Life

Jacob Zuma Reflects Us

Daniel — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:56:59 +0200

If Africans saw themselves, or at least saw how they would like to be, in Nelson Mandela, the Jacob Zuma reflects who we really are. To accuse him is to lay blame on ourselves. Zuma is a mirror that reflects what we would be in his position. After all, has he not been invited to attend Nc’ wala ceremony in Zambia later this year? If he were not a reflection of us, what would he be coming to do at Nc’ wala ceremony?

When President Zuma starts talking about what is moral, as he is doing in his e-mail to the Zambia Post newspaper on the rights of children and on his government’s efforts to promote prevention treatment, research, and the fight against the stigma attached to the HIV and AIDS endemic, we unfortunately cannot hear him because his words do not coincide with his actions.

President Zuma has no moral standing to talk about the rights of children when he is the father of a child with a woman to whom he is not married. Similarly, he has no ethical position to talk about HIV and AIDS prevention when he is not committed to one woman and does not practice safe sex. It would be like asking Tiger Woods, the USA professional golfer who it was recently revealed had a score of mistresses, to come out in favour of marital fidelity as a standard for leadership.

Zuma and the ANC Youth League are saying that character doesn’t count and that people can separate, especially if they are elderly, what they do in private from what they do in public. But you can’t subdivide character; the same ethical standards that guide in public matters will also guide in private ones.

King David’s adulterous affair with Bathsheba gives us a wonderful illustration that it is impossible to separate one’s private moral compass from one’s public moral compass. When King David found out that Bathsheba, the beautiful woman he had an affair with (private life) was pregnant, he sent her husband off to the front line to be killed in a battle (public). Character cannot be subdivided.

African people are weary of looking at the children of poverty who live without fathers, mothers, and hope. Unemployment, HIV disillusion, and AIDS have created a pain that weighs heavily on the average African. Africans are seeking leadership with the capacity and will to rally men and women to the common purpose of overcoming these challenges, but within this leadership there must also be the character that inspires confidence. Jacob Zuma has failed in both instances.

Zuma’s testimony is an invitation to every Christian leader to do some critical self reflection. Yes, Zuma must be held accountable for his private actions, but how many of us are also being held accountable for our private actions? Do we try to divorce our public moral compass from our private moral compass? Are we inspiring the people around us to overcome challenges while also possessing a character that inspires confidence? When African Christians take seriously this call to holistic living, we will start to see the emergence of new leaders in public life who will mirror this value and hope.

All Against Homophobia: Gauteng Celebrates Diversity

phumim — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 11:08:22 +0200

For over half a century lesbians and gays internationally have been publicly taking into the streets. In 1990 in South Africa black and white people gathered in Johannesburg to protest against racism and homophobia, highlighting the double oppression suffered by black people under the apartheid regime. Since then pride events served as one platform to visibly make social and political demands of yet another group of people suffering exclusion: lesbians, gays, transgender, intersexed and bisexuals (LGBTIs).

The gains that are in our laws today did not happen by accident. Just like apartheid was defeated, LGBTIs people struggled openly as non-heterosexuals for the ideals found in the Freedom Charter “South Africa belongs to all who live in it…[O]ur country will never be prosperous or free until all our people… enjoying equal rights and opportunities… Peace and friendship amongst all our people shall be secured by upholding the equal rights, opportunities and status of all.” Mostly are included in the country’s Constitution.

We defeated apartheid and legislated against racial oppression, and racism continues. We legislated against inequality yet so many live the realities of not having basic needs. We celebrated the right to freedom and human dignity yet people like LGBTIs continue to be humiliated, ridiculed and murdered for who they are. To make the laws real we must all struggle side by side for full equality, freedom and human dignity.

As we begin heritage celebrations of LGBTI in Ekurhuleni this Saturday, let us ask ourselves what lessons struggling against racial oppression has taught us as Peoples. What are the fruits of “an injury to one is an injury to all”? What nation are we building if we encourage bigotry, violence and inhumanity against our fellows?

Let’s ALL march against hate speech and crimes targeting all people, including LGBTIs.

