EMPOWERING SOCIETIES:case of Turkana people

              Progress calls for thinking. This is not rocket science. It is naked truth. Methinks every society is blessed. Tapping these blessings is what characterizes a successful society or a failed one. The Turkana society isn't an exception .It must go through this if it wishes to progress. But this begs several questions - is "tapping” the only way out of failure and poverty? If that is the case why shouldn't societies embrace it? Who should actualize the "tapping"? Lets look at it.

            Wishful thinking isn't a recipe for development. Development is a product of the works of men and women in the course of their lives. Put this together with love for all and we have a progressive society- a society that looks into the future with optimism. This is what is badly needed. I won't say that we need a new generation to make this dream true. Methinks, we have able men and women amongst us who can do it. Of course everybody is able to actualize this dream. What is missing is "the art of looking within". Let me explain what I mean by this.

            Looking within means thinking progressively. It means making use of our potential. Yes this is the meaning! Now let’s "look within". The Turkana people are unique. They are blessed. Here is the road-map on how to "look within". The Turkana traditional dressing gear is wealth. It is money. It is stylish. It is a resource. It is an industry that can pull masses from poverty. This can be tapped. You only need a squad of focused youths and women and everything will be in place. This is my rallying call to fellow youths; "please come back home and put your thoughts into action. This is the only way to participate fully in fighting poverty."

           Secondly, Turkanas are good in singing. This is a gift that God gave them. Methinks this can also be converted to wealth. Think of setting up a County Cultural Center (CCC) which is fully equipped. This will come in handy as a platform for local gifted musicians to perform and record their songs. Try to quantify the so many opportunities that this center will bring. How many "small" businesses will it create? Methinks there will be so many opportunities for everybody. So don't be locked out. Think hard and make this a reality!

           Look at the so may idle elders roaming across this vast territory. These chaps are resourceful. They are walking libraries. Recognizing their roles is not only beneficial to them but to humanity. These men and women have unrecorded histories with them. You can't find what they have anywhere else. They are custodians of culture hence play a pivotal role in explaining the various stages of life that an average turkana man or woman must go through. Don't you think co-opting these guys in shooting documentaries and recordings about the community won't create employment and hence eliminate poverty? Think about it!

           The list is long. For now, let me stop here. Let this be a catalyst for us to think "within” when looking for solutions to our "endless" problems.