On behalf of my family, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody who attended the June 11th graduation Party of our daughter, Vivian Atieno, who has just completed Gymansium level of education.
Just like every Kenyan in Sweden will attest, it is a well-established tradition here that when students complete their Gymnasium, it is a big deal and a huge Party has to be thrown to mark and celebrate the occasion in style.
Naturally, it is impossible to organize this type of Party without assistance from good friends. In this connection, we wish to thank the “Vivian Atieno Graduation Party Committee” members who put everything together to make everybody happy. Big thanks to Mrs. Margaret Njihia (Mama Grace), Mrs. Mberi (Mama Kim), Lillian (Sister Nelly), Joyce, Caro (Mama Shawn), Mark Gaya (the MC) and DJ Jimmy who repeatedly pulled the guests on the floor with hot irresistible numbers that satisfied every taste. It was nice to see the young and the old, having it nice on the dance floor, all in celebration of Atieno’s graduation. DJ Jimmy knows his job and he spiced up the disco environment with a marvelous collection of disco lights that were all beamed on the dance floor and the guests seemed to like it.
Many thanks to Man Nicko and Man Joshua who put many hours of work and who provided much of the muscle power to move the heavy pieces of equipment that were all instrumental in driving the Party well into the night .
If you liked the food, the music, the organization, the coordination and anything else, it was because of the above named Committee members who sacrificed hours of prime time to tie up strategies that enabled our family to pull the Party. With more than 120 guests who packed the hall at Spånga Gymnasium to be part of the historic moment, we had to rely on friends, teamwork and ideas of a hard-working Committee that did not leave anything to chance.
We are grateful to Naomi who led the prayers and to the Africa Unitez Crew who rocked the guests with live music. Their special song composed for students who are graduating from school, was an instant hit and I do recommend the youthful group to anybody seeking to spice up a private Party with a unique taste of African entertainment that is difficult to find in Stockholm. Africa Unitez is a vibrant and well coordinated group that always lives up to expectation. Despite cries for more (aka great public demand that Africa Unitez continue), the group had to retire from the floor because the program was tight.
It is during such glorious moments that one really begins to count real friends because you invite the guests and without them, there is no Party! The bad news is that the invitation never reached all friends because of various reasons. The good news is that many of these friends who picked signals about the Party attended it. The lesson here is that a friend is a friend. With or without an invitation, a real friend will just show up, even without calling you to say “I am on the way!” To all friends who missed the invitation but attended the Party, tukopamoja and thank you very much.
“The last men standing”
There are friends who could not attend but called to excuse themselves. Your apologies were accepted in good faith. The Atieno Party did clash with other Kenya student Parties but this was understandable because celebratory parties of this nature can never wait once the graduation is over. Other events were also taking place the same day but still, the family had its crowd and everybody was happy.
I also wish to thank Jasper for having helped with video filming, a job that will forever, enable my family to remember this event and recreate it at will on the screen. Many thanks to: all those who sang and danced for Atieno; the informative speeches that were delivered by various speakers; the numerous pieces of advice that were passed on during the process of celebration and the best wishes relayed to Atieno as she faces her future.
I might not be able to name everybody but a thank you message also goes to the following families and individuals alike: Martin Ngatia, Laban Mberi, Hellen Opwapo, Makan Macharia, Mrs Mukundi, Oyuga Odada, Jackie Omino, Jane, Gideon Asum, Clair, Lars Asker, Gideon Nyakwar Oyundi, Tarus Mbgugua, Jared Aroka, Osore Ondusye, Mama Moni, Munala wa Munala, Clay Onyango, Oti Goga, Peter Gitau, Dolly (Sister Oti), Winnie (Jacinter’s niece), Samson Mande, Jared Odero, Jacinter Njoroge, Ngolia, Christina, Daisy, Catherine, Lenza Odhiambo, Dr. Francis Orata, Barbra, Albert Taabu, John Nyangau, Billy Boy and the G-Ruffs, George, Brayo, Judy, Sera Nielsen, Antony Adiwa, Silas Njuguna, Nancy Osumba, Agnes, Mrs Obanda, Jacob Opande, Turfi Oberana, Hulda Palm, Alice Odhiambo, Tonny Odera, Sheila, Tonny Muraya, Nderitu Ngatia, Rukia and everybody who attended to make this Party a big success. Many thanks to Baba Abdulahi, Mama Marcel, Mama Ranya together with all those nice people I have not named.
Likewise, there is no way of expressing gratitude to friends who attended the “After-Party” at my residence. To all those men and women, boys and girls who scooped the prize of “the last Party animals standing”, thank you very much! It was a nice moment and my family can only wish you the best of luck in what you do and what you plan to do in the future. As for Atieno, a new life has just began.
Okoth Osewe
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