The Winning Team: MWF 2021 Part I

 

Mercy and Philip Olilo (MWF 2021)

Wednesday night. Fellows are all over Zen Gardens. Some taking contacts you would think none of us is in the same WhatsApp group we all belong to…but we know what that means; someone is being intentional about keeping in touch with you or the tingling effect just happened…or is it a spark? Forgive us, it is the first time we are meeting physically since we started applying for Mandela Washington Fellowship and made it. I think it’s two years now. A few of them have their eyes shining, eyeballs widening as if in readiness for an eyeing match with owls. I tease one of them to stand on one foot and you know how it goes with every tipsy champ, “You think I can’t…?” Okay, let me digress a little.

Trizah, Lenah and Paul (MWF2021)

I love engaging people. I move a way from what seems to be a dance floor where fellows are trying so hard to make moves. Annette, the Cultural Specialist at the US Embassy-Kenya, and the lead organizer of this event is present. I wish I captured the video. Well, it suffices to affirm that she’s good at it.  I go to Phillip Olilo’s table. The tall dark young man (MWF 2021 Alumnus) smiles at me with a good mastery of eye contact. I realize though, he must be busy on phone, perhaps with an ongoing online meeting. Anyway, he’s a colleague, we can catch up later. I’m interested in Mercy, his sign language translator. She is a teacher at Farther Auderaa School for the Hearing Impaired, at Nyangoma village, Siaya County of Kenya. We had introduced each other earlier so our chat can take any angle.

Mercy: I am so humbled. It is just amazing what young people can do. Everyone is creating impact till I’m left wondering where I’ve been all these years.

Douglas: I think you are doing more in your space. By the way, what drove you into Special Education?

The professional sign Language educator smiles and one can tell how passionate she is about teaching children with disability and in this case, those with hearing impairment. After a brief history…

Mercy: To this end, I don’t think I can trade this profession for any other. The world I’m in is so peaceful. I want to do this every day, anytime.

We discuss the challenges facing children with disabilities among which include the long journey that most governments in Africa are yet to accomplish as well as the unpreparedness among families. I marvel at how she brims with joy while describing the fun she has with the children at the school, saying challenges are everywhere and like every other person, we ought to address them as opportunities to make the world better.

For a moment we talk about the differences in the sign language curriculum across the world and that’s how I recall a Swahili short story I wrote in 2013 as a tribute to the late Nelson Mandela. We both laugh at my sign language translating character who was saying things that were in no way related to what the speakers were saying, messing a trip for a deaf child whose Father had given a treat to attend a funeral of Africa’s first President, Rufomuze. We end up agreeing that there is a long way to go on matters disability preparedness. The bus is arriving, we must go back to the boarding hotel… everyone wishes we just stayed here. I wrap it up…

Douglas

Fellows pose with Charge D’ affairs

: I think you are best fit for MWF. This fellowship is about winners, and by that, I mean people who are resilient, passionate about; community service, purpose driven life and seeing positive change in themselves and the environment around them. Be sure to apply when the time comes. Philip can help you with essay reviews, I mean, all fellows here are willing to help if you get in touch. You are a great leader.

Mercy: Oh yes! This is something I’m waiting for. Thank you!

Douglas: Thanks for your time, I can see the bus is ready.

Annette and Mr. Machin

Everyone gathers their gift hampers, and the driver is aware of such a night, so he is patient with the few who must stagger as they walk, talk and sing to the bus. The event has been a great one. The kind that has somehow soothed the disappointment brought by Covid-19 hindering us from travelling to Washington DC for an in-person fellowship. Thanks to the Embassy officials under the leadership of Mr. Machin Christopher.

To be continued….

All photos by Douglas and Saumu Idd (MWF2021)

The writer is the founder of Dowe Music &Arts. He is passionate about sound leadership and social positive change in Africa. Art is a tool he uses to transform lives in Kenya and Africa.