If a child grows up to be kind, healthy, responsible, self-sufficient, and decent—but not wealthy—has the sacrifice failed? Most people would instinctively say no. Yet many families behave as though the answer is yes. Not openly, of course. No parent sits their child down and says, "I didn't raise you to be happy. I raised you to be rich." But expectations have a way of revealing themselves. In comparisons with more successful relatives. In questions about promotions, land, and home ownership. In the disappointment that hangs in the air when a child is doing well enough to survive but not well enough to transform the family's fortunes. And perhaps nowhere is this tension more visible than in Kenya, where sacrifice is often treated as the highest form of love. Parents sacrifice for their children. Older siblings sacrifice for younger siblings. Entire generations sacrifice in the hope that the next one will live better. But what happens when sacrifice quietly becomes an...
The other day, I was at Quickmart doing some regular shopping. On the wall, a large poster caught my attention: “Shop & Win. Grand Prize: A Car.” The rules were simple — spend at least 3,000 shillings, and you automatically entered the draw. Almost at the same time, Cadbury was running its own promotion. Buy two of their products, and you stood a chance to win prizes. Now here’s the truth: I don’t even like chocolate, and I rarely buy drinking chocolate. But I found myself at the counter with two Cadbury items in hand. I also spent more than I had planned in Quickmart just to qualify for the draw. All of a sudden, I was no longer shopping for what I needed — I was gambling with my shopping cart. And this is where the realization struck me: nobody is immune. We like to think gambling is only about betting shops, casinos, or shady lottery schemes. But everyday promotions, loyalty cards, and “win big” campaigns are simply socially acceptable versions of the same thing. Promotio...