Last year, Geoffrey Onditi, a carpenter in Nairobi, had an order to deliver wooden beds to a client.
But the 27 year old could not deliver the order in time.
His honesty in explaining himself opened doors for him, and he is now a nurse at Nyang’oma Sub County Hospital in Muhoroni, Kisumu County.
“While I was working as a carpenter in the day, I was also working as a nurse in the night,” he said.
I am sorry you may not get the beds within the agreed time. I also work as a nurse at night so I have to leave here early to prepare and report to the hospital
Geoffrey Onditi
So when the client showed up to pick the beds as agreed, Onditi opened up and explained his situation.
“I am sorry you may not get the beds within the agreed time. I also work as a nurse at night so I have to leave here early to prepare and report to the hospital,” Onditi told the client.
The client happened to be a journalist, but Onditi did not know that.
“The client asked lots of questions, and I did not know her intention,” Onditi told Lake Region Bulletin.
God-sent journalist
After the exchange, the client disclosed to Onditi that she was actually a journalist with a local television station, and she got attracted to his story.
The client then left, and promised to return to cover his story.
And a few days later, the client was back with her crew, and captured Onditi’s story.
The story went viral, and Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o happened to have been the many people who watched it.
Dream job
On Monday, Governor Nyong’o awarded Onditi a letter of appointment into his new job.
Nyong’o said Onditi’s story is the epitome of determination that young people should emulate.
He said despite failing to get a job in his career line, he made a move to do something to put food on his table.
We invited Mr Onditi for an interview for medical workers which was going on at that time. He performed well and we gave him a job
Anyang’ Nyong’o
He said he was moved when he watched Onditi’s story, prompting him to offer him his dream job.
“We invited Mr Onditi for an interview for medical workers which was going on at that time. He performed well and we gave him a job,” said Nyong’o.
He added: “This morning I am delighted to hand over an appointment letter to Mr Onditi. He has been deployed to Nyang’oma Health Centre as an Enrolled Community Nurse.”
Humble background
Onditi, a first born in a family of seven children was brought up by his grandmother after losing his parents while in secondary school.
“Some of my siblings did not manage to further their education to form one because there was no one to pay for their school fee,” he said.
“My school fee was catered by the World Bank Program.”
The father of one says his family’s life and that of his sibling has changed.
He says will be able to pay for the rest of his sibling’s fee. So far, he has managed to pay one who has joined form one recently.
“I trained my brothers, cousins and people close to me on carpentry. They have the required skills,” he said.
“They are now manning my workshop, and I believe it will not affect me in discharging my duties as a nurse within the facility,” he said.
Once a carpenter
Onditi intends to continue working as a carpenter during his free time.
He counts himself lucky among many.
He benefited from Beyond Zero Program which paid his nursing training fees.
He however notes that securing a job after school is a big challenge, with many of those who benefited from the program still tarmacking.
“Most of the students under this program have not secured jobs. I urge our First Lady Margaret Kenyatta to check in every county and let the beneficiaries of this nobble program be absorbed in hospitals so that they can serve their communities, “he said.