Ekurhuleni: 19 Sep at 9am at the Eudy Memorial Park, Tornado; Kwa-Thema
Soweto: 26 Sep at 10am at Vincent and Saunders Strs. in Meadowlands at 10am
Jo’burg: 3 October at 10h00 at Zoo Lake in Rosebank

Call Joint Working Group for details: 011 403 5566

General

50 Pupils From Mlimani Primary School Learn About Forests

haikam — Fri, 07 May 2010 08:41:22 +0200

ENVIROCARE through the support from Foundation for Environmental Education is implementing a project on Learning About Forests. Already, 50 pupils from Mlimani Primary School have started to learn about the forest.

The project wishes to enable pupils and teachers to practically experience being in the forest which will help them relate their experiences there. This is necessary for both teachers and pupils to understand forests, develop an awareness of forests and also respect the forests which hopefully will have an influence on future choices and actions, especially to the younger generation.

Also the project enables the pupils to form an environmental club which contains 50 pupils from each class. The club will plant 80 tree seedlings according to the choice and preference of the school.

The exercise was led by the school’s head teacher who planted one tree to inaugurate the tree planting exercise, and this tree will act as a reminder of the project.

The programme was started at Mlimani Primary School, which is located at the University of Dar es Salaam, Kinondoni District. It is the first program to be implemented at Mlimani Primary School and the pupils have not yet adequately received enough knowledge on forest issues and the eco-web.

The overall objective of the project is to enable teachers and pupils to practically experience the forests, learn from them and develop networks with others locally and globally.

Apart from planting trees in the school compound, ENVIROCARE and environment teachers formulated and strengthened the Learning about Forests club which has 50 pupils. A Google-blog (leaf.blogspot.com) was created and pupils trained on using the mail and blog to enable communication with other like-minded schools. Citizen journalism, seminars to eco-school leaders and a study tour for 20 pupils to Pugu forest will be organized.

Workers Strike Over Low Payment

Omanyo — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 11:04:24 +0200

With the exception of the outgrowers section and the administration sections, the other working sections of the Mayuge Sugar Industries, a sugar producing factory based in Mayuge district of Uganda, have downed tools -- not even entering the factory gate. This has led to shutdown and production is not in place -- the reason being that the wage paid to them is very little:2000ug Shs per day for the heavy and risky work performed day long.

Efforts to see that at least there is a simple increment in good moves has failed as many employers have for long kept a deaf ear to the poor Ugandans who have been patient, as before production, the employers used to promise the workers that on offset of production, their wages would be increased.

To the contrary, when production (of sugar) began, the bosses never bothered to implement increments on the wages of workers. The field coordinators withdrew from delivering cane from the villages and discouraged the outgrowers from supplying. When management realized there was no cane to crush for a week, an increase in the wage was made.

Now the same route is believed to help the other sections.The workers say ''we shall not do any work until management announces an increase in our wage. We shall also block any old worker who sympathizes with the management from entering the factory and also block new ones, until there is a change."

Private and Government Schools: Why not work hand in hand?

Maria Namirembe — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:20:11 +0200

Children are now in the middle of the term since they commenced studies on February 1st 2010. But the question is; what have they done since they went to school and what have the teachers done both in private and Government schools to achieve the intended goal of students and the schools in general?

It should not be an issue of competition between the government and private schools but an issue of producing excellent quality students in future for both private and government schools. This would be of great advantage as when these children finally become future responsible graduate citizens, they would move the country ahead as far as development is concerned and for their own benefits and the generation to come, since they will be working as living examples in future. This is because they will have achieved the skills and experience needed to achieve development strategies.

Private investors for schools should come on Board with the government to see that at all levels, quality education education is achieved. The private schools should work with the government to see that quality education is achieved down from the bottom line ''Infant stage''. It is so sad that most government schools care less/little or even not all to take a step to groom the children at the infant stage, whereas for the private schools, this is their core value if in future they are to produce responsible and fruitful citizens. Still the question is, can't the government and private schools work hand in hand to see to it that they produce equal standards up to the higher level of learning??

Its high time, I think, that the government comes up, collaborates and works with private schools to see that they all produce equal and reliable academic output.

