Being left-handed in a world dominated by right-handed individuals can present unique challenges, as Joshua Kitonga, a 36-year-old teacher from Kenya, knows all too well.
Throughout his life, he has encountered prejudice and misconceptions due to his left-handedness.
Here is his inspiring story as told by WoK.
Cultural Challenges
Kitonga’s encounter with the challenges of being left-handed intensified when he was posted to a region in North Eastern Kenya, predominantly inhabited by members of the Islamic faith.
In Islamic customs, using the left hand for eating or greeting is highly discouraged.
On his first day at a Mandera primary school in 2016, Kitonga faced accusations of engaging in a taboo by eating and greeting people with his left hand.
The other teachers, following cultural norms, ate with their right hands, leaving Kitonga feeling isolated and judged.
Acceptance and Awareness
Fortunately, the school’s head-teacher recognized the issue and took steps to assist Kitonga in integrating with the rest of the staff.
By raising awareness about left-handedness, the head-teacher educated the teachers about the natural inclination of some individuals to favor their left hand.
To make Kitonga feel more comfortable, he arranged for the English teacher to have a separate plate during lunchtime.
“Being a largely Muslim-dominated society, teachers at the school would gather at the staff room during lunch hours and eat from one large tray. All the teachers ate using their right hands, except me. Consequently, they’d look at me condescendingly, while asking why I was engaging in ‘taboo’,” said Kitonga.
Although there were initial laughs and inquiries about how Kitonga managed daily activities such as using the washroom, the teachers eventually came to accept him, thanks to the efforts of the head-teacher.
After spending two months at the Mandera school, Kitonga decided to transfer to a different institution.
At the new school, it was the students who expressed surprise and curiosity about his left-handedness, rather than the teachers.
Kitonga went on to teach at this school for three years before transitioning from teaching to Christian ministry.
Personal and Family Experience:
Kitonga’s experience with left-handedness is not unique within his family.
With a mother who is left-handed and a father who is right-handed, Kitonga grew up in a household where the differences in handedness were embraced.
Among his siblings, his sisters predominantly use their right hands, while his brothers favor their left hands.
“Among the children, all my sisters use their right hands in daily activities, while my brothers use their left hands. With the pinpoint balance, it was easy growing up,” added Kitonga, who is now a preacher at the Jesus Celebration Centre in Matuu Town, Machakos County.
This balanced upbringing allowed Joshua Kitonga to appreciate the diversity of handedness and understand that it is a natural aspect of human variation.
