Grandmother's Stories Exchange
Alice Gondi
Roots, Purpose, and the First Book I Loved
A reflective interview on grandparents, identity, mentorship, courage, books, and African memory.
Contents
A Grandmother's Stories Exchange profile adapted from Alice Gondi's interview text.
- 01Roots, Inner Life, and Purpose1
- 02Gifts, Habits, and First Impressions2
- 03Joy, Imagination, and Philosophy3
- 04Happiness, Fear, and Character4
- 05Change, Achievement, and Teaching5
- 06Books, Possessions, and Place6
- 07Love, Regret, and Last Words7
- 08The First Book I Loved8
- 09Lawino, Culture, and Lessons9
- 10Reading Memory and Recommendations10
- 11Collecting and Lending Books11
- 12Reading Time and Book Humor12
- 13The Saddest Book and Motherly Memory13
Roots, Inner Life, and Purpose
My maternal grandparents are Mikael Oyamo and Teresia Atito. Grandfather comes from Seje in Alego in Siaya county, Nyanza and Teresia my grandmother comes from Masumbi Ngiya in Alego Siaya. My paternal grandparents were Opiyo Ogola from Ahono Gem Wagai, Siaya County Nyanza. And sella Obiero, from Port Victoria Ugenya Masat, Busia. My favorite song is hard to choose because it depends on the occasion and season, however my current song is Daima Kenya, because it speaks of patriotism in me.
When I am certain about something and never afraid of anyone or anything, I am straight forward and speak the truth. I am very patient but with quick intuition, a story teller therefore interacting with people and sharing things make me happy. I keep records of inspirational items, and have the capacity to engrain information in my heart. I am able to get wisdom from above and connect things that synchronize in a manner that I cannot explain but it happens. I am creative and imaginative and very young at heart, I find humor in silly things. When I do not understand something I might be scared, however I am a curious person and who gets deep into details and digs deep till I am able to understand concepts. I do not give up easily, on things or people. I am for people who are disenchanted or the blackships of society. From a distance, people might think I am harsh and unapproachable, however when they get to know me in person they realize how soft I am, always for the people and with good intentions to help and uplift. I am well connected to people from all walks in life. I tread in unbelievable places.
My inner self inspires me, the fact that I am the child of God. However I am also inspired by helping other people understand concepts that make them better. Helping others become better than you found them is worth doing by mentorship. For example, helping someone discover who they are and their purpose in life. I would love to see a world where people live their purpose, doing what they were born to do. When people know who they are and where they come from.
Gifts, Habits, and First Impressions
I am good at ...why?
Mentoring because I have failed and succeeded in so many things
I am very bad at ...why?
Keeping time and meeting deadlines because I procrastinate from the need of perfection.
The last book I enjoyed was... Which one and why?
The state of Africa by Martin Meredith because I wanted to know where Africa is headed and state of leadership and why it has failed.
The most surprising thing that happened to me ... when? Where?
When I was met at gunpoint with thieves and how I escaped the ordeal was unbelievable.
A common misconception of me is ...Why?
I am very harsh because I am straight forward.
One of my worst childhood fears was...?
Caterpillars. Had nightmares and would make me scream
Joy, Imagination, and Philosophy
My ideal night out is... where, why, and doing what?
Going out dancing, music, good food and stories
In another life I'd have been a... why?
I would still be me, I discover my purpose and living it.
I am not a politician but if I was one I would...?
Make sure people know the laws and follow them.
The best age to be is... Which one and why?
About age 4 because you believe and have not been corrupted.
The best part of what I do is...?
Serving people
In a nutshell my philosophy is ...?
Righteousness : Following the rules
Happiness, Fear, and Character
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Discovering your purpose in life and pursuing it.
What is your greatest fear?
Find myself raptured and people around me do not know where they are going.
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
Lwanda Magere
Which living person do you most admire?
Zacke-Work Zewde the president of Ethiopia
What is the trait you most deplore about yourself?
Procrastination
What is your greatest extravagance?
My health, it is the biggest wealth.
On what occasion do you lie?
To save someone or help someone in a situation where speaking the truth could be embarrassing or hurtful to the person.
Change, Achievement, and Teaching
What do you dislike most about your appearance?
I had a beauty spot that I cut out
Which living person do you most despise?
Not a name but people who are full of themselves and manipulative
Which words or phrase do you most overuse?
Lord have mercy
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Procrastination
If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be?
Make them come back to the original unity and values I had when I was young.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Mentored people and completely transformed their lives.
If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?
I would still come back as a teacher just upgrade it. I would teach people in their place of existence, not necessarily school.
Books, Possessions, and Place
Who are your favourite writers?
African writers
What is your favourite hero of fiction?
Lwanda Magere
What is your most treasured possession?
My books, diaries and journals and few craft artifacts.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Someone not living in their purpose.
Where would you like to live?
