Born and raised in a family of seven, Enock Luyonza didn’t feel comfortable speaking in public, even when he knew he had something to share that could be of value to those around him. On several occasions, strangers laughed and mocked him, a thing he says contributed to deflating his esteem.
He was born with a cleft palate, a condition that made feeding during his childhood unpleasant. Swallowing food was complex, because everything he swallowed had two passage ways; the gullet and his nostrils.
The condition was later corrected through surgery in a UK hospital, something he says was miraculous.
When he was younger, he would find solace and acceptance from members of his family and friends whom he says were ‘loving beyond measure’.
His obstacles pressed him to write his first book titled "Beyond Walls”, a book that is about breaking out of the jail of restraint. This book was launched on Sunday, March 24, at Kigali Public Library.
Although he yearned to write, Luyonza didn’t know what it would take to do so. Many limiting voices would flood his mind, painting pictures of failure and rejection from people.
From time to time, the voices in his head forged a false reality where quitting his writing dream was an option.
Breaking free
"You ought to surround yourself with people who see treasure hidden deep inside you. One evening after a fellowship, I was strolling home with two of my colleagues, and they began challenging me to write a book, saying that I was very intelligent.
"That very night, my desire to write was rekindled,” he says. "I didn’t know there was more to life than what I allowed myself to believe.”
Writing this book helped Luyonza break away from the tiny life he had decided to accept. Within those boundaries, he had been condemned to low self-esteem and isolation.
The combination of speech impediment and body defect created harder walls to break through during his teenage years.
"I missed opportunities to do what I had always wanted to do. I even postponed getting into a relationship with the girl of my dreams because I harboured a toxic belief that no girl would ever want to date me,” he explains.
Luyonza believes that his book will impact and add value to at least one person. "Someone out there could be going through the same, or a lot worse, and is afraid to live, but the possibility lies on the other side of the walls that confine us.”
Luyonza recalls one of the toughest times while writing the book. His laptop got stolen into the fourth chapter. This is when he learned the value of backing up his work. This unexpected act almost drove him into depression, but he had to pick himself up and start afresh.
Writing this book, he says, was also a way to inspire a generation he will never see. He strongly believes that to live for generations, one must document personal encounters and convictions. He trusts this book is going to open doors for other books.
Luyonza says that if you want to write, let it not be for money or fame. Write something that adds value to other people’s lives.
He says that his aim was not to make a name for himself, rather, to help people who are completely dissatisfied with their lives.
"Everyone should have the zeal to read in order to stay informed and relevant. As someone said, we can’t keep saying "ibaze” (imagine) during every conversation or argument.
He says his mentor used to tell him, "If you want to be like the person you admire, do what that person does.”
Luyonza holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics. He is also a blogger and teacher. He is passionate about reading, writing, communication, videography, and photography. He works with Cornerstone Development, an organisation whose mandate is in youth leadership development in the region.