I am John L Shabaya
Born of very deprived, poor parents.
Born of illiterate parents,
But I dreamed big dreams.
I loved, Wanted,
And longed to write.
I failed my Primary School Exams,
Meant to catapult me
to a great and bright future.
Therefore Doomed at age 15!
I Constantly heard voices of failure.
The community around me,
My Primary School teachers,
kept telling me:
‘You are a failure!
Do not dream young man!
Dreams don’t always come true.’
They reiterated,
‘Just like your father,
You will never make it!
You have failed to get your KEY
The key to life, KCPE now KCPE
I continued to dream,
To dream against all odds
One of my earlier interests and dreams, was to be a journalist, a writer, or an author. I loved telling stories, a trait inherited from my grandmas and my parents, inspired by African oral tradition. I had hoped to collect some of my childhood stories, to share with kids through the local papers and magazines and later publish into a book. Therefore, the writing of my story is a dream come true, a realized ambition. Even though this is not a fictional story, it is a story, a real story, The Story of My Life.
The writing of my story has been a long-term request by many with whom I happened to encounter and share my story, in most cases, just briefly, when travelling or just going about my ‘business.’ I turned the quest down severally. However, the final impetus and gentle push was really by Prof Ruth Finnegan, who has become a dear friend. Without Prof Ruth Finnegan, the writing of my book, would not have been realized. I also vividly recall, picking up The Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge University who was also a very Senior Officer at MRC. I do not know what MRC acronym really stands for. It could be Medical Research Council, or Medical Research Centre.
This encounter, to be specific, was approximately ten years ago, it was on 05 November 2010. We had a remarkably interesting conversation that I found inspirational. He kept asking me perceptive questions, particularly, about my life. Finally, he asked me, ‘What did you do before you became a taxi driver?’ He continued to prod, ‘Have you done any other job before, other than being a Taxi Driver? I wondered, and asked him politely, ‘Sir, why are you asking me, such searching questions.’ He replied, ‘you speak and behave like ‘an extra-ordinary’ taxi driver.’
He further insisted, ‘at least, tell me where you were educated.’ Knowing who he was, with the pride of my achievements then, pride almost took over the best part of me. For once, I felt almost like regretting being a part-time taxi driver, one year to my retirement from teaching. In view of this and feeling rather ashamed, I did not want to ‘let the cat out of the bag.’ I hesitated to answer the question.
However, as he sounded genuine, sensitive to my feelings, and the agony I was going through, attempting to withhold my answer, it became more difficult for me to hesitate anymore, but to answer the question. I picked up courage and decided to ‘let the cat out of the bag.’ ‘I am actually a graduate of Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge University and a secondary school teacher.’ ‘Taxiing and cabbing’ is my hobby,’ I answered confidently. With no condemnation, he reciprocated with his own personal story. His story was very fascinating, engrossing that I wished I could remember it verbatim. However, I can only remember that he came from a humble background, born of immigrant parents. Through his parents’ hard work, his own hard work as well and various scholarships, he was catapulted to fame, and has been promoted to a variety of higher offices, including becoming the Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge University.
I graphically and vividly, recall his final and last words to me.
Again, without condemning me for being a graduate, and driving a taxi/cab, he beckoned me: ‘Write your story, it will be a good read. It will be an encouragement to many young people and grownups a like.’
Here it is, may it just do that; be an encouragement to many.