REDEEM THE AFRICAN MAN’S IMAGE

This year’s Kenyan Global Dialogues contest jury process took place on May 9-10 at Oak Place Conference Centre, organized by HIVOS. There were more than 3000 entries from young people of ages 25 and below. The members of the Jury were from diverse backgrounds- journalists, members of the civil society, film makers, academicians and even health care practitioners.

Kenyan judges- Global Dialogues 2014

The opportunity to be part of this great team came for me for the second time by virtue of being a former contestant. I was part of the national winners during the 2008 Scenarios from Africa competition. Back then it was a simple ceremony. Now it has evolved to Global dialogues.

The top twenty entries are going to be adapted into a short film to get the conversation moving. Last year’s competition gave rise to the film ‘Walk with me’- on the issue of disability, HIV/AIDS, sexual violence and secrets that young people struggle with.    

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gd2BaJJLwoo

A number of the Kenyan entries this year came from primary school children, a good portion came from high schools while a few came from out of school youths. The beauty with this contest is that it is an avenue for young people to express the issues affecting them. 

There’s something about writing that is magical. The things that one cannot voice loudly suddenly come to life. This is what we the judges were privileged to read for two days. Some good pieces that made it to the top twenty, some not so good scripts and other ugly ones that were totally misinformed on HIV/AIDS and sexuality.

I had the opportunity to mobilize entries for the contest prior to the judging process. One 16 year old confided in me during the process that they were in love and having sex. The contents of our conversation will not be divulged here. This is just to show that young people need to air their voices in a safe, non- judgmental environment. The early sexual debut is just one of the challenges facing young people.

Another issue that came up in the entries was young people asking their parents tough questions. It was evident that there exists a communication gap between young people and their parents when it comes to matters sexuality. Parents are scared to start the discussion, while young people feel that they are not understood by their parents when it comes to such matters. 

The fact that domestic violence is rampant in the Kenyan society could not be overlooked. Several scripts had Female Genital Mutilation, rape and incest. At some point, we were of the opinion that maybe during the mobilization; the notion was created that articles that depicted such gory details would stand a chance in the contest. On second thought, having watched the goings on in the media, I guess the entries were just a mirror of our society. 

A thirteen year old girl being defiled by her mother’s lover, a 15 year old girl being impregnated by her ‘pastor’ father who has been defiling her together with her sisters and in these cases, the mothers assist the men in escaping the arm of the law. Who speaks for these teenagers?

Back to the Global Dialogues contest which was dogged by plagiarism. The education system prepares students for exams making them copy to become ‘the best’. This limits creativity and originality. One of the recommendations I have made is that there should be creative writing workshops in schools during the mobilization process. Another great idea by a Kenyan creative author is to have reading time incorporated into the lessons of the school timetable. This will improve the students’ writing abilities.

Deciding the top entries was not an easy feat because all fifteen members of the jury had to come to a consensus. Of course there were lively arguments in support of the scripts which each juror thought deserved to make the cut. That is the result of putting together a team that’s united by one passion- the young people. The winning scripts are going to go through an international jury process.

A parting shot is to our Kenyan men. The wining script was ‘A letter to Dad- my hero’. There are several men who are role models to their families. The few who have developed deviant ways of handling their families should not spoil the image of the African man. We join the young people in the dream of an Africa of positive masculinity.

I HATE GOODBYES

I have found the courage to complete a story I started sometime ago.....
http://julieinspire.blogspot.com/2014/03/i-earnestly-miss-earnest.html

Earnest's mother came around to look for me. I was always not there because of school. I packed my warm blue blanket, some few utensils and something she could prepare for Earnest's meal. I then left the parcel with our faithful mama mboga, "give these to my sister when she comes". She was indeed a sister, we had grown so accustomed to each other. Earnest too, had gotten used to my singing, which announced my arrival.


I checked that evening, she did not come for it. I did not lose heart, I kept checking for the entire week. Finally she picked the parcel a week later.

Then she went missing. She did not have a phone so I could not contact her. I wondered for months how they were doing.

Two months later, she came to visit me on a Sunday. I could not hold my joy when I saw them. They were doing well, despite a one month period of hospitalization. They had just been released from hospital that week. Earnest had developed complications and had to be admitted. Thanks to Blue House MSF, they cleared the hospital bill.

As I was escorting them that evening, the baby whom I had grown fond of pointed a recognizing finger at me, while looking at his mom. Oh! he had grown so much that he recognized me.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1265/1395207243_6f1671940d_m.jpg

That was the last time I saw them together. One month later, I received a phone call from Earnest's mother. "We have lost Earnest he died in the house".

All the smiles, all the stares and sometimes the cries. Especially the weird goodbye that he gave me- pointing at me- they all rushed back to remind me of another hero gone too soon.

Juliet's CV

Juliet Jacqline Awuor Otieno

CONTACT INFORMATION

Telephone	254-724-175-684
Email	juliejacqui@gmail.com
Twitter	@juliejacqui1
LinkedIn	Juliet Awuor
Facebook	Juliet Hephzibah

CAREER PROFILE

I am currently an undergraduate student at Daystar University completing my BA in Communication, with the hope of pursuing a career in Corporate communications.

