Faces of Sama: Pius Nashimala's Poetry of Perseverance

Pius Nashimala embodies the spirit of perseverance and determination. Born and raised in the bustling Kibera slum, he faced numerous obstacles from a young age with his parents being absent. Despite these challenges, Pius displayed unwavering determination to succeed academically at Kibera’s Magoso School. 

His hard work caught the attention of visiting sponsors who recognized his potential and offered him an opportunity for a full scholarship to a children's home in Mombasa. There, Pius thrived, excelling in his primary and secondary school education. However, financial constraints prevented him from pursuing university studies. Pius continued his learning journey by taking certificate courses in Information Technology and Electrical Engineering. 

Nine years ago, while exploring post-high school options, Pius stumbled upon an opportunity to join Samaschool in Kibera. He was not very keen to pursue this opportunity at the time as he was preoccupied with other opportunities. However, he saw friends who had participated in the program doing well after securing jobs at Sama, and decided to enroll in 2019. Despite his initial hesitation, Pius took a chance, and it paid off: he landed a job at Sama after two weeks of training. Since joining Sama as an associate, he has excelled in his professional growth and his personal development, discovering new income streams and pursuing his passion for the creative arts.

His passion and talent for poetry and spoken word has garnered him a local following and also led him to become the chairman of Kibera Street Family, a prestigious art organization that fosters creativity and talent in young people. Through this organization, Pius has inspired and motivated other youth to pursue their artistic aspirations, creating a ripple effect of positivity and empowerment within his community. 

In addition, Pius now oversees three bustling cyber cafes, providing his community with places to access the internet regularly. He has hired three dedicated individuals to manage this expanding enterprise to help him run the operations smoothly. 

He takes great pride in his ability to provide employment opportunities for the youth in his community, empowering them to become self-sufficient. Looking ahead, his ultimate goal is to transition from Sama and focus entirely on expanding his businesses. He envisions nurturing the next generation of young entrepreneurs who will continue along the same path and create bright futures for themselves. 

He credits his colleagues not only for their mentorship but also for their inspiration and encouragement, which have played a pivotal role in shaping him into the successful individual he is today. Their guidance and support have helped him navigate challenges, develop new skills, and push himself to reach heights in his personal and professional life. He is grateful for their unwavering belief in his potential and for the invaluable lessons they have imparted to him along the way.

With hard work, determination, and creative skills, Pius has proven that no obstacle is too great to overcome. His story is a testament to the power of resilience and the ability to turn adversity into opportunity. He is a true inspiration to those around him and a shining example of what can be achieved with dedication and passion.

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