Main Story: All I want for Christmas

This year's Christmas will be different and one of its kind in our lifetime. We are celebrating at a  time when many traditional gatherings and events are banned. Virtual celebrations, social distancing, and curfew are now the new order.

And if there was a time that many of us hoped that the wishes we make come true, this would be the time. This year has been a difficult time for most people and everyone has been affected whether directly or indirectly be it in their private or professional lives.

To fondly bring the much-needed cheer of this Christmas season, we asked three women to share their Christmas memories, unbury their beliefs in wishes and tell us what wishes they hope to turn to reality.

I want more love

Linda Ndalira, 27, Makeup Artist, Bungoma

"Where do I long to be on Christmas day? It has to be at home. For as long as I can remember, we have practiced this tradition during Christmas. We are three siblings and this is the time of the year that we all gather at our parents' home. We cook a variety of meals (Chicken is not debatable) party and gift one another. My parents and one of my sisters are big at gifting and this is a trait I am picking from them. Because I was mostly in Nairobi during past years and I had to travel to our Kimilili home for Christmas, I would start saving for it at least three months' prior- fare, gifts for my son, and some shopping.

My most memorable Christmas is in 2015. I was a new mum and this was my son's first Christmas. He was just a month old but I can still remember the joy and happy moments he evoked in us. Sadly, my grandfather died on that day.

This year's Christmas is just a few days away and as it draws near, I note how different it will be. First, I will not be spending it with my two sisters as we have always done partly because of the pandemic. This means that it will just be my parents, my son, and me.

However, I still look forward to the merry-making day because a lot has happened to me this year. When the year began, my business was doing well. I am a makeup artist and I was selling beauty products. This is one area that I was hoping to grow and diversify. Financially; I was in a good place. However, I was suffocating emotionally. I was stuck in a relationship that was draining me.

Since the pandemic happened, I have experienced a string of losses. First, my contract with a local corporation as a makeup artist was terminated due to the downward plunge in business income. When that happened, I was panicky because work was an escape for me from all that I was going through with my ex-partner.

Being at home, I was forced to face whatever I had been running away from for the past couple of years. I ended the relationship and went back to my parent's place in Kimilili, Bungoma County. The fact that I am home, means that I won't have to stress much on finances because my parents are taking charge.

And because this is the season of wishes, I make them every year. These asks change as my priorities change. One time I wished for money, another time I wanted a job which was granted in form of a business. This year, all that I wish for is more love and abundance for me and my loved ones."

It's odd to celebrate

Doreen Ochelle, 36, Teacher, Nairobi

"I travel a lot during the Christmas period. Sometimes, as a family—my husband, children and me— will go to a new town and spend our time there or visit our relatives in the village. My village is in Koguta village- Homabay County.

I have fond memories of the festive period. A time like this in 2017, I was having the best time of my life at Kivu resort in Nakuru. I had a long stay there then proceeded to lake Simbi Nyaima, a crater lake in Homa Bay. It was the legendary story of how an entire village sank for failing to host an elderly woman that makes it unforgettable for me. Thereafter, I watched a boat riding competition on Lake Victoria.

I hold dear this season because I am a Christian and I get a chance to enjoy the remembrance of the birth of Jesus Christ. I have fond memories of how I grew up getting new clothes during the season. I still practice the tradition-  I buy new clothes for my children, prepare special meals, and decorate our home. Giving back to the needy and visiting children's homes is also a culture that I have embraced over the years.

In preparation for Christmas, I start saving through a "Chama" at the beginning of the year. However, this year, I had only saved a little when our lives got upended by the Covid-19 pandemic. I am a teacher in a private school in Nairobi and this has been the worst year since I started teaching more than a decade ago. For the first time, I have planned for all my classes and didn't get to a classroom to teach. I stayed home for more than six months and during this period, I did not get a salary.

This was my assured source of direct income and I had not planned for the eventuality. On the side, I also run a small shop selling shoes and it also was hit by the pandemic.

Also, I have become a bit sluggish after being forced to stay home the entire day.

Later in the year, the school started offering e-learning lessons and I would get a little amount of money as an appreciation from some of the parents. But this was not sufficient so I turned to kitchen gardening hoping to cut costs on vegetables, which has worked very well for us. With the government's directive that some students resume classes, we have gone back to the payroll and I am happy that I will be able to cover some work for the second term. Also, I started a programme for the girls- daughter's talk and I have been holding virtual talks with them on matters of teenage pregnancy, mentorship, and life in general.

You can say that I am not psyched up about this Christmas season because of financial constraints and the fact that we have to observe social distancing and wear masks. I will spend it indoors with my family."

Peace is all I want

Njoki Kibe, 29, HR Professional

"This time of the year brings with it a flood of poignant memories. There are many recollections from my childhood – some sad, others sweet.

Growing up, the best way we would celebrate the season was by visiting relatives that we had not seen in a while. I remember my mother asking, "You don't remember this one?" and there were many of those. I come from Kagundu-ini village in Murang'a County and my cousins and I would share our various school experiences.

What I loved most though is the fact that we travelled from our home and along the way we enjoyed nature and the landscapes. My first visit to Lake Olbolosat was on one of those visits to Nyahururu and I got to appreciate the diversity of our land.

On Christmas day, my maternal grandfather would host all his children and grandchildren and slaughter goats or a cow to celebrate the festive season. Getting new outfits to wear on Christmas day was an exciting tradition. My mother would bring us to a particular Indian shop in town to pick whatever we wanted s.

To date, no matter where I am, I still attend the Christmas Catholic mass. I loved the 12 days to Christmas prayers when I was younger.

When I started working, I would set aside some money to spend during the season and give some to villagers who always ask for "chai".

This year things have changed. The Covid-19 pandemic has hit me differently and Christmas may be just another holiday. I lost my HR job in a construction firm because of the pandemic. I had to survive many months with no income.

Luckily, I recently got another job. Still, this holiday, my pockets are dry and travelling has become very expensive. But it is not entirely about money but also the fear of getting infected or infecting other people.

I plan to stay at home and reflect on my future. Can I share my secret wish this season? I want peace."

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