Faith meets opportunity

 Harry Ivan Mboto: How consistency opened the door to Tuko News

By Joseph Owino

"I don't know how many applications I made," Ivan smiled softly. "But I said to myself, don't give up. Something had to go right eventually."

                                                              
                                                                         

                 Photos(Harry Ivan) Facebook

In the School of Arts and Social Sciences at Moi University, you will hardly miss a third year student, Harry Ivan Mboto, in the congested corridors. 

He attends classes and moves unnoticed with a book in his hand. He appears just like any other person, but he has a tale that many would not want to believe. He is not the chatty type, but once you hear his story, you realize he is not just another student looking for a degree. He is someone who has battled rejection, fought, and achieved something special, a chance to be interviewed by Tuko News, even before graduating.

Most of the third year students were concerned with deadlines and classes ahead, but Harry was job hunting. Not one, but several jobs. Some firms never phoned him back. Others told him that he lacked the appropriate skills. But still, he persisted.

"I started writing many years ago in high school," he says. "My favorite subject was English. My teacher always praised my work and sometimes read it out loud to the whole class. That made me think that I could do something with writing."

After doing well in his KCSE, he joined Moi University to study Linguistics, Media, and Communication, a course he was interested in. 

In his first year, he had joined The Legacy Media, a students' journalism club on campus. He wrote and helped in the design of the LMC Magazine, where he penned real life stories of campus life as well as covering their visit to a children's home.

"I loved how the stories brought people together," Harry recounted. "That charity visit taught me that writing does not necessarily need to teach; it can also touch hearts."

But when he got to second year, he realized the truth. He started considering internships, experience, and a portfolio. So, he started applying for jobs. 

"Sometimes, I'd apply for three or four jobs in a week," he said. "Ninety percent of the time, I din't even hear back." 

He would occasionally lose count of the applications he made, possibly 30 or so. It was exhausting and sometimes made him feel demoralized.

"I begin to wonder whether I was good enough," he described. "But every time I wanted to give up, I would tell myself, don't lose hope. I had to carry on." 

One afternoon during his third year, checking his email in between lectures, he saw something out of the ordinary. It was from Tuko News.

"I thought it was spam initially," he laughed. "I opened it, then I read the message: 'We want to invite you for an interview.'" He stopped. Read it over again. And smiled. "They read what I wrote. Even though I was still a student, they said they enjoyed it."

Harry showed up for the interview with his writing samples, stories that he had done for Legacy Media, some creative writing, and designs of the LMC Magazine. He even had a short pitch ready, just in case. 

"I told them I am not yet a degree holder, but I had the passion, discipline, and stories. I told them the truth." 

Even though he is still waiting for the final results, the experience gave him something more valuable: self confidence.

"That experience also taught me that hard work always pay off. Those late nights writing and applying were not in vain," he added.

To fellow students in the same situation, applying, waiting, and being unsure, Harry had a definite message.

"Start today. Do not wait for your final year. Apply early, join clubs, and blog or write for your school newspaper. Even if no one replies, know that someone somewhere is watching, and you are making yourself better." 

He also urged students to pay attention to small roles. 

"Everything I did at Legacy Media, including writing, editing, and page designing, made me stand out. You don't need to do a big job to learn," he advised.

As we finish talking, Harry got his book, ready to move on to the next class. He doesn't rush. He isn't in a hurry. But you can tell that he knows where he is going.

"I never gave up hope," he said again, looking ahead. "That's how I got here and I think it will carry me further."