Asset Based Community Development

Asset based community development seeks to shift models of community development from treating communities in need as clients who need a service that is brought from the outside. How does it do this? It calls for “discovering a community’s capacities and assets” to build community initiatives that are sustainable and assure that communities help create the very solutions they solicit outsiders to provide.

Every social entrepreneur knows understanding the community and its issues are the foundation to creating an initiative. How, then, do we go about “getting to know” our communities, whether we are from the very communities we seek to help or not? According to the model, the assets of a community are individuals, associations and institutions; this includes businesses, schools, hospitals or clinics, churches, cultural groups, etc. and says that community builders should work with these organizations with a goal of making them “become full contributors to the development process”.

This model also introduces a tool called “capacity inventory” which is much like a survey that would be taken of a community’s assets (individuals, associations and institutions). The model and the tools were developed and tested in urban Chicago and spread to other metropolitan areas in the United States but can easily be modified for the needs of any community. Go to "Read More" to find where you can take a look at the capacity inventory tool.

Have any of you used tools or models similar to the capacity inventory and asset based community development? Can you describe your models and how you carried it out in the community? What challenges were faced as a result of using this model and how were you able to overcome it?

READ MORE

Asset Based Community Development Institute – located at Northwestern University. This website has a LOT of information and literature on the model, all of which is a worthy read and free. To access its resource page, click HERE.

Capacity Inventory – click HERE to view the capacity inventory (scroll down to "Mapping Tools")

“Building Communities from the Inside Out” – read the 1993 publication that introduced me to asset based community development.

Questions to think about while you read: Do you agree with asset based community development? Are there any initiatives that you know of that can benefit or won’t benefit from using a model? Do you believe there are more models aside from service based and asset based community development?

Follow VijanaFM (@vijanafm) and Stephanie (@radiomorillo) on Twitter.

TED conference in Dar

TED is coming to Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania this May 22nd, 2010.

Please information below quoted from the TEDxDar website:

About the TEDxDar Concept
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED has created a program called TEDx. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience.

Our event is called TEDx Dar "Pamoja Tunaweza!", where x=independently organized TED event. At our TEDxDar event, TEDTalks video and live speakers will combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events, including ours, are self-organized.

TEDxDar's Mission:

The TEDx Conference is intended to begin a process of public engagement and exchange of ideas in relation to innovation, society, culture, arts- a wide range of interdisciplinary issues that pertain to Tanzania at a local and global level. The forum is based on the belief in active discourse and public engagement in reaction to institutional constraints on creative development. The aim is to gather a wider array of individuals with various perspectives and specializations to hold TED-like 20 minute talks that will form the basis of a larger conversation.

Conference Themes (click on each to view description):

• What would Nyerere do?
• Hadithi Zetu: Creating content to narrate our stories
• The In-Between Places
  

Event Details:

Title: Pamjoa Tunaweza!

Date: Saturday, May 22nd, 2010

Time: 8.30am - 9.00pm

Location: Dar-es-Salaam International Academy (DIA)

More Information:

- For participants

- For speakers

- For sponsors

The Trail of My Shadows

True poets have distinctive voice. In his first book of poetry, Bahati Mabala crafts the personal and political in a very distinctive way; whether speaking with the voice of a raped Congolese girl, or exploring his own relationships in his life.


He ranges from the directly political as he speaks of Africa and America, the poor and the rich, to very personal thoughts about his own life. In every case he brings a refreshing perspective, combining rap lyrics with more conventional poetry, but always with a critical eye -- a self-critical eye which peels away the layers of the onion as shown in one of his poems.

These are not poems for the 'easygoing', be prepared for the sting of tears as you peel the onion for yourself, and you will be well rewarded.

While you are planning to order a copy, please visit his website or facebook fan page to get a glimpse of what is coming!

To order a copy, click here (http://www.publishamerica.net/product90939.html).

For further details, do not hesitate to drop Bahati a line: the.trail.of.my.shadows (at) gmail (dot) com.

Careers in Africa

This may be useful to young people who are looking to land themselves back in their home countries in Africa through the formal job sector.

Careers in Africa is a website dedicated to promoting work in Africa. Specifically, it hosts:

1. The ability for enrolled members to log in and follow up on their job search accounts;

2. A CV bank that users can upload their CVs to;

3. Information regarding upcoming career conferences in London, Lisbon, New York, Johannesburg, etc.

Be sure to stop by their website and enroll if you are looking for jobs!

