Promise me more…

“I, too, have done my damndest
to kiss and touch and bless
and now I, too, am through with it all
and am simply like the rest” – Barry Taylor I, Too

We all have big dreams. We all want to do something about it. We are all probably up to something then stumbled upon this post.

From when I can remember someone has been promising me one thing or the other with a utopian reward.

“The right one has not been born yet…” “Your business will still work after you are done with your course…” “Finish the exam then we can go for ice-cream…”

Apparently, it will all work out if you do as it pleases this guy, these people… for them it is not the perfect time. For you, you just can’t get rid of the itch. It is obvious where am getting to. You choose your path. But wait there is more…

Promises; promises.

There has not been a shortage of free thinkers (shout out Dr. Stockmann). Every day I hear how people want to change the world with this initiative, reform and leadership. They all promise me the perfect world. Where my starving brother in Turkana and uptown sister will talk about their days in paradise. As long as I vote them in or offer them my friendship.

Thomas Moore proposed the utopian idea some time back. His logic seems radical and idealistic at the moment. The ideals will be easily accepted by any person struggling to make ends meet. But what of the rich that have gotten comfortable. We all know that people don’t find it easy to change. It takes time and effort… it’s sticky and messy. So how do we expect them to change?

Well we don’t… that’s the trick.

“Serikali! Serikali!”

We shan’t beg. We shan’t cry. What is our goal? To be comfortable too… you don’t need to own the whole of Central to be happy. All you need is a happy family, with all their basic needs met. It is violent to not do that for your family.

“All the gold which is under or upon the earth is not enough to give in exchange for virtue.” Plato.

Once the goal is set. Be creative. The beauty of a capitalistic economy is that anyone can get themselves out of the mud.

So get your hands in the mud. Get dirty and build something from it. (Guess which movie that is from… 🙂 )

So if they can get to the top; so can you…

I would not wait for promises that are 50/50. I’ll get on my feet; and do it myself because this is the perfect time.

What is true philanthropy?

So everyone wishes to be on another person’s good books but it is human nature to err. Human nature cannot be always changed but can be assuaged to pursue a different direction, for the better that is so that cohabiting in this world is made easier. We probably usually see a begger on the street and wish to help although we don’t always know the best way to help.

“Do I give him the coin in my purse?” “Do i just walk away and hope some other good Samaritan will know what is to be done for him?”

The man or woman sitting at that corner of the street, looking up at you with those eyes brimming with tears of sorrow, raising that dejected hand that looks like it would fall of the joints holding it in place,probably holding a baby who looks so skinny and miserable… waiting for you to drop a coin or better yet a note into their cup and their eyes light up when you do as they seriously hope your conscience will persuade you to.

As you walk off, you probably cannot get the picture of the scene you just left out of your mind, it may be like a nagging wife, constantly pricking your conscience,giving you sleepless nights, making your mind go crazy as torrents of thoughts cascade through it…..

Not every needy person will be the one sitting miserably at the corner of the street. The fact that you help the poor guy you met at the street doesn’t always prove you are generous. You probably just dished out the coins you had because society was watching, a friend you didn’t want to think you are mean was around or just because it was an impulse. All in all, what I mean is that generosity is a virtue we should all embrace from within our hearts, inculcate into our persona,be ready to give even when you are not getting anything in return so long as you help that one person improve his or her life. The joy of helping and seeing your neighbor happy is incredible.

There are so many ways to help, one has to decide which he or she can manage. One can join foundations, volunteer in the society, provide information relevant for health promotion such as in the Meningitis Research Foundation. Let us all join hands in making the world a better place for all.

Join us in raising money to enable the YMAP foundation pay school fees for medical students who have difficulty pursuing and completing their medical school education due to lack of or insufficient fees. Event is scheduled for the 10th of April, 2015 at the University of Nairobi, Chiromo campus from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Are You Getting It On?

It’s a bit late for this; however, let me comment about this issue. This is a special request from one of our followers… your wish is my command.

Via http://www.hercampus.com/

So on 18th Feb this year, our dear president Uhuru Kenyatta initiated a global campaign that is meant to curb HIV prevalence in Kenya. The president was adamant that safe s3x education is the best tool against this dodgy virus.

In Africa, HIV/AIDS is the leading cause of death. Our ladies are the ones mostly affected.

So the ALL IN initiative is meant to avail children with condoms… now this caught my eye.

Linda Wanyam, head of Austereo, was frustrated that maternity leave was affecting her business. So the solution? Deploy the condom jar in the office. She encourages people to regularly have sex with condoms.

This might seem odd but isn’t it the same as what the initiative is doing? Soon my 13 year old relatives will be asking if am packing…

NHS has been promoting condom for children as well… with the slogan: Get it on. Does it mean that we have officially thrown the towel on underage sex? I get that HIV infections are not reducing as fast as in other groups but it seems as though we are encouraging it…

I’m no economist but it seems easier to invest in wider access to HIV testing. It has been proven in UK to be a very effective tool in reducing the prevalence of HIV infection.

