“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
Every second, of every minute, of every day counts.
My father (whom I dotingly called Papa) was due to visit me in London in a few weeks. I planned to tell him the double good news: "I got accepted to HBS and we were expecting a baby girl." From time to time, I mulled over how I would deliver the news and I even bought a “Harvard Dad” t-shirt which I knew he would proudly wear. Things took an unexpected turn that February when shortly before Papa’s planned travel, he suffered some sharp stomach pains, which turned out to be late stage colon cancer. I flew out to Uganda as fast as I could, but when I arrived at the hospital I discovered that he passed away only an hour before… Papa was gone within five days of being diagnosed, before I could share the news.
Two things of urgency come to mind now: First, devoting my time to loving my family with my entire being, and second, working to invest in best-in-class African businesses and institutions. I envision an Africa that is known for not only long distance runners and natural resources – but also quality education, infrastructure, and healthcare!
— Jay Katatumba