BecomingBosedeh: Making ; “Wakabut” And Style and Career.

Making ‘Wakabut’ A Life Style And A Career

It is definitely clear that it is when children are young, parents and society can be able to figure out their talents, potentials, skills, strength and weaknesses. Knowing oneself can be easier if the child has parents that are already aware of their potentials. This is one area that the West can do so much better than us in Africa. From a very young age, they help the child discover their potential and give them all the support to maximise it. This makes it so much easier when the child turns into an adult. He will just need to grow in the foundation that is already laid for him.

As a child, this was a problem I encountered. Because no one helped me to discover my talents from a tender age, I was growing and looking empty. Some people thought I had no talents or skills. It was not like I didn’t have any talent, but my talents differed from many other people. It was certain I didn’t know how to do any sport, draw, swim or do most of the things my age mates could do. What I knew how to do than many of my friends was to walk around, exploring and discovering unknown places. And I absolutely loved it so much.

Realizing that ‘wakabut’ was what I love doing, I did not know whether it was a talent. My love for the outdoors increased and walkabouts became like a therapy to me. Whenever I felt left out, because I can’t join my friends to play football, just walking lustfully and discovering unknown places brought so much relief to me. Walking long distances or losing and finding my way was one of my greatest motivations and it brought me so much peace and happiness. I did not need to have an instructor to tell me what to do or someone to guide me. I was just a man on my own on the road and that boosted my confidence and self-esteem so much. At most I had something that I was a master at.

During my teenage, I got more freedom from my parents and retreat. Camps and weekend became my hobbies. I had been to 6 districts out of the 12 in my country. Whenever I’m on those retreats during break time, I will just leave everyone in the camp and venture out on streets unknown. I will go as far as I can and I still find my paths back. I love going for hiking, picking waterfalls and absolutely everything that concern about the outdoor. Before leaving high school, all my friends knew I love adventures and travelling was not an ordeal for me.

I became so concerned about the history and monument around my country that I studied for a Bachelor’s degree in the University of Sierra Leone in History and Politics. It just brought me fulfilment whenever I visit a monument or a place I have read about. I visited almost every monument in my country and learnt its history to the detail. When I started studying African history, I grew so much in love with my continent that I wanted to visit every country in it. It was now in my life I knew that if I wanted to keep going for adventures and discovering all the places I have read about, it was prime time I made ‘wakabut’ – travelling – a business. And at this point I absolutely believe that there is not a feeling of fulfilment in anything other than to make your hubby your career; you can be at work and still think you are on holiday.

Written in The Gambia

Finding Bosedeh : Lost and found Prayer.

Lost in the midst of finding oneself.

Lost in thousands dreams and aspirations.

Lost with plans and counter plans.

Lost so thou can be found.

May I find thee

More than I find myself.

May I get lost in thy ways.

May thee locate me more than

I locate thee.

Let my dreams be a reflection of thy plans.

Let me be lost in thee.

Let my career be my destiny.

And my joy thy purpose.

Till I find myself

Or till I find thee.

Let thy word be my guide.

Lost so I can be found.

Finding Bosedeh: I want to write about love but found nothing to write about.

I want to write about love but I found nothing to write about.

I think about a girl we shared 4 years of friendship and nearly dated. The stories we share, her advice that lifted me, her concern about me and my dreams. Her smile and her sense of humour made me feel special. But I don’t have anything to write about love.

I think about my mum who has sacrificed everything to see me educated, happy and healthy. The time she makes me laugh and cry. . But I still don’t have anything to write about.

I think about my best friend who over the years we have shared a lot of happy and sad moment. We have inspired, built and encouraged one another. Seeing our dreams turn into reality has been wonderful. But I still found nothing to write about love.

I think about God. He has loved me unconditionally, forgive my sins and promise me a brighter future. And I still don’t have anything to write about love.

I think about my favourite aunt, she had loved me as her own child and support me in all my endeavours. She always wants the best for me. But I still don’t have anything to write about love.

I think about my wonderful krio clients. We have never had a lesson that we have not to laugh. Sometimes we spend all the time laughing and talking. But I still don’t have anything to write about love.

I think about my uncles that have always been there to listen to my stories and worries. Even though I tell them new dreams, plans and goals every time. They never get tired of hearing from me. But I still didn’t have anything to write about love.

So, I think about my class 4 teacher and how she so believes in me. She gave me confidence and tell my mum I was brilliant in school which was a big lie. But I have nothing to write about love.

I know I need to write something about love. I started thinking about my grandpa. Who was the most loving and caring human being on earth. He spends his money and time to see me through school but left us at an early age of 86 years. But I still don’t have anything to write about love.

I think about my Youth fellowship. Which has been at the centre of my youthful activities for the past 7 years. The life and achievement of Past and present members that have inspired me. Yet, I don’t have anything to write about love.

I think about the busy petty traders in my street. They always smile to me whenever they see me. Whether it’s sunny or raining. We share jokes and talk about politics. But I found nothing to write about love.

I think about my friends and mentors that are in overseas whom I love to write whenever I see them online. I love fighting with them and tell them about my life. Nothing is there to write about love.

Ok, at last, I think about our dogs that are lovely and friendly. They are cool and love to play hard with me in the evening. But I still can’t write anything about love.

Thinking and thinking, I think about writing nothing. How I never know how to read and write till I was 13- years old. Yet, I don’t have anything to write about love.

I think about nothing and how it feels good to think about nothing. The joy and Alafia it’s brings to one soul. But still, I don’t anything to write about love.

So I think about……Gratitude