The Liebster Award 2020

Kia Martina, who writes at Kia’s Notions, asked some piercing questions. She nominated me to respond to those deep questions. I knew right then, when I saw the tag and read the questions, that I might flout some rules.

I had questions of my own too. How honest should I be? How open should my responses be? Should I polish my answers? Am I allowed to skip some questions? The rules were silent on this.

I read the questions again this morning and here are my responses based on the first thoughts that came to mind. In the spirit of transparency, I admit I changed my responses to questions seven and 11.

Here we go.

1. Why do you think you exist?

To be a source of joy, hope and smiles to humanity. That’s a mission I defined for myself in July 2015. I try to live by it each day. I think that’s why I exist. 

2. Do you believe in God? If yes, why? If no, why not?

Yes I believe in God.

I will use some examples. 

When I didn’t get the grades in my Primary Leaving Examinations to take me to the O-Level school of my choice, I prayed to God for a way. I got a different school.

When I didn’t make it to the A-Level school of my first choice, I prayed and God took me to the oldest prestigious school in Uganda to which I got a “compassionate” admission. I still think about that word to-date. Compassionate Admission. 

I didn’t get the grades to study the course of my first choice at the University. Not even the second. I prayed to God. I was admitted to a course that seven years later has become the foundation for my current job.

I could have lost both my mum and brother on the day of his birth. Mum told me the midwife asked her not to give up. She prayed to God. My brother was born, his body devoid of oxygen. He was resuscitated back to life. I interviewed my mum about that experience here. 

Things have happened in my life that I have no explanation to. Doors have opened. I have had favor in places I never thought of. It is God. 

So yeah, I believe in God. I rely on God’s grace everyday. 

3. Do you have a happy place? How did you find it?

I need to think about this more. I don’t know. 

4. Which one word, in your vernacular, describes you?

Ayiko (Lugbara) 

Anyon’ga (Jonam)

5. Cats or dogs? Why?

Dogs. Because I met Rebel and Vitos, two lovely dogs. More about them here. I will add my cousin’s dog, Tino, to the list. 

6. What does comfort mean to you?

Going to sleep and waking up without worrying where my next meal, shelter, clothing and basics for living will come from. 

7. What’s a belief you hold that many people would disagree with?

I don’t think smoking, drinking or doing drugs – even for a Christian – is a sin.

8. In your opinion, what is important enough to go to war over?

A pandemic like covid-19. We can’t let some invisible nitwits control our lives. Do they own this world? Who do they think they are? We need to continue with this war against these shitty viruses that have messed up many lives and brought many to a standstill.

9. What’s the wisest thought you have ever had?

Walk away if you’ve done all you can but it still isn’t working. 

10. What are some things you’ve had to unlearn?

That gender identity is non binary. I still think it’s binary. I’m trying to accept that there are all kinds of genders.

The perception by many people back home that Germans are inherently racist because of their history. That also had an impact on my initial perception. I have lived in this country for a year now and that view is far from what the reality is. Of course there are some rotten apples. Racism undeniably exists in this country. Overall, Germans are like anyone else with red blood, salty sweat and tears. They have a conscience and are not all over the place making you feel inferior because of how you look or where you come from. 

We shouldn’t make blanket statements to describe a group of people especially if we haven’t experienced their culture or understood where they are coming from. 

11. Have you ever said No, when really you meant yes? Please describe that situation to me.

Yes. It was a private situation. I’m not yet ready to put it out here.

P.S: New foreign language word of the day. Liebster. 

Liebster is a word in German that translates to Dearest.

Anyone wants to have a go at those 11 questions?

Do it.