Former Kenyan basketballer Annastacia Njeri Mburu opened up on how a career-ending injury eventually led her to become a frontline Covid-19 healthcare worker in the United States.
Annastacia was once taunted as the future of basketball in the country, owing to her fast-rising career and her prowess in the sport.
Life was not plain sailing for Annastacia as she underwent numerous hardships while growing up in Mathare slums, Nairobi.
"I remember one time in high school I had to stay home for one and a half months because my dad could not afford to pay for my tuition and that was devastating.
"There were so many challenges in the ghetto but every time I would just go out there and be in a basketball court, hold on to that orange ball play and forget about everything that I would go through in the ghetto, that was my safe place," said the former basketballer.
Annastacia's skills in basketball were horned at St. Teresa Girls High School Nairobi and while still in college, she joined Kenya Basketball League side, Mennonites.
Her star continued to rise as she moved to Eagle Wings before joining Uganda Christian University side under a basketball scholarship.
She was instrumental in that she was part of the squad that earned the team its first championship back in 2010.
Her hard work on the court did not go unnoticed as she landed a scholarship to Cowley County Community College in Arkansas, US.
"If life gives you a lemon make lemonade out of it. If life gives you oranges makes an orangeade. Life will never be a bed of roses, you just have to go out there and make the best out of it," said Annastacia.
Her career, however, came to a tragic end after her shine was dimmed by a fatal injury that pushed her into a new career path, nursing and now she is at the frontline battling the virus.
Annastacia urged people to nature their talent and also called on parents to encourage their kids to take their talents seriously.
"It does not matter if you have a talent in singing, it does not matter if you have a talent in boxing, use your talent, your talent will help you a lot.
"I would urge all the parents in the ghetto I know you struggle so hard to raise your kids and we give you credit where it belongs we appreciate you parents but if your kids have a talent, I would urge you to support their talent, you never know," said the basketball star.
Annastacia hopes that as she continues to work in the frontline of the pandemic it can soon end so that normalcy is resumed.