An environment close to nature with less artificiality location doesn't matter as long as it is in Kenya.
What is your most marked characteristic?
Boldness and ability to laugh hard.
What is the quality you most like in a woman/man?
Taking responsibility and being accountable
Love, Regret, and Last Words
What is your greatest regret?
Not packaging my gifts in a way more people could access and use.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My late dad
How would you like to die?
Although one can never know, I would like a happy and peaceful one.
If you were going to die in the next five minutes, what would your last words be...?
Lord have mercy
If you were a car, what model, colour would you be and why?
A black G waggon with a tint of gold. It commands presence, elegance and bravery but also relaxed.
The First Book I Loved
What was/were the title (s) first book(s) you fell in love with?
Song of Lawino by Okot p'Bitek
Could you briefly describe the plot/storyline of the book(s)?
Story of a Woman Lawino, whose husband diverts from his traditions after marrying another wife who is European. As he becomes more interested in European culture, Lawino is worried that African culture is getting diluted by the introduction of Western culture.
Why exactly did you love the book(s) you have mentioned?
It speaks of African culture and I am interested in foundations.
What was it about the book(s) that made it such a great read?
The book advocates for lost African culture
Please describe your favourite character(s) in the book(s) you've mentioned and explain why you liked them?
Lawino, she is a woman who stands for something that she believes in.
Lawino, Culture, and Lessons
How did the book(s) influence your perceptions? Learn any life altering lessons?
Sometimes we cannot control our circumstances however much you would like to. It is hard to control other people a man for example, but you can control your own attitude and response to what they do.
How old were you when you first read this book?
15 Years.
Could you describe yourself at that age? Were you a Happy Go- Lucky or a Worrywort?
I was a happy positive child, I liked shaving my hair with a razorblade and was very sporty. Enjoyed history and literature with my friends. At this age I was already teaching other children. This started from as early as 8 years.
How long did it take you to finish the book?
Cannot tell. Maybe ady or two.
Was the first book you ever loved bought or borrowed? If it was the latter, who lent you the book?
Borrowed from the school library.
Reading Memory and Recommendations
Out of all the books that you've read since childhood, which one(s) stands out as the most memorable?
Efuru by Flora Nwapa, because it was the first book written by an African woman to be published internationally. She embodied feminism at the time.
If I borrow a brand new book from you, and when I bring it back when it has dog ears and broken spine. What would be your initial reaction?
I will raise my eyebrows.
Where do you do you best reading? Sofa, bed, office, coffee shop?
In the sofa or in a car if someone else is driving.
What book are you reading now and what is it about?
The state of Africa, a History of 50 Years of independence by Martin Meredith. It is about African affairs after colonization. Looking into government corruption, laws or lack of and other conflics.
What is the name of the book you're most likely to recommend to: a) Friends?
Books on leadership. Books written by Dr. Miles Monroe
Collecting and Lending Books
b) Children?
Inspirational books on relationships.
c) Peers?
Story books with pictures.
Please give a reason why you would recommend this book?
Pictures to help aid imagination and freshen their memories.
Do you collect books?
Yes.
a) If so, how many books have you collected so far?
Too many
Reading Time and Book Humor
b) What are some of the book titles you have in your collection?
The man who moved the world. The life and work of Mohamed amin by Bob Smith and Salim Amin.
c) Where do you keep your book collection (exactly which part of your home/ office do you keep this collection)?
Study room, under my bed and inside my bags.
d) How often do you lend out books from your collection?
When people visit me and they are interested or need I give them out.
What's the shortest amount of time you've ever taken to read a whole novel/book?
When I was younger it was shorter but now maybe 3 days.
What's the longest amount of time you have ever taken to read a novel/book?
I never finished, maybe go back and forth.
The Saddest Book and Motherly Memory
What's the name of the longest book you've ever read?
I can't remember.
What the funniest book you've ever read? Any specific phrases/ quotes in the book come to mind when you think about the funniest book you've ever read? What about it was so funny and how did you relate to it?
Things fall apart by Chinua Achebe. Everybody likes food, food brings people together and in the process of this togetherness the mannerisms come across in funny ways in this book. When I see things that people do in different cultures, it reminds me of this book. I can relate to this in family get-togethers as I get to see and in a different light, we share funny stories and laugh together.
What's the saddest book you've ever read? Any specific phrases/ quotes in the book that come to mind when think about it? What about it was so sad and how did you relate to it?
The African Child. I see the dilemma in his eyes when he experiences crossed cultures. He doesn't know what to be loyal to. What comes to mind is how we haven't exposed the nuggets of advice into place people can referrer to and use for direction and foundation. I went to boarding school at Standard 4, meeting new people was exciting but at the same time I felt out of place and lonely. I lacked motherly care, love and touch at the time.
"When people know who they are and where they come from, they can live their purpose."Alice Gondi
Alice Gondi · Grandmother's Stories Exchange
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