The Strathmore Executive
Reflections on My Leadership Journey While research has shown that to a large extent leaders are made rather than born, I believe I was born a leader. Born in Maar, Twic East County, Jonglei state of South Sudan, growing up was close to impossible. I grew up during a time when there was a lot of insecurity, violence, and chronic poverty. Rural Maar village had a population of fewer than 3,050 people and less than 85 pupils school-
36
ing under trees. The only people I knew who had been to school were my teachers. Many of the girls got pregnant and dropped out of school while the boys resorted to pastoralism and the others were recruited by rebels. I had no role models in terms of academic or career aspirations. These horrible living conditions are what pushed
December 2020 Magazine