Merry christmas and a prosperous 2010

The impact of TV in our life

We have really come far with Information Communication Technology (ICT) one media being television. When you talk of accessibility, availability and knowledge, there is still a big disparity in the part of knowledge. How, When, Why and What are the questions which go an answered and have a big impact in our society.

Today I will tackle the subject of televison and its impact in our society and focusing on these two questions why and when? Why shouldn’t we control the information we take? When do we allow our children to access television? Does all information we watch on television have a positive impact?

Televison has really contributed to the 21st century super highway through delivering information to our society and has brought some positive impact in the way we dress, socialize, and generally how we live etc. On the other side of the coin most people are afraid to tackle the negative impact it does contribute if not put in check.

The word accessibility will be less used in our neighborhoods in the coming future. Some years back owning a televison set was something precious and one would be counted among the rich (where I grew up, Mathare slums in Nairobi, Kenya). In this world of today information is readily available from your finger tips or by a click of a button through internet, television, magazine, books etc. which means there is accessibility and availability what about knowledge?

It is time parents, teachers, brothers and sisters get educated on what they consider useful by reading, watching or listening. What we need is to educate our children and empower them to make sound judgments and be responsible. This won’t happen by hiding the remote control, punishments or hash words etc. but through education and empowerment of our sons and daughters the reality of life out there.

There is nothing in this World as powerful as the POWER OF THE MIND…

My own opinion some of the soap opera on the televison addresses issues of life like it is a ‘piece of cake’ when for example talking about love, wealth etc. I urge all the youth of the World to get real and live within their means (Don’t live like a king yet you don’t even have a ‘job’). Secondly don’t imitate all you see, hear or read. Please borrow the ‘right’ cultures that won’t discard your own and get the right content from trusted sources.

The programmes on television some have age restriction note written in big bold font but still this does not help much when you consider our children whom might be as young as 10 years controlling TV channel with a remote control.

To parents and guardians please play your part in controlling the content your sons and daughters get their hand on or even watch?

All in all television plays an integral part in Information society and is a great medium for advertisement; creativity and employment just to mention a few.

Lastly relate televison with computer, is there anything in common? Just to mention one, I usually control my mouse on what I click and read. I might return to the website or not depending on many factors. Can we do the same for televisions at home?

Content written and published by Wilson Masaka

Take a glimpse at the future, don't look back!

Soon it will be 2010 and 2009 will be history. As Alex Haley puts it “In every conceivable manner, the family is link to our past, bridge to our future”.

Ask yourself did you meet your plans or resolutions this year? And what were the major obstacles? For best answers always listen to your inner-self and consult with people you Trust.

Let us look at USP (Unique Selling Point). Have your ever done a self evaluation and gotten your USP? How did you use that something in you to make a positive impact in someone’s life (anyone)?

Something to remember for the faint-hearted, everyone has got the potential to achieve anything in life provided if you have the Desire and Faith in yourself.

Take time and reflect back and focus on the future, how can use your USP for even better results in 2010? Soon it will be World cup and believe me or not, if we had started planning and saving 10 years back we could have seen ourselves in South African in some few months to come. I know this is somehow vague and it is tied to many factors, but the point here is, we shouldn't be afraid to Dream and desire what we want to achieve or even who we want to become in future. You should always have courage and believe in yourself. On the other hand you can always make a long term plan for example, where do you see yourself in the next 4 years to come? Fear is part of the human emotion but it can be controlled by none other than YOU.

There is always light at the end of the tunnel, my short story growing up in the slum area was not an easy task with an arrays of vices surrounding my environment ranging from diseases, poverty, pollution etc. But I haven’t stopped there despite the environment wasn’t favorable for learning or aspirations in life, and I know somewhere out there in the World someone might be in a worse situation than mine but if you put your heads as TEAM you will always sail through, be it in a community club, family, peer group etc.

The rule of the thumb as the famous saying “charity begins at home” let us obey, respect our parents and in cases of difficulties let us give dialogue a chance before pointing fingers.

Before I conclude close your eyes and ask yourself this question;

- Is there anything that you could have done better?
- Are there any steps that you made towards the betterment of yourself and others?
- Being a young person how did you deal with the challenges in life 2009?
- And if you didn’t do this before, what is your USP (Unique Selling Point)?

