Running With Lions

In *Running with Lions*, thoracic surgeon and author Dr. Pius Kamau shares a powerful memoir detailing his early childhood growing up in colonial Kenya and continuing through his late 20s, when he became a physician. As a child, life was difficult for Africans in Kenya because the country was under British colonial rule. While their treatment by the government wasn't as extreme as the Nazis' persecution of Jews, they did face similar struggles, especially during the Mau Mau conflict. Additionally, it was challenging for Africans to attain an education during this time because the colonialists didn't think they needed any schooling. According to Dr. Kamau, "We didn't really count. We didn't need to be educated. That's how the European, colonialists, regarded us. They don't need to know anything." Although he was able to attend a school in Mombasa where his father lived, the education there was still quite minimal. Despite these significant hardships, Dr. Kamau grew to love reading and writing, which led him to pursue his career in medicine. He also credits his father for teaching him the importance of education. "My father taught me... education is the motivator of all that we do in life. You are not going to get anywhere if you don't have an education. My father made sure that was hammered into my brain."

Throughout his journey to success, Dr. Kamau learned many things, but he found one lesson to be the most valuable - the importance of humanity. He remarked, "The most important thing in life is to be a good human being, to be a good, charitable human being, and to do what is right. It's imperative that we do what is right and to be truthful and be honest and to be kind. Do unto others what they will do to you. That's a Christian lesson that I think we should never, ever, ever forget, whatever religion we are, whether we are Buddhists, whether we are Hindus... Also, be nice and be kind to strangers. Be a good samaritan." Luckily for Dr. Kamau, he came across several people early in his life who showed him this same kindness. "I have survived because of so many people who lent me a hand and if there's one thing I'm saying in this book is that the good surpass the bad. Kindness surpass the unkindness. Charity has been what has helped me across the ocean of struggle and pain, so I'm very grateful for the life I have lived despite all the pains."