I also believe highly in the ABCCC prevention plan: practice abstinence, be in monogamous relationships, demand condom use, be conscious of your HIV status, or insist that male partners be circumcised.

As mentioned, the individuals highly affected are the ladies. This prevention plan mentioned may not work among women where gender roles impair their ability to negotiate especially for the first C.

In this world we live in, we find all sorts of errors that can not be justified. According to this report, and a few conversations, I was shocked to realise that some ladies opt to live for the moment. They tend to have multiple s3xual partners to make ends meet. So this means, economically we need a better support system for women and mostly single mothers.

This cuts arose all genders. There is a pressure, especially among the adolescents, to engage in this art from your peers. Now, when is the right time? That is a question only you can answer, though, such a decision should not be made under desperation.

Via imgkid.com

You have HIV.

I have HIV.

HIV is not the problem of those that have it in their blood streams. It is our problem as long as it is still looming. Create awareness, learn more about it and get tested even if you are not s3xually active yet. It is up to us the youths to come up with other solutions to this pandemic.

With no single solution for preventing HIV infection, I’m glad the president is doing something.

Much Love,
Steja.

Scratch My Back, I Will Scratch Yours

“I myself have never been able to find out precisely what feminism is: I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat or a prostitute.” – Rebecca West, 1913.

What happened?

Fight for what you believe in.

November 17th, women flock Uhuru Park and streets of Nairobi in protest. “My Dress My Choice” sparked an uproar in the capital. These events followed stripping of women by men who claimed that they were indecent in their dressing.

The morality and the cultural basis of all this has been discussed in detail. Interesting enough there is the side of the story J. Waititu might not like to hear.

24 days earlier, this text was sent to a certain S. Wambui: “Ulikataa nikule hizo vitu na vile nazimezea mate. Now i am employing another person on your behalf. Hii dunia kila kitu ni nipe nikupe. Ken will give you the other details on how  clear from the office. Goodbye”.

This was not the most elaborate termination of employment. But we can see what he was thinking with.

Let’s dissect this…

What does the Law say??

In a case where you are terminated from your job, you have the social right to enforce some laws.

Employers have a hard lemon to swallow when it comes to axing employees. Especially, when they are not 100% justified to do so. It is perfectly ok for the employer to terminate your employment when some grounds of misconduct are met 😀 .

If your employer terminates your employment because of age, gender, sex, race, religion, disability or infirmity, marital status, or sexual orientation, you can claim some legal action.

Few years back, the lives of women were limited to the house – which they couldn’t own. Now, the level of equality between the two sexes has been improved. Utopic idealists have driven the force of feminism in the past few years. This has been through creating awareness through the media and serious discussions. Some laws helped.

So we all have equal rights. Especially, when it comes to respect.

Hii dunia kila kitu ni nipe nikupe

“Men often act knowingly against their interest” David Hume, 1740.

Some believe that doing a good course and studying hard will get us the dream job. With salary for days! You can only be given that money if you offer a service.

Well you should not give so much you cannot feed yourself. However, sometimes the best incentive is happiness, and not pleasure.

This attitude might be a deterrence from effective youth philanthropy.

This guy

Firing an employee is very stressful. It’s like losing a friend. However, sometimes it has to be done. I guess it had to be done.

It is formal and very human to, at least, terminate someone’s employment face to face. Electronic methods tend to devalue the person. They might not be the best team member but they were in the team.

It takes courage to break up with your SO face to face… it also displays weakness if you use electronic means.

We need a witness! As we wait for the story to fade and details explained. We need someone other than the aforementioned to describe the employment termination. I believe, the situation looks grim for J. Waititu. However, not all the evidence has been displayed. We did talk about how selective the media is.

In this digital era, you have to be careful on your human relations. Otherwise a slip will have the office and everyone on a buzz.

What would you have done?

Much love,
Steja.

Why We Can Have It Both Ways with Youth Philanthropy

“If you wish to experience peace, provide peace for another.” Tenzin Gyatso

One topic stood out from the pack, when my co-writer and I discussed topics we thought would be apt as the pilot post on this blog, which we hope describes the culture of this blog to positive change, and that was the nature of altruism – especially self-sacrifice – by the youth (or young at heart 😉 ).

We have been trained by the 8-4-4 system to believe that each of the classes were simply levels to a greater and more fulfilling career. And our best bet to a better future is by being the crème de la crème in at least one of the subjects as you would then find your purpose in life. This level and progression of gratification, however, will only lead us to believe that we are meant to be rewarded for each task or activity.

I know. I know. Don’t get us wrong, this is not an anti-education post but rather, a pro-philanthropy call for all even the non-844.

Berkshire Hathaway chair, Warren Buffet, one of my heroes my just be one of the most aggressive businessmen of all time. I believe his value goes beyond the entrepreneurism, but to his idealist philosophy shown through his donation to health care, availing information technology and wealth to destitute individuals.

So why did I go on about the chair aforementioned? To be simple, you can have it both ways. You can be the richest person on the face of the earth! And still be the next Mother Teresa. #18th Feb

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaUf-lFWgUc