Further links:
Careers in Africa on LinkedIn
Careers in Africa on Twitter
Careers in Africa on Facebook

Two releases from SriBuo

SriBuo advertises two new album releases from Ghana:



Artist: Nana Fynn
Album: Bibini

Download free album samples:
Nana Fynn feat. Modan: "Bibini"
Nana Fynn: "Me Fere No"
Nana Fynn feat. Jestoe: "Twe Wo Ho"

Buy album:
- on iTunes
- on Amazon

Album art:
- SriBuo Media





Artist: Jon Germain (see profile on Museke here)
Album: This I Who I Am

Download free album samples:
Jon Germain: "Can't Xplain"
Jon Germain feat. J Town: "Quiver"

Buy album:
- on iTunes
- on Amazon

Album art:
- SriBuo Media

'Flying vaccinator' - mbu mueneza chanjo

Picha kwa hisani ya National Geographic*

Kuna baadhi ya tafiti ambazo zinasisimua, ilihali uwezekano wake wa kuzaa matunda katika mazingira ya sasa ni mdogo. Hivi majuzi tu, wanasayansi nchini Japani wamefanikiwa kumtumia mbu kama chombo cha kusambaza chanjo dhidi ya mdudu anayesababisha Leishmaniasis. Tunajua jinsi tulivyopata chanjo utotoni; mara nyingi ilitubidi tuvumilie kudungwa sindano zenye dawa ya chanjo dhidi ya magonjwa hatari kama polio, hepatitis, kifua kikuu n.k. Katika orodha hii, yanakosekana magonjwa kadhaa (kama malaria) ambayo bado haijapatikana chanjo mahususi, kwa sababu kadhaa. Sababu kubwa ni changamoto ya kisayansi kutengeneza chanjo yenyewe, na pia gharama kubwa ya usambazaji itakayojitokeza iwapo chanjo hiyo ikipatikana.

Wajapani wamekuja na ujuzi ambao kinadharia unaweza tatua tatizo la usambazaji wa chanjo. Wameweza kumtumia mbu kusambaza dozi ya chanjo kila atakapokuwa ananyonya damu (hapa walitumia panya). Walichofanya ni kumbadili mbu maabarani ili aweze kutengeneza dawa ya chanjo dhidi ya Leishmania ndani ya gland zinazotengeneza 'mate' (mbu hutema 'mate' yake kabla ya kunyonya damu ili kuzuia damu kuganda). Wameweza kupima muongezeko wa antibodies kwenye panya waliong'atwa na hivyo kinadharia kufanikisha chanjo.

Je, si itakuwa 'kali' pia tukiweza kutumia mbu kusambaza chanjo dhidi ya malaria na sio mdudu mwenyewe?

Matokeo ya utafiti huu hayako kamili, kwani bado hawajapima uwezo wa chanjo hiyo kupunguza maambukizi ya ugonjwa wenyewe, ila ni tafiti pekee na ya kwanza kuweza kutumia mbu kwa namna hii. Je tutaacha kutumia sindano hapo mbeleni? Je utakubali mbu kama hawa watumiwe kusambaza chanzo za malaria hapo baadaye? Kuhusu dozi je - ukingatwa mara 1000 na mwingine mara 50? Hapa kengele ya maadili na kanuni (ethics) za sayansi inaendelea kulia.

* http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2007/07/malaria/finkel-text

Radio for Peace Building Africa

I receive notices from Radio for Peace Building Africa, which is a project that supports educative and collaborative radio initiatives. Founded under Search for Common Ground, the goals for RFPA are as follows (as quoted from their website):

• To increase the knowledge and skills of radio broadcasters, and particularly youth radio broadcasters, in covering issues with multiple perspectives;
• To encourage key government officials to communicate effectively with their constituents;
• To improve the communication flow between policy makers and civil society members and radio broadcasters.

The notices that RFPA sends by e-mail to me may be useful to some of our readers, so I would like to share two particular notices I received this week (quoting directing from their e-mail):


Graca Machel Scholarships

The 'Graça Machel Scholarship Programme' will provide scholarships over an initial 3 year period and aims to empower disadvantaged women from Lesotho, Swaziland, Malawi, Mozambique and South Africa by providing them with an opportunity to further their professional development and thus play a constructive role in the development of their country. Scholarship applications are now available and will be open until 11 August, 2010. To download an application and learn more, visit: http://www.canoncollins.org.uk/scholarships/index.php

If you know of any new funding opportunities that we could advertise, please feel free to send us your suggestions to the following web address: rfpa@sfcg.org.

REMINDER: ACCRA Conference

18th -20th August 2010, Accra - Ghana: The Africa Media & Democracy Conference invites papers for its annual Africa Media and Democracy Conference. The theme for the Conference is: "Mediating Democracy in Africa".

ABSTRACTS & PAPERS: Please email abstracts (maximum one page) along with contact information and a 500-word bio to: info@amdmc.org.

All Abstracts must be in English, full papers may be submitted in either English or French.

· Deadline for receipt of abstracts: 30th April 2010

· Notice of acceptance of abstracts: 5th May 2010

· Deadline for receipt of full papers: 30th May 2010

For further information and other enquiries please contact Conference Team.

ENQUIRIES HOTLINE 24HRS: MOBILE: +233 54 3793228

For more information, please visit the Radio for Peace Building Africa website. They also have a Swahili version here.

Media in East Africa: Past and Present

I have been meaning to write a post about the Pan-Africa Media Conference held in Kenya on March 18th and 19th 2010.

Host to this conference was the Nation Media Group, an established and experienced media corporation based in Nairobi, Kenya with subsidiares and outlet across the East African region.

