Moments & Musings

Exploring Ethiopia: A New Chapter in My Travel Adventures The Call to Adventure What’s the most daunting thing you’ve done in the name of adventure? I found myself asking that question as I clung to a sheer rock face, just below a church carved into the stone, high above the Ethiopian landscape. After years of saving, I had finally made it to Ethiopia—a place where history, culture, and nature converge, challenging me in ways I never anticipated. As a Kenyan, travel has always been about discovery. I don’t indulge in extravagant birthday celebrations or big gifts. Instead, I save for the kind of travel that changes me. This year, Ethiopia was my destination, and it turned out to be far more transformative than I could have imagined. A Land of Wonders Ethiopia had always intrigued me—not just because it sits at the heart of the Horn of Africa, but because of its deep cultural and historical significance. As Kenyans, we share a quiet connection with Ethiopia, rooted in centurie...

Albert Luthuli’s Path to Revolution Albert Luthuli’s Path to Revolution Born in War, Raised for Peace Albert John Mvumbi Luthuli was born in 1898 in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, during the Second Matabele War. His father, a missionary, worked in the area. After his father passed away, Luthuli moved back to Groutville, KwaZulu-Natal, where he attended mission schools. These early years shaped his view of the world. In 1920, Luthuli earned a government bursary to attend Adams College for teacher training. Though he was offered a scholarship to the University College of Fort Hare, Luthuli chose not to take it. Instead, he stayed home to care for his sick mother. This decision showed that Luthuli valued family over personal gain. Building More Than a Classroom At Adams College, Luthuli didn’t just teach. He worked to improve his community. He became the secretary of the African Teachers' Association, started the Zulu Language and ...

The History and Global Celebrations of New Year's Day The History and Global Celebrations of New Year's Day A few days ago , we wrapped up Boxing Day celebrations on December 26th—a day traditionally associated with generosity, leftovers, and, let's be honest, a financial hit after the holiday shopping spree. The decorations have come down, and now we find ourselves facing a big milestone: January 1st—a new year, new beginnings, and, for many of us, a reality check after all the holiday indulgence. Let’s take a quick look at why we celebrate January 1st, how it became the global standard for the new year, and how Kenyans are celebrating while recovering from the financial aftermath of a season that often leaves our wallets a little emptier than expected. The Roman Roots of January 1st Just like Boxing Day has its origins in the Roman Empire, so does January 1st as the official start of the New Year. ...

The Box: What’s Really Happening One day off. All year. You pack up your box of scraps, catch the morning coach, and finally, 18 hours late, celebrate Christmas with your children. That’s Boxing Day. In Britain, servants received leftovers and were given a holiday. Somehow, that tradition made its way to Kenya. The Original Box (800 Years Earlier) The Boxing Day tradition began in medieval churches. Before the Victorian era, when servants received leftovers, the tradition had humble beginnings in medieval churches with locked wooden boxes. In the 1200s, Catholic churches across Europe kept collection boxes by the altar throughout December, where people could drop coins. The boxes were left locked for the entire month, untouched by anyone. On December 26th, the Feast of St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, priests would crack open the boxes and give the collected money to the poor. The name “Boxing Day” comes from these boxes. Simple. For centuries, this was the t...