TOPIC 3 : CAMPUS STRUGGLES OF A BOY CHILD.

By Bett Kipkorir 

Simple reassurance words were whispered to an anxious ear by the Mother just before the Journey began. How excited it was to study in the only university in an Island, but I don’t say. The Journey began from the roots of the Great Rift Valley and took more than twelve hours to arrive in Mombasa. The Journey took long than I Expected. Fantasy of visiting all places I read in books and spending most of my time at the beach could not get out of my mind. I slept a little and I was awoken by an announcement that we are in Mombasa.

Photo by Ivan 

Confused, tired and Excited, as we were referred to as ‘Watu wa bara’, and being the first time to board a ‘TukTuk’ made it the best experience ever.

From a cool climate to a hot climate was another challenge which was temporary solved by ‘a walking bottle of refrigerated water’ or even an Ice cream before the body could adapt to the climate in the area.

I still recall the cliche word used by almost all speakers at the orientation ceremony “Welcome to the University where you either change your life or the life in here will change you”

That same day I sat next to a girl I thought had  been dropped from the Heavens. She referred to herself as Boldly as Valentine. I began to count myself the Luckiest, with some chats accompanied by laughter, her phone then rang and she answered with a low tone “Hello Beb” and I walked out believing that indeed ‘Don’t count your chicks before they hatch’ ‘Oh! Boy child.' Meeting new friends was another great experience, others with good intentions and the vice versa is true.

That Condition brought an idea of engaging in something that would at least generate income as a Comrade. There is where landed into acting in Swahili Pot and later did Travelling Theatre and I began to earn from it. I also did events photography,Deejaying and Mceeing  on weddings,Birthday parties and events. As a result of that I was able to move from the Hostel and rented a house around the school.

From the struggles to keep up myself, I began to dress well, friends around me multiplied and later I met the Beautiful..........

To be Continued.