“To be a millionaire depends on how you spent your first shilling” (Quote and photo by -Wilsenx)

A poem for you

It is my 5th month in Zanzibar and I have been enjoying it here with many activities to do like swimming, watching football at Mau grounds and today (14th Nov2009 - Old fort) Fiesta 2009. I am looking forward to see my favorite Bongo star artists Alikiba, Baby J, Wanaume TMK etc.

Do you always plan to do something creative or you are that person who can be inspired anytime to come up with a creative concept or anything, whichever still the goal is, you are inspired to do something.

There is this simple tool which is used in all walks of life, a pen and a paper (notebook, diary etc) which can save you a lot in managing internal and external work load, which I also call 'pressure' on the other hand it will help you track your daily to do list. Being a creative person make sure you have it with you all the time, you never know when a new idea might pop up.

To share my story one night I was resting in the sitting room and suddenly I felt a burning desire to compose or write a poem to someone special in my life, and the challenge was I to do it in Kiswahili. hmmmh! it was not that easy but I was determined to come up with one, here we go do not mind the spellings or if it doesn't meet some standard of some sort...

It is called TABASAMU = SMILE

TABASAMU

Ninapo kuona mimi utabasamu;
Ukitabasamu roho yangu utabasamu;
Kweli maisha si maisha bila tabasamu;

Ninaposikiliza wimbo wa tabasamu;
Mimi uomba niwe na wewe ndipo ni tabasamu;
Kweli maisha si maisha bila tabasamu;

Wengi watatamani kuwa nami lakini siwezi kutabasamu;
Bila wewe siwezi tabasamu, wewe ndiye tabasamu;
Kweli maisha si maisha bila tabasamu;

Tujichunge na mafataki wahongo waonjaribu kutabasamu;
Ila tuikuze misingi na minyororo ya tabasumu;
Kweli maisha si maisha bila tabasamu;

Msingi inayoleta maisha njema ndipo tuweze kutabsamu;
Minyororo inayotuunganisha maishani ndipo tutabasamu;
Kweli maisha si maisha bila tabasamu;

Wahenga walinena ndipo nipate kutabasamu;
Sinabudi kukubusu ndipo niweze kutabasamu;
Kweli maisha si maisha bila tabasamu;

Wengi wamejaribu kutabasamu;
Lakini hawawezi kama wewe kutabasamu;
Kweli maisha si maisha bila tabasamu;

Ninapokuwa mgonjwa wewe unipa tabasamu
Dawa la tabasamu lako unipa tabasamu;
Kweli maisha si maisha bila tabasamu;

Wengi walitembea dunia kote kutafuta tabasamu;
Nafurahia kuwa na wewe katika maisha ya tabasamu;
Kweli maisha si maisha bila tabasamu;

Mwandishi waroho yako ya maisha; Bwana Masaka

Sport as an agent for change

Today I want to share with you the power of sports. I was brought up in a family of sportsmen, which goes down to my grand father who used to like football so much and my father inherited the talent from his family. The chain is still on the move and currently three of my sisters are playing football which is unlike many families around Africa and in particular my country.

To cut the long story short one day I was amazed to witness someone speak ill about sports in particular football asking questions like what are the benefits after all?

Through books of history sports has been used as an agent for change whereby uniting people despite their background, race or creed. On the other side it has been one of the sources of income for many countries, and on the social fronts great role models are natured through sports. This is untapped area in many developing countries but if I compare a country like England, football is a respected profession just like any other profession for example IT, law, banking, fashion etc. With the will-power, great sound of mind and working as team Africa we can do it!

I believe that all the problems of the world like poverty, war, hunger, youth unemployment etc can be alleviated through sports. So let us all support its growth from grassroots to the top level. Another thing to note, you don’t have to love football like me because this is inherited in our family chain, but there are lot of sports out there that you can support of even participate.

Did I mention sports for physical fineness? In sport you have to maintain a good form through gradual training which also as a result keeps you away from the doctor. Here is a question for you, how much does a football player earn? (Hmmmm.. my answer) this depends with lots of factors like geographical location, institutions and structures etc.

