I am a visitor to Dubai. The exquisite infrastructure in roads network, real estate and housing as well as the organisation of the malls is impressive.

It is a model of western and American excellence in a desert. It must be the result of hard work and financial honesty founded on religious honesty and piety among the people of the UAE.

This no doubt is the axis of the strong economy of the Emirates, pegged on the powerful dollar.

My joy, as a visiting preacher and writer on parenting and good morals, went a notch higher by a short article on the great lesson the world can learn from the winner of the best teacher award, a Kenyan teacher, published in the opinion page of “Gulf Today”.

It is my great pleasure to pass a vote of thanks on behalf of our great nation and the “County Press” a local monthly for which I have been a writer for the last five years.

I would gladly like to say, that the win by teacher Tabichi was not merely a matter of academics, but a balanced mix from the head and the heart.

It is a spiritual enterprise. I must persuade all to strive for in its entirety.

I may not know teacher Tabichi at a personal level but his manner of dressing and apparel said it all. The joy and pomp in his school was a testimony of what he is inside and outside the classroom.

The award thus went to the right man. This brings to our minds the important place spirituality has in our places of work. That essential element of life which connects us with the Almighty God. It comes at the most opportune moment when the nation is engaged in the relentless war against corruption at home.

I truly want to share it with all the Kenyans serving in this beautiful country.

The short story in the paper raises hope and faith among the Kenyans in the Diaspora. The opening citation in the story from the works of Robert Schuler “Tough times never last but tough people do” should be a call to emulate President Uhuru Kenyatta’s tough stance in his resolute fight against graft even when we are far from home.

As I conclude may the Latin positive concept of “Spiritum contra spiritum” guide us Kenyans as we serve God and the good and generous people in the UAE. Let’s all fight against graft at home as we rightly do it here.

This is only achievable through honesty while out here and preaching to all of us in Kenya by word of mouth and good work across the nations. My closing challenge to all of us — let’s take hold of the great opportunity God has richly provided. Carpe diem

Rev. Peter Kikuvi Makau, Dubai