Different shades of Orkolili

During one of my walks in Orkolili, wild but down to earth. Orkolili is a village in Siha District. It is on the corridor that leads to the Maasai holy lands and ritual areas. The village is now inhabited mostly by Maasai and Meru people.

Two little boys who were watching their cattle nearby. Boys as young as 6 years are given herds of cattle to take to the fields

Koko (Grandmother in Maasai) walking home with her dried skins and some firewood.

Heaven to Hell in Less than 50 Years

Once upon a time, not so long ago...in fact a mere 40 years ago Arusha National Park and Kilimanjaro National Park were closer than the closest bosom of friends. Closer than the mouth and nostrils, so I'm told. the stretch that now cuts across Siha and Hai Districts (that is from King'ori through KIA to Boma Ng'ombe) was inhabited by wild life.

"We could see giraffes, zebras, gazelles and even elephants when we commuted with my father in lorries from Arusha to Moshi. There were trees and the land was ever green and cool. Rains were constant at least twice a year. That was less than 50 years ago"

Part of the Arusha National Park (picture retrieved from ngomisafaris.com)

And now my generation and the ones after me may never get to experience that stretch in all that glory again. Human activities that began in the 60's have left the land barren and bare. Our predecessors made their homes in this stretch and in that span of time cut down the trees to make charcoal and get firewood. They let the animals roam free to feed and they fed on the grass to dust.

Part of the KIA stretch, Orkolili, as it can be seen now.

Since 95% of this land is naked, there are no trees to capture the clouds hence rains are scarce. When the rains finally bless the land, it turns into a beautiful place but since cattle still roam the lands, it turns to a dusty ocean soon after.

Admist Rethinking Freedom

A few days ago something happened in Tanzania that made me rethink on the term "freedom." What does it really mean to be free? Before I get ahead of myself and embark with you through my sea of confusion (that I call thinking), I'd better identify the trigger. On the 28th of September, Tanzanian government passed their judgement to punish two papers for some seditious and malicious publications, Mtanzania and Mwananchi. I have to say, I do wonder who are really being punished by this decision.

Some of the Tanzanian papers on display (photo retrieved from play.google.com)

So, what do I make of the whole issue you ask? Well, the way I see it is no different from a decision to bench all teachers, close classrooms, cease lessons in an entire school because one or two of the teachers have broken a professional code of conduct. I wonder, what do the students do in the mean time? And what of the other teachers? In short, If that is justice...protection of the greater good... I shudder to think of what the alternative could be.


Here I went wondering, or should I say eye and mind wandering,stumbling upon Freedom of the media and which gives my head quite a spin. I'll share with you three of the areas my weary thought trudged on; intention, "leashes and bars",  and consequence. 

I believe it logical  that with every choice we act upon, there is an intent we want fulfilled; even though sometimes we may not necessarily make it clear to the second and third party what the intentions of our actions are. As Newton's third law of motion states "for every action there is an equal and opposing reaction," the same applies in this stance. As actors we may intend our actions, however, receivers or audience may interpret precisely or differently. So what guides reaction? Is it intention or interpretation? Before you drown in my sea of confusion, let me bring you up for air. I wonder, what was the intention behind the said published stories that brought on so much saga? Was the interpretation that birthed the troubling punishment and equally striking appeals fair? I have also noticed, in this case, how often the intent of the "punisher" is being questioned and even doubted. Again the interpretation of the punishment has worn different faces on the receivers. If I could but put smileys I'd get smiles, frowns, angry faces, puzzled faces, snoozing-don't-disturb faces, wailing faces and such and such. Before I jump to the consequence of this, let's visit the engines that drive or hinge intention.

I call these "leashes and bars" The saying "media is the watchdog of the society" becomes my paddler here. I have found it necessary to identify and scrutinize the owner of this watchdog that blows the whistle, calls it to heel, holds the leash and holds the keys to the kennel; or if such exists. It's important to know who is considered harmful and who harmless to deserve a bark or a wag. In a world where media is considered the fourth arm of democracy, is it really free to act when it is cuffed by the other arm? When the intent of the journalist to be just to his profession is hindered by the advertiser who threatens the existence of his bread and butter, is this arm termed free? When this watchdog that wants to secure a village 5 buses-a-motorcycle-bicycle-and-a-donkey away, is leashed by a budget or deadlines; do we say it's free? When this dog is beaten, bruised and sometimes killed for barking and snarling in the wrong company, do we still term it free? Why then do we accept some leashes and cry bloody-murder at others?

