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I heard, “Caroline Kasiva Muli,” and watched our first
child step forward and receive her certificate for a
Masters degree in Organizational Leadership from
Gonzaga University. Then I became a breathing mass of
emotional roller coaster.
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It was the same experience I went through when I
watched her stand and deliver the class president’s
graduation speech in front of her more than 400
classmates, teachers and a crowd of family members so
huge that her high school had to use Boise State
University’s Basketball Arena.
My body had reacted in the same manner when she
responded to an impromptu question at a competition
for Girls State (where two junior class high school
girls are selected to represent their school in a
weeklong leadership training). She was the first to be
questioned. How she responded left me with no doubt
that the judges had to search for their second
representative. It turned out my feelings were not
just a father’s affection for his baby girl. The
judges were equally impressed.
This is the baby who changed my world. For her first
birthday, I bought a talking toy (it spoke English,
not Kikamba—no native toys) in Nairobi, Kenya. That
act was a milestone because I, like all my childhood
friends, never had manufactured toys or celebrated
birthdays with parties.
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Caroline, 2 years old with
Dad |
When I boarded an overcrowded bus to take the toy to
my daughter in Kangundo I accidentally shared the joy
of a new toy with many others. The pushing in the bus
triggered the toy to scream. The reactions of my
fellow travelers still lighten my heart. I was
relieved to discover I was not the only one new to
that noise.
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We landed in Laramie, Wyoming, when Caroline was two and a
half. After we learned to expect snow at any time in
Wyoming, protecting our child from cold related miseries
created its own form of discomforts. Can you imagine
wearing a snow suit in July? I tell young people to
forgive their parents for any mistake their parents might
have made while raising them. It was their parents first
time to raise them.
When I joined Toastmasters I discovered the importance of
communication. I decided that is what my eight year-old
daughter needed. Organizing and conducting several
workshops on public speaking at her elementary school was
not enough. Voice projection was essential. That was
accomplished by having her speak louder than the noise
made by vehicles as I stood on one side of a parking lot
with her on the other side. A radio turned on to full
volume served the purpose of noisy vehicles when we were
driving. She eventually became a participant and leader of
the National Speaker Association Youth Leadership program
when she was in high school and in her first two years in
college.
Caroline fell and her foot was misdiagnosed as a sprained
ankle. The doctor advised me to help her try walking with
the leg. A week or so later, the leg was swollen and
Caroline was in excruciating pain. I sought a second
opinion. The leg had been broken. Caroline cried, and I
cried. Her leg has healed sufficiently, for which I am
eternally grateful. I wish I could say the same thing for
the hurt I suffered for helping her walk on a broken leg.
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When she was 11 years old, she announced her desire to
attend a well known university. I love it when someone has
a goal and can share it. I called and ordered a jacket
with the university’s name and a book on the school’s
history. That dream made us starting talking about what it
takes to be accepted in that university or Gonzaga. (Allow
me to detour a bit here. Another daughter, at thirteen
announced she wanted to be a sports medicine doctor. She
received a doctor’s human skeleton a few years later for
her birthday. Yes, we have a skeleton in my daughter’s
closet). |
Caroline with Mom and Dad in
Laramie, Wyoming, July 1986
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As Caroline was about to turn 16, I prepared a gift that
has inspired thousands of girls and young women to live up
to their potential. Her gift was the For Caroline
Kasiva (Sweet 16) And All Girls 16, Younger or Order: YOU
ARE SPECIAL book. Part I is an inspirational approach
that highlights her uniqueness and how that relates to
living a life of purpose. Part II is about having an
identity that is not diminished by race, gender or media
misguided expectations of beauty, life traits that matter,
focusing beyond obstacles, steering away from destructive
habits, and guidelines for choosing friends and a husband,
among others.
When Caroline left the platform with her certificate, I
recalled a text message she sent me in January:
“Dad, I found the book you wrote for my 16th birthday.
I have been longing for words of wisdom and encouragement
as I am overcoming obstacles. Needless to say, I couldn’t
have found this book at a better time. I read the book as
if for the first time tonight and I am encouraged because
it reminds me of where I have come from and where I am
going…It is absolutely what I need. Thank you so much
Dad.”
