My name is Lillian Mwikali, and growing up in Embu County, life was always a mixture of hard work, small dreams, and endless advice from adults who believed they knew best. From the moment I was old enough to speak, my parents had a clear idea of who I should become. They wanted me to take over responsibilities in the family farm, attend the local college, and eventually marry someone they approved of. I tried to follow their instructions, at least for a while, but my heart was always somewhere else.
Ever since I was a little girl, I loved creating things with my hands. I would make beaded jewelry, decorate small trinkets, and even sell handmade bracelets to my classmates. I loved the sense of accomplishment I felt when someone appreciated my work. But the moment I mentioned that I wanted to turn this passion into a business, my parents reacted with anger and disbelief. “Lillian, this is foolishness!” my father shouted one evening. “You are throwing your life away on nonsense!” My mother, usually quiet, nodded in agreement, adding, “This is not how respectable girls succeed in life.”…CONTINUE READING
