1-2-3 Auuuuh!
It’s the chorus of 30 odd men you hear. They repeat the phrase over and over, it’s a call to attention. Kind of like kindergarten, but this is far from that. We are huddled in a church tent on a cold rainy morning in Nairobi. The kind of morning one is reluctant to get out of the house, but you are there because you committed to be there. And you committed because a father, brother, husband, colleague asked you to come and witness his graduation.
This isn’t the graduation with the shiny Christmas garlands… instead, each graduand is wearing a shuka. Of the Maasai variety – bright red and black. Every graduand stands out strongly. They are there by choice, they each decided they wanted to test themselves and learn if they are indeed Man Enough.
Man Enough for what you ask? Man Enough to live honestly, intentionally, to be a beacon in their homes and workplaces when the world suggests otherwise. Man enough to decide to do the unpopular thing. Man enough to lead through service and not through blustering, fear, intimidation and pride. Man enough to be that true jamaa and stand in the gap before one is called to.
The graduands represented a vibrant mix of Nairobi’s men. Young guys sporting their first beards, new fathers, clean cut corporate types and creative dreadlocked ones. Yet they all felt the need to stand up for themselves, their families, community and country. They personally felt the need to change the increasingly negative narrative that manhood has become in our society, and show it could be different. That it is different.
They shared stories of their changes through their ten week journey. One young man shared how he was caught by the police and refused to pay a bribe. A number of his groupmates supported his cash bond. Another young man shared how he realised that being the head of the household means he must be its foundation. Yet another talked about his new awareness of how his daily energy affects everyone in his home. Their stories rang true and powerful and gave hope for a new generation of Men who are clear about their give, their role, their sacrifice and their intentions.
And finally, they stepped out, symbolically wrapped in their shukas each carrying a bakora. Under the bakoras of those who had gone before them. Ready to be men of intention.
Its a positive powerful story of how one platform is bringing about change one Kenyan man at a time and we’re proud to have it kickstart Paukwa. Because that’s what our stories are about – positively building tomorrow’s nation today.
Man Enough is an open programme run by Nairobi Chapel several times a year. For more info on how to join Man Enough contact Nairobi Chapel on 0725650737.
