How "Slow Son" Underrated by Dad Became Successful Man, Outshone Family's Star Child
- Growing up, Tope was never the chosen one, just “the other son” who was overshadowed by his brilliant brother, Clement, at home and in academics
- But when the golden boy got into drugs at the university and their family crumbled, it was Tope, the quiet tailor, who stepped up and saved them all
- Sometimes, it’s not brilliance that carries a family, it’s the quiet strength of the one sibling no one sees excelling
Don't miss out! Join Tuko.co.ke Sports News channel on WhatsApp now!
A TikToker named Tope has shared how, for years, he lived in the shadow of his elder brother, Clement.
Source: Getty Images
Clement was the family’s pride and joy, the brilliant boy who passed his exams with flying colours and earned a coveted place in a private university.
Why Tope's father invested in Clement more
Their father, blinded by hope and pride, sold land and borrowed from church members to fund his education, while brushing aside Tope’s dream of becoming a tailor.
“Tope? He’s still looking for himself,” their father once said. But life, it seems, had other plans.
Clement, burdened by expectations, spiralled into addiction in his third year of university.
What was once a household of celebration turned into a space haunted by loss, theft, and quiet despair. As Clement cycled through rehab and relapse, the family’s golden boy dimmed.
Tope's rise to the top
Meanwhile, Tope quietly picked up the pieces life offered him.
With the help of his mother and a neighbourhood tailor named Uncle Rasheed, he honed his skills, opened a shop, and steadily built a life around a trade his father once dismissed.
When tragedy struck and their father suffered a stroke, Clement was in no shape to help.
It was Tope’s tailoring income that covered hospital bills, medication, and a physiotherapist. It was Tope who held the family together.
Tope's moment of glory
One quiet afternoon, Tope pulled into the compound in his car, only to hear the words he had waited a lifetime for:
“Tope. I was wrong.” No fanfare, no drama. Just three words, and later, a father’s first prayer for the son he once overlooked.
Now a successful tailor, Tope carries more than just cloth and thread; he carries a story of quiet strength, overlooked potential, and unwavering consistency.
His experience taught him that not every star shines the brightest. Some glow quietly in dark corners, waiting to be noticed.
His message to parents?
“Don’t write off any child. Not every seed grows at the same time, but each one deserves water, light, and love.”
Source: Getty Images
Once-jobless graduate lands well-paying NGO job
In another inspiring story about changing the narrative, Caliph Kirui, who hit the streets of Nairobi with a placard, turned his fortunes around after the unique job-seeking strategy.
After showcasing his qualifications, Kirui has landed a well-paying opportunity at the African Population and Health Research Centre.
Kirui sought help on the streets after he found himself facing the challenges of securing a job aligned with his academic background.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