World cup 2010 here we come South Africa, and for those who have questions about what are the benefits of football, catch with me during or after World cup for a cup of tea, juice, coffee , milk or a glass of water .

All the best Harambee stars in your preparation for the tough match a head versus Supper eagles of Nigeria. World cup cum Africa cup of Nation qualifier 2010 in Nairobi, Kenya 14th November 2009, I will miss this because I’m currently in Zanzibar. But I will keep myself glued on TV. All the best and we can do it Harambee Stars.

Photos and video archive

Girls too can play! click for more photos

http://otto-beneckerfc.blogspot.com/


Together as a team everyone is a winner. Prayers helps too..


Metro sports - Nairobi, Kenya.


Instructions...


From Kenya to Zanzibar


Accuracy before power...

Catch up with Metro sports and Me on YouTube

Click on the the thumbnail screenshot

Article; by Wilson Masaka
wilsenuk [at] yahoo.co.uk

Who knows what the future holds for them?

With the right skills, positive attitude, determination, inspiration and knowledge you will always be at par with what you like doing, be it design work, developing concepts or anything. It's time we youth to think of the future and be prepared for it.

I can remember my first introduction to computer I used application like Dreamweaver ultraDev but now we got Adobe Dreamweaver C4 which has got great features and helps me in my work. We have really come a long way and who knows what is in store for us when you think of technology, I’m waiting to see a baby sitter robot in the coming years. For sure there must be something in store in the next one or two years to come when you think IT. So the question is how do you cope with the changing situation especially being a young person?

My advice to youth is to keep on reading from different sources for example online materials, books, magazines, newspapers etc. A page or two will always add something to your knowledge base especially if you are not a good reader. Just start slowly and you will get the rhythm.

I love internet and since I got connected I have always been adding something to my toolbox for future. Today through my regular online reading I came across this document which was inspiring, I do not know more about John Gardner but this is true;

“We don’t even know what skills may be needed in the years ahead. That is why we must train our young people in the fundamental fields of knowledge, and equip them to understand and cope with change. That is why we must give them the critical qualities of mind and durable qualities of character that will serve them in circumstances we cannot now even predict.” John Gardner (1961).

I take this great opportunity to thanks all the local and International institutions that are geared towards youth advocacy and development in any field of practice. Thanks to Nairobits, Zanzibits, MYSA, Butterflyworks, KCYP, Young blood, Yike, CFK, Chrisc just to mention a few, for creating opportunities channels for youths and prepare them for future.

Through these initiatives great leaders, social workers, designers, developers, sportsmen and women etc, are born. The youth are the backbone of a country so we should always give them the right skills and tools to cope with the future changes.

Keep the good work and sky the limit, so let us prepare our youths for future.

Article by – Wilson Masaka

Visit to the spice farm

Yesterday I got an opportunity to travel to 'ocha', 'shamba' or in other words upcountry in Ugunja, Zanzibar. Thanks to nature for what it has to offer and all the people around who strive to make both ends meet by conserving the environment and making it a green nation or a green world. To all the farmers in this world I say thank you for your hard work and making us going.

During our visit we got a chance to taste, smell and feel different arrays of spices like clove, cinnamon etc. Spice has got many benefits in our society for example it is used as medicine, to add aroma, perfumes and many others. The guide was able also to explain to us the history of each spice, I like how the spices are called in different languages for sure this was a life time experience a worth keeping in the diary.

Yesterday I got an opportunity to travel to 'ocha', 'shamba' or in other words upcountry in Ugunja, Zanzibar. Thanks to nature for what it has to offer and all the people around who strive to make both ends meet by conserving the environment and making it a green nation or a green world. To all the farmers in this world I say thank you for your hard work and making us going.

During our visit we got a chance to taste, smell and feel different arrays of spices like clove, cinnamon etc. Spice has got many benefits in our society for example it is used as medicine, to add aroma, perfumes and many others. The guide was able also to explain to us the history of each spice, I like how the spices are called in different languages for sure this was a life time experience a worth keeping in the diary.

The day also did not end by not spotting something creative and unique around. I always believe life is a learning experience and everyday I try to learn and appreciate something outside the box and there comes fun.

Hello...