How can this be achieved??

*Exam exchange program: With this I mean the government schools exchange their set exam papers with those of the private schools so that both are able to share each other's ideas.

*School committees for both government and private schools should take a round table discussion at least every year to share new ideas, find solutions for the existing school problems of all parties, and discuss more issues as far as academics is concerned.

*Exchange seminar visits and student discussions. For example, students of a particular class and from a government school take a seminar visit to a private school and carry on discussions on a particular subject. This will help to improve the competence of students from both government and private schools.

*Teachers for both private and government schools should share ideas and experiences for each other in achieving quality education for their schools and the country in general.

In conclusion, I would in my view urge the government to collaborate with the private schools if in future they are to produce useful and powerful citizens. This should be directly deep down from the grassroots ''Infant stage'' up to the University ''upper level.''

Mangrove conservation as a source of income generation

haikam — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 10:24:29 +0200

Addressing the sustainable use of mangrove forest ecosystems is very important to the people who rely on them for their livelihood in terms of food, health, income-generation and biodiversity conservation.

Because of the improper management of mangrove conservation surrounding communities in Moa, Mahandakini, Mpakani, Boma-subutuni and Boma-kichakamiba villages, Mkinga District faced a number of problems like random clearing of mangroves for social and economic purposes. This caused flooding. The resulting coastal erosion contributes to global warming and danger from rising sea-levels that has resulted in the occasional submerging of Kijiru Village.

This has been recognized by Envirocare who, in partnership of Foundation for Environmental Awareness (FEA) and Tanzania Coastal Environmental Conservation Network (TACOECONT) are implementing the project on Restoration of the Mangrove Ecosystem in Mkinga District, Tanga region.

The overall objective of the project is to build the local capacity to mitigate the impact of coastal and marine resource depletion through promoting sustainable management of mangroves and alternative livelihoods improvement in 5 villages in Mkinga district by 2010.

Project manager Abdalla Mkindi said, “mangroves ecosystems serve important coastal functions such as protection of coastal land against storms, provision of critical habitat for coastal biodiversity, spawning areas for coastal marine and inland aquatic terrestrial species and birds.”

He added that mangrove ecosystems “also are the source of timber and non timber products (honey, brackish water organisms), recreation, firewood, charcoal making, poles for housing, prawns, fish and shell fish, boat making, fishing gears and medicines.”

“Nearly 80% of mangrove users in Mkinga district have low levels of awareness on the importance of conserving mangrove ecosystems. This is partly due to the absence of specific environmental education programs in the target areas and low literacy levels,” Mkindi said.

In addition to this, the prevalent detrimental deep-seated cultural attitudes and practices have diminished the possibility of mangrove forest conservation, and led to indiscriminate and unsustainable harvesting of mangrove resources in the area.

The absence of alternative supplementary income-generating activities has meant an increasing dependence of communities on the mangrove forest resource, accounting for the rapid depletion of the mangrove ecosystem in Mkinga District.

While seaweed farming and honey production represent a viable alternative, these sectors are presently being affected by the low production capacity, absence of value addition, and limited access to markets.

The project focused on building the capacity of the target groups to produce quality honey in the mangrove forest and improve seaweed farming as an alternative means of reducing rampant poverty among the communities, and hence increased pressure on mangrove for their livelihoods

Envirocare, FEA and TACOECONT are calling for deliberate efforts geared towards awareness creation and pertaining to the management and protection of mangrove forest resources for the benefit of the Mkinga community and the nation at large.

Boda Boda motorcyces a menace to health

regina — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:03:00 +0200

Kampala city, like any other African city, is a busy one with many business activities taking place. “Whoever comes to the city in the morning should go back with a polythene bag commonly known as Kavera,” said the mayor of Kampala, during his election campaign. This meant that people would daily earn money to do shopping for their families.

Early mornings as I get to work, I usually see the Uganda traffic police scuffling with the motorcyclists. Motorcycles have become a daily means of public transport for people rushing to work. Traffic Jam is the order of the city of Kampala.