The conference served to highlight past and present experiences of media in East Africa, and to also anticipate future challenges and goals. As noted in the conference follow-up report, mediums are changing fast; what used to be published only in print yesterday is now being covered on TV channels, radios and blogs. Content is becoming dynamic, ever-changing, and easily transferable.

At the same time, the political economy in East Africa is changing. Our governments are talking to eachother about building a basic economic framework by which Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania can trade freely. With this will come improvements in the mobility of people, goods and services in the region. And given the Seacom Fibre Optic Bandwidth project, more and more people have access to a broadband connection to the world wide web.

So what does this mean for East Africa? The conference has showed a few things, and these are my reflections on them:

1. We need to prepare for local, East African media spreading further to areas than just East Africa;
2. Mobile technology is competing with desktop and laptop technology - media websites need to keep mobile-readable websites in mind;
3. The subject matter of media is much more fluid than it was 50 years ago - people have more access now to discuss issues they want to discuss, and the media needs to prepare for this to continue to happen if not more;
4. News is now covered by anyone, not just professionaly-trained journalists. The quality is obviously different, but people can find out about things from people, not just their local radio news station. So media outlets need to consider how to give access for contribution to anyone (commenting on talk shows, blog posts, etc).

Let's see if media outlets (Vijana FM included) can live up to these challenges!

Links on this post:
Pan-Africa Media Conference website
Pan-Africa Media Conference follow-up report
Nation Media Group website
The East African newspaper website
Seacom Fibre Optic Bandwidth project
Vijana FM project website

Source: signed, ak (Monday, April 12, 2010)

Viumbe hai nje ya sayari yetu

Msomaji, nina uhakika unajua tarehe yako ya kuzaliwa. Lakini sijui kama unakumbuka mambo yaliyokuwa yanajiri wakati mama yako anajifungua. Kumbukumbu zote ulizonazo kuanzia sekunde ulipoanza kupumua mwenyewe hadi kipindi unaanza kutambaa zimetokana na picha au hadithi na simulizi ulizosikia kutoka kwa wazazi, ndugu na marafiki wa karibu na familia yako.

Je, kuna wakati unakaa chini na kutafakari mwanzo wako ulikuwaje? Nini kilikuwa kinatokea kwenye maisha yako kabla hujaanza kuota meno?

(Chanzo)

Uelewaji wako wa mazingara na mazingira yanayokuzunguka unazidi kupanuka kadri unavyokua; lakini labda wewe ni mmoja wa wale ambao hutafakari kwa kina na kujaribu kubadilisha mawazo ya awali (wakati bado uko mdogo) ili kutengeneza picha inayokaa vizuri kwenye akili yako. Na kama hii haitoshi, unaanza kurandaranda na kucheza na vitu mbalimbali - vingine ni hatari - ili tu kukidhi ile haja ya kujua vitu.

Au kama una bahati, ulikuwa na watu ambao walikuwa wako tayari kukuelezea mambo mbalimbali yaliyokuwa yanakutatiza. Na kama ulikuwa una bahati sana, ulizungukwa na watu ambao walikuwa wako tayari kukupa hata vifaa vilivyokusaidia kuona na kuelewa vitu gani hasa vipo karibu na sayari yetu.

Binadamu tuna tabia ya udadisi -- tunataka kujua na kuelewa vitu vingi. Tunaweza kumlaumu Hanno The Navigator (huyu alianza 'kuzurura' kwenye miaka ya 500 Kabla ya Kristo!). Au tuwalaumu Wareno?


Ruka karne 4...

Kizazi chetu kimekuwa na bahati ya kushuhudia mapinduzi katika teknolojia ambayo hutusaidia kujifunza mambo mbalimbali na kuturahisishia maisha kwa ujumla. Bahati mbaya teknolojia hiyo hiyo imekuwa inatuletea zahma mara nyingine (soma kuhusu Manhattan Project 1942-46; huu ni mjadala wa siku nyingine)!

Ukitafakari kwa makini utaona kuwa tabia za watoto wadogo na sayari yetu zinarandana. Wakati uko mdogo unakuwa kwenye fikra zako ambazo hakuna kiumbe mwingine anazielewa na unadhani uko peke yako. Lakini kadri unavyozidi kukua ule mtazamo unabadilika -- watu walio karibu nawe hukusaidia kuelewa yanayokuzunguka.

Kwa upande mwingine, sayari yetu tulidhani ni pekee. Lakini sasa hivi tunajua kuwa kuna vitu vingine ukiacha hii dunia. Teknolojia (ambayo unaweza kuilinganisha na watu wanaomzunguka mtoto mdogo) imetusaidia kujifunza nini hasa kilichopo karibu na hii sayari yetu.

Kuna wanasayansi ambao wanajaribu kutafuta viumbe hai nje ya sayari yetu. Na hawaishii hapo tu; wanaamini wameanza kuona dalili za uwepo wa viumbe vyenye akili. Hapa nazungumzia intelligence -- uwezo wa kufikiria, kutatua matatizo, kuwasiliana, kujifunza vitu vipya n.k.