Culture in another perspective

What is culture? Many people think it deals with the old artifact in the museum around the world, but that is not the truth, in other words culture is a way of life. For example we have the family culture, food and culture, color and culture, music culture and many more that relates to it.

On the other hand culture is also the way we used to do things (past) and also how we currently ran our daily tasks (present). Have you ever think about this question, how many languages and tribes are there is this world? Even me I do not know, but I guess there are many more than a thousand! My message to the world is that let us embrace our cultures and not use them against each other. Here I am directly talking about tribes and languages that exist to bring us together as one people, one nation and one world, and not to divide us. I will have to do a research on the Internet which is a global village to find answers for almost any question.

There is this common language amongst the youth, I guess it’s everywhere you go in this world and one day you will come across it if you have not and it's so unlikely that where you live it is not used. The ‘sheng’ or slang culture which is the act of mixing two or even more languages while conversing or even coming up with your own words to express something.

What I like about slang is, it makes someone unique and it’s a form of identity or trend like fashion which cuts across different age groups. The older generation also uses it a lot especially is major towns and this depends with where you live.

When the older generation uses the language they feel somehow associated with the younger generation and they feel young at heart and spirit, if that is not the case I stand to be corrected. As rule of the thumb everything has got its own pro and cons, and the only disadvantage of this slang culture is, if it is not controlled and checked it can destroy ones culture of the formal languages. Even worse it can run into even formal meetings or even the education systems, Imagine your president speaking slang while addressing a formal meeting, that would be really funny, but I know some politicians who have used it as an associative method to reach the youth during public rallies and it really works for them.

Nevertheless I can term it to be a creative language. During one conversation with friends here in Zanzibar which is world known for good Swahili, I also found the slang cultures having its roots with youth. Here are some of my findings, go always for good words...

Greetings; Mzuka, Shega, bomba. shwanga! = good
Units: 100; 200; 500; 1000; 10,000; 100,000
Zanzibar slang: Jiti, Bati, Jero, Buku, Msimbazi, Kilo
Nairobi slang: Soo, Ruabe, Ngiri, Thao kumi, Ngiri soo
Kiswahili: Mia moja, Mia mbili, Mia tano, Elfu, Elfu kumi, Laki moja

These are just a few to illustrate how interesting this can go and also looking at different youth culture. The other amazing thing with naming and conversation depends with your neighborhood or the community one comes from.

Have a look at this again, In African tradition and heritage naming a child is a big deal and I guess this goes as far as Mongolia and the entire world. I will give an example of my name Masaka which was given to me by my parents with a particular reason in mind which can either be a season, a name of a hero etc, I will have to find this out. Anyway what I want to refer here is how one word can be used by different communities or a culture to mean different things. My second name Masaka, in Uganda it is a city, In Japan we have Osaka which is also a city but not exactly as my name but somehow almost there. Funny! I’m yet to find what it means in China or any African states and other places in the world.

Finally some words in other cultures can be taken to be ‘normal’ when used, but the truth is that this kind of language can cause you a fortune like losing your job, relationship breakups etc. No need of giving examples basically watch what you consume especially in this era of ICT and multimedia, always take what is good for you and leave the rest.
Written and posted by; wilsenuk@yahoo.co.uk

Eid el fitri in Zanzibar

If you were in Zanzibar I hope you had an experience of a life time and if you missed it there’s always next time. As part my mission and passion to learn, share and explore other cultures, I had the most amazing opportunity to explore more about the culture in Zanzibar during Eid celebrations.

There was a lot in the offering; food, music, fashion, games just to mention but a few. I couldn't imagine it was going to be like this and to make it even more exciting it was for four days. Every where was packed to capacity which reminds me of Obama’s inauguration which found me in Kenya where I saw crowds of people united in celebrations..... Different cultures, one people, one world!

Wilsen-x; Peace...


Forodhani Zanzibar for food, drinks etc.


Entertainment at one of the events ( don't try this eeeh). This was really amazing!

ooh! this is familiar for football lovers like me here is something I spotted have a look..