Again, I cried. Before this girl was born, I knew tears
were not for a Mukamba man. She changed that, too. |
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After writing about my daughter, Caroline and her
achievements, my heart breaks when I think of the orphan
girls in Kenya who have no father and mother to encourage
them. Yet, I am encouraged to know that you and I can help
each of them be somebody in a special way.
We have a limited number of copies of the For Caroline
Kasiva (Sweet 16) And All Girls 16, Younger or Older: YOU
ARE SPECIAL book. When you purchase a copy for your
daughter(s), niece(s), sister(s), cousin(s), 100% of your
money will go toward tuition and fees for orphaned high
school girls or those left with widowed mothers after AIDS
claimed their fathers.
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Book specifications:
ISBN: 0-9650780-4-3
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 99-97666
Perfect bound cover, 5 by 8
51 pages
Retail price: $9.95
Easy to read for young women ages 11 and older
PLEASE include the name you want autographed on
each copy.
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Caroline sponsors Nancy, a total orphan whose parents died
of HIV complications. A junior class student, she was left
in the care of grandparents who are so poor that neighbors
have to house her whenever she is out of school. Because
Caroline’s support Nancy has been among the top five
students in her class, regardless of the dim circumstances
of he life, and plans to attend university. |
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To learn more about Caring Hearts and Hands of Hope Inc.,
visit
www.caringheartsandhandsofhope.org
A few years ago, a single mother said, “Vincent, you
will never know how much I appreciate the small book you
wrote for your daughter. It provided me with tips on how
to help my 15 years old develop self-confidence….”
For an additional contribution of $10 for the needy girls
in Kenya, you will receive, together with your book:
- An article about the day Caroline left for college
- My first letter to her, a few weeks after joined college
- A letter to her in her third year
- A Christmas gift (a letter) after her graduation
- An article titled—A Father’s Love, A Daughter’s Wings
- I Stopped Raising Angels to Raise Children with Human
- Characteristics-a top requested article
Further: You will get a copy of the Top 17 Tips for
Parental Growth When Raising Teenagers. Here is a sample:-
True love is to love someone you feel like sending to
Siberia. Focus on the good that may be born after your
child’s turbulent years.
- If your child happens to consider you his/her
best friend in their teen years, ask yourself what you
are doing wrong. At that age, it’s hard to consider a
parent who tells you what you need to hear (totally
different from what you want to hear), your friend.
- Listen and understand their challenges but
maintain your values.
- Emphasize family boundaries--time to be home,
respect for parents, acceptable language and other
aspects.
- You are the mother or father. Don’t be afraid to
speak out about a rotten decision and/or action.
Again, remember your investment will not only benefit
you or the girl or woman you care about, it also gives
hope to an orphan girl in Kenya. To learn more, visit
www.caringheartsandhandsofhope.org
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Self Improvement.
If a leader is not learning new things and ways of doing things, he/she is
stuck in the past. When leaders are improving, the team improves.
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Self-Awareness.
Leaders who know their personality strengths are less likely to manipulate
other people. They don’t overwhelm other people with their knowledge. They
inspire dreams, creativity and productive actions.
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Relationships matter.
A leader who has integrity, is trustworthy and has a caring spirit is
listened to. His/her people exert more effort in getting things done.
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Change Agent.
A leader must champion change in developing a vision, seeking for input from
others and then implementing what’s needed to bring the team and/or
organization to new heights of product quality and customer service
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Communicator.
An effective leader must learn to listen, speak well, conduct productive
meetings, and delegate responsibilities that match the strengths of his or
her people.
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Teach, coach and mentor others.
Effective leaders influence others through teaching, coaching and mentoring.
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Target.
A target that a leader has set determines the outcome of the team and/or
organization. Lack of a clear target creates the perfect environment for hit
or miss situations.
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Customer service instinct.
Leaders who leave their reclining chairs in cool offices to serve a customer
get it. We are in business to serve.
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Creativity.
Effective leaders know that what makes teams or organizations successful
today is not necessarily going to be the determining factor tomorrow. They
are innovative—always searching for new cutting edge products, services and
relationships.
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Value.
