WHEN YOU SET IT ABLAZE, YOUR FUTURE GOES UP IN FLAMES AS WELL.

Can we begin to understand
That it takes ages to build the most precious things
Schools, like love and trust
But a second for them to crumble down.

Can we begin to understand
That it takes blood, sweat and tears
Education, like a mother’s love
To nurture children with wisdom and love and understanding.

Can we begin to understand
When chaos and destruction takes its toll
When peace is interrupted in places its expected and needed most
A problem was being contained but has now exploded out of its seams.

Can we begin to understand
That yes bendera hufuata upepo
Burning one after the other
But it might get us nowhere if we have no schools.

Can we begin to understand
That if former generations destroyed institutions
Like we are now
We never would have gotten a chance to experience what learning in a classroom feels like.

Can we begin to understand
That if this will be our routine
Students not listening while teachers retaliate
Under a tree, in a cave, under the blazing Sun and in the rain we surely shall return.

Can we begin to understand
That the life we currently are living
Like the one our ancestors lived
We have borrowed it from the future generations.

So then what?
Now that you burnt that dormitory
Now that you ran around shouting and destroying everything

So then what?
Now that you turned your listening ear from them
Now that you turned away and did not see what was eating them up, what they had up their sleeves

You will win with your atrocities of fire
But not for long
It will go into history
Newspapers will claim your works, but never with glory.

You will win with your ignorance and superiority
But not for long
It will go into history
Newspapers will claim your works, but never with glory.

Never did they say keep the fire burning for you to set your institution ablaze but for you to carry the torch of the great virtues of hard work, determination, patience, excellence and gracefully pass it to the next generation.