Similarity of Zanzibar and Mihuru - bay

Mihuru bay is my 'ocha' In Kenya. here in Zanzibar they will called it 'shamba' or in other words upcountry where I leave together with my extended families and relatives. On my trip to Kenya I got to visit and with my camera I was on a learning expedition to spot on how we can make the place a tourist destination, what similarity with Zanzibar, what about the people, anything unique? etc. As someone said, pictures speaks a thousand words...


Other mode of transport...


communication...


Fishing...


Fishing net. Measurement counts!


FISH!


Fishing...


Football..


happiness...


Solid rocks...


Dish rack...

Where next?...

BE THANKFUL FOR WHAT YOU HAVE

Subject: "FHOK Youth Centre Nairobi" sent you a message on Facebook...
Sender: Facebook Add contact
Recipient: Wilson Masaka Add contact
Date: Today 08:58

Damaris Moragwa Nattydam sent a message to the members of FHOK Youth Centre Nairobi.

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Subject: BE THANKFUL FOR WHAT YOU HAVE

A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet. He held up a sign which said: 'I am blind, please help.' There were only a few coins in the hat.
1
A man was walking by. He took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat. He then took the sign, turned it around, and wrote some words. He put the sign back so that everyone who walked by would see the new words.

Soon the hat began to fill up. A lot more people were giving money to the blind boy. That afternoon the man who had changed the sign came to see how things were. The boy recognized his footsteps and asked, 'Were you the one who changed my sign this morning? What did you write?'


The man said, 'I only wrote the truth. I said what you said but in a different way.'
What he had written was: 'Today is a beautiful day and I cannot see it.'

Do you think the first sign and the second sign were saying the same thing?

Of course both signs told people the boy was blind. But the first sign simply said the boy was blind. The second sign told people they were so lucky that they were not blind. Should we be surprised that the second sign was more effective?

Moral of the Story: Be thankful for what you have. Be creative. Be innovative. Think differently and positively.

Invite others towards good with wisdom. Live life with no excuse and love with no regrets. When life gives you a 100 reasons to cry, show life that you have 1000 reasons to smile. Face your past without regret. Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future without fear. Keep the faith and drop the fear.

Great men say, 'Life has to be an incessant process of repair and reconstruction, of discarding evil and developing goodness…. In the journey of life, if you want to travel without fear, you must have the ticket of a good conscience.'

The most beautiful thing is to see a person smiling…
And even more beautiful is, knowing that you are the reason behind it!!!
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Visual communication

No Photoshop here! How can someone install a sign post inverted and expect people to see it and read it? some simple things that people take for granted but have direct impact on how we navigate through our daily activities. Lets respect the visual communication design for those that doesn't know it.

Photo me 09:08:09

No body is an 'island' we need each other and we need to work as a team..


If birds do it ( Team work), who are we not to recognize it?


Express yourself!...


This weekend is the start of the English premier league that takes most of the African fans by storm. I like the game of football so much and I have been playing football since I was 9 years. The only thing that makes me sad is today’s football fans who use the game of football as a way of creating hatred amongst themselves and if you read in the media last time there were many incidents reported like I can remember the guy who hung himself because his favorite time lost. This is really football madness.

My message to everyone who like the game, let us not abuse the sport this is a game to bring unity and understanding from all people of different races and creed. Ask yourself what you are doing to support the local development of the sport if you are really a great fan. There is potential in our youth in Kenya, Zanzibar and all over Africa but where do we go wrong? You have the answers PLEASE DO SOMETHING THE CHANGE STARTS WITH YOU.

The more you are like yourself the less you are like anyone else. You are like a tree you must put forth the fruits that’s created in you. back to our roots...

Flora and Fauna at Chumbe Island

Today we had the most wonderful Friday with the entire Zanzibits team of students and staff at Chumbe Island whereby we had a lot of activities like walking in the forest, sessions with the guide about the ecosystem etc. For more about Chumbe http://www.chumbeisland.com



Lectures ecosystem, marine protected areas...


eeh!


Coral viewing...


In twos, this is what I call thinking outside or without a box...


Let us GO! that is a great leader...



Innovation


Innovation; bulb covered by coconut shell.


Do you have fun in whatever you do? be it in work places, at home...


Creativity unlimited...


Where do you drop your 'anchor of life'? calculate your future


Be happy!


Together Each Achieve More (TEAM)