| How did a young boy who walked from his tribal | | | | and water, when he had no money and when he |
| village of Tumbuka in Nyasaland (now Malawi) to | | | | was struck by fever and he became gravely ill, |
| Khartoum, Sudan, a distance of 3,200 kilometres, | | | | Legson was holding on to his motor. |
| seeking opportunities for further education become a | | | | I like to announce to you, Legson Kayira carrying his |
| professor of political science at Cambridge University | | | | two most treasured books - The Bible and The |
| in England and a widely respected author? | | | | Pilgrim's Progress arrived at Skagit Valley College in |
| Yes! Professor Legson Kayira completed a perilous | | | | America on December 1960 after more than two |
| 3,000-mile, two-year journey on foot with absolutely | | | | years his journey began. |
| no money or resources except for a five-day supply | | | | Today, Legson Kayira has become a professor of |
| of food, a Bible and The Pilgrim's Progress (his two | | | | political science at Cambridge University in England and |
| most treasures), a blanket and a small axe for | | | | he is a widely respected author. His first book was |
| protection when he left his tribal village of Tumbuka | | | | the autobiographical I Will Try (1965), and he has |
| in Nyasaland in October 1958. The truth is, because | | | | written four novels: The Looming Shadow (1968), |
| his parents were illiterate, they were not even sure | | | | Jingala (1969), The Civil Servant (1971), and The |
| the exact date that he left, but he should be sixteen | | | | Detainee (1974). I like to ask this question: what was |
| or seventeen years old when he left for Cairo on | | | | his success secret? |
| foot in a bid to board a ship to America to get a | | | | Success is not a destination but an adventure; which |
| college education. | | | | is accessible to all who dare to venture. So, you can |
| Legson like many others in the village of Tumbuka | | | | break every single limitations standing before you and |
| believed that studying was a waste of time for a | | | | your future. When you dare to venture, no limitations |
| poor boy. So, he sometimes used his poverty as an | | | | can contend it. |
| excuse for not doing his best at school or for not | | | | IT IS A CHOICE |
| accomplishing something with his life. Then on day he | | | | The journey to your success is an individual's choice |
| read in the books provided by missionaries about | | | | or will. Hear me, |
| Abraham Lincoln and Booker T. Washington. | | | | "Success doesn't just 'happen' you set it in motion". - |
| As such, Legson wanted to be like his hero, Abraham | | | | Dr Mike Muddock |
| Lincoln, who had risen from poverty to become an | | | | It is your choice that is the compass that point to |
| American president and fought tirelessly to abolish | | | | your destination. It is your will that provokes the |
| slaves trade, thereby helped free the slaves. Yes! | | | | strength in you to do what you could not have done. |
| Legson wanted to be like his hero, Booker T. | | | | For instance, there is a story of a pregnant woman; |
| Washington, who was brought as a slave to America | | | | who being chased by a mad dog jumped over a |
| and had cast off the shackles of slavery to become | | | | seven feet wall! The will to live infused a strange |
| a great American reformer and educator. | | | | strength into her. Therefore, your choice to succeed |
| Therefore, being inspired by their stories, Legson like | | | | is what generates in you the force to succeed. |
| these great role models, wanted to serve mankind | | | | Likewise, the will to succeed drives you to break |
| and to make a difference in the world. Hence, he | | | | limitations in life. |
| realized that he needed an education to be able to | | | | Occasionally, tears are allowed in your eyes but don't |
| see the fulfilment of his dream. And America was the | | | | allow it to tear you down. Once your choice to make |
| best place for him to get this education. This was | | | | it is in place, your enviable destiny is secure. Friends! |
| how Legson conceived the idea for his walk to Cairo | | | | All you need is to break your limitations into |
| where he would board a ship to America. | | | | greatness by the power of the will. |
| As he engaged in his perilous journey, most times he | | | | Again, may I let you know? There is no such thing as |
| walked alone and at other times he walked with | | | | a born-made person. Success is not a gift; it is a |
| strangers. Oh! Many nights he slept under the stars. | | | | choice. Friends! You can't choose to succeed and lack |
| But at other times, he found work and shelter. | | | | the drive. The drive is inherent in the choice you |
| Legson had this motor - " I will not stop until I reach | | | | make. It is this drive that will break every single |
| America or until I die trying to reach my destination". | | | | limitations contending with your success. Do not just |
| Even when he became thin and weak due to feeding | | | | wish to succeed. For a wish is an idle thought to |
| on wild fruits, berries and other edible plants, he | | | | which no commitment is attached? It is a mere |
| never gave up his dream. When he ran out of food | | | | daydreaming. |