We Forget Things If We Have No One To Tell Them To

by Joyce Wachau Chege

Yes, I am a journalist by profession. No, I am not affiliated with any popular TV or radio station and yes, I can feel that your perspective about me is already changing.

I remember having a talk with my fellow Correspondent and good friend, Evans Ijakaa at their workplace café. We talked of how the Communication sector is morphing and the need to grow with that change, so that you are well positioned. “As communication specialists, we are in the middle of every field. We are needed to be able to break complex concepts to people, in a manner that they understand,” said Evans.

As I sat across from him, my plate full of food on one side and a glass of juice on the other, a meal he had graciously treated me to, students streaming in and out of the cafeteria and in between him sipping his drink and going ahead to give me tips of how to expand my job-hunting ways, I explained my journalistic journey to him. More often than not, we forget things if we have no one to tell them to and I normally take the opportunity to narrate my story to anyone who cares to listen.

My story somehow starts when I could not pursue Print as a unit because there was no quorum. I remember walking into the Communications offices at my university to beg and persuade them to let me continue with the unit, because I was so sure that Print journalism was the path I wanted to walk on. This was futile and I also remember very well, how much I cried that day.

Fast forward to 2019 luckily, during my attachment, I found myself in a room surrounded by writers and editors. This was a chance I had been waiting for all my life. An opportunity had presented itself and by all means, I grabbed it and gained all the human experience I could manage. I went out of my own way to do my very first story and brought it back to my editor. The journey ever since has been nothing short of amazing, learning every day. I have embraced trainings and mentorships, to be able to keep up with the journalistic world.

Freelance journalism comes with its share of problems. Steering away from stereotypes is one of the major issues that we have to deal with. I have had potential sources cancel on me and disappear because they believe that if their stories are not being put out there on major TV’s, major local newspapers and radios, then it is not worth it.

Being a freelancer also means going back into your own pockets to fund your activities. The travelling, accommodation, food and bills to pay at the end of the day, weigh heavily on you. Financial instability is such a huge headache because you lack a consistent stream of income.

In terms of security, it means you are exposed in the field because you do not have a newsroom backing you up, no one to look after you, hence the need to highly prioritize yourself in all aspects. If anything happens to you out there, you are on your own.

You will need to invest in your own equipment, like a good phone, camera, laptop all to help ease your editing and the story telling process unlike newsrooms where journalists are provided with all these. You are literally, a one man show.

Despite all these being hurdles I personally experience; I can tell you without any doubt that hard work does pay off. You continue to learn and unlearn. I find it very fulfilling whenever I see my name on that by line. I love passing by newspaper stands and seeing people gathered around, discussing the recent affairs going on both locally and internationally. It makes me feel so proud that the culture is still being carried on. I love when I can purchase a hardcopy newspaper and go through it, the smell and feel of it in my hands is unmatched.

I love when my editor, Clare Keizer will revert with such positive feedback on my articles and how it warms my heart. I love writing down in a book before typing it out because I love how my handwriting looks. I love how stressed I get at times, staring at my screen, the cursor just pulsating with urgency, waiting for me to write something. I love when people I haven’t talked to in so long reach out to congratulate and let me know that they saw my piece published somewhere. I love when people believe in me so much and go ahead to recommend me to amazing opportunities because they were impressed with the type of work I am putting out there.

I know the stories I want to tell and how to do them in the most singular way, do them justice and put them out there. I am learning to move with audacity every day because I have to show up and do my very best otherwise how do I expect to make it? I have learnt to pitch my works to anyone who listens after all, a closed mouth does not get fed.