Maseno University’s main entrance. [Photo/ maseno.ac.ke]
I am now in the first semester of my second year here at Maseno University and am still much of a newbie here, having seen just one new generation of freshmen after mine.
In this short period of time here at MSU, there's a lot I've noticed when it comes to student-led initiatives that are working to ensure those who are lucky enough to be a part of the university not only qualify with honors in academia but also in life.
Allow me to use one of such initiatives as an illustration. It's called Coffee Connect.
I was going through MSU's CPP page on Facebook and landed on a poster advertising Coffee Connect which was to be held on the Wednesday of that week at Trinity Centre.
The topic of discussion was Leadership and Integrity and the panelists were Ms Beth Wanyoro, Mr Moses Tumbo, Mr Muoki Musila and then SOMU Vice President Mr Isaac Kinyua.
It took me a whole day to convince myself to just go there and have a look at how things would go down.
On that Wednesday, I sent my friend that so common text message 'Nisignie brathe' so I could make time for the event.
When I got there, I sat down and gave a listening ear to the panelists and what they said.
That day I got to know that leadership and integrity are covered in chapter six of the Kenyan Constitution, something which am sure with regards to my advanced level of ignorance, I wouldn't have known up to now if I hadn't attended the event.
I am not saying that people go there so that they may know about the Constitution, but it's an illustration of how effective such initiatives can be with regards to educating our youth on matters that are not covered in the stipulated learning curriculums of our schools.
It's a proof that peer mentoring is as possible a reality as any other and so is the possibility of youth having positive peer pressure on each other.
Many are times when we want to always point a finger at the government for not stepping up to fill the information gap that exists in our society, yet other than complaining, we ourselves could make the same change.
My mind goes to the words of J F Kennedy who said “Don't ask what the government can do for you but rather what you can do for your country'.
Coffee Connect is a clear illustration of the words of the former US president at work.
This group of young people has not waited on it wits for the government, community or the university to walk through its procedural bureaucracy in order to instigate change.
They have instead chosen to step out of the comfort zone and be that very change.Under the stewardship of among others; Eric Esatia, Ruth Kiarie, Cole Mutuma, Faith Njeri and Moses Tumbo to just to mention but a few.
Coffee Connect proves beyond doubt that it's not the biological age of a person but the age of their ideas that acts as a catalyst for change.
You and I can be a part of this too, see you next Wednesday at Trinity Center from 3-6pm.