I have over five years of experience working directly with communities focusing on HIV/AIDS education and empowerment for young women and girls. I have spoken and written extensively about women’s reproductive health and HIV/AIDS issues.

I also handle a high school ministry, educate young people on HIV/AIDS and sexuality, and volunteer as the media coordinator at River of Life Fellowship church.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

2012-Present	Daystar University, Nairobi, Kenya Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication: Public Relations option (Expected graduation date- June 2015)
2011	Daystar University, Nairobi, Kenya Diploma, Communication: Print and Electronic Media
2010	Kenya Association of Professional Counselors (KAPC), Nairobi, Kenya VCT Counselor training certificate
2006	Institute of Social Studies & Advocacy (ISSA), Nairobi, Kenya Diploma in social welfare and advocacy

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

River of Life Fellowship Church (October 2010-October 2013)

Volunteer Media Administrator, Nairobi, Kenya

 Administration of the church office

 Audio/ Video Recording, Editing and distributing Pastor’s messages

 Updating the church’s website and social media

 Designing Certificates, publications and Making weekly church bulletins

Daystar University (ILPD- Institute of Leadership and Professional Development), (August 2013-Present)

Work study scholarship, Nairobi, Kenya

 Photography and writing articles on the institute’s events in liaison with the corporate affairs department,

 I provide Assistance in administrative duties.

HIVOS- Global Dialogues competition 2013, (25th -26th May 2013)

Jury, Nairobi, Kenya

 Selection of young peoples’ entries in the competition- top scripts created Global Dialogues’ short films.

 Helped in coming up with a script for the Global Dialogues short film.

College of the Rockies campuses (COTR), (October 2007-October 2007)

Guest Facilitator, Calgary, Canada

 African Development Challenges Conference (MDG number six – on HIV, Malaria and Tuberculosis)

COMMUNITY OR VOLUNTEER WORK

Student Ministry on HIV/AIDS (Speaker)

 High school ministry, educating students on HIV/AIDS

 Coordinator of the Daystar University’s Compassion and Care Center’s (DCCC) support group

APHIA plus Nairobi HIV/AIDS Facilitator, June 2011-September 2011

 Communicating positive behavior change against the spread of HIV/AIDS in communities, Community Based Organizations & Faith Based Organizations.

Casino Health center Member of the counselors’ supervision team, June 2010-October 2011

 Outdoor counseling and testing activities and also part time volunteering at the Centre as a VCT/ HTC/ CCC counselor.

PSI-APHIA II program, Advocate of Behavior change, January 2007- December 2010

 Raised awareness, positive behavior change against the spread of HIV/AIDS in workplaces, communities, Community Based Organizations & Faith Based Organizations.

APDK (Association for the Physically Disabled of Kenya) Community Facilitator, 2006-2007

 Mobilization of financially constrained women into self Help Groups to encourage sustainable development and discourage the handout mentality.

UN HABITAT- Nanjing, China, November 2008

 Guest Speaker at the World Urban Youth Forum, part of the World Urban Forum for harmonious urbanization and safe cities.

National Organization of Peer Educators (NOPE) - 3rd National Conference of Peer Education, HIV&AIDS June 2008

 Presentation: “The Role of Community in curbing Stigma & Discrimination”.

Population Action International (PAI) and Action Canada for Population and Development (ACPD), May 2007

 Guest speaker at the Screening of Abstaining from Reality, at the Parliament.

Population Action International (PAI) MARCH 2007

 Featured in a Documentary (Abstaining from Reality) United Kingdom- London; Guest speaker before members of Parliament on International Women’s day.

KENWA (Kenya Network of Women with AIDS) Community Health Worker, 2004-2006

 Managed the Resource Centre, Provided Home Based Care for people living with HIV/AIDS, Mobilized Community and created awareness, Counseling for orphans and vulnerable children and People Living with HIVAIDS.

AWARDS & HONORS

Awarded national winner, Scenarios from Africa Competition, Date, Location

 Created an outstanding scenario on HIV in Africa. Story: All that Glitters is not Gold.

International Essay Competition- World Bank, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cities Alliance (Best Authors), 2008, Nairobi

 Awarded a diploma among best authors. Story: The City I Long For.

SKILLS

Languages: English (Advanced Proficiency), Swahili (Fluent), Luo (Native)

Computer: Microsoft Office applications, online networking, Adobe Creative Suite, Sony Vegas. Skilled at using Windows 2000/2003/2007, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Linux, Windows 8

BLESSING IN DISGUISE?

I get it.... I get it. So it's that obvious? Today was the nth time I have been stopped by someone to tell me of registration of persons with disability.

