My name is Robert.
I have always believed that money should be handled with great care because behind every amount there is someone’s sacrifice, someone’s dream, or someone’s emergency.
But one afternoon, I learned that a single mistake can change a person’s life in seconds.
My younger brother was preparing for an important medical procedure. Our family had spent days looking for money to support him. Everyone contributed what they could, and finally, I managed to collect KSh 120,000.
That money was our hope.
It was the money that would help us take the next step.
I remember sitting down with my phone, carefully preparing to send it to the person who was supposed to receive it.
I checked the number.
I entered the amount.
I pressed send.
For a few seconds, everything seemed normal.
Then the confirmation message arrived.
I looked again.
My heart sank.
The number was wrong.
The money had gone to a stranger.
Immediately, I called.
A man answered.
I explained calmly.
“Brother, I have made a mistake. That money was sent to you by accident. Please help me return it.”
I explained why the money was important.
I told him it was meant for my family’s urgent needs.
At first, he sounded like he understood.
He said he would look into it.
I waited.
An hour passed.
Then another.
When I called again, the phone was off.
I sent messages.
I begged him to think about the person behind the money.
I wrote:
“Someone is waiting for this money. Please do the right thing.”
But there was silence.
The situation affected my entire family.
The plans we had made stopped.
The stress became too much.
Every day, I wondered why someone would keep money that they knew did not belong to them.
I reported the matter and followed the available procedures, hoping for a quick solution.
But the waiting was painful.
The anger inside me grew.
I felt like I had lost not only the money, but also my trust in people.
After some time, an elder in my family advised me to seek guidance from Dr. Magongo in Kisumu as part of a traditional consultation and reflection journey.
I visited and shared my story.
I explained the mistake, the unanswered calls, and the frustration I carried.
He listened carefully.
He reminded me that the search for justice should also include protecting my own peace of mind.
He encouraged me to seek restoration while avoiding actions driven by anger.
A symbolic cleansing process was prepared.
A red cloth represented the seriousness of the matter and the emotional pain caused by the loss.
A red thread represented reconnecting what had been separated and seeking a peaceful resolution.
A piece of garlic (kitunguu saumu) represented strength and protection in the cultural symbolism of the ceremony.
A calabash filled with water represented calmness, renewal, and releasing heavy emotions.
During the process, I reflected on how quickly life can change and how important it is to remain focused even during painful moments.
The following day, my phone rang.
I looked at the screen.
It was the same number.
For a moment, I did not know whether to answer.
I picked up.
The man was quiet.
Then he said,
“I want to talk about the money.”
He explained that he had ignored my calls but had started feeling uncomfortable about keeping something that did not belong to him.
He apologized.
He agreed to return the money and discuss how he could make things right.
When the money was finally returned, my family felt relieved.
But the experience left me with a lesson I will never forget.
Money is not just numbers on a phone screen.
Behind every transaction is a person, a family, and sometimes a life-changing situation.
Today, I always double-check every payment before sending.
And whenever I hear about someone receiving money by mistake, I tell them:
“Imagine the person who sent it. It could be their last hope.”
Honesty may seem like a small choice, but it can change someone’s entire story.
