MSK

I have been at home for over six months since the first case of COVID19 was reported in the country. During this period I encountered a call for application for my sisters keeper for female health practitioners. At first, I puzzled on what the program would be about several times. Eventually, after frequent checks, I decided to apply for it.

During the first day of our one on one meeting, I felt great joy just for being there. The program was scheduled to be fully virtual but for some reason, we were called in for the face to face meeting. My current excitement surpassed the launching which was held roughly 3 weeks prior. By just seeing other female health practitioners from various cadres in the same room with me was very fulfilling. There is something that glows in me when I see women winning.

The first session was on self-awareness. I have previously gone through a self awareness program but I sat and listened. The speaker took us gently on various aspects of knowing our selves and how it helps us in our daily lives. Her delivery of the content was immaculate.

During the session, we discussed how we view other people whether good or bad with the words we describe them and how it affects us. Plus how it says a lot about us. We are challenged on whether we are the same people when in public or private. We were taken through a self-journey evaluation and how we can better it. The most remarkable statement to me was everybody has their journey, we can negotiate with ourselves but not to procrastinate and never to move the goal post.

The next session was about personalities. I have done some of the personality tests but this was the most fun session I have ever had. The facilitators were a couple with completely different personalities and they used themselves as examples. I used to think that I am an introvert but realized that I am a chilled extrovert. I enjoy a life full colour. The most notable thing was that it is alright to be different and by knowing so, we can maximize our potential and have more impact.

The last session was on life mapping and storytelling. I have had a chance to hear people tell their stories before but when I last tried, I failed at the ending. The facilitator took us through his story which was deeply moving. We were challenged to chart down our life maps and tell a story out of it. At first it looked like a difficult task but when I put it on paper, it was very easy.

I volunteered to tell my story. The time limit was five minutes. As I told my story people followed through and at some point, they laughed. Never thought of myself as a humorous person but my story had a playful nature to it. At the end of the story, I felt so rejuvenated. I wanted to tell more stories. Feedback from the audience was very motivating.

I love writing and days after the training I got inspired on how I can write and tell more stories. Look out for my first book coming out soon. Thank you ELF team selecting me to take part in this amazing journey.

Yvonne Kiogora, a clinical and public specialist, writter and lover of life