2024 is coming to an end. A lot has happened, both desirable and unbearable, and I believe me and you have come this far not just to come this far. As the year was unfolding, it gave me rollercoaster feelings goods and bads both happened, but most importantly, the good ones as they came along with the purpose to go on.
This year alone was my one year anniversary since the completion of my undergraduate studies. Professionally, I'm still building the way toward goals I have set for myself, but it has been the long way of fighting for excellence at work and in everything I do. My sincere gratitude to all the people who I have worked with. It is sometimes it is not easy to deal with hotheads like me, so kindly receive big THANKS.
On the other side, there is my family, which to me is not only my Mum and siblings but also close people with whom I live with the same affection that my family got from me. Here the list is not long, but they do deserve these end-of-year gratitude notes. 2024 has clearly been the year of endurance, with love and care at the core of my doings and beliefs.
Those who were able to see 3 or 4 articles I published this year will understand my passion for development and social justice. Having everyone treated with dignity and the same value as other people regardless of who they are or their beliefs is one thing I will continue to look forward to for the remaining part of my life. At first, I was questioning my own attitude toward social justice and development, like, do I really need this here at home, Tanzania, or is it just because I see it on some literature and TV programs? No, it is the thing that I am deeply connected with, and seeing any form of injustice due to the system's oppression can keep me up all night trying to think why on earth would that happen and create imaginations of how things are supposed to be.
My review of this year’s assessment of Tanzania's social justice status is 4/10. Yes, the fighting of injustice here at home is kind of hard due to a series of contributing factors, including a lack of education and outdated colonial-era laws that give little consideration to the needs of a modern, fast-paced world. Needless to say, this year has been appalling to me given the status of social justice.
Well! I have expressed my gratitude in the above paragraphs, but I want to say thank you again to anyone who believed in me and made a difference in my life: my family, friends, workmates, and anyone who appreciates what I'm doing, and I'm unaware of that. THANK YOU SO SO MUCH.
I hope 2025 will be not a mere year but one with progress for everyone, a grateful, purposeful, and courageous one for you and me to achieve unthinkable for ourselves, our family, at work, and for the community.
I pray and remain optimistic that Tanzania will progress in the right direction socially, politically, and economically to be Tanzania for every Tanzanian. I pray for the country to hold a democratic and peaceful election in late 2025.
There is a prayer I learned recently “May God grant me the serenity to accept the things I can’t change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” It is short but meaningful, isn’t it? You can use it too.
To me, this is the most wonderful time of the year, so I wish you and your loved ones a blissful holiday season. May you stay safe and achieve whatever the goals you have planned for yourself in 2025.