Kwenye filamu fupi ifuatayo Jill Tarter anaongelea programu ya SETI na utafiti wao wa kutafuta civilizations nje ya sayari yetu:



Unadhani tuko wenyewe kwenye ulimwengu mzima? Au unaamini watu wa SETI watafanikiwa? Je, teknojia yetu inatupumbaza tu na kutupa 'kiburi'?

Kwa kuwa hakuna faida yoyote, hizi hela si zingetumiwa kutatua matatizo ya nishati kwenye sayari yetu?...Napenda kusikia mawazo yenu!

Barua: Samahani Wanangu

Yah: Shukrani kwa Mh. Mrisho

Mheshimiwa Mrisho nashukuru sana kupata ujumbe wako wa msamaha, umefika na nimeukubali, kwani moyo sio jiwe hivyo yaliyopita si ndwele bali tugange yajayo. Moyo wangu umeshikwa na faraja kubwa sana kujua leo hii wizara yetu husika imepata kiongozi anayetufahamu fika sisi vijana na shida zinazotukabili. Mimi ni kijana wa Kitanzania niliyejawa na vidonda vya shida, uso weyenye simanzi na hofu iliyonitanda kama upele mwilini. Miaka mingi sasa sauti yangu imelazimishwa kujifungia ndani na kuishi kama mkiwa, kwani jamii haitaki kuisikia kwani mimi bado ni taifa la kesho. Hivyo, dukuduku langu ndani lilikuwa limeanza kuwa sumu, lakini nashukuru umekuja ukaniokoa kwa kumulikia sauti yangu iliyotengwa na viongozi na jamii kwa miaka mingi.

Barua yako imeanza kunipa matumaini na Serikali yetu kuwa kweli ina nia ya dhati katika kujali nafasi yetu sisi vijana ndani ya jamii. Matumaini yangu ni kuwa busara zako zitawafikia wazee wengine na wataanza kutuona, hivyo na wao kuanza kututhamini na kutusaidia kwa hali na mali. Hapa kijijini wazee wamekalia ardhi yote, na huko mjini nasikia vijana wanafukuzwa eti warudi kijijini kuja kulima. Mh waziri Mrisho, najua kizazi chetu ni kama kilicholaaniwa, wezi ni sisi, machangudoa wanaosimama mabarabarani ni sisi, wakataa kwenda shule za matope na nyasi ni sisi, lakini nani mchangiaji mkubwa wa yote haya? Hilo halipunguzi furaha yangu juu ya barua yako inayoonyesha kujali utu wetu kama wananchi wa nchi hii na sio kama wageni kutoka sayari nyingine.

Ningependa kumalizia kwa kukuhakishia kuwa, tunapoongea juu ya matatizo yetu nia sio kuwakosea heshima wakubwa zetu. Sisi hatuna makuu bali tunaomba kusikika, kuthaminiwa, kwani mtoto umleavyo ndivyo akuavyo. Barua yako imenipa tabasamu lililopangusa pangusa vumbi lililokuwa limejaa juu ya paji la moyo wangu. Naomba nisalimie waheshimiwa wengine , ukiweza wapatie barua yangu wasome. Waheshimiwa wakikuuliza kwanini sikuandika kwa Kiingereza, naomba uwajulishe kuwa mwalimu wa Kiingereza tuliyehaidiwa hakuwahi kuja kufika. Pia, sikutaka kuifanya hii barua iwe katika mandhari ya kibongoflava music, kwani najua waheshimiwa wanadhani ni mziki wa kihuni, bila kujua sanaa hiyo imepatia ajira vijana wengi na kutupa vijana sauti yetu inayo nyanyapaliwa kwa kawaida na jamii. Asante tena Mh. Mrisho na utaniwia radhi kwa kukuita waziri kwani baada ya kupata barua yako nilidhani wewe ndio waziri wa wizara yetu sisi walengwa. Asante sana na ninakutakia mema mbeleni, na ninakuomba usisahau kutukumbuka tena sisi vijana.

Wako kijana wa Tanzania,
anayejitahidi vilivyo kuendelea kuwa raia mwema.

Can We Predict the Future?

I just completed a course titled “Managing Global Political Risk,” which focused on the intersection between business and politics and the challenges within. A very interesting class taught by folks who are at the Eurasia Group based in New York City.

“What is your call?” was the question we were always asked in each class. This basically meant, in a minute or less, explain the short term, medium term and long-term risks of your country. I was responsible for South Africa and followed the markets, politics, societal and regional developments over a certain period.

The funny thing about this class is that you had to really think critically about everything you saw and try to extrapolate the future a bit. The question is can we really tell the future, especially for African countries? Countries in our continent change all the time, dynamics are unpredictable and for many people the prediction is always negative or cautious.