The consequences of our actions is determined by the reactions of the life around us. Though I do think life is a chain of reactions, some at par and some opposing (as Newton pointed out). These reactions are what birth and ensure the continuity of change. Again what kind of reactions these are will determine the direction of change; for better or for worse. This is why I use the term consequence; the consequences of actions. To guide consequence we have rights and responsibilities, sometimes self and sometimes state imposed. How they are interpreted, is a profound question. Do laws and regulations threaten freedom? Or is the interpretation of these the real threat? Or maybe, is it the interpreter who's the threat?

My dear reader, let me drop anchor on this coast and drop you off before this sea of confusion weathers you out some more. I'll keep drifting on and maybe do a little fishing for ideas along the way.

"The Fear" Worth-sharing

 I was moved by this article written by the Tanzanian MP Zitto Zuberi Kabwe. He is a young politician, whose train of thought usually intrigue me. In one of his latest articles "The Fear" he has captured the aspect of thought, not as a fleeting wisp but as a reflection that he took time and effort in evaluating.

Zitto Zuberi Kabwe, MP Kigoma North

 Click on the link below to read the article.

The Fear by Zitto Kabwe

The Catship

Lately, I've taken to watching these two, Salem my big black cat and Croods the kitten (yes, inspired by the movie). Croods was abandoned by its mother on our roof top about two months ago and I had to save it (and the neighbors' sanity) before it cried itself to death. Since then it has been part of my gang of cats. 

I have two other female cats, interestingly and contrary to my expectations none of them let it near them. Only Salem, the male cat has accepted it and actually plays with it. Theirs is a sweet and touching relationship.

 

Salem and Croods in one of their moments

As prejudiced as most of us, Tanzanian folks, are against black cats, Salem is the sweetest and loving cat I have. He was the first and still is the only one of my cats to accept this strange, stranded and very loud kitten; spends time with it and even lets it share his food.

Even as humans, we meet such people in life who are nurturers and loving even though they may not look so on the outside or at first glance. 

Stormy Insomnia?

Again one of those nights when insomnia hit...then my mind and hand wondered. If you ask me, I can't tell you what it means except for a product of an imagination. Trying to sort out through your thoughts in the middle of the night can bring forth strange results. :)

 

BOX OR NO BOX, THINK!

The current events we keep reading, watching or listening to in the Tanzanian media have got me "thinking" and wondering. What do they all mean? What do they all add up to? Such issues include, the bomb attacks, shootings, cases of acid attacks on foreigners and locals, hate speeches (religious and political), confrontations between Tanzania and some of its neighbours, etc etc. Why are they happening now? What has led to the culmination of all these episodes and what will be the ultimatum?

With most of our media outlets reporting "who says what happens where and when"; we are short of well researched reports that look beyond that. We are left with unconfirmed whispers and rumors in the streets (physical and digital) that sometimes ridiculously make sense. Are these events a result of the problems we keep turning a blind eye to or do we turn to conspiracy theories for answers?

 I admit that to this point I have more questions than answers but I feel that there are questions we ought to ask ourselves. What I'm sure of is that as Tanzanians we are at a point we don't want to be and shouldn't be. We are now in a Tanzania where chaos and hatred have plagued us to a terrifying extent. As young as I might be, I don't recall a more divided and selfish Tanzania. We had enemies and problems, yes,but these enemies were a common one like Diseases, Ignorance and Poverty; and our fight was one. Lately however, these are used as tools to destroy each other. Religion and faith based institutions were institutions treated with respect to uphold human dignity and propagate good will. Are they still so today? Politics was a means to organize the people and find the best means to build a free and developed nation, accountably. Again, is that what we see today?

