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Health & Fitness

A Very Proud Day

As I write this blog I am grinning from ear to ear as I have just returned from the graduation ceremony of my "rafiki" (friend) Patrick Olepapatiti.

Patrick graduated with a degree in international business administration from United States International University.

The campus of USIU, which has a student population of about 5000, is a beautiful peaceful campus set amid the hustle and bustle of Nairobi. It was there I met Patrick in his cap and gown instead of his traditional Maasai robes or safari gear.

Watching graduation was fun and I was beaming with pride because I had gotten to play a part in Patrick’s success by helping support his education and providing some mentoring from time to time. I have told you Patrick’s story before which you can read here.

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Watch Graduation Video Here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hx7BtTnn2Mo

Patrick, being Maasai (and being Patrick) would not smile as he marched in the processional but I could tell he was really proud and happy. The graduation was very similar to graduations here with cheering families; photo taking, proud parents, the brilliant valedictorian and the graduation speaker, who was Robert F. Godec, the U.S. Ambassador to Kenya.

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However, unlike my son’s recent graduation from UC Santa Cruz, this ceremony had some African themes with a stirring African choir, very unusual (to me) names of students and all different types of traditional dress. During the ceremony I got to spend time with Patrick’s wife and youngest child and an older relative whose relationship to Patrick I never quite got, All were very proud.

Then something happened that I did not expect: After leaving the campus we stopped the car just outside and all of a sudden an instantaneous Maasai celebration broke out. More than 50 people from Patrick’s village were there! They had started their journey at 3 a.m., to travel 4 hours by specially hired Matatus, which are the region’s ever-present minivan taxis. They surrounded Patrick and celebrated his graduation by showering him with beaded necklaces, garlands and congratulation signs. Watch Video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alzhdOOK1ig

Patrick now has a job with the Kenyan Parliament; we are still running our Maasai beaded dog collar business (I picked up more and soon you can now order them on the Infinite Safari web site) and there are a few other business ideas percolating. Stay tuned as shortly I will tell you how you can help bring a well to his village so the women do not have to walk 5 miles to get water.

It was a very happy and proud day. So what do you give as a graduation present to a Maasai who just graduated from college? It is not that different anywhere. I got Patrick what he wanted – an iPad!

Hongera (congratulations) Patrick!

p.s. – and what makes this graduation post even more special is that today is my birthday!

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