Hakuna Matata is a saying I have heard throughout my whole life. It is a phrase that slowly turned into something that only brought me anger and annoyance. My parents, The Lion King, and even kids in my classes would constantly tell me Hakuna Matata when presented with an obstacle or a hurtle. What do you mean by no worries? There’s every bit to worry about in this world.
Enloe Student Council has helped me realize that if you surround yourself with people that make it a safe space to communicate your feelings, you can and will overcome whatever you’re going through. Being a part of such an open environment has helped me build better connections and sympathize with different people. Before being on Enloe Student Council, I was shy and unwilling to share my problems for fear of no one understanding. Enloe Student Council breaks people out of their shells so they can come together and raise money for a good cause. Never in a million years would I think I would go into a store and talk to people I don’t know to convince them to donate. But seeing the impact of Alliance Medical Ministry and all other beneficiaries makes me passionate about what I’m doing, and it’s like the nervousness and worry wash over me. Not only that but seeing the fire in the eyes of Enloe Student Council ready to demolish the money goal presented to us has also made me even more devoted to getting this money.
I have realized that being around the right people, like my peers in Student Council, helps lift the weight of the world from my shoulders. For example, Timon has Pumbaa, my parents have our family, and my classmates have one another. I have Student Council. Now, when faced with a challenge, I take a deep breath in and out and say, “Hakuna Matata.”
Vivian Njoroge
Standing Committee Officer