In Uganda, motorcyclists were left unregulated. Because of traffic jams motorcycle transport has increased and is an efficient means of movement. This kind of transport requires little space to move, and while the vehicles are packed in jam, the cyclists always find their way through. But in the process, they cause many accidents and are a nuisance to the motorists. However, Ugandan traffic laws have in the past ignored their presence.

The police commenced with the exercise of checking on the legal requirements to operate the motorcycle transport commonly known as Boda Boda. The following are checked:
Third Party Insurance (13,000/= equivalent to $68), which is paid annually, two head helmets, the PSV (Passenger Service Tax – 35,000/= equivalent US$.18), and the driving permit (300,000/= equivalent to US.$. 157). To many cyclists it is a great burden as they do not own the motorcycles, and their terms of employment are quite stringent.

In 2009, Boda Boda drivers threatened the Government that they would strike. They were promised that the issue would be sorted out soon. But surprisingly, they are being harassed by the Uganda traffic police traffic officers, again causing chaos in the city.

Sometime back, the daily newspaper New Vision and the television station UBC, reported that the majority of the accidents in Mulago Hospital are as a result of Boda Bodas. At the Jinja Road police post, about 100 boda boda-related cases are recorded daily. "Bodas are reckless," says John Mugaga, a traffic officer attached to the station. "We need to act fast because the accidents are many."

Hence the authorities are regulating the Boda Boda transporters to reduce accidents. This is a good move, but the law is not sustainable, as the traffic officers are very corrupt. In Uganda there are no Boda Boda training schools. So most of the drivers have never gone to driving school and the majority do not have driving licenses.

During my dialogue with Mr. Kato (not his real name), who is a motorcyclist operating in Wandegeya, he clarified that, “they would fulfill the requirements if they are not multiple.” He sadly added, “we also pay for the working permit at the stage where we pack, as we await the passengers.”

Depending on which stage the Boda Boda's operate from, the permit ranges from UGX 400,000-500,000/= (US$263), payable once. For example, at the stage at the Parliament, Wandegeya, they pay UGX 200,000/= and on Namirembe Road, UGX 300,000/= (US$157). “My sister, it is like buying a plot of land. Anyway we have no choice, in the city, survival is for the fittest,” Mr Kato lamented. In rural areas they also charge differently per stage, ranging from UGX200,000/= to 150,000/=. It is unfortunate that ignorance about the law is no defence. Laws are quite discriminatory, and it is the poorest that are mostly hit the hardest.

“There are many challenges in this business. We at times transport wrong-doers because of ignorance of who is a genuine passenger. Most times we are the victims,” commented another driver, named Felix.

Though motorcycles are a quick means of transport, during the rainy season there isn’t much business, as they have no roof and it is more risky driving through muddy roads. I also established that there is stiff competition depending on the model of the bike. Customers prefer BOXERS and TVS (new models) rather than the MATE (old model).

Though Mr Kato had many challenges, but a Mr Male said it’s not all that bad. He managed to buy a plot from the hard-earned income of Boda Boda work. Male testified that “I am able to pay for my children’s school fees and feed my family of five people".

Micro financiers support the Boda Boda business to help create employment for the youth. However, something must be done by the Government to avoid mistakes which might create unemployment for the youth.

The issue of Boda Boda passengers wearing helmets is opposed by many Ugandans, on the ground that they are quite heavy and hazardous to health.

A Reflection on Time: The Four Letter Word

Sydneygamela — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 12:41:54 +0200

There are twenty four hours in a day and one hundred and sixty eight hours in a week. What do you do with these hours? How many of these hours were invested in knowing and serving the Lord?

Time is a precious gift from God. However, time is also a perishable gift. That is, whatever time was lost last week, it has been lost eternally. Every second, minute, hour or day that is lost is lost forever with no possibility of ever recovering it. Thus, when you encounter an hour, a minute or a second, you are encountering it for the last time in time.

The easiest way to lose time is to do it one second at a time. A person who wastes a second every second will soon found out that in a month of 30 days, he or she would have wasted 259,000 seconds. An unwise person may waste money but the greatest unwise person wastes time. Much money can be gained in a short time but time can not be gained that way.