I had to write a country brief for South Africa where I had to address various issues concerning South Africa. Much of it had to deal with the World Cup of course, because my ‘call’ was that much of South Africa’s future will depend on how successful it runs the tournament. However, on the flipside, all the investment on the stadiums will only have a short term return…what is their use in the next couple of years? Will the return be consistent and be used for another tournament? Will big clubs like Barcelona or Manchester United train in South Africa to keep investment high or will South Africa follow the path of Greece? Let us not forget Greece hosted the Olympics in 2004 and now they are close to defaulting. I know Greece is not South Africa but neither of these countries are China…

I’ll leave you to make that call.

Below is an excerpt from the conclusion of my paper:

The Way Forward

South Africa has many risks that it will be facing in the next five to ten years. A lot of it will be shaped on how successful it hosts the World Cup. A successful tournament will reassure investors that South Africa is a stable emerging market that has vast potential. It should be understood that South Africa will not turn into a Zimbabwe, but the politicians should be wary of the signs that might tip the scales. The Obama Administration will continue to see South Africa as a partner but will perturbed to hear how Zuma plans to resolve the power-sharing dispute in Zimbabwe.

President Zuma should act quickly and decisively in mitigating the racial tensions that exist in his country if he really wants his country to lead Africa into the 21st century. By claiming 2010 as the most important year for South Africa, he will have to work hard to meet the expectations he set up for himself. Demonstrating stability will be essential for South Africa’s regional and geopolitical interest for the next ten years.

If racial tensions do increase to alarming levels then the white minority, who are also the driving forces of the economy, will fear for their safety and flee South Africa causing a devastating brain drain. We are already seeing this today with various investors and entrepreneurs fleeing to places like Tanzania. This is a concern for the long term and the government as the brain drain is not just limited to the white minority but black majority as well.

JamiiWater Initiative

na Lisa Boyd

[A similar article in English can be found here. Do not hesitate to comment in English, too!]

lisa from Trust Tour on Vimeo.

Katika vijiji vingi vya Tanzania, ukosekanaji wa maji safi ya kunywa na matumizi mengine husababishwa na kutokuwepo mipango ya kudumu ambayo huwawezesha wanavijiji kujitegemea. Kwahiyo nimeamua kuanzisha organization, "JamiiWater", ambayo inahakikisha mipango ya maji safi inadumu kwa muda mrefu. Tofauti na programu nyingine, JamiiWater inalenga kuwashirikisha na kuwahamasisha wanajamii kujiendesha bila usimamizi wowote kutoka nje.

Vijiji vingi vina vyanzo vya maji ya kunywa ambavyo vinapaswa kuangaliwa na jamii yenyewe husika. Kwa maneno mengine, sidhani sekta husika za Serikali na NGOs mbalimbali zina mafanikio makubwa, hasa linapokuja suala la udumishaji wa vyanzo vya maji. Programu zao huwa na kamati za jamii ambazo huundwa na makundi ya watu wanaojitolea kuendesha mambo yote ya mfumo mzima wa maji. Lakini, kama nilivyoambiwa na kiongozi wa kijiji kimoja mkoani Dodoma, "Wanaojitolea (kuendesha mipango hii) wanakuwa wanajali hadi pale jambo muhimu zaidi (kwenye maisha yao) linapotokea!"

Katika jamii ambazo JamiiWater inafanya kazi, kila mpango na mfumo mzima wa maji huwa unaendeshwa na kuongozwa na mwanakijiji (a Community Water Manager) ambaye anachaguliwa na wanakijiji.


Utendaji na utekelezaji wa malengo ya JamiiWater unatokana na utafiti nilioufanya kwenye vijiji 23 Tanzania na programu za awali nilizozianzisha mwaka 2009 kwenye wilaya ya Mpwapwa. Katika programu hizi, mwanakijiji mmoja (ambaye hulipwa) huendesha mfumo wa maji kila siku, hukarabati/hulipia ukarabati, hukusanya fedha/michango kwa ajili ya matumizi ya maji, na huipa Serikali ya Mtaa asilimia fulani ya fedha kila mwezi, ambazo huhifandhiwa kwa ajili ya ukarabati mkubwa pale unapohitajika. Kiongozi huyu hufundishwa na JamiiWater jinsi ya kufanya ukarabati na kuhakikisha mfumo wa maji unaendelea kufanya kazi ipasavyo. Kazi zote za kiongozi mteule 'huangaliwa' na wazee wa kijiji na bodi husika.


Mfumo huu umesaidia kuondoa tatizo la vikundi vya watu wanaojitolea -- ambao mara nyingi hutoweka baada ya muda fulani -- na umesaidia kudumisha mifumo ya maji safi vijijini.

Je, unafahamu vijiji ambavyo vinahitaji msaada wetu? Umefurahishwa na kazi tunayofanya na ungependa kujiunga nasi?

Kwa taarifa na habari zaidi kuhusu JamiiWater, tembelea tovuti yetu: www.jamiiwater.org. Au tuandikie barua pepe: jamiiwater@gmail.com.

Maoni yenu yanakaribishwa.

Allow me to introduce myself and my art...

After going through a long phase of the so called 'bloggers block' and consulting my good friend Bahati about it, I decided (well, actually, Bahati advised me to) just make my first post on this blog an introduction of myself and my art.

