If someone had told me at the beginning of the year that at some point I’d trade my heavy always muddy overalls for tailored official pants and steel-toe boots for peep-toe heels, I would’ve laughed—loudly. Yet here I am, typing this with manicured nails (still getting used to these🤦🏾‍♀️), reflecting on a year that has been 'mine-blowing' - literally! Because this year has been a wild mix of mining challenges in the field, confidence burgeons, navigating massive career transitions, and transitioning from the field ruggedness into corporate office glam.

On Christmas Eve, we were chatting on phone with an amazing friend while I was on a bus headed to my grandparents' home in Busia County, and alongside the traditional 'Merry Christmas' text, he typed, "It's been a year and a half for you!
And you've sailed through all transitions, God is great!" And yoooh! I couldn't agree more because this past year, has been another year of my Lord's faithfulness and love!

The year began with a baptism of fire. My first big assignment, alongside very experienced engineers, was setting up and launching two hydraulic mining units. It felt like assembling a complex jigsaw puzzle underwater— every move had to be precise, but the conditions were constantly shifting. We faced substantial difficulties related to groundwater, which persisted even after commissioning. Yet despite all that, we got the units running, and with them came the confidence that maybe, just maybe, I could handle bigger things.

These groundwater management challenges pushed me to pursue a course on "Groundwater in Mining" from Edumine and sponsored by International Women in Mining (IWiM) after winning a photo competition. By taking this course, I gained valuable skills and knowledge to effectively manage groundwater challenges even in future projects. The process of studying was insightful and directly relevant to my work, enhancing my ability to address and overcome these critical issues.

After weeks of navigating water pipes, pumps, and launders full of slurry, I thought the challenges had abated. But I was wrong! In April, we were promoted to Shift Supervisor Trainee. This wasn’t just a job; it was a crucible of acute waves of imposter syndrome, immense adrenaline rush, and a crash course in people management. Let me tell you maina, leading a mining crew is like being the young captain of a ship in stormy seas—with half the crew wondering if you’re too young to steer, and the other half secretly hoping you don’t accidentally sink the whole ship. Suddenly, I was responsible for a team of seasoned miners who had seen it all, and here I was, fresh off the boat, trying not to trip over my own boots. Scary? Yes. Proper character-development? Absolutely. Nevertheless, somewhere in the midst of all the fear, my manager, superintendent and senior supervisors held my hand, and I learnt how to rally a team, make tough decisions, and most importantly pretend I wasn’t panicking inside🤣🙆🏾‍♀️. Yooh, vitu kwa ground vilikuwa moto.

Just as I was trying to settle into the new role, the company announced its closure. Panic? Oh, it paid a visit often than it was welcome. Anxiety? Practically moved in. But as Pastor John Musyimi writes, “Anxiety is like ambition; it rises naturally as we move along with our lives. However, we need to decide how to steward our hearts wisely in its presence." Therefore, I turned to the Lord in prayer, casting my worries unto Him, and trusting that He who holds the future also holds me.

Fast forward to September, the Lord provided a new job! By November, I was already trading my safety gloves for beautifully manicured nails and figuring out how to wear office pants without looking like an engineer who missed the overalls memo🤣. I definitely miss the bundus sometimes, as a matter of fact, big time! I miss the thrill of solving problems ankle-deep in the mud surrounded by walls of the earth and the casual field banter that required zero finesse. But this new chapter? It’s giving "Corporate chic vibes" where I am learning to talk corporate without accidentally slipping in a bundus word and my attire is as important as my work ethic🤣. But I’m loving the adventure (though my hair still screams “helmet life”)

Looking back, this year has been a cocktail of all sorts of experiences - those that have filled my mouth with laughter, eyes with tears and heart with love and passion. Every decision made, every risk taken, every fear conquered has definitely built resilience and confidence in me. I have done most things afraid, figured out things along the way and in one way or another, the Lord has constantly enabled me to land on my feet.

What will the New Year be? I don't know, but what I know is that it will be what the Lord has ordained. Therefore, as I look to the New Year, I’m reminded of the old hymn:

Whate'er my God ordains is right
His holy will abideth
I will be still whate'er He does
And follow where He guideth
He is my God though dark my road
He holds me that I shall not fall
And so to Him, I leave it all
And so to Him, I leave it all

Whate'er my God ordains is right (yes, it is)
He never will deceive me
He leads me by the proper path
I know He will not leave me
I take, content, what He has sent
His hand can turn my griefs away
And patiently, I wait His day
And patiently, I wait His day

Blessed 2025! May the Lord continue to preserve us in His Truth and Love!