Consider the following scenarios:

Suppose two people with different bathing habits live for hundred years; the person who baths in five minutes every day will redeem more time, whereas the person who spends forty five minutes in the bat will waste more time.

Sleep is a god of many of people and they have planned for it to be so. They protect their sleeping hours with full force. They hardly do a thing to protect other things and when something does not happen the way that they expect it to, they convert the time to sleeping time. Someone who sleeps eight hours a day and lives to be seventy five has spent one third of his entire life sleeping.

God has no favourites as far as time is concerned. He gives everybody 24 hours every day. In order to redeem time, the overall purpose of one's life must be clearly defined and the goal of life established. Those who succeed in life give the best hours to their priority projects. One of Jesus Christ's priority projects was prayer.

Idleness is defined as the time that is not put into useful work.Thus,those who walk close to the Lord redeem time because they obey the command, "look carefully how you walk, not as an unwise but wise, making the most of the time,
because the days are evil."

Those who understand the will of the Lord redeem time. Wisdom is measured in part by whether or not a person puts his or her time to good use. May God bless us with wisdom to know how to redeem time to the glory of His name as his servants.

"INVEST BEYOND THE GRAVE"

Life sustainability to flood victims in Morogoro

haikam — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 16:21:00 +0200

President Jakaya Kikwete has directed Morogoro regional authorities to ensure that the over 25,000 people affected by floods in Kilosa District lead a normal life even while still sheltered at temporary camps.

The President gave the directive last week while on a two-day tour of Morogoro Region to inspect the extent of damage caused by floods and console the victims.

Speaking after being briefed by the regional authorities on measures taken so far following the floods that hit the area at the end of last year and January this year, President Kikwete stressed the need to provide adequate care for victims and ensure that children go to school.

“I need these people to be well taken care of, to live a decent life, eat well, sleep well, get clean and safe water and proper medical care,” the President stressed. He also ordered the leaders to put in place and implement a long term plan to resettle the victims in their old homes.

The floods wreaked havoc after river Mkondoa broke its banks flooding 541 square kilometres, causing damage to human settlements and properties. About 25,803 people in 6,168 households were affected by the floods. However, those sheltered at camps todate are about 9,620 people constituting 2,464 households. Some of the victims are being taken care of by their relatives while others are living in rented houses.

The president said the country’s economy was suffering as a result of the collapsed railway line following the floods and that all efforts should be made to rehabilitate all damaged infrastructure.

He assured the people that the government would do all within its powers to bring normal life to Kilosa district.

Kilosa was first hit by floods in 1940 during the colonial era. In 1948 dykes were built in a move to control the floods. In 1964, the area experienced yet another flood after Mkondoa River broke its banks leading to the construction of the terraces which were destroyed in the recent floods.

A total of 23,980 people were displaced by the floods, with 10,294 being accommodated in 23 make-shift camps.

Motivation for use of time

Sydneygamela — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:30:48 +0200

Make use of time wisely while you still have good health and a chance to walk on this earth. Tomorrow is not ours. 

Always remember that each second that ticks away,you are reducing in mental and physical strength, so use your mental and physical strength wisely or you will regret it later in life. Please don't waste time: it is irreversible and irreplaceable. 

To waste your time is to waste your life, but to master your time is to master your life and make most of it.

Make use of this borrowed life wisely by contributing effectively and positively to society. Make sure you invest in good health (For good health will enable you to achieve anything worth it in life).

Good health is the best wealth. It is better to have good health than K10 billion but with poor health. 
Leave good foot prints whenever you step (Meaning, good works or reputation that will live on even when you are gone -- not your mouth).

Remember you are not here on earth by mistake or by accident, but for a purpose that God wants you to accomplish.

When I look at all of you, I can only see successful people using their God given unique potential, not failures.

When you come across any difficulty, don't say "I can't", but instead cross out the "t" and say "I can!" (The Bible and dictionaries do not have the word "can't").

Eat moderately, especially your supper, for it is in the stomach where life and death is forged. 
Make use of your talent or career for it is your survivor kit. 

