Proud Of My Identity: A Woman of Two Worlds

By Veronica Lagat

In the world of today, all human beings everywhere stand aghast. Corruption, disease, psychological and emotional trauma that prevails goes beyond human comprehension.

But adversity is not meant to bring us down.

Veronica Lagat in her motivational memoir depict that she experienced the greatest oppor

• Language: English
• Publisher: Veronica Lagat
• Release date: Sep 29, 2021
• ISBN: 9781088000946

Book preview

Proud Of My Identity: A Woman of Two Worlds

Veronica Lagat

Copyright © 2021

All Rights Reserved

Table of Contents

Foreword ................................................................................. i

Dedication ............................................................................. iii

Acknowledgments ................................................................ iv

About the Author ................................................................... v

Introduction ............................................................................ 1

Chapter One: My Childhood ................................................. 4

Chapter Two: Kenyan Culture ............................................ 18

Chapter Three: The Plight of Women ................................ 59

Chapter Four: Nutrition ..................................................... 114

Chapter Five: America ...................................................... 121

Chapter Six: The Conclusion ............................................ 147

Foreword

I am writing this book because I am disappointed in us.

My vicious attack is on us, the people, for willingly accepting the role of a victim against the leaders that masquerade as peoples’ representatives. They render corruption and unfair treatment to other citizens, which is uncalled for; the suppression of truth about what is going on around us.

My recent visit to Kenya revealed a disturbing situation.

The leaders who are the guardians and supposedly those who need to add value to the prospects of society actually steal from their people. I am appealing to the willing victims to unleash their potential against these corrupt giants. The purpose of human life is to serve humanity, to live life to the fullest, prosper and be happy. The function of society is to guarantee these conditions and allow all individuals to fulfil their purpose. Thereof, put your focus on building your life to get on the winning path.

You cannot live in fear of what might happen or what other people will say. You are responsible for the things that happen to you, so don’t get stuck in set routines miserably stagnant. Normal people do not allow themselves to be trapped in labor without the freedom to be themselves.

I am writing this book to remind women not to underestimate their power as women. When women are i

given a chance, they can stretch out their hands and boost people around them daily. Achieving your dreams involves building value for others, which in turn brings pride and happiness. This revived pride and happiness and what I am writing this book for.

ii

Dedication

To father Peter Meinberg, from the order of the Missionary Benedictine, who plays the instrumental role of supporting me as a father figure after my biological father was taken away.

iii

Acknowledgments

Dr. Leroy Hanson, for pushing me to not just talk about it, but do it. If it wasn’t for your encouragement and support, this dream would not have become reality.

My sister Magdelene, for typing the book.

All of my children for being my greatest cheerleaders and the best critics.

iv

About the Author

Veronica Lagat is the 4th of 7 children. She was born in Mumbasa, Kenya and grew up in Nairobi, later on living in Uasin Gishu district in Rift Valley province. She belongs to the Nandi ethnic group. Veronica attended KPTC College and graduated in 1988. She went on to work as a postal officer where she received further education to become a senior investigation officer in the Rift Valley. In 2001, she immigrated to the United States as a medical missionary, and went to Eden Valley Institute where she worked as a dean of students while taking classes herself. She was studying Wholistic Nutrition, Massage Therapy, and hydrotherapy.

Veronica has 4 children, all now living in the U.S.A.

Veronica has become a motivational/inspirational speaker both in Kenya and the United States. She has been speaking publicly for 30 years, reaching numerous diverse audiences.

Veronica’s hope is to empower people to acknowledge and identify their unique gifts and especially their identity in the world.

v

Introduction

The society we live in is transforming before our very eyes. We are living in a panoramic drama of stupor and epidemic of crime; people are in untold pain. We are living in the midst of confusion, disease, hunger, anger, and anxiety. It is an era of depression and suicide. All human beings everywhere, in the First, Developing or Third world countries, stand aghast. The corruption that prevails is beyond human comprehension. The human pen cannot describe what is going on adequately. Everyday news brings its heart-wrecking record of violence, lawlessness, indifference to human suffering, brutal fiendish destruction of human life, male or female alike and children or the unborn who are not given the opportunity to see the light of day.

Everyday testifies to the increase of lunatic insanity that is grasping humanity; murder and suicide rise in numbers.

Everywhere hearts of men and women are failing, crying out for something which they don’t have. They long for a power that will deliver them from man-made bondage. Evil seems to be taking over. In the third world, people perish because of starvation, H.I.V Aids, while in the developed world people are perishing because of the fate of the land and abuse of drugs prescribed over the counter. The children in the third world are homeless, living in the streets, eating from 1

garbage cans and trash. The widows are forgotten by Church leaders and members. In the first world, babies are not given a chance to live because the norm is pro-choice for women.