So - Hi everyone! Habari? Mambo?

My name is Rehema Chachage, a new content author for Vijana FM and a New Media artist. The mediums that I use most in my work (and ones that I am most interested in) are Photography and Video (and Sound). I guess I can say that I am interested in performance as well because most of my work is pretty perfomative in nature. But I don't do a lot of live perfomances as such; most of the performances are captured as photographic prints or videos which are then exhibited as works of art.


The most prominent theme that my work tries to explore is that of 'alienation': Being a stranger, the outsider, the other, alien and often voiceless. Inspired by the social alienation that I experienced in the four years that I spent as a cultural foreigner and a non-South African, black female student in what I considered to be a predominantly white middle class oriented institution.

I would like to show you some of the images from an exhibition that I had with Goethe Institute Tanzania throughout the whole month of March. This was my very first exhibition since graduation, an ensemble of works titled "Chipuza" which builds on a body of work (which I titled Haba na Haba)that I produced for my graduate exhibition at Michaelis School of Fine Arts in December 2009. Consisting of four digital photographs and three black and white videos. "Chipuza", which translates in English as Germinate, tries to explore the theme of voice and rootedness.




For all those who are interested, I will be having another exhibition, showing completely new works this time round, with Alliance Francaise Tanzania (and maybe later on with Alliance Francaise Addis Ababa) which is a collaboration between myself and Henock Getachew, a mixed media artist from Ethiopia. I will post more details regarding the show once everything has been finalized.

Uchawi na Ushirikina

Picha za vitendo vya ushirikina na uchawi nilizoziona kwenye blogs mbalimbali wiki iliyopita bado zipo kwenye mawazo yangu. Kuandika makala mara nyingi huwa ni jambo rahisi kwangu, muda tu ndio kitu ninachohitaji. Lakini nashindwa...Sijui nianzie wapi; sijui niandike nini; na wala sijui dondoo za makala ziwe vipi. Napata hisia ngeni -- hasira, simanzi na nadhani ubongo wangu unashindwa kutoa ujumbe ambao nataka uwafikie Watanzania wenzangu.

Tumemkosea nani kwenye dunia hii? Je, tunastahili kushuhudia vitendo vinavyoendelea kufanywa na Watanzania wenzetu? Akili changa za wadogo zangu hazipaswi kuanza kutafakari ushirikina unaofanywa na wanajamii wenzetu. Vilio vya ndugu zetu wenye ulemavu wa ngozi vinatua kwenye ngoma safi za masikio ya watoto wetu. Mboni nadhifu zinapokea mwanga unaobeba taswira ambazo...Ah! Nalengwa na machozi.

Viganja vyangu nahisi vimekuwa vizito na siwezi kuandika kwa kasi ya kawaida. Nawakumbuka ndugu na rafiki zangu wenye ulemavu wa ngozi na naamua kupiga moyo konde kukemea upumbavu, ujinga na fikra potofu zilizopo kwenye vichwa vya Watanzania -- sijui ni wachache au wengi.

Ripoti yenye takwimu kuhusu tabia na desturi za Waafrika bila shaka ilitushtua wengi! Sidhani kama takwimu zilizotolewa kuhusu imani za ushirikina na uchawi Tanzania ni sahihi. Lakini hata kama wangesema ni asilimia moja tu ya Watanzania, bado ningejiuliza maswali mengi sana.

Miaka iliyopita tulikuwa tunaongelea suala la ushirikina na uchawi kwa utani. Ilikuwa ni kichekesho tu pale tuliposikia timu fulani imeingia uwanja wa Taifa kwa kuruka ukuta. Au mashabiki kuchimbia hirizi kwenye viwanja vya mpira. Na hata hatukushtuka pale watu walipoamua kufukia vichwa vya mbuzi.

Wale ambao tulikuwa 'tumelala' tuliamshwa na kelele za vilio vya wazee Shinyanga, Mwanza na Mara mwanzoni mwa miaka ya 2000. Vikongwe (ambao walikuwa hawana jinsi, bali kuwapikia chakula wajukuu na vitukuu vyao kwa kutumia kuni zinazotoa moshi) walipigwa mapanga bila huruma. Angalia tulipofika sasa.

Itachukua miaka mingi sana kusafisha jina la nchi yetu.

Natamani haya yote yangetokea kwenye ndoto...

Introducing Ryan Letada and eKindling

It's an early morning in late March in New York City when I arrive at Juan Valdez Cafe on East 57th Street and Lexington Avenue. I'm here to meet up with Ryan Letada, a fellow Fulbrighter and young social entrepreneur working with eKindling ("Education Kindling") an education and technology initiative in the Philippines. He warmly welcomes me into his "second office" - the first being his home in North Jersey - when we order some coffee and sit down for a very casual chat. The chat turned into a four hour conversation about our Fulbright experiences, re-entry, and of course, Mr. Letada's experiences in social entrepreneurship.