First, my dad called me to talk to his visually impaired friend some two years ago. He advised me to go register as one of 'them', there were some supposed benefits. I don't remember detail of what he said. As far as I was concerned, I was normal and did not want anything to do with handouts. I was trying so hard to prove a point- CAPABLE not a BURDEN! I listened politely and agreed to everything they told me.

Later when my dad asked me when I would go to register myself, I told him bluntly that I was not DISABLED. He just put the issue to rest, never to remind me of it again.

Concealing my hand

Slanted shoulder

Ever since, I have been stopped by people on the streets..... One time a lady named Grace stopped me and asked me about my disability. She told me that registration would open doors for scholarships and even business. Now that reminded me of an old woman who came to my mother immediately after I got the stroke. She told my mother that I should register with disabled persons so that I get a wheelchair. With this wheelchair, I would then get access to a hawking space in town. Not that I have anything against hawkers. Just that there were so many changes that I was trying to get to terms with.

Then there's this time that I went to be baptized. Some people came to me at Nyayo Stadium pool entrance. They were part of the paraplegic swimming team. They told me to join them and even offered to train me for free. Oh! And I would access the pool free of charge every Saturday morning.

I took out my swimming costume, the one that I bought and never used......That's as far as it went. I never pursued it. Of course my Saturday mornings have been busy with classes.

Using my right hand

Today we were walking along Ngong Road with my friend Maryanne. Suddenly two men inside two posh vehicles called us. We looked at each other puzzled, and then looked at the direction of the parked vehicles. The men urged us to go to them. "Don't be afraid, we just want to talk to you". One of them was a Caucasian man and the other was a Kenyan. We cautiously approached the vehicles.

The Caucasian man asked me if I had prosthetics. He explained that they were both persons with disabilities and were confined to wheelchairs. The Kenyan man showed me a handicap sticker on his windscreen. I became more relaxed. I told them that although I was disabled, I did not have prosthetics.

The Kenyan man then asked me if I have registered with the National Council for Persons with Disability. I said I tried but didn't follow the process through. They told me to complete the process immediately so that I can apply for government contracts. The government is giving priority to women, young people and most importantly, persons with disability. I ended up thanking them, getting a contact card and promising to follow the process through.

Good at concealing

I am reminded of my friend and former high school teacher- Mwendwa Marete- Mrs. Obutu. "Use what God allows you to go through for your advantage". She is just part of the numerous voices that have been trying to convince me to register and get benefits enjoyed by persons with disability.

I now accept I have been locking myself out of opportunities while complaining of not having a job. I would be an employer by now.

A memorable Easter at Mwingi

Quincy, Resh, Magdalene, Vivian & Juliet

Giving the Gift of Yourself: Juliet’s Story

http://www.populationaction.org/blog/2013/11/26/giving-the-gift-of-yourself-juliets-story/
I just came across this post by Suzanne Ehlers, President and CEO of PAI

HONGERA TO 1ST LADY MARGARET KENYATTA

On Monday I had quite a walk running errands. It was as if I was in a marathon, connecting places and chasing time, because I had limited time to get to the afternoon class. I alighted at Traffic police station, and walked all the way to Upper Hill road. All this time, I was cursing the matatu for taking me that far. Coming from the office at Upper hill, I walked like a vehicle to Integrity Center, through to Milimani road. On reaching my next stop, I was thoroughly exhausted. The drive to reach class at two o'clock kept me going. After my delivery at the office, I only had six minutes to rush to Daystar University. Luckily, I managed to reach class at ten past two, when the lecturer was just starting the class. My feet were begging for mercy and got rescued when I slumped on the chair ready for the lecture.

 

The whole experience made me think critically about Kenya's first lady, Margaret Kenyatta. Just this Saturday, the 50 year old mama wa taifa participated in the London Marathon for a noble cause of  raising money to build mobile clinics to help improve maternal health in the Beyond Zero campaign.



Photo courtesy of http://www.jambonewspot.com

Already Mrs Kenyatta has raised funds for ten mobile clinics out of the targeted 47, with each county expected to get one. “Our target is to raise 3.6 million pounds to buy mobile clinics for all the 47 counties in Kenya.” Last month, she raised Sh100 million from the 21 kilometer First Lady’s Half Marathon held in Nairobi.

Although Mrs. Kenyatta had prepared well  for the marathon, she is not an elite athlete as the renowned Kenyans who bag the gold in almost all marathons.

As of 2009 infant mortality rate for Kenya is 54.7 deaths/1,000 live births, ranking among 44 worst countries in the world. According to Estimates generated by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (IGME) in 2013, Kenya's median infant mortality rate lies at 72.9. Among the leading causes of infant mortality are HIV, diarrhea and malnutrition.

http://www.ulizalinks.co.ke1st-lady-margaret-kenyatta-receives-warm-reception-london/

Back to the marathon, let me not bore you with numbers. She is now officially the first 1st lady to complete a marathon for a good cause.

Skeptics might call it PR gimmick as some have started on social media but haters are always there. What are the critics doing to improve someone's life? All I can say is we need more of these initiatives if we are to realize the MDGs by next year. Kudos to mama.