Reflections from the Team

BARUA YA BARAZA: Reflections from the Team

Greetings, friends:

As we close out 2024, we asked our team to look back on the year and share what they’d tell their January selves. This year, we’ve brought on new hires, expanded our physical spaces, and began new and ambitious projects. There’s also been a lot of personal growth, uncomfortable changes and even grief and loss. Here’s what they had to say.

Muriithi Mwangi: “If I could talk to myself earlier this year, I’d encourage myself to express more gratitude. It’s shocking how just by appreciating the small, little things in life that one finds the quality of life improving, one finds themselves able to be happier. So I’d ask myself to do more of that.”

Lisa Muchangi: “Life is absolutely difficult. It doesn’t get better; you just get stronger. And as cliche as that sounds, this is actually the truth. Taking care of yourself is what helps you get stronger. So health-wise, mentally, emotionally – prioritize you. Taking care of you is what will help you navigate the madness that is life, and especially adulthood.”

Benter Dongo: “I’d tell my January self that I need to give myself permission to be in and enjoy different seasons. This year, I’ll go through so many changes – my body, brain, friendships, my main nuclear family and my long-time place of worship will change, and I’ll really struggle along the way with all these changes and new dynamics. I will get stuck because I get very attached to people and places, but eventually I’ll  learn to let go and take it one day at a time. Change is part of life and it’s a beautiful thing.

Martie Mtange: “Don’t force things that are not supposed to be for you, because what is going to be for you will always be for you; you will get it later on in the year. Trust yourself, believe in yourself, and be yourself.”


Cynthia Adongo: “Just breathe and ask for help. No one has a singular, unique experience – the thing you’re going through, at least one or two people have gone through it too. Someone knows a way out, or a way you can cope.”

Abel Kuloba: “This is my message to my future self. When in doubt, pray.  After that, believe, and the sky will be your playground.”

Edwin Gitonga: “Say what you need to say, do what you need to do, and everything will fall into place. Just don’t worry about your own insecurities. Don’t worry about your own overthinking. Don’t get it into your own head. Just focus, and everything will just flow into place.”

Yurigin Sifuna: “Looking back, I would  tell myself to expect the unexpected. However, that wouldn’t make a lot of sense now that I think about it, so I guess the statement would  be ‘embrace the unexpected.’”

Cynthia Muthoni: “I’d tell myself – hang on, it’s going to be a bumpy ride, but you’re going to make it.”

Wanjiru Nguhi: “I know right now you think you’re going to die, and you’re convinced that you’re going to die, but I promise you, you will not die. The darkness will not kill you.”

Maurice Otieno: “I’d tell myself to be patient, be humble, trust the process, and be firm. Because things, people and situations  in life might not work out the way you want. But be patient to learn, and be firm in what you believe.”

Lillian Nyaboke: “This is what I would tell myself at the beginning of the year – that every day’s tasks are a build up to a higher purpose placed in me by my Maker, and the Spirit of God living in me will always be my enabler.”

Balqees Yasin: “Embrace the bottom, you can only go up from there✨”

Godfrey Emoja: “Dear Godfrey, you have come such a long way. You’re such a beautiful mind. Trust me, anything that you put your head to you can achieve. Conquer the year.”

Bill Javan: “I would tell myself, congratulations for surviving the previous year. I’d also tell myself to keep on trying and don’t be scared of trying. You’ll never get where you want to be if you don’t try anything.”

Nancy Gakii: “Looking back, the thing I want to tell myself is to focus on what truly matters. Everything will fall into place if you keep moving.”

As we reflect on a year of challenges and growth, we look ahead to 2025 with curiosity, courage, and conviction. Thank you for walking this path with us—your support fuels everything we do at Baraza. One of our team members, Josephine Nyambura, wasn’t able to contribute to these reflections this time as she’s away, but she’s no less part of our success this year.

Now, close your laptops, beloved.

My best,

Christine Mungai
Curator | Baraza Media Lab

 

 

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