In a society that is divided and chaotic, an enemy has an easier means to conquer. For years, Tanzania has been renowned for being the harbor of peace and unity; an example to live by in Africa. Now we hold scary statistics on the state of affairs in Tanzania; a nation of more than 47 million people. Government statistics indicate that the country’s unemployment rate stood at 11.7 per cent in 2012 from 10.7 percent in 2011. (guardian; January, 26 2013). The gap between the haves and have-nots has widen despite the growth in National GDP by 6%. The trend of drug abuse and trafficking keeps rising. The state of education in Tanzania leaves much to be desired while healthcare still faces a lot of challenges. In 2007, about 87% of the nation lived under $2 per day (WB, DRG). We have more youth graduating each year compared to those getting steady employment, disregard of those finding employment in their fields of studies. In short, do we have a canister full of desperate, easily compelled, hatred-fueled-with-little-to-lose youth just waiting to go off?

On the other side we have a government flawed by corruption, bureaucracy, lack of accountability, a monstrosity of contradictions; locked in more fruitless bull fights with the opposition every now and then. The Media on the other hands plays its watchdog role, barking and snarling on commands (on whose commands, is another question). But again we have more reports of minerals, natural gases and other naturals resources sighted, ripe for the picking. And we can't deny we have a bigger influx of foreign investors (I'm not against them) and more visits from international heads of highest ranks with talks of economic and social consensual benefits (again, neutral in this aspect). However, with the current world economic state of affairs, it's hard not to be nervous. Afterall, our neighbors DRC are a living example of what happens to a country once chaos turn full throttle to never ending wars; in the middle of a world whose natural resources are severely depleted. .

It's a conundrum, that brings me back to these main questions. What is happening to our beloved Tanzania? Where are we taking our country to?

FGM Scars More Than Just the Body, It Scars Lives!!

A few days ago I took a bajaji to an interview I had to conduct away from the office. It was a mighty distance away and with the afternoon traffics in Dar, it took us about an hour to get there. On our way we decided to strike up a conversation, with him doing most of the talking and i doing the listening.

He started speaking of his past relationships and how he messed up a relationship with a good girl and lost her. Promising himself not to ever let that happen again he decided to be true to the next girl who comes into his life. As true to life he finds a young girl (in her early 20's) and dates her for a few months before noticing strange behaviors from her when they were together. For instance, she never agreed to have the lights on when they were "doing it" and never allowed him to look at her womanhood. She did not agree to do it often and agreed only when she was very happy.

At first he let it be, pinning it on shyness or inexperience. However, when she persisted curiosity got the better of him. On a night when she was deep in her sleep he grabbed a torch and decided to see for himself. At this point, even with a disapproving frown I was very curious  to hear what happened. Never in my life could I have guessed what he told me. He was shocked to see her features so different and it took him a moment to realise that she had been severely mutilated. More over, he could also see that she had engaged in anal sex. He was distraught.

 The following day, without facing her with the truth he consulted his friends at work. Some of them advised him to leave her and some told him to talk to her first and hear her side of the story. Following the latter's advice he ultimately faced her with the truth. At first she denied undergoing FGM or engaging in anal sex. However, when he insisted she opens up, she finally broke down and told him what happened.

Apparently, when she was still very young her parents passed away and she went to live with some distant relatives in the village. Claiming it was a "tribal" custom of the Sandawe women they mutilated her. When she grew up, she came to Dar es Salaam and sooner or later realised that men found her strange and "unattractive." They demanded anal sex and she found that even more tolerant than the regular one. He was even more confused when he found that she was pregnant with their child. He cared for her deeply and since she was expecting his child, he made it official with her.

As it was with any couple, they had their fair share of problems. But when he came to find out that she was cheating on him, that was his limit. He came to learn that earlier on before they met, her relatives had married her off to an older man as a third wife and they had a child together. And even after the man left her and she got married to the bajaji driver, he was one of the men she still saw.

 I was curious to learn about what happened to his daughter during all that fiasco.So he told me that he had taken his daughter to live with his mother in the village when she was two. Suzy (the daughter's name) was four when her mother came to take her, which was after the divorce. So she went back to the village with Suzy. When I asked him if he still saw his daughter, I got the shock of my life.

When Suzy went back to the village with her mother, a few months later he got a call that his daughter was seriously sick. He told them to bring her to Dar and he'd take her to the hospital. Since he was employed at a security company then he sent his mother to go to the village and see her as he processed a leave of absence. When the mother got there she found out that Suzy had passed away and they were burying her. What was worse, he came to find out too late that she had died of over bleeding. Suzy, a four year old had undergone FGM and never made it alive. I never knew or met her but I couldn't help the tears.

