By Zuleikha Salim
Born and bred in Likoni, Mombasa County, hardship was part and parcel of Mwanaidi Ishack from an early age.
Her childhood was marred by struggles occasioned by poverty, loss and the constant shadow of uncertainty.
The world became a daunting place for her, filled with obstacles that seemed insurmountable, but the will to break from the chains of struggle remained alive and kicking.
‘’Days blurred into nights of pain and despair and every step forward felt like two steps back,” she said.
After the tragic loss of her beloved mother, at the age of 16, Mwanaidi’s life took a dark turn when her father remarried. Growing up under a step mother was not a walk in the park.
Her dad was not a constant figure at home, as he was always travelling for work related ventures, leaving enough room for the mother to carry on with her colonial-like relationship with her.
Her stepmother, cold and unkind, treated her with disdain and cruelty. “I faced harsh treatment and sorrow but I didn’t let my spirit get broken,’’ she says.
“My step mother used to put a knife on fire, before pulling it on me even at the slightest provocation,” she narrated painfully.
In the face of all the adversity visited upon her by the mum, she was always a brilliant student with big dreams, envisioning herself walking across the stage of graduation with a degree in hand. The challenges at home made her work even harder in school.
“The obstacles slowly transformed my pain into power.”
Mwanaidi emerged stronger, wiser and full of hope for a bright future. Later, she joined Maseno University and pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Education course, managing to graduate after four years.
Currently, the 27-year-old is a teacher at Lakeside Primary School in Kisumu, having emerged winner against challenges thrown against her by the stepmother.
She urged anyone going through similar challenges to depend on God and have hope for a better future.
“Don’t look at what you are facing now, look ahead for a brighter future,” she noted.
According to Muslim Leader at the Masjid Issa bin Mariam (Jesus Son of Mary Mosque) in Kaloleni Estate, Sheikh Abubakar Hamisi, everyone faces trials and tribulations in life that test faith and resilience, ranging from personal loss, financial hardships or emotional struggles.
He said adversity is an inevitable part of everyone’s journey.
‘‘One of the most important virtues during times of adversity is patience,’’ he advised.
Adversity, he added, is not just for personal victory but serves as a beacon of hope for those still fighting their own battles.
Resilience in the face of adversity: The story of Mwanaidi Ishack
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