Remember the only person who is safe when it comes to HIV/AIDS is the dead one (because the one who is living may equally get infected, so let's not stigmatise and discriminate against anyone living positively).

A positive attitude of mind is good medicine for one to attain good health (regardless of one's HIV status).

Don't neglect your potential as a result of your HIV positive status. Instead, move two steps forward and backwards never).

Be of good courage and face the truth about your life, listen with your heart. FEAR means False Evidence Appears Real (know your HIV status and look above it and then soldier on; it is not the end of the world to test HIV positive but the beginning of a new chapter in one's life).

Remember, there is hope beyond this life and the grave for we are just passing through in this world as strangers (so hold on to Jesus the author and the finisher of your race on this earth).

Finally, whatever your hands find to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave where you are going there is neither planning nor knowledge nor wisdom (Ecclesiastes 9:10). Live each day as if it were your last day on earth by giving your best in doing your work today -regardless of your HIV status.

May God bless us abundantly even as we keep growing in Christ as the theme for 2010 and beyond.

African Civil Society Organisations Condemn Criminal Prosecution In Malawi Same-Sex Case And Call For Repeal Of Discriminatory L

admin — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:07:53 +0200

Over forty African civil society organizations, in a statement released on the 28th of January 2010, expressed their deep concern at the imprisonment and prosecution of Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga under provisions of Malawi's penal code criminalizing private sexual behavior. They called on the Malawian government to drop all charges against both individuals and repeal the discriminatory criminal law.

On 28 December, police officers arrested Monjeza and Chimbalanga at their home, charging them under sections 153 and 156 of the Malawian penal code for "unnatural offences" and "indecent practices between males." This happened two days after Monjeza and Chimbalanga conducted a traditional engagement ceremony, an event that was widely reported in the Malawian press. Chimbalanga was forced to undergo a medical examination to determine whether they had engaged in sexual intercourse, and both were subjected to a psychiatric evaluation.

They have been denied bail and remain in custody. The group of endorsers, which includes organizations from over a dozen African countries, warned that such criminal prosecution would greatly undermine efforts to respond effectively to the HIV pandemic, stating:

"The charges against Monjeza and Chimbalanga have caused a widespread fear among persons engaged in same-sex relations-a group the Malawian government has recognized is vulnerable to discrimination and critical to its efforts to effectively respond to the HIV epidemic."

According to media reports Dr. Mary Shawa, the Principal Secretary for Nutrition, HIV and AIDS in the Malawian President's Office recently acknowledged the need to "incorporate a human rights approach in the delivery of HIV and AIDS services to...men who have sexual intercourse with men." She further asked men who have sex with men [MSM] to come out in the open in order to assist in HIV prevention efforts.

The statement warns that "This cannot be done given recent statements by governmental officials denouncing MSM, which has served to further drive this already vulnerable community further underground."

Discrimination against men who have sex with men has increasingly raised public health concerns in the African region, where HIV rates among this group are up to ten times that of the general population in large part because they are systematically marginalised in HIV prevention and treatment interventions due to politically driven hostility. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon has previously warned that such discrimination is unethical and "makes no sense from
a health perspective".

The statement which was also supported by almost twenty additional individuals and international civil society organizations further highlighted how sections 153 and 156 of the penal code violated fundamental rights guaranteed under the Malawi Constitution, including the rights to be free from discrimination and human dignity.

Undule D.K. Mwakasungula, the Executive Director of the Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation in Malawi, stressed that "HIV and human rights cannot be separated. We need our governments to support progressive approaches to health that are not based on prejudiced
notions of morality, but on evidence-based responses to the reality in
our region."

For further information please contact:
Undule D.K. Mwakasungula, + 265 999 664 176, Centre for Human Rights
and Rehabilitation (CHRR), Malawi
Michaela Clayton, +264 81 127 2367, AIDS & Rights Alliance for
Southern Africa (ARASA), Namibia
Priti Patel, +27 76 808 0505, Southern Africa Litigation Centre
(SALC), South African/a

Compelling and Captivating Vision

Daniel — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 19:46:12 +0200

In the book of Acts we see Jesus communicating a compelling and captivating vision that will direct his followers in their mission. He begins by commanding them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father. Upon hearing these words the apostles ask a critical question, “Lord will you at this time restore the Kingdom to Israel?