A 24-year-old Wheaton College alum, Letada's experiences have taken him through the corporate world to the slums of urban Manila. Letada recently returned back to NYC from a year long venture in the Philippines where he conducted a study on homelessness reduction and resettlement programs under the auspices of a Fulbright grant. He and a few like minded friends worked on eKindling on the side which quickly took up a lot of his time.

Using One Laptop Per Child's famed XO laptop, eKindling is working with Filipino educators to revamp the country's education system. Their pilot program is underway in two elementary schools in Lubang, Mindoro where the eKindling team teaches students and educators how to use the laptops. They also provide educational activities and other content to be used with the laptops, having been developed with help from educators. Back in college Letada worked on a similar education and technology startup in the Philippines which failed, he says, because of not anticipating problems such as security issues.

Letada admits to devoting all of his time to eKindling. "It's the last thing I think about when I go to bed, and it's the first thing I think about when I wake up," he says. Since arriving back in NYC in December, he's been living off of savings -when we were spending our checks from summer internships, he invested them all - and working on eKindling full time. He's slated to head back to the Philippines this year to work in the field with eKindling. Here's more of what Letada has to say about his journey with eKindling in Lubang, Mindoro.

To connect with Ryan and the eKindling team, follow them on Twitter @eKindling.

Questions for the Floor
Are any of you involved in any education projects and startups in Tanzania? What types of education and technology startups exist in Tanzania today?

When Africa calls, how will we respond?

Absence makes the heart grow fonder. For those of us who live away from the hustle and bustle of Dar-es-salaam, or anywhere else that we may call home, we constantly look forward to the day we step on home soil. I, like many other Tanzanian youth, left home years ago to pursue a higher education, with the aim of coming back home and helping my country and continent. It is the sense of patriotism that inspires us to want to make a difference somehow in some way. But how realistic are we being? The more I am away from home, the more I wonder, can we actually solve the problems that our continent is facing? How many of us will actually go back to make that difference and how many of us, will stay afar, because we feel our contribution won’t make an impact?

When you live abroad, especially in North America and Europe, the media constantly reminds you of the problems facing Africa, particularly, disease, poverty and bad governance. This is also the case living at home; you cannot escape from the reality of these issues. Whatever the case, when you start thinking of solutions, you consequently find yourself limiting your solutions to these sorts of issues, telling yourself, I must find a cure for HIV/AIDS, I must find a way to help the poor, I must be a leader…but is this it? Why aren’t we challenging ourselves to think more broader, to explore solutions for challenges we may not see and do not hear about in the media?

For instance, Africa, as you may know, the continent that contributes least to greenhouse gas emissions, is the continent that will suffer the most as a result of climate change. Living in America, I hear a lot about creating a green economy, creating green jobs and exploring ways to consume and produce in a sustainable manner. But back home, this is not something you hear much about. Also, when we think about the deforestation that takes place in Africa, how many of us understand the impact it poses on our present and future? The same goes for the loss of biodiversity and our water system… why are we not talking about these things in the mainstream media as much as we should?

Is it because we think poverty, disease and bad governance are more important than the impact of climate change, deforestation and so forth? Are they all not interconnected? When are we going to realize this interconnectedness and challenge ourselves to address some of these problems in a multi-faceted manner by realizing that addressing one of these issues impacts all of the other issues?

But now let’s be realistic, as leaders of tomorrow, when I personally think about this interconnectedness, I first feel inspired to make a difference, but immediately after, I feel overwhelmed and disempowered. I know like many Tanzanians and Africans out there, we all feel like we need to do something. But the problems seem so grand and so complex, so I ask myself, how can I make any kind of difference? But then I realize that there are ways that each of us can contribute, but we each have to find our own way. The question is, how do you find your own way without getting discouraged by the enormity of the challenges facing our people and our home?

When Africa calls (and Africa has been calling since we gained independence in the 1960s), how are we going to respond?

That’s the question.

Unapenda Mpira kuliko Elimu?

Jezi za timu zetu zilikuwa hazina majina ya wachezaji migongoni (na tunajua kwanini ilikuwa mwiko kwa wachezaji kubadilishana jezi baada ya mechi!). Lakini kila mtu - hasa mabeki wa vilabu Afrika Mashariki nzima - walikuwa wanajua kuandika "Edibily Jonas Lunyamila" kwa ufasaha. Ndio, jina la yule winga machachari aliyekuwa anatumia guu la m@#i! Hakika alitingisha Afrika Mashariki alipokuwa anavaa uzi wa njano.
Wengi tulikuwa tuna ndoto za kuwa kama Lunyamila, Mohammed Hussein "Mmachinga", Thomas Kipese "Uncle Tom", Kizota, Gagarhino...Nilishawahi kuota nawapiga 'matobo' mabeki kama Lunya; kupiga mashuti kama Chinga; kuteleza kwenye chaki kama Kipese; kupewa kadi nyekundu baada ya kupiga mabeki 'vipepsi' kama Kizota; na kuchana nyavu kama Gagarhino (hivi ni kweli jamaa alichana nyavu alipopiga penati dhidi ya timu ya Sigara?)! Tafadhali usiniulize ndoto zangu zimefinifikisha wapi - maana'ke itanibidi niandike kitabu ili kujibu hilo swali tu!

