Self Confidence

When the first case of Covid-19 was reported in Kenya, on the 12th, March, 2020, it was quite evident that things were not going to be normal anymore. To date, the MoH has continuously been on the forefront in ensuring that the Kenyan public is reliably informed of the progress the government is putting in place to curb/control the spread of Corona Virus in Kenya. The most common guidelines that the Ministry of Health has continuously ensured that every Kenyan adheres to are; social distancing, putting on a face mask every time one is in the public, constantly wash hands with soap and running water or sanitize using an alcohol based sanitizer. 

On the 22nd, July, 2020, it was the end of the 4th week that I had not visited my barbershop for a routine haircut, which I have visited for since December, 2016. I ensured that I had retained the same pair of hands to handle my haircut for as long it would take for consistency purposes, hygiene and ensuring that there is value for money realized at the end of each visit. On this particular day, the Wednesday of 22/07/2020, I left work at the normal time and decided that it would be good to visit the barbershop, located at Githurai 44, which is along Kamiti road, which is off Thika superhighway. 

Due to the MoH guidelines of ensuring that such places as barbershops and salons dont turn out to be hot spots for spreading the virus, there has always been soap, and a bucket that provides running water for anyone entering or leaving the barbershop and which everyone has to oblige as it is a mandatory requirement. I really want to thank the management for ensuring that these directives are adhered to.  

Once I stepped inside, the norm has been that, my "Long serving barber" would welcome me in to the available seat for him to execute his noble task on my head, which to my surprise, he was not in  on that particulate day. On asking from the rest of the team, I was informed that he had traveled to his upcountry to visit on the 18th, July. 2020 and he was yet to come back. I was left confused on what to do because nobody seemed to know when he would be coming back to work. 

On my left hand side, at the waiting bay, their sat a young man who at first looked abit not so confident, little did I know he was part of the team who were working in the barbershop, because he was new to my eyes. He looked at me and said "niamini tu kwa leo nikunyoe mkubwa(swahili which meant: Trust me to shave you today, boss)". I turned around and looked at him and asked him, "are you sure you will do a good job?", he responded and said, "Nisipokunyoa vizuri, usinipe kazi tena (swahili meaning: If I dont shave you well today, don't ever give another opportunity)". I inquired from one of the lady attendants in the shop and she actually confirmed to me that he was actually better than my "long serving barber". That gave me confidence and also the new barber confidence and so I sat on the seat (for those who know how barbershop seats look like, understand what I mean). Just before I sat, he sanitized the seat handles and the shaving machines as a standard protocol. 

I gave the new barber a chance to do what he had promised me he would do. To be precise, he was 10 Mins faster than my long time barber and he actually did a good job than what I expected. When I stood up and he saw my acknowledgement for a good job done, his confidence levels rose to a new high. My next visit would be more confusing as to who among the two, I would allow to shave me as the new "shaver in town" did a good job. 

The reason why am sharing this experience is because, there are times we are faced with situations that require our self-confidence to get them done. Anyone out there who is still not sure that you can do what you have always wanted to do, make good use of the very first opportunity you get to make a lifelong impression. It is your time. 

Brian Kavuwa. 

bkavuwa blog.

briventures@gmail.com.