I Am From

Roots

I am from pastoralists, farmers, and business people.

I am from mursik, honey, and roasted meat,

from the rich traditions of the Kalenjin people.

Elgeyo Marakwet

I am from Elgeyo Marakwet,

the county of breathtaking escarpments and valleys,

the heart of the Great Rift Valley,

the home of champions.

Family

I am from Francis Bett Arap Kurui,

my loving father,

and Jane Jepchumba Yego,

my caring and steadfast mother.

Home

I am from the hills and valleys of Elgeyo Marakwet,

yet I was raised in the fertile lands of Uasin Gishu,

the place I proudly call home.

Faith

I am from a Christian family,

where faith was not merely spoken,

but lived through values of honesty, humility, and service.

Name

I am Titus Kipkorir Bett.

I am Kipkorir,

named because I arrived before the dawn,

while the stars still watched over the earth.

I am Bett,

a name inherited from my father,

a reminder of the generations before me.

Kalenjin Memory

I am from the Kalenjin community,

whose roots stretch across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

I am from stories passed down through generations,

from ancient Egypt to Sudan,

from South Sudan to Mount Elgon,

before spreading across the lands we now call home.

Endurance

I am from a people of endurance and resilience.

I am from athletes and dreamers,

from a community known to the world

for producing long-distance champions.

Fields

I am from fertile fields and open skies,

where I watched the land being tilled

and golden wheat harvested by mighty machines.

I am from a farming family,

where hard work was a daily lesson,

and responsibility was learned through action.

Community

I am from strong community values,

where neighbours stood together

and cooperation built stronger families.

Schools

I am from Kapsabet High School,

where discipline and determination were nurtured.

I am from Egerton University,

where knowledge opened doors

to new opportunities and possibilities.

Teachers

I am from teachers who believed in me,

whose encouragement taught me

to believe in my own abilities.

Earth

I am from lessons learned through droughts,

changing seasons, and scarce resources.

I am from a growing awareness

that the earth must be protected

for future generations.

I am from environmental stewardship,

where conservation is not a choice,

but a responsibility.

Adaptability

I am from courage and adaptability,

from the journey of moving from rural life

to the diverse experiences of university life.

I am from perseverance,

learning that success comes through patience,

hard work, and the willingness to embrace change.

Vision

I am from a vision of community development,

where education empowers people

to transform their lives.

I am from a belief that learning never ends,

that every day brings an opportunity

to grow in wisdom and understanding.

Sustainable Communities

I am from a dream of sustainable communities,

where people care for one another

and protect the natural world around them.

I am from challenges that became lessons,

and lessons that became strength.