The apostles asked because they were ardent students of the Old Testament and therefore, they were able to connect the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus had promised, with the coming of the kingdom that Ezekiel 36 and Joel 2 foretold. The people were expecting a political leader who would set up an earthly kingdom and get rid of Roman domination, persecution, and oppression.

The challenge that Christians faced at that time is similar to what is being faced by African Christians today. We too are being dominated by political elites who have entrenched their positions of privilege and who have neglected the welfare of the majority of the people.

The apostles' expectation of a literal, earthly kingdom was consistent with what Jesus taught. However, Jesus in his teaching showed that His kingdom would not take this form right away. First, he would go away for a while, and his followers would need to be faithful, hard-working, and complimentary in doing the work of the Lord during his absence. Upon His return, Jesus would inaugurate a kingdom more powerful and just than anything they could expect. The exact time of His return, however, remains unrevealed. He reminded them that it was not for them to know the times and seasons when the kingdom of Israel would be restored.

Jesus’ response to the apostle’s question was that the mission of spreading the gospel was the major reason for baptism in the Holy Spirit. His vision of reaching the world would come through the power of the Holy Spirit. The apostles responded in obedience by proclaiming the gospel, doing well, and advancing the rule of God. Similar to the apostle’s questioning, we are today asking why is God our Father not answering our prayer that His kingdom come as it is in heaven? Jesus’ answer is the same as yesterday: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses… to the ends of the earth.” Just like his disciples, Jesus is instructing us to witness through the power of the Holy Spirit to people in all positions of life in our nations including politicians. Let us not allow the question of increasing African poverty cloud the answer Jesus is giving to his church today.

The plight of Africa is not only physical poverty; it is a poverty of leadership as well. With the ever growing church that is filled with men and women who are baptized in the Holy Spirit, there is no reason why we can’t have leaders in every sphere of life who are faithful, hard-working, obedient and whose aim is to serve people and to advance the kingdom of God on earth. Christian Africa is in dire need of Christian leaders in all areas of life -- witnesses who tell the truth about Jesus and who are ready to die for their faith. We must ask ourselves, “Are our church members’ activities reaching outside the walls of our church and witnessing in this manner?” When we ask again why God is not answering our prayer that his Kingdom comes, maybe we should realize that He is presently asking us the same question.

Wainah is The place to be!

waiswa — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:07:29 +0200

I have traveled to almost all parts of Uganda but never have I seen a rural area which has basic needs for a normal living like Wainah Village in Mayuge District, in Busoga Region.

What I call basic needs for a normal living are shelter, clothing, good roads, safe water, schools, hospitals or health centres and not forgetting about enough food. When you look at all that I have mentioned above, people in Wainah can either afford or have them by just the fact that they are located in the right place.

Wainah is located along the Jinja-Iganga highway, this alone speaks for the good road and along the road runs a piped water line from Jinja. It is from this line that people in the area have managed to get piped and clean water. A heath centre which was put up by government covers the heath part. As for education, primary and secondary schools, both government and private, can be accessed within the area, and more still, these locals have been able to get enough food by the fact that this is an agricultural area. They are also able to save some of their produce for sale so as to cater for other needs like making themselves good shelters.

Having said all that, here is the added advantage which most rural areas don’t have. In Wainah for your information, people can get free water from the place of one of the residents by the name of Vincent Waiswa, who has given out water for free for the past year. Electricity supply has been put it place by the same person. As if that is not enough, a computer centre with Internet has been setup by the very same person. This has been running for the past six years in which centre people come and learn how to use a computer plus the internet free of charge.

When you look at all what I have told you, save for the lack of supermarkets, malls, banks, factories and maybe a few other things, I think you will agree with me that there is no rural area in Uganda which has all those facilities -- maybe even in the whole of Africa. If there is any rural area with an thing similar I shall be very grateful to share it with you down there, but I still think Wainah is THE place to be.

