The United States of America Ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec has encouraged students in Nakuru to work hard in their studies in order to secure a bright future. Speaking during the regional Storymoja Festival held in the Nakuru National Library Godec challenged the students that nothing is easy to come by in life.
“In order to become a doctor, pilot, teacher, lawyer or a journalist you need to put more efforts in your studies,” he advised.
He also urged them to adopt a reading culture saying it was a requisite to obtaining knowledge and that it is the best way to change Kenya was through quality education.
“Kenya is wonderful country and it is in need of talented manpower to explore its underutilized resources so as achieve the vision 2030,” he said.
“By reading you also acquire the soft skills necessary for career success in order to be adequately prepared to become job creators, ” he added.
Among those who hosted the Ambassador during the tour of the festival is Dr. Auma Obama who is the patron of Storymoja.
“When I was young I loved reading and also enjoyed touring different nations which motivated me to work hard in school leading to my appointment as a diplomat,”
said the Ambassador after participating in a story telling session among pupils.
This is the first time that the festival which has been held outside Nairobi in the past is taking place in the county following what organizers have termed as an interest they spotted among Nakuru residents in previous events.
“Every Kenyan has the opportunity to read a book today,”
said Dr. Obama echoing the words of the American Ambassador.
Dr. Obama who is the half sister of America’s President Barrack Obama said it is important to nurture creativity among young people.
“I like people who are creative. Getting straight A’s in school is not enough,” she added.
The creative arts is an industry that can employ a lot of young people if given the necessary attention that is needed by all stakeholders in the country. To this effect one of the election promises for the Jubilee administration was the development of infrastructure on art based disciplines.
While the above facilities are yet to be developed in most counties, Nakuru included, there is still the challenge that parents are reluctant on accepting their children to take up art based and creative disciplines for fear that there will be no jobs.
But a writer with Storymoja who is part of the team behind the festival in Nakuru has said there is hope.
“Art is beginning to stand on its own,”
said Muthoni Garland in response to whether art pays in the country.
By Lonah Abuga.