 NO GIRL has to undergo that hell. Even when they survive the mutilation, the torture doesn't stop there. A woman's dignity is stripped off, the scars cause both physical and mental traumas for most of their lives. I kept asking him, "what did you do after that? Did you report them?" And he said he couldn't do anything since he hadn't any evidence.He lost a daughter to FGM and he still felt powerless to do anything about it. How many more are out there undergoing this same inhuman autrocity and still feel powerless? How many more lives should be lost, in death and trauma before we realise how dangerous FGM is?

That Awwww..moment

I came across this video and I was just amazed. It's never too early to teach our children something. These kids are simply adorable! 

From an Official Visit to a Leisure Safari!

Isn't it interesting how Obama's purpose in coming to Tanzania took quite a turn before and on cancellation?

Retrieved photo from africanculturedirect.blogspot.com

Let's take a look at what different media wrote on his visit from before and on cancellation; may be you'll catch my thoughtful drift.

On Obama's coming, much was said with regard to the purpose of the visit and how it would affect political and economical affairs; national and International.

"The president will reinforce the importance that the United States places on our deep and growing ties with countries in sub-Saharan Africa, including through expanding economic growth, investment, and trade; strengthening democratic institutions; and investing in the next generation of African leaders," press secretary Jay Carney said in a statement.
"The president will meet with a wide array of leaders from government, business, and civil society, including youth, to discuss our strategic partnerships on bilateral and global issues," Carney said, adding that "the trip will underscore the President’s commitment to broadening and deepening cooperation between the United States and the people of sub-Saharan Africa to advance regional and global peace and prosperity." (Yahoo!News|The Ticket; Monday May 20, 2013)


US president will be on diplomatic mission to make up for lost time, and some say the strategic neglect will cost America. And the winners are:  Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania. Each will be rewarded for its democratic virtues next month when Barack Obama embarks on his first major presidential tour of Africa. (The Guardian, Johannesburg; Tuesday May 21, 2013)

Tanzania’s strategic position in the continent, its abundant natural resources and countering China’s advances to Africa have been cited as some of the reasons why President Barack Obama chose to visit Tanzania in his tour of Africa next month.

Mr Obama, who is the first African American US President, comes just about three months after new Chinese President Mr Xi Jinping visited the east African country. (The Citizen, Kenya: Wednesday May 22, 2013; retrieved from Africa Review, Friday June 14, 2013)


When President Obama goes to Africa at month’s end, the first African American president will have a rare opportunity to spread U.S. values to that continent. It would be a shame if his trip instead validated slavery.
By selecting Tanzania as one of the three countries that will receive a presidential visit on that trip, the Obama administration is honoring a government that has been in a multiyear diplomatic dispute with the United States over human trafficking. Now Obama is rewarding Tanzania with a presidential trip. “An official visit from the U.S. president is a gift that is utterly inappropriate after a Tanzanian government official committed horrifying human rights violations just a few miles from the White House,” said Martina Vandenberg, a human rights lawyer who represented the victim, Zipora Mazengo, pro bono.(The Washington Post, June 09, 2013)

Now comes the cancellation part and we hear...

 The WhiteHouse has cancelled a safari that US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle were due to take in Tanzania over budgetary concerns, The Washington Post reported Thursday.
The safari "would have required the president's special counterassault team to carry sniper rifles with high-calibre rounds that could neutralise cheetahs, lions or other animals if they became a threat," the paper reported. The Obamas had been expected to spend more than two hours at Tanzania's Mikumi National Park. (The Daily Nation; Friday June 14,2013)

Here we go again, every time President Obama and his family take a vacation, the right wing freaks out. President Obama cancels safari trip in Tanzania because of the cost of security, during his trip to Africa later this month. Of course, he won’t be applauded for it, instead,  someone chose to leak that snipers will be on hand to shoot any lions or other wild animals that come near the First Couple.(TheModerate Voice; Friday June 14, 2013)

Believe me, that was just a tip of the iceberg on how wrong it all sounded!

Every Insy Bitsy Counts!

Every word or number starts with a dot,
Every ocean is but a drop in billions of drops,
A journey of a thousand miles began with a step,
Two thousand years began with a second,
A million began with one,
Every lot started at little but just didn't stop.

