Truth As A Core Principle

In the Kenya we live in everything seems to be sensationalized.  Each new thing must be bigger, better, and more expensive than the last new thing and, sometimes, regular acts of service get lost in the hype of it all. Here at Contrite Lafriqueen, though, we believe in the simple, the humble, and the practical approach because it is not our goal to be flashy but rather to be effective.

Cleaning toilets is, by its very nature, humble work.  There can be nothing glamorous about sanitizing a loo.  Many might find the thought of doing such a thing degrading and perhaps that is why so many of our toilets are dirty and neglected.  However, when you realize that keeping a toilet clean may help prevent a child from losing their life, doing such work becomes not a disgusting chore but an act of love. What human being, upon seeing a sick child near death would not rush out and clean any toilet if doing so could make them feel better?  What Contrite Lafriqueen does is exactly that, but we take it one step further and clean the toilet before the child falls ill in the first place!

In a day and age when everything is so big and exaggerated there can be pressure to overstate what is actually happening in order to be heard.  We believe, though, that simply being the change we wish  to make speaks so loudly that there is no need to shout.

People instinctively look for and desire truth.  I paraphrase what Ben Franklin said by saying that “an ounce of reality is worth a pound of make believe” when it comes to children’s health.  In an era when exaggeration is taken for granted being truthful becomes a “core principle” that defines and sets us apart as the foundation of all we do.

There are many people, with funds, that are looking to do good.  Their money, whether it is theirs or donated from a company or group, came hard and they naturally want to know that their gift will do some real and lasting good.   That is why we strive to be truthful in what we do so that people who work with us will know that they are investing wisely.

In conclusion, let us all have the courage to simply be “full of truth.”  Let us have confidence that doing right and being true to who we are will speak loudly enough for all to hear.  After all, when it comes to a child’s health, isn’t it worth it?

Be blessed,

Lilian Akinyi Oywech