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