Storms blew and drought ensued,
Life never stopped breathing,
No matter how far the dessert stretches,
Every ounce of hope, life still fetches.
Every heart beat, every breath inhaled,
It's a fight won and life prevails.

The Skies Don't Limit!

Explore your potential,

Chase your horizons,

Reach beyond the clouds

Defy gravity!

June to Junior (Behind every face there's a story)

 The month of June is dedicated to children. The 3rd of June has been dedicated to the underprivileged child, while the 16th of June marks the African Child's day. I consider childhood as the best gift life could give anyone. I bet most of us would walk down that memory lane and laugh at the carefree times we had.

It's really sad when I see a child robbed of their childhood. Some are forced to be parents at such an early age, some are forced to be the bread-earners of their families; while some are deprived of their right live in a safe society by the wars and crimes of society. We forget that the rights of children are the foundation for a healthy and prosperous society.

For these 3, all they've got is themselves. Their father is deceased and their mother abandoned them. The community tries to help them every once in a while but with abject poverty in that area, there isn't much they can do for them financially. 

 

 According to a report by Save The Children this year (2013) states that about 1 million children die per year during birth. Tanzania, being the 3rd country in Africa with the highest rate of children dying at birth, has more than 48,000 children dying every year.

Despite the changes in policies and aids from development partners around the world, the state of children especially in the peripheries leaves a lot to be desired. Children feel the pinch of poverty the hardest. They have to rely on grown ups to take care of most of their needs; and when they are not met they resort to "any means" to get them.

Somewhere in Kamsamba, Mbeya. The fourth world is very much visible in these parts. Poverty hit women and children the hardest.

Behind every face, there's a child with a story. We should keep that in mind before we extend judgement. I remember a quote from one of my favorite films "Our lives are not our own. From womb to tomb we are bound to others, past and present. And by each crime and every kindness we birth our future" ~ Cloud Atlas. We cannot disassociate our selfishness, our cruel ambitions, our indifference; with the deaths of the children today. By denying them their rights, we kill their spirits, their intellect, their future; we literary kill them.

A Child soldier ( retrieved from www.issafrica.org)

With the month of June dedicated to children, let's make it a beginning to do every little we can to making our communities safer for children. Give a word of encouragement, praise or even a smile to that child who plays outside your house, or the one that cleans your car at the traffic lights. Take time to visit that nearby local school or orphanage or even a neighbor in need and see how you can help. It doesn't have to be money but even a kind word or advice can go a long way.

Every little act of kindness is hope for a better tomorrow for every child out there. Let's leave humane legacies that will not crumble with time. Kindness, love, honesty, integrity, resourcefulness; should be the pillars of society passed on to our children.

A healthy child is a happy child

Let us give our children today a chance to tell happy stories to their children on the morrow. Let's begin with "jUne"!

Jambo Africa!

So another insomnia hit me last night. There's always this talk of making lemonade from the lemons life hands you; I drew this instead. My very own Jambo Africa! I would have made my art teacher cry!

Jambo Africa

Bound to Be

Silent screams turn my head round and round

I try and block my ears

But my heart refuses to turn off the echoes,

The timeless echoes of pain.

To my Mother I'm forever bound

A cord that could never be severed at birth

A birth that never began with me

A birth that never stopped with eternity

With my cry at birth I pledged to my Mother

I will be for her, I will be for Africa.

I pledged to grow up

I pledged to be more

I pledged to rise firm

I pledged to make you proud

I pledged to protect you 

I pledged to love you

I pledged with my heart

This heart that beats for Africa

Oh! Mother, how my heart mocks me!

How heavy it beats with ridicule,

clogging my veins with every poison I ingest

I have turned away from you Mother

I have stripped you and mocked at your nakedness

I have spilled your blood with my poisoned razor tongue

I have reduced your pride to begging for scraps

I have robbed your peace, throwing it to the hyenas

And I still suckle on your breast, pledging to you

my eyes glittering with greed and malice

Oh! Mother, how my spirit haunts me!

And I hear your silence in this storm of turmoil

"I am you child, and you are me"

The pledge Mother, the pledge

It was for me, to protect me

I have sacrificed you in the altar of selfishness

And with each flame I have felt your wrath

And with each ash-drop, your mercy.