“We have to leave, these rains won’t stop! The floods are coming, come on!”

Noma — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:07:51 +0200

With the FIFA World Cup just around the corner, a new soccer-themed radio drama on disaster risk reduction and climate change has hit the airwaves in Mozambique, produced by Johannesburg-based CMFD (Community Media for Development) Productions for the International Organization for Migration (IOM) as part of the UN Delivering as One, Joint Programme on Disaster Risk Reduction Project. The drama, titled Bravos do Zambeze (‘Zambezi Braves’), was created in an effort to communicate through stories and characters, key information about naturally caused emergencies, such as floods and cyclones.

Mozambique has been subjected to seasonal floods for years, with the year 2000 flood dubbed as the worst in half a century. Excessive rainfall hit the Southern African country after a cyclone struck, leaving 800 people dead. About 1,400 km² and 20,000 head of cattle were lost, but the event that will remain at the back of people’s minds is the story of baby Rosita – the infant born in a tree her mother had climbed to escape the rising water. The increased frequency and severity of natural disasters in Mozambique has been partially attributed to climate change.

The causes and effects of climate change are, by now, undeniable. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), global temperatures have risen an average of 0.74 degrees Celsius since the year 1905. This rise in temperature has been attributed to increased greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO2) becoming trapped in the atmosphere. According to the website of the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference, current CO2 levels are significantly higher than they have been at any time in the last 650,000 years – around 385ppm (parts per million).

With the rise in global temperatures, the planet has also seen a rise in natural disasters, in particular climatic disasters such as floods and cyclones. Although the bulk of the blame for climate change sits with the industrialised nations, the brunt of the impact is borne by non-industrialised countries in South America, Asia and Africa. In many cases, natural disasters are hampering countries’ abilities to deal with other concerns, such as improving infrastructure, developing their economies and combating poverty and health issues

The impact on communities is clear. “Wide scale displacement of people resulting from floods goes far beyond the immediate and devastating impact,” says the IOM. Although the Bravos story is entertaining, it is designed to convey information around disaster preparedness and climate change, as well as strategies for longer-term disaster management.

Radio drama provides a unique medium for conveying information. It is widely accessible, does not rely on literacy, and can reach remote places. In a drama, information is communicated and desired behaviours modelled by characters, and it engages listeners at both and emotional and intellectual level. According to Claudio Jamal of World Vision in Mozambique, radio drama can have a big impact on local communities because they “are the biggest consumers and quickly spread information [broadcast] via local radios.”

Bravos do Zambeze, available in Portuguese and local language Sena, is designed to convey information around natural disasters and strategies to reduce the devastating consequences they can have on local communities. Season one deals with the immediate aftermath of flooding, what can happen if people are not prepared, physical and mental health issues such as cholera and psychological trauma, and the importance of sticking together as a community. Season two introduces the community’s decision to rebuild their village, looks at climate change adaptation and disaster preparation, and the need to educate communities around why age-old techniques may need to change.

It also introduces new characters, in particular a young female NGO worker who helps with reconstruction. This character, who interacts mainly with a male elder, allows the story to examine several different dynamics relevant to the effectiveness of disaster risk reduction projects: the tensions that can come from a younger person trying to tell an older person what to do; the resistance that people can have to change and new ideas; and the gender dynamics that come into play when a woman steps into a non-traditional role.

The drama series is accompanied by original theme music that uses a combination of carefully written lyrics and catchy beats to take the messages further.

The devastating consequence of natural disasters and the resulting relocation of populations present a formidable challenge for organisations, humanitarian agencies, and governments. At the same time, the complex web of related issues – changing climates, cultural perceptions, lack of education, gender inequalities – make it even harder to communicate much needed preventative and emergency information.

IOM believes that the media and projects like Bravos do Zambeze “can help make people more aware of how to prepare for emergencies before they happen, thereby mitigating much of the negative effects.” And while we will likely never see a return to pre-industrial CO2 levels – 280ppm – any significant reduction would spell good news for Southern nations that already have their hands full.

The story is written by Tonya Graham with Mandla Masingi of CMFD Productions