Kutokana na sababu mbalimbali baadhi ya wachezaji waliamua kusitisha masomo yao ya sekondari ili kujiingiza kwenye kabumbu ya ridhaa Tanzania. Sina uhakika, lakini kulikuwa na tetesi kuwa mmoja wa wachezaji maarufu aliingia kwenye kikosi cha kwanza cha Yanga wakati yupo kidato cha tatu na kuamua kuachana na shule baada ya 'kuhitimu' kidato cha nne.

Ndoto za kizazi cha sasa zimebadilika. Sasa hivi Vijana wana ndoto za kucheza mpira wa kulipwa nje ya nchi, hasa Ulaya. Sipingi kuwa Bongo kuna vipaji vingi sana, lakini huwa nashtuka pale Kijana anapoamua kuweka vitabu pembeni ili kujaribu kutimiza ndoto zake. Kwa kifupi, vikwazo ni vingi sana kwenye safari ya kuwa mchezaji wa kulipwa. Ukiangalia safari za Vijana wengine kutoka nchi mbalimbali waliofanikiwa utakubaliana nami kuwa ni kama kamari. Kuna kujeruhiwa, suala la kupata timu inayokufaa na kocha ambaye atakufanya ujiamini, na muhimu zaidi kuliko vitu vingine vyote ni kuwa utahitaji bahati sana.

Siwezi kuweka wachezaji chipukizi wote kwenye kundi moja; lakini itakuwa ni jambo la busara sana kutokimbia umande hadi pale utakapokuwa na uhakika kuwa utafanikiwa kwenye mpira wa kulipwa.

Pia, mawakala, makocha na watu waliokuwa karibu na wachezaji wenye ndoto za kusakata kabumbu Ulaya hawana budi kuwapa picha halisi na mawaidha ya busara kama The Right to Dream Academy ya Ghana inavyofanya.



Tunajua wapi wachezaji wengi wa Tanzania walipoishia na wanapoishia. Lakini, unadhani labda mambo yangekuwa tofauti kidogo kama wangejaribu kujiendeleza na mambo mengine? Bila shaka wangekuwa na fani nyingine baada ya kumalizana na mpira - hasa ukizingatia mpira wa kulipwa ni kazi ya miaka kumi hadi kumi na tano tu.

More from SriBuo

SriBuo advertises a new album release from Ghana:

Artist: VIP (see profile on Museke here)
Album: Progress

Download free album samples:
VIP: "Away"
VIP feat. Dan Boadi: "Broni wewu"

Buy album:
- on iTunes
- on Amazon

Album art:
- SriBuo Media

For more info: www.SriBuo.com

Photos that changed the world

I am a huge fan of photography, and when I came across the following clip I couldn't resist sharing it with you!

Here, Jonathan Klein of Getty Images shows some of the most iconic photos, and talks about what happens when a generation sees an image so powerful it can't look away - or back (Source).



The talk certainly reminded me of the photos from Mara that sent shivers down most Tanzanians' spines a couple of weeks ago.

Also, check out "Big Picture" after every two or three days to see amazing and incredible photos from all over the world. Unfortunately, there is only a handful of photos from East Africa - mostly negative ones. So, if you are pretty good at taking photos (and have got a very good camera, of course), don't hesitate to send your photos to Alan Taylor.

Ukubwa wa Pua Ndio Wingi Wa Kamasi..??

Mkutano wa Kili Music Awards uliofanyika majuma kadhaa yaliyopita ulitoa nafasi nzuri kwa wasanii kutoa maoni na madukuduku yao juu ya tuzo hizo. Wasanii wa bongo flava walikuwa na mengi ya kuchangia, wengi walijaribu kuweka bayana mapungufu ya tuzo hizo, na kutoa ushauri wa nini kifanyike kuboresha tuzo hizo. Mimi binafsi nilichukua nafasi hiyo kuangalia upeo wa wasanii wa bongoflava, kwani ukitaka kujua mdogo wa mtu unanuka sharti usubiri azungumze. Mambo mengi yaliyojadiliwa lakini kuna baadhi yalinikaa akilini. Baadhi ya mambo hayo yalikuwa ni swala zima la Tanzania kuwa na tuzo chache za kutunza wasanii wetu, pili, utaratibu wa top ten za radio station nyingi kutokueleweka zinapatikanaje, tatu, swala la radio DJ kuwa mameneja wa wanamziki kwani kuna hatari ya hao ma-Dj’s kuleta upendeleo kwa wasanii wao n.k.

T.I.D alikuwa msanii miongoni mwa wengi waliotoa dukuduku lao na tuzo hizo za Kili Music Awards. Mwamziki huyo wa Top Band alionyesha wazi kutoridhishwa kwa kutopewa tuzo ukilinganisha na ukongwe wake katika mziki wa bongo flava na vibao vyake vingi vilivyowahi kushika chati, kwa mfano nyimbo yake ya zeze. