James joined Sigalame High School in Busia, near to the border of Kenya with Uganda, having scored 369 in his primary school exams (the equivalent of a B+). A Red Rubber Ball Foundation scholarship allowed him to complete the four years at secondary school and James achieved an A- in the final KCSE exams. This gave him a place at Pwani University near Mombasa, almost 1,000 km from home, to study Biochemistry. James again excelled, achieving an Upper Second degree.
James combined his studies with his strong faith and love of music. As one of the students who took part in the Kilimanjaro climb, we experienced his beautiful voice.
He tells his own story …
“Life since then has been quite interesting with twists and turns. Sometimes I wished for better after school but most of times I learnt to be grateful, optimistic and positive. I left college in 2020 and immediately went to Marsabit as a missionary.
I took time to participate in a number of charity works as well as some paid music activities, like training guys for piano and teaching music theory. This was so that I could grow in my values of service to others. I am currently working in a church in Nairobi (Nairobi chapel) where I also get trained in leadership and governance.
Unable to find a job in my profession, it has been of great value to learn to take my passion rather than insist on my career as a biochemist. There are plentiful of opportunities unlocked by Passion and undisputed skill but whoever insists on their area of training has to really wait for any employment. Also the quicker you start loving what you find to do, the better for your mental sanity here in Kenya.
My long term goal is to start up a music foundation that will see artists acknowledged and supported, especially Christian creatives who are financially unlucky. I am convinced that Kenyans flourish with art more than anything else. However, the culture has insisted on certain professions that are not actually bearing fruit for the creatives.
However, I haven’t yet connected to a network that resonate with my ideas and so I feel misunderstood. Also enough finances to pull up my plan has been a major issue for quite a while.
My piece of advice is that, if your network of people is not one that could favour your vision and you passionately believe in your vision, don’t drop the vision. Instead, keep expanding your network. This is called investing in social capital. To me, it’s a very wise investment.”
After graduating, James completed an apprenticeship programme in bible teaching and Servant Leadership with iServe Africa. His big assignment was to serve as an associate pastor with an Anglican church in Marsabit and he also had roles as a school administrator and working alongside local nurses as a community health mobilizer.
He is now in Embu, near to Mount Kenya, working as a worship pastor and helping to train leaders and raising musicians. Together with a friend, he is creating a music school to teaching piano, voice, guitar, and drums. As we say, ‘Anything is Possible … if you put your mind to it’.
James hopes to get an opportunity to further his studies with Masters in Immunology and later specialize in Oncology. We wish him well.