FFF: Kelvin Pella!

February 19, 2015
Blog Post
9Comments
airline, blog, blog buddy, career, FFF, Future

Iam particularly excited and proud to bring you the unique perspective of Kelvin Pella.

A native and resident of the economically-challenged country of Tanzania, Kelvin faces daunting barriers in pursuing his dream of becoming an airline pilot. Indeed, he has yet to fly Hour 1 . . .

And, that is exactly why I chose him to write on this subject.

Seemingly unfazed by these hardships, Kelvin’s determination to reach for the sky has inspired not only myself, but other blog buddies around the world. Kelvin is a natural born leader, and kids seem to flock to him. Daily, he must walk miles to go to school, or to an internet cafe in order to access a computer. Kelvin truly touched my heart when he sent me a 2-page, hand-written letter explaining how much I had changed his life.

I have absolutely no doubt that Kelvin will one day join the ranks of our world’s airline pilots.

Ladies and gentlemen, from the flight blog, I give you this week’s Fledgeling Flyer, Cap’n Kelvin Pella.

Cap’n Kelvin, you have the controls!

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PERSEVERANCE

by

Kelvin Pella

To achieve Success, let your passion be your profession.Kelvin

Living in Africa, especially in developing countries like Tanzania, has many challenges—especially for those who dream of aviation. I have faced many of these challenges and obstacles, and have come to realize that, to be serious about my passion, I must develop perseverance to achieve my dream.

I was raised in Sumbawanga in Tanzania, East Africa. I am the second born in a family of four children. Just like all Tanzanian parents, mine wanted me to become a doctor. When I was in 3rd grade, however, I moved to live with my uncle in Mbeya, another Tanzanian Province, and this was when I came to realize my dream. My uncle lived near a local airport, where planes flew above our house. Every time they flew, I looked to the sky. Day by day, my love for aeroplanes increased, until I decided that I wanted to become a pilot. Since then, I would always draw aeroplanes pictures and make models.

I have been sincere to that dream to this day.

I believe that, “To achieve Success, do what you enjoy” and “Let your passion be your profession.” Being a doctor is not my passion, nor is it what I would enjoy. So, when my parents asked me what I wanted to be, my response was, “I want to be a pilot.” They thought maybe that airport influenced me (they were right,) and that I’d change my dream when I moved to another place with no airport (they were wrong.)

I believe my creation had a purpose, and that is Aviation.

There is only one reason that parents like mine want their children to become doctors: employment opportunities. But, I ask myself, “Should I become a doctor for treating people, or for ‘Substantial Salaries’?” No, That is a sin. Doctors who are after money, they are not good doctors. A good doctor works by heart. I believe, “My creation had a purpose, and that is Aviation.”

I spent a very long time trying to explain to my parents about my dream, until they finally understood and wished me luck. So, I got their blessings and continued with the subjects of my choice in high school. They have been supportive to me until this time. Persevere.

Air Tanzania http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Tanzania

In this technologically evolving world, pilots will be in high demand.

Another obstacle: Tanzania owns only one airline, Air Tanzania. There are few airports in the country, and, with the current state of Tanzanian affairs, aviation is simply not in demand. But, as my best friend Enock says, time heals everything. In this technologically evolving world, I believe that, in the future, pilots and engineers will be in high demand. So, despite the current situation, I am not worried about employment.

Kelvin and niece Gloria, wearing their bonafide Cap’n Aux shirts!!

My immediate challenge right now is to get into an aeronautical University. But, for the Tanzanian, this is another daunting challenge. To this end, the government has no support at all—no scholarships, no grants, not even a single Aeronautical university within the country. The only way is to study abroad. Therefore, if you are determined, you must spend a lot of time researching where to apply. This is a very complicated and difficult process, as few Tanzanians own computers. In the three years I have spent going to internet cafes, searching for schools, grants and scholarships, I have never won a single one, until I almost gave up on my dream.

“Some friends are never encouraging. So, I instead spend time with those who are.”

Another problem is that some friends are never encouraging. So, I instead spend time with those who are. It helps me move one step ahead every day. Since I was negatively pressured by many people regarding my dream, I decided to join social networks to talk with aviators and aerospace engineering students (the degree I desire) for guidance. While I again had some negative experiences, most have been amazingly supportive.

I joined joined Facebook and began to reach out. I have to admit, it has helped me a lot. The first person to contact on Facebook was Eric Auxier, aka Cap’n Aux. He is the one who changed my life. I started having a feeling that I was really meant for aviation, and he has encouraged me to pursue my dream in many ways. He sent me his books, The Last Bush Pilots and There I Wuz. I thought I was dreaming. I told him he was more than a friend, he was my parent who lives in the US. Further, his Flight Attendant girlfriend, Bunny, has been very supportive as well. I really appreciate their help.

In short, I have been networking with many supportive people, from both fields. Without them, I would not be dreaming of aviation any more. To all of them, I would like to say: I really appreciate your help and guidance.

I graduate high school soon. I am applying to Embry Riddle, because it is my dream university. I know I am going to get accepted. But I have yet to work out the problem of costs . . .

Nevertheless, I have faith that I will persevere.

Why?

Because that is what God has put on my heart.

—Kelvin Pella

United Republic Of Tanzania

Kelvin reads to his nephews from a certain favorite book of his!

Thank you Kelvin, for a fascinating look into your life and your dream! I have faith in you as well, and believe you will achieve it! Kelvin has many daunting obstacles in front of his career, as do all future pilots. But his winning attitude and—Yes, Perseverance, will be what takes him places. Again, that is why I chose him to speak to you today, during our Fledgling Flyer February, to inspire you to greatness. Dreaming of a career—perhaps in the cockpit—but feel there are just too many barriers to reach so high? Think again!

The only true barrier is the one between your ears.

Kelvin would like to thank the following people for helping Kelvin to follow his dream: Eric Auxier , Mary Ann Laverty , Altaf Daya, Praise Mapunda, Jessica Johnson, Adriana Emelia Osegueda, Florian Ntulo, Tom Pella , Swayne Martin, Neema Komba, Sophie Lafayette , Lucy Pius, Pedro Silhy , Jill Meridith, Karlene Petitt, John Keith, and all the others—You know who you are!

If you are interested in helping Kelvin achieve his dream, please contact me at: capnaux@gmail.com.

Follow Kelvin on Twitter at @darkydusko

—Eric “Cap’n Aux” Auxier

…In closing, here’s a cute video Kelvin made with his friends, having fun catching some local critters!

— — — —

Related Cap’n Aux & Other Links

FFF: Swayne Martin http://capnaux.com/fff-swayne-martin/
FFF: Karim Elsammak http://capnaux.com/fff-karim-elsammak/
It’s All About You! Kelvin’s Story http://capnaux.com/its-all-about-you/
Giving Thanks to Aviation (More Kelvin!) http://capnaux.com/giving-thanks-to-the-aviation-community/
Cap’n Aux Interviews Swayne Martin http://capnaux.com/capn-aux-interviews-swayne-martin-future-airline-pilot/
A Few of my Fa-vorite Bloggers http://capnaux.com/my-favorite-aviation-bloggers/
Best of Cap’n Aux 2014 http://capnaux.com/top-10-best-of-capn-aux-2014/
The Airline Cockpit in 7 “Simple” Steps http://capnaux.com/the-airline-cockpit-in-7-simple-steps/
Is the Pilot Shortage Really Looming? http://capnaux.com/bif-is-the-pilot-shortage-really-looming/
Tanzania Wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanzania