Rising From the Dark

A True Story

by Thuita J. Maina

on Aug 24, 2019

Picture related to the title of the story — *Image from Pinterest.*

When I was a freshman at JKUAT in 2007, I loved going to All Saints' Cathedral in Nairobi to sing with the cathedral's 9:30 a.m. English service choir. We sang beautiful hymns and had wonderful fellowships.

Come August 2008, I went astray at JKUAT and lost interest in going to the cathedral. I actually became depressed if the following depression symptoms listed in the Mayo Clinic website are anything to go by:

Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness or hopelessness
Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters
Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities, such as sex, hobbies or sports
Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or sleeping too much
Tiredness and lack of energy, so even small tasks take extra effort
Reduced appetite and weight loss or increased cravings for food and weight gain
Anxiety, agitation or restlessness
Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements
Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixating on past failures or self-blame
Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things
Frequent or recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts or suicide
Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches

As time wore on, I got my mojo back. Reconnecting with the activities that excited me before was all I did. Mmm, so my friend Daniel Kiambi wasn't off the mark when he said depression is the scientific name for demonic oppression?

NB: I updated this story on September 8th, 2026.

**********************
Also check out "The Night I Lost My Mojo (On Purpose)".

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Spread the Love

High School Chronicles

A True Story

by Thuita J. Maina

on Aug 18, 2019

I remember hearing one classmate say something about a Swahili novel we read in Form 1. From the way he was talking excitedly about it, he seemed to find it interesting, unlike me who wasn't understanding anything in the novel.

No wonder I found it hard to beat most of my classmates that year, even after cheating during a biology test by referring to notes I had scribbled on a paper I hid in the textbook (an atlas, I think) on which I placed my answer sheet.

But bright as my classmates were, I felt our class had only one true genius. And that was George Yuka.

The guy grasped difficult concepts with ease. And I will never forget the class baraza we had in Form 2 when he stood in front and started describing each of us, from class no. 1 to class no. 35.

As he went through his list, I feared he would tell my classmates I was always confused as people in Starehe said. Happily, he told them something positive about me. That was very wise of him.

When we got into Form Four in 2005, I began appearing among the top six in my class. I don't know why that happened because I didn't rise before 6:00 a.m. or engage in any cheating that year.

During our last term that year, I interacted with some classmates in a room where I enjoyed playing chess with Yuka, but I couldn't beat him however much I tried to up my game. The guy was just bright, and funny too!

One Sunday afternoon, for instance, he shared a joke about a man who sold groundnuts near the gates of our school. I found the joke so hilarious that it had me rolling in the aisles. Some minds simply outshine others.

*********************
Also check out "Classmates' Shenanigans".
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Spread the Love