today Magazine Phone 254772516210
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