Shape what built you up

Hunt for Greatness

Milton Kamwendo

THE books you read, the people who teach you how to read and the people who share with you what they read will always shape your life. Mine would have been a dark and miserable world had I not learnt how to read. To do that, I needed a teacher, a coach and a book. Where there is no book, there is no meaningful learning.

I did not know any better, but that was my world and I was at the centre of the stage. I cannot forget the three-wheeled bicycle and the swings. This was at Tshabalala Preschool in Bulawayo, a year before I went for my first grade. I was six years old then, learning to appreciate my world through song, play and paint.

The place was full of enchantment. I painted with my fingers and brushes, as well as played painter. The teacher read for us enthralling books and then made us sing the rhyming songs. There was always a lot of singing, clapping of hands, order, structure and then sleeping time just after we had the morning meal.

I never knew why in the world they would make us sleep on the little mats, and then struggle to wake us up. Frequently, we were asked to bring newspapers and then there was the papier-mâché. The teachers never seemed to run out of ideas to keep us engaged.

I learnt how to write my name and flip through books enchanted by the pictures and wanting to read. This was the genesis of my learning journey. What have I ever done for my humble preschool that was well-run by the Bulawayo City Council?

Mr Ndlovu welcomed us to the new big school calling us: “bo-keke”. I was putting on my new crisp khaki shirt and short. I was armed with some chubby pencil tied to my neck so that I would not lose it. I felt a little afraid, intimidated by what school would mean. This was Masuku Primary School, a place that was going to be my home for the next seven years.

Each of my teachers seemed to have a special personality and were not easy to forget — including the vivacious Peggy Ngwenya, my first Grade One teacher, who taught me to hold a pencil, write and start the reading journey; and Mrs Thenjwayo and her glasses.

Then the community leader, Mr Moyo, and the larger-than-life and tall luminary, Mr Phinda. He was a faithful farmer from Mzinyathini and used to take us for the Young Farmers Club. I could never forget the charismatic Mrs L. Moyo, my Grade Seven teacher and soccer coach. She challenged all the gender stereotypes and was a can-do lady.

My teachers diligently taught; they were faithful. It was the years of hot-sitting. Zimbabwe had just become independent and the war had just ended. Some of the learners who were joining our primary classes were already 15, 16, and I think one was 18 years old.

The class sizes kept swelling, while the teachers kept teaching. We would share books, benches and everything that was available. We were hungry to learn and grow. Today, I ask: Have I also been faithful to give back and make a difference to my humble primary school?

While I was doing my primary schooling, Bulawayo City Council built a library in the community, in Tshabalala. That was a heaven-sent gift. Every afternoon, when we had no sports, I would go to the library. It was stocked with many interesting books, among them The Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew and the Lady Bird series. The books kept us from the streets and gave us many memorable moments. We competed with friends and shared stories from the series. A book shapes a life. Giving books is the key to shaping people.

As I reflect backwards, it is clear that I would not have been where I am had it not been for the tireless efforts of many people. And I have never gone back to say thank you to some. I will probably never have the opportunity to see some. A few things are clear to me. After flipping through many pages of my life’s journey, I know all I have learnt was because I read some books.

Make a difference

It is easy to think of donors as being some rich institutions located overseas whom we will never know. No one is so poor that they cannot make a difference somewhere. So long as we look at ourselves as victims, we become the problem. A small donation of as little as US$10 could send some child to school.

A gift of a few books to your old school could brighten up some child’s day. Better still, why not give a trophy to celebrate some achievement at the school? If you do not remember your old school, no one may. If you do not make a difference, nothing may become any different any time soon. Complaining never built anything.

Build institutions

Institutions do not just become; they are built, one step and contribution at a time. Leaving and not caring for an institution that built you up is irresponsible. Imagine what would happen to our educational institutions if everyone you knew gave at least US$100 every year. US$100 could easily mean 20 books for a toddler class. US$100 could be a trophy or two that could celebrate some value every year or term.

US$100 could be a uniform for some unfortunate child. US$100 could be a musical instrument. Yet, that same US$100 could just be a meal or tip. Unless we rekindle the spirit of building, we are burning the bridges through which we crossed to where we are today. Are you a builder?

Book corner

The best ethic we can encourage in the youth is the reading ethic. At my primary school, we never had a library or a reading corner. I imagine what life would have been had someone endowed the 40 kids that I shared a class with, with some books that we could borrow and return.

I imagine how much we could have developed and how expansive our worldview would have been. Alas, this thought had to wait for this day. It is never too late to start. The best time to have planted a tree would have been 10 years ago. However, the next best time to plant a library in some classroom is today. If we never begin, we are losing time and awesome opportunity.

Book prize

Many schools and colleges have speech and prize-giving days. This is an opportunity to give and make a difference. Imagine funding the book prizes. Books encourage and they inspire. Giving money to some child may thrill the child enchanted on his way to buy sweets. Giving the child a book will keep him enchanted for a whole life. Will you give a book today?

Committed to your greatness.

◆ Milton Kamwendo is a leading international transformational and motivational speaker, author and a virtual, hybrid and in-person workshop facilitator. His life purpose is to inspire and promote greatness. He can be reached at: [email protected] and his website is: www.miltonkamwendo.com