Celebrating Mother's May

It's almost the end of May, a month when we celebrate Mother's day. Along with the others, I'd like to dedicate the whole month to Mothers out there; mothers by blood or bond.

Giving birth is a gift bestowed to some, raising a child is a responsibility of many, if not all. It's not an easy road of responsibilities and it's a road that has no stop sign as long as life persists.

Mama and Daughter

In this month of May, let's all hold our mothers closer and make them feel as special as they always make us. Walking down the memory lane, I'm sure your mothers are always tucked in every crook and turn you make. Whether it's to hold you, wipe that runny nose or sweaty forehead, spank the mischief out of you or bandage that sore knee; they are always there doing the best they can to give you the best.

Personally, I owe so much to my mother that I know nothing I can do will ever bestow all the sacrifices she made for me. The most I can do is become the best she ever wished me to be and hope to be half as good a mother as she's been to me and my siblings.

Let's make Mother's May a tip of the iceberg of how we treasure our mothers. Remember, a mother isn't just the one that gave birth to you but every woman who has shaped your life and made sacrifices for you. A mother is that woman who has loved you unconditionally, nurtured you and has been there to hold your hand as you walk that unknown, terrifying road called growing up.

A Blessed Mother's May to all Mothers out there!

Walk in my Shoes

Choka is a 16 year old boy who lives in a village named Ngumu, which is about 50kms from the nearest bus stop. In this case, 50kms from a semblance of a town. Choka lives with her great aunt, two younger siblings and three cousins. His great aunt, who is in her 70's owns a small 1 acre shamba where they plant vegetables and seasonal ground nuts. She also has two cows and a few chicken. With these she supports her extended family of seven. They do not have a lot and sometimes there's hardly enough to feed, cloth themselves and keep body and soul together. However, they are better off than most of the other families in the village.

Social services at Ngumu village are located...well...not in Ngumu Village. The nearest shop is 10kms away in the next village, the nearest hospital twice that distance. The nearest source of water, which is the river, is about 7kms away past the diminishing forest that serves as their source of firewood and herbs. Choka and his cousins have to walk past the river, into another village with an extra 5kms stretch to get to school.

Choka wants to be successful in life and since education is the key to life...so he's been told...he makes this walk to and fro, diligently, for 5 days every week! On his back is a large pouch with thin strings clasped around him (his school bag), on his head a well balanced bundle of firewood, a 5 litre gallon of water on one hand and broom on the other. His attire consists of a white shirt (once-upon-a-time white shirt), khaki shorts (redecorated in various shades of stains), snickers on their last breath to disintegration and ofcourse a piece of a sisal string serving as a belt, completed it.

So I wonder what is "success" to Choka? What compels Choka wake up every morning and walk all that way, burdens and all; to look for "success?

(to be continued)

Worth the while

I have been away for sometime..yes, a long time. But now that I'm back I'll do my best and make it worth the wait. I had a chance to move around a little in Tanzania, Zanzibar observing and analyzing the state of education in our country. For the next days I'll be approaching this subject from different points of view.

For now let me give you a glimpse of the places I went to and the people I met.

Exotic Unguja was my first stop..I've got to admit when I was alighting Forodhani was on my mind.

One of my tours in schools. Students busy at the library at Laureate International School, Zanzibar.

On my way to Pemba...inside the new Azam boat.

When you get to Pemba, it has a feel like everybody knows everybody. That's Wete, Pemba.

I completed my experience in and out of Pemba with a trip back to Unguja in the night ship.

The Script

  The Script is surely getting on my list of favorite bands this year. I love their lyrics. I chose "We Cry" cause of the message it holds to all of us. My favorite track? Now that would be telling :)

"There's so much sad
wanna flood the ocean
We are all in tears
from the world exploding

Together we cry..."

Glimpse of Arusha

Gotta admit, I did fall in love with Arusha.

Wale wa Nkuaranga, lazma kumbukumbu ivute hili eneo. Wanakitimoto balaa maeneo haya.

The famous Nane Nane grounds. Hapa ni mlango wa kuingilia kwenye maonyesho ya 2012.

Proudly made in Arusha.

Trying to go through different regions of Tanzania. There's always something glorious and memorable at every place. Neeexxxt....!!

