Kenyan student's open letter to her grandfather

When most people are asked who the most influential person in their lives is, they are eager to talk about celebrities or famous people in historical times. I find it interesting that unlike them,  my role model and main influence in life is you.

The way you lived your life has caused me to get up every morning and go to school because, just like you, I want to be the best person that I can be. I feel like it is my responsibility to use my talents to help myself and help the people around me achieve their dreams, just as you did.

The first time you told me about your life story, I was in disbelief because I could not imagine anyone overcoming so many obstacles. You grew up in a poverty-stricken home, and often went without food in order to pay for your tuition. I am still in awe of the fact that you studied and did your homework beside street lights sometimes because there was no electricity in the house, and you walked three miles to school every morning in the cold.

Even through all your difficulties, you were able to earn your way through high school. When I asked you about how you were able to pay for college, I remember your face lighting up as you said, “God helps those who help themselves.” With a smile, you told me how some sponsors recognized your struggles and your academic performance, and offered to give you a full scholarship through college, because they believed in your potential.

When I was young, your life story seemed like a tall tale to me because I could not visualize your having so much determination in spite of all the difficulties you went through. Now, as I think about it, I realize that you did not give yourself a chance to give up, because you wanted a better future.

Your passion for education did not stop after you had achieved success in your own life. You were determined to help the rest of your community to be educated and successful. I remember my father telling me stories of how you donated money to build schools and even provided transportation and tuition for children who needed to go to school but were too poor to afford it. You made it your mission to encourage children to get an education, not just to help themselves, but also to help their parents.

When you always said, “Education is life, and life is legacy,” I thought that it was an insignificant phrase because I was too young to understand the magnitude of those words. As I grow older and get more responsibilities, I realize that the phrase embodies the reality of life. Without self education and confidence, it is almost impossible to be successful in life, and without success it is difficult for anyone to create a legacy for their children.

As I look at my life today, I realize that it is because of you that I am who I am. You passed down a legacy of education and influence to my father, and now it has been passed on to me. I choose not to conform to peer pressure, and I remain focused in my educational goals because I know that in the future, my achievements will be much more valuable than the hobbies I might want to indulge in today.

It is also because of you that I am able to be confident in who I am as a person, knowing that with hard work, humility and generosity, I can be a great influence in my community. The seed of determination that you planted in yourself and in others has born fruit in my life, and also in the lives of the people around me.

Therefore, I want to thank you for all that you have done in helping me to become resolute in who I am, and who I plan to be in the future. I also appreciate the fact that you used your talents effectively to help not only your family, but other families in the community. You truly lived your life to the fullest.

As I continue in my own life’s journey, I can only wish to finish half as successful as you were. Though I may go through my own struggles, I promise you that I will not settle for anything less than I can achieve.

I will strive to succeed in anything I do, always remembering your words, “Education is life, and life is legacy.”

— Rhema Suza is originally from Kenya and is a student in Dr. Gitonga’s English 1301 class.