Goodbye poverty and hello to a new good life

Although we parted with Apostle Elkana, the Spiritual Superintend of THOAG (The Holiest of All Ghosts) Tabernacle Assembly, last Monday was so special a day for all Kenyan teachers that I could not just and ignore the apostle.

As you know, in the last few weeks, his anointing oil did magic for me — including influencing the court’s decision to give me (and all teachers) a handsome salary increase.

But before the Supreme High Court gave its final ruling, I had vowed never to go back to Elkana’s church. But last Saturday, a few teachers called to convince me to consider my stance.

“There is quite a lot at stake,” said Kwame. “The whole teaching fraternity is depending on you to help us have a good ruling.” Kwame was ready to help me raise money to buy whatever amount of oil Apostle Elkana thought fit for such a job

On Sunday afternoon, I ate humble pie and went to Elkana’s sanctuary. He was not around. That evening, I gave Sh200 to Anindo, (from the Sh450 Kwame had given me) to get me two bottles of anointing oil. She delivered the oil that evening at my place, advising me to apply one on my body before sleeping, and to drink the rest in the morning of the ruling.

I was woken up on Monday morning by an SMS from Apostle Elkana. “My sun, you and your college teachers are in my prayers as the coat makes judgment. God be with you.”

Like other teachers, I was anxious and early afternoon, Pius sent me a congratulatory SMS telling me that the Supreme High Labour Court had ordered the government to pay us.

Immediately after, calls started coming through from many quarters. Among them was Maina, our local shopkeeper, who called me to congratulate me — and to remind me of the money I borrowed from him to pay for Fiolina’s fees.

THANKSGIVING PRAYER

Apostle Elkana visited us. He opened with a word of prayer during which he thanked God for the increment, and praised God for listening to him. He then asked God to guide me as I choose what to do for the church as thanksgiving. After prayers, he tried holding a conversation with me but clearly noting the difficulty, he left.

No sooner had Apostle Elkana gone than I found my way to Hitler’s. It was was buzzing. Sapphire, Tito, Kwame, and Mr. Juma were already there. So was Lutta, Kizito and Kuya. There were celebrations all over and drinks were flowing like water does in River Lukose.

“Roundi hii tumeweza serikali,” said Sapphire. “Did you see how our lawyer presented the case?” he said. “Sossion really knows how to select lawyers.”

“Na walimu msimalizie pesa yenu kwa pompe,” said Rasto, although he was drinking on account of Kizito. “Fanyeni ma-projects kubwa.

“Yenyewe that’s true,” said Mr Juma. “If you had been thinking of a certain project, think of a bigger one.”

At some point, we found ourselves teachers sitting on our own, and considered possible investment opportunities.

“This year I must buy a boda boda motorcycle,” I said.

“Think big Dre,” said Juma. “Think of a Tuk Tuk or a car. What we will be getting is not a bodaboda salary.”

Lutta said how he wanted to venture into dairy farming.

As I walked home, various ideas passed through my mind. I arrived home to find Fiolina waiting for me. After a warm shower, I joined her for supper.

“So what’s our plan for the money?” she asked.

I told her that after careful thought I had decided that a bodaboda or posho mill was too small for the amount of money we will be getting. “I want to buy a matatu, even if it’s a second hand one.”

“That’s good,” she said. “But I hope you can begin with building a new house. I am tired of this mud house.”

“That is correct, I am sure the money will be enough for me to build a good decent permanent house.”

We discussed further with my wife and together, we agreed on the things that we will do with the money to enable us lead a decent life.

New house – We will  start building a new house immediately. The house will have power and tap water. Unlike other teachers who have taken even seven years to complete their houses, ours will take less than a year and we already have identified August 2016 as the month when we will get into the new house.

Education – In December, I will  return to Kenyatta University to complete my degree. A secondary teacher had shared with me what he expects to get after the increment and realised that I could boost my pay if I completed the degree. 

Wardrobe – We all agreed that it was time to change our wardrobes. Since I haven’t bought any new Kaunda suit this year, we agreed that I will buy three of them and two pairs of shoes: a pair of white Reeboks and a pair of sharp shooters. I will also buy some clothes for Fiolina although we did not agree on exactly what to buy her.

BEST EDUCATION

Branton – I will take Branton to an academy. There’s one that was started near St Theresa’s Girls and we agreed that he will start going there in September. The fees is high, Sh3,000 per term. My son must get the best education there is.

Dowry – Following Fiolina’s demands that I needed to complete paying her dowry, we agreed that I will visit her parents as soon as possible to make some payments and deliver some cows.

Although I currently have no cow, the next day, I wrote to her parents asking them to identify a day in October, when I will visit them. That alone was enough for them to know that I intended to give them something.

House girl – We immediately agreed to hire a house girl to help Fiolina around with household chores and take care on Branton and me when Fiolina is in college. Fiolina already had a name in mind and the new house girl will report on September 1.

IMPROVED DIET

Diet – That night, Fiolina drew up a new food timetable for my family. It has fish once a week, beef twice, matumbo once and chapati and rice twice. We have to eat well, aren’t we paid well?

As we had breakfast the next morning, Fiolina reminded me that I had to immediately begin working on what we had agreed.

Immediately, I called a fundi to come to see me. Suleman, for that is his name, arrived that morning and I told him that I wanted to build a house and wanted a design and a quotation from him on the materials required.

He showed me several plans of houses he he had built. I chose one that had four bedrooms and from there he wrote for me a list of all the materials required. We went to the place where my father had showed me and he marked the outline of the house.

We agreed with him that work will begin next week after the government deposits what it is supposed to deposit in my account.

Hallo a decent life!