Leaders look on like all of their morals have said goodbye. The leaders play Lord over the people, steal taxpayers’ money. This money finds its way into the pockets of Public Trustees. As for the women, who is to blame? It is as if we live in another planet. I want to agree with Steve Duncan, a Speaker who said, Opportunity stands by silently waiting for us to recognize it. Some people have said that opportunity knocks at the door. Really!? If it did, we could have heard the knock and opened the door. Opportunity may not come in a cute neat suit, carefully wrapped in a shiny package, but in an apron, looking like work. It may come in the way of defeat, setback, sickness and failures.

Personally, I experienced the greatest opportunities come when I was beat up and down on my rock bottom. I was in despair when I was divorced twice, I felt betrayed and angry. The community was encouraging me to fight back.

Despite all the encouragement, I declined to fight. While I was in these marriages, I was a willing victim. I knew what I was doing, what I was getting myself into. I was complaining and murmuring about being abused, but was not doing anything about it. Ultimately, getting divorced and divorcing one of my husbands turned out to be a blessing in disguise. If I had not divorced, I might still be living under 2

the same circumstances. I may still have been a willing victim.

I am here to say that I am free indeed and have found a voice and discovered my true worth and hidden talent. I am about to commence my motivational/inspirational speaking journey and become a published author. I am here to encourage you that you can be the change you want. Do not settle for less, don’t consent to be a mere robot run by another human being. You are capable of running your own life. As a Christian, you have dual citizenship here on earth and in the heavenly government. You are obligated to keep the laws of God first and foremost. One should choose what God’s law says as opposed to what man says.

So with this book, what is my message again? It is about measuring life, and how do we measure life? No, not with our history or geography, nor with how long we have lived or haven’t lived, but it is measured by how much you have served humanity. This is a great measure because everyone has an opportunity to serve. I am taking a stand to voice concerns that affect us as human beings and the roles each one of us need to play to counter these concerns. If men and women play their God-given roles respectively, the Family Fabric will stick together.

3

Chapter One: My Childhood

COME, COME TAKE A WALK WITH ME…

Yes, come take a walk with me and see a multitude of willing victims who have succumbed to the wishes of man and tradition. Learn how a father can have such a profound influence on a child. Learn about a family, about a country you may not be so well-informed on.

My name is Veronica the fourth born child of my late father Joseph and my mother Theresa who is still alive. I have four sisters and two brothers, four children of my own with two being sons and two daughters. I am also blessed to have two grandchildren, one grandson and a granddaughter.

I am a Nandi by tribe. The Nandi people are members of Nilotic descent that live in Kenya’s Rift Valley. They are the main sub-tribe of the wider Kalenjin-speaking communities.

The Nandi name is traced to late 1800s, back when the Kenya-Uganda railway was being built. The Indian builders, better known as the ‘coolies’, surnamed my people Nandi after a bird in India that runs very fast; the Nandis are known to be the fastest runners in the world. The Nandis also have the best agricultural fertile land as well as the richest culture, though little is in record.

The Europeans, especially the British who colonized Kenya, have written very little about my people, and most of which is not a true representation. The Nandi heritage is rich 4

and they are an interesting group of people. What the Europeans wrote about the Nandi heritage is negative, opinionated and twisted to suit the foreign observer.

The complexity of the Nandi cultural heritage and general dynamics of the Nandi people leaves most history students ignorant and confused. In my next book, I will expound in great detail and zeal the rich heritage of the Nandi people. The Nandis of my generation need to understand the lifestyle of their ancestors so that they can pass it on to the next generations. The Nandi social systems and organization is imperative, I will be expounding on the Nandi economic, military, political and religious set-ups.

NAMEOLOGY

The Nandi nameology is detailed. Exposition of Nandi names and systems under which the Nandi people give names to different things and human beings is so rich that sometimes it is shocking when people of African origin boast of foreign names, which they know not the origin or do not understand the meaning or their applicability. When the Europeans first came to Nandi land, they could not pronounce the African names, so they surnamed the Africans with names they themselves could pronounce, telling them that these were their sacred Christian names.

In the Middle East where Christianity originated, the meaning of a name is strictly considered before being given 5

to a child. They believe that the name and its meaning shapes the general character and the destiny of the bearer.

Nandi names similarly play a very important role; they explain circumstances under which the child is born.

Secondly, they show how one is related to other members of his family. As an example, my name Cheptoo or Jeptoo means that guests were in my home when I was born.

The origin of the Nandi people is traced to the Middle East in Mesopotamia and Misri, the modern day