Effective leaders make their teams know their contribution matters. They
create work environments that make people feel and know they are part of a
community.
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Problem solvers.
The ability to solve problems, improve the morale, focus and motivation and
increase other people’s productivity is an indicator of a leader with a
calling.
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Praise and acceptance of responsibility.
An effective leader praises his or her people, in public for their
accomplishments and accepts responsibility (again in public) for their
underperformance.
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WHEN: |
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May 26th -
5:30 p.m. -
9:00 p.m.
(Thursday) |
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May 27th -
5:00 p.m. -
9:00 p.m.
(Friday) |
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May 28th -
8:00 a.m. 3:30 p.m.
(Saturday) |
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Were: |
Towneplace Suites by Marriott
1415 S. Eagle Road
Meridian, ID |
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 If
I went back to college again, I’d concentrate on two
areas: learning to write and to speak before an audience.
Nothing in life is more important than the ability to
communicate effectively.
- Gerald R. Ford. U.S. President. |
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To register and for more information: |
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Special Thanks to the groups that kept Dr. kituku busy in
April
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Apr.1
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AAA Oregon-Idaho
Conference at Portland, OR. Keynote: Overcoming
Buffaloes as a Leader
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Apr. 1
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Verdi Group Annual
Client Appreciation Day—Opening remarks and networking
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Apr. 7
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Washington Future
Leaders Association Conference, Spokane WA. Keynote:
Success: How to Be More than a Dreamer
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Apr.14-15 |
Northwest Lineman
College, California: Training: Living and Working With
Cultural Differences
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Apr. 16
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Oregon Care Givers
Conference, Ontario, OR, Keynote: Balancing Work &
Life; Workshop: Storytelling in the Workplace
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Apr. 21
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Idaho Guardian and
Fiduciary Association, Boise, ID. Dealing With
Difficult People
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Apr. 27
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International
Association of Administrative Professionals, Boise,
ID: Overcoming Adversity: Coping Skills When Things
get Tougher than Usual
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Apr.
28-30 |
District 24
Toastmasters, Omaha, NE. Keynote, breakout sessions
and promoting TM |
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Native of Kenya, Africa, and resident of Idaho since
1992, Vincent has been a featured speaker and
trainer at numerous Real Estate conferences and
training programs. An award winning speaker and
writer, he is one of the less than 7% of all
professional speakers to earn a CSP (Certified
Speaking Professional), the highest award for
professional speakers. Dr. Kituku has worked with
championship sports teams and trained leaders on how
to inspire productivity all the time. What sets
Vincent apart is his ability to weave life
experiences in Africa with corporate America and
culture in providing solutions for personal and
professional growth.
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Dr. Vincent Muli Wa Kituku is known as a research-based
motivational speaker. He presents motivational keynotes
and training programs on leadership, employee
motivation, overcoming buffaloes at work (change),
customer service and living and working with cultural
differences. Vincent is the founder and president of
Kituku & Associates, LLC, a business that is dedicated
to developing leaders and employees in business and in
life.
What has set Dr. Kituku apart is the ability to use his
experience in research to evaluate/assess client needs
and then tailor his keynotes/training presentation to
meet their objectives. Harold G. Delamarter,
President/CEO, Prestige Care Inc. said, "Before the
Retreat, Dr. Kituku gained as much information as
possible about our company and the industry we are
involved in. He made telephone calls to management team
members to tailor his seminar very closely to the needs
of our employees and the circumstances they face each
day in the present economy. Dr. Kituku was so widely
received in July, the decision was made to ask him to
return to again present to our company in October."
Vincent's clients list includes Cisco Systems, Micron,
Hewlett Packard, Genworth Financial, US Fish and
Wildlife, US Air Force, Women Council of Realtors and
National Association of Mental Health. He has been the
motivational speaker for the successful Boise State
Football Team since 1998. Dr. Kituku works have been
featured by numerous publications including the
Presentations Magazine, SkyWest Magazine, National
Speakers Association Magazine and many newspapers which
publish his weekly columns. Vincent holds the Certified
Speaking Professional designation that is earned by
fewer than 7% of all speakers worldwide.
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Idaho 83709
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