STORYMOJA

As this blog grows, I have become more and more convinced of the power of the written word. We have seen so much creativity on these pages, don’t you agree? And here are a few more for you to read.

This week’s Story of the week comes from Millie Dok. A tale of village love in conflict with a fancy car and a hearse.

That I was only 16 years old was besides the point, I was ripe in the eyes of everyone in my vilage; pimply face, boyish hips, Rasta’d hair, 12noon breasts and a  flat tummy all neatly wrapped in a bright latest style kitenges. Read more here..

Dennis Duncan Mossiere is reflecting on President Barack H. Obama’s Inauguration and the Impact it might have on our country.

Paul Kariuki tells about the Pastor who took the Devil’s Potion.

Simon Mbuthia is Burdened by dreams, of a career and a good life. 

Boniface Gachugu, author of children’s book from Storymoja, Peanut and the Burning tank, shares an excerpt from his yet to be published novel Final Failure.

Before I send you all into the readings for this week, I have a very short story of my own to tell.

My very first teaching experience, happened when I was about 14 years old. I was a troubled kid, most of the time lost in comic books, novels and my notebooks. If I wasn’t doing that, I’d be off climbing trees, scaling beachside crags just to feel the salty wind hit my face and reaffirm my existence. I was lost in my world, unwilling to share it with anyone else. In December, I met 7 year old Austin (name changed). 

Austin was a great kid, loved school, loved to play, loved to read. He also had a severe form of sickle cell anemia. I met him because his mother came to me at a difficult time, when she needed someone to look after her child for a few days, while she took care of a funeral arrangements for her recently demised father.

For the first time in my teenage years, I realised that life was not all about me, it was also about sharing joy, and tears, hard times, learning experiences, life…

I learnt this from a 7 year old, who was constantly in pain, but who laughed incessantly. I learnt this from a young boy who had just lost his only role model, and was slowly dying himself. 

Why intrude on your Thursday reading to tell you about that little boy?

Storymoja started this blog, with the hope that it would be our forum to share laughter through tears, to shed tears through laughter, to discover the power of the written word, to develop both our love for reading and for writing. Sometimes, when we are in pain, we forget to look at the good things that can be.

As you read the pieces contributed to this blog, it might be a good time to consider sharing all those things that have caused you tears and joy. Next week will be tears and laughter week on this blog.

Share your stories with us at submissions@storymojaafrica.co.ke. Only the pieces marked in the Subject field : Tears and Laughter will be considered. they should arrive before 4pm Wednesday 28th January, 2009.

Yours truly,

Juliet Maruru

Editor