Faith Bigger Than Any One Religion
A Grandmother’s Wisdom About Faith in God, Yourself, Others and the Process
Take the Journey from East Africa to the United States with a Grandmother’s Wisdom Guiding the Way
Shiko’s memoir is an insightful exploration of faith. The book offers the reader a unique perspective, blending the knowledge of an African upbringing with the analytical depth of a Western outlook. The memoir takes readers into the past and details two generations of her Kikuyu-Kenyan family. Shiko reflects on her grandmother’s life and ideals that shaped her approach to education, marriage and family, finance, and work ethic. These aspects enable her to understand that faith is bigger than any one religion. Her grandmother’s faith in God, in oneself, in others, and faith in the process, helps Shiko navigate life wherever she lives. The book challenges historical and stereotypical pretenses, providing a first-hand account of a representative African culture. It also serves as a personal statement of the progressive outlook of a faith-driven contemporary African, living in the Western world (America).
“Shiko Clayton’s book will be preserved as a national documentary heritage record, a remarkable honor, and great achievement to the literary society fraternity. Her masterful storytelling skill captures her exposure and experience with varied cultures and personalities from different regions of the globe.”
-Dr. Charles Nzivo- Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya National Library Service Nairobi, Kenya
Meet the Author
Shiko Clayton was born and raised in Kenya in a family of five. She studied in Kenya, Uganda, and in the United States. She worked in various capacities at the American anti-terrorism base in Djibouti, Africa. Shiko loves reading about writing and writing about reading. She lives in Upstate South Carolina.
“The deposits of wisdom and values that Shiko inherited from her grandmother that are well addressed in her book, became a foundation on which Amboseli Institute values of hard work and upholding integrity were built upon.”
-Hellen Kibe- Director of Operations and Academic Affairs- Amboseli Institute of Hospitality and Technology Thika, Kenya
Kenya Library Project
One of Shiko Clayton’s passions is reading and the love for libraries. Her primary school did not have a library and the only public library in her hometown was not accessible due to its location. Shiko’s vision is to share her passion for reading with children, especially starting at an early age. Her goal is to work with and support the Kenya National Library Service on their ongoing journey in advocating for literacy for children especially in the rural areas. She has been partially successful in attaining her goal of acquiring books to stock the library. Since coming to the United States, Shiko’s initiative in buying books for the cause, led people to donate books including Friends of the Library where she lives. To date, she has collected over 2,000 books which are neatly stacked in boxes in the closets of her residential home awaiting to be transported where they will be of help to children.
“Shiko Clayton’s writing is indeed a trailblazer in what gives meaning to cultural anthropology. I recommend her work because it is edifying and informative. Enjoy the read.”
-Rev. Fr. Bernard Ndichu- Parish Priest and Author, St. Dominic Savio Nairobi, Kenya
