After graduating from high school in 1989, I had high hopes that I would get a high grade that would enable me to join university. When the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education results were announced, I went to my former high school to get my results. I was disappointed that I missed two points to attain the grade required to join the university. The first inclination was for me to go back to high school. However, because family resources were limited, I reasoned that it was better for me to enter a middle-level college. I couldn’t join college immediately, so I stayed with my sister for eighteen months. During this time, I helped babysit my nephews and niece to help save some money for college.
Like many youths in my country, I applied to many colleges randomly, not having anything specific I wanted to do. In 1990, I applied to Medical Training College (KMTC) for Laboratory Technology, to teaching colleges, and Utalii College; I wanted to join college for a diploma. I was not recruited to any of the colleges. The following year, I applied to KMTC again, but this time, I chose nursing at a certificate level. I also applied to a teaching college and the Kenya Polytechnic for Medical Secretariat.
After a few months, I received a letter of invitation to join the Kenya Polytechnic. I was not so amused by this invitation because I didn’t understand what the course entails. I continued to wait patiently, hoping the good Lord would open a way for me to join college. And He did. This day, a gospel minister came to our home. As he walked into our compound, he smiled and proclaimed good news. In his hand was a stack of envelopes. As he entered the house where my dad was seated, he said “You are most blessed; your daughter has been selected to two colleges.” With these words, my heart leaped with joy. My dad received the letters and gave them to me. We were all filled with joy, but I had to decide which college to attend.
One of my brothers had also been invited to attend a teaching college. As my dad escorted him to the college, he had decided that I too would join teaching as my career. However, I realized that I had a different opinion from my dad. I saw my mother serve the community as a traditional birth attendant. I thought this was my opportunity to venture into the experience of helping women during labor. Therefore, I resolved in my heart that I would be a nurse to offer skilled services to the community. I now know this was one of the best decisions I ever made. Even though there are challenges, I enjoy serving God as a nurse. I have lived to rise above the stigma and discrimination associated with being a nurse. Hence, my story
One of my brothers had also been invited to attend a teaching college. As my dad escorted him to the college, he had decided that I too would join teaching as my career. However, I realized that I had a different opinion from my dad. I saw my mother serve the community as a traditional birth attendant. I thought this was my opportunity to venture into the experience of helping women during labor. Therefore, I resolved in my heart that I would be a nurse to offer skilled services to the community. I now know this was one of the best decisions I ever made. Even though there are challenges, I have enjoyed serving God as a nurse. Fast forward, I worked in rural communities, helping pregnant women to have a safe pregnancy and childbirth. Safe motherhood became my passion.
Seventeen years later, I immigrated to the United States. And just like that, my focus changed. Working as a nurse in the Cardiovascular unit has created a new desire and passion in me. Realizing that more than 80% of patients are admitted with preventable lifestyle conditions ignited a desire to become a health coach. Now, as a Certified Health Coach, I want to help individuals, families, and organizations to live long, live pain-free, and retire healthy by teaching them simple and proven strategies for achieving optimum wellness. And I am so glad you are here.