Perfect by Pink

Pink, yet again you have given me food for thought...

 
"Mistreated, misplaced, misunderstood  
Miss "no way, it's all good",
It didn't slow me down 
Mistaken, 
Always second guessing  
Under estimated, 
Look, I'm still around"

Tips for Up and Coming Writers

Are you interested in becoming a writer? Are you unsure on how to go about it? Don’t worry, dip into this jar of tips and get your writing on track.

(Illustration retrieved from eps.schoolspecialty.com)

- A writer reads and researches. You should read a lot especially on the area you are interested to write on.

-  When you decide to write, it’s better not to have money or fame as your reason to write. Have the right reasons and those will inspire you better.

- Live life and explore it. You can either be an outgoing, adventurous person or you can explore your imagination. Don’t limit it thinking it is ridiculous or impossible, that might actually be your best seller’s niche.

v  - You can have another author for a role model, just don’t be a copy cat. Be inspired then look beyond them and find your own writing. The best writers write as who they are.

v  - Start small. Don’t think of a novel as your first work. Short stories, articles, essays or poems will help you practice for the greater picture.

v  

 - If it’s a dialogue speak out loud and see if it sounds real. You are creating "real living" characters and they should sound like it. Well, they are real enough in your creative world, give them life.

 (Illustration retrieved from www.canstockphoto.com)

-  Once you start, finish. Don’t write two paragraphs and give up that it doesn’t make sense. Write it to the end and then re-read it. You can also ask someone you trust to read it for you.

  - Don’t be discouraged. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and you probably can’t be a writer overnight. You need to practise and practise some more.

 -  Most important, have fun creating a work of art. It will certainly reflect well on your audience.

                        

Battlefields

We may all live on earth, but it feels like we live in different worlds. Some trying to survive in their own world, others simply to exist in one. Everyone everywhere has a battle to fight so never look down on any one, you don't know if it's a sword of victory you'll raise in yours or a white flag. There's a saying I like "Don't look down on anyone unless it's to tie their shoe laces"

Moshi, Kilimanjaro

 

(Mlima Kilimanjaro, kwa wachaga hiki nikithibitisho tosha kuwa uko nyumbani)

 

(Round about ya KNCU/Posta, Moshi mjini.)

(Njia panda marangu mtoni. Wakwenda rombo, marangu, kilema mkyashi..hii ndio njia yetu mara nyingi. Hapa huwa wanakuwa na maindi ya kuchoma matamu kweli.)

 

 

 (Mto marangu kama ukitokea soko la Kinyange)

(Home sweet home, Marangu)

Food for Thought

Whatever we do in life creates a chain of reactions that not only affect the course of your life but that of others in this generation and the next. ask yourself to day, how do you "hold" the world?

Let us try and be considerate of how we treat the world. Let's not take more from it than we are willing/able to give back. One day our children will ask us of the gaping holes we've left them and the barrenness of the lands we pass on to them. One day they will demand of the poisoned earth we give them as a legacy. What will our answers be? Where will hide our faces then?

The actions of today should be considerate of tomorrow. Nurture and don't endanger, spread love and not hatred, be a flame of joy and not "dante's inferno". Remembering that everything we do is infectious, let's be less of a cancerous disease and more of a nourishing breath of life to the world. 

Knowledge: A Vessel We All Need? (finale)

Education is meant to mold us into better beings. By better it doesn’t mean we are more self righteous, it doesn’t mean we deserve more than others, it doesn’t mean we have the right to look down on others. It means we have the ability for better evaluation and understanding. We gain the power to realize potentials and find ways to better our societies socially and economically. 

"We can try to cut ourselves from our fellows on the basis of the education we have had; we can try to carve for ourselves an unfair share of the wealth of the society. But the cost to us, as well as to our fellow citizens, will be very high. It will be high not only in terms of satisfactions forgone, but also in terms of our own security and well-being." J. K. Nyerere

Let’s look at ourselves and ask us today, what has education molded us into? How has it changed our lives? How have you changed the lives around you? As a nation what kind of education are we investing in? How much are we investing in it? It’s good to count numbers of those receiving “education” and see it rising day by day. But can we count on the knowledge gained? If there is one thing I count on, knowledge doesn’t give us answers, it gives way to more questions. And it is in questions that we find growth and advancement.