Four inspiring Kenyans who have faced heart breaking tragedies

While it was the year we celebrated our country’s 50th birthday, 2013 was also a period of mixed emotions and fortunes for many Kenyans. It was a year filled with turmoil and uncertainty for many.

From the Westgate terror attacks, to the increased cost of living, to grenade attacks it was chilling. It was a year with its fair share of lows and off course highs.

Now that 2014 is finally here, to help inspire and encourage those who may be going through a rough patch we got the stories of four inspiring Kenyan personalities who have gone through rough patches, but have chosen to keep fighting and to make lemonade from the lemons life has handed them:

George Ojwang: Lost his wife who slipped into a coma after delivery

In 2012 February, George Ojwang’s wife Clarita was rushed into theatre for an emergency caesarean section. While the baby was born healthy, his wife never woke up from the operation.

During the period she was in a coma, the country stood in fervent prayer with George and his sons. But unfortunately, she died on December 12, 2012.

It has been a year since her death and George is hopefully that 2014 will be a good year.

And how is he and the boys doing?

 “God’s grace has kept us and we are doing fine. I did everything I could have possibly done for my wife and friend, and that gives me peace and the strength to go on and face the New Year with optimism. 

My relationship with God and the support from my friends and family has helped me view life as half full. My sons are doing well and growing bigger by the day. Henry Judd will be turning two in February this year and Haron James will be five later in August. I know there are good time ahead of them.”

And on finding love again in the New Year, he says, “I do not know about finding love again I leave that in God’s hands, my biggest priority right now is to be the best dad to my sons.”

George is looking forward to 2014 with a hopeful spirit and believes it has great things in store for him and his sons.

Sharry Lusule: Lost fiance in a tragic car crash

In November 24, 2012 Sharry Lusule, 27, an international model and IT Engineering student at the University Copenhagen lost her fiancé Mike Obure in a gruesome accident on Mombasa Road. On top of that, she suffered serious injuries on her right hand and back.

How is she doing two years on?

“I am okay. Life is not always easy, but if you hold on to the good memories and keep your friends and family close by you can survive anything.”

“When Mike passed I never thought that I would get through it. I believed that I would never ever be happy again. Life did not have meaning anymore but I have gone through it all from denial to depression, and it has been tough but I am in a good place now. Counselling helped a lot, as well as trying not to wallow in pity; I really work hard on being positive. Moving on does not mean you forget them you just learn to keep them close in your heart.”

She is very enthusiastic about the New Year: “I am always optimistic about things always getting better.  It is good to believe tomorrow will be better than today. So for me it definitely will be a good year God willing. I am hopeful that I will finish my studies after missing out on school because of my injuries. I want to finish my studies and build my Engineering career. I am keeping my head up believing that things are getting better,” she concludes.

Rachael Njeri Ngungi: Went through a nasty divorce

After 12 years of marriage Rachael Njeri Ngungi found herself dealing with a nasty divorce. 

“Nobody ever plans for the end of a marriage and when it happens it is the most painful and overwhelming experience. I was married to a pastor so you can just imagine the backlash I received because to many people believe a pastor can do no wrong. I was seen as the evil one,” says Rachael.

To add salt to the wound — after the separation — she had no money or job, and for while had to move her children back home with her parents.

Rachael went through depression and even felt misplaced shame for the failed marriage before going through a stage where she was bitter and angry.

“After a divorce it is easy to get stuck in depression or in bitterness and anger but at the end of the day you are only hurting yourself. It is because of my relationship with God that I was able to forgive and move on.

How is she doing now?

“I have moved on and I am doing better on my own. I picked up the pieces and started a small business that is now flourising.

I forgave him and I initiated a reconciliation with him and the kids. Today, my children have a good relationship with their father which I support because they still need him,” says Rachael.

I even started Humanity’s Promise an organisation, which works with HIV positive women in Korogocho slums and ministers to single mothers and widows.

Every New Year for her is a time of expecting greater things ahead of her.

“I am bolder and dreaming bigger, and I’m even dating again.”

Hard as it may be being a single mum she is keeping hope alive and praying for bigger blessings in 2014.

Kevin Ombajo: Survived three tumour operations

Kevin Ombajo aka Big Kev, CEO of True Blaq Entertainment Group, was diagnosed with brain tumour in 2010.

For those who may not be aware, Big Kev underwent an operation in Kenya but 13 months down the line, following a series of migraines, he discovered the tumour had reappeared. He left for India for a cyber-knife radio surgery in 2012. Everything went back to normal for Kevin and his wife and daughter. But last year in August during a routine check-up, doctors discovered that the tumour was back.

In November this year, he returned to India for a third operation.

“I am back and feeling better but I will be returning to India for a check-up in late January,” he explains.

How does he keep going without letting discouragement drag him down?

“After my last operation in 2010, my family and I moved on with our lives hoping for the best. When I learnt about the recurring tumour, it was demoralising. But my family and I have chosen to be positive. I know with God, plus my friends and family I will overcome this new threat. I refuse to wallow in self pity and I am determined to stay focused and forever hopeful especially in this New Year,” says Big Kev.

He says he has high hopes for 2014.

“For my family and I, 2014 is a year of year of great expectation and restoration. I hope to be in vibrant health so that I can be there for my wife and daughter. I also hope to grow and expand my business,” he concludes.

NTHENYA MASYUKO: MOTIVATIONAL COACH

Nthenya Macharia an Image consultant and motivational coach says although it is wonderful for people to celebrate a New Year and to come up with resolutions, it is also important to celebrate small victories and accomplishments throughout the year.

“Celebrate and learn to be happy in the now. Always be positive, and leave everything you have no control of to God. Choose to always celebrate the blessings that are bestowed on you today. Some people are never happy. They believe for them to be happy they must have accomplished a new resolution. And even when they accomplish it, they do not enjoy the victory, they simply come up with something new to chase and thus they never get to enjoy life,” says Nthenya.

She points out that challenges are part of life and that no one can run away from them. What matters in life is how one handles them.

“If what keeps you down is a financial problem, try and be positive and think of what lesson you can learn from it. If it is a health problem, draw strength from God, your family and friends. No matter what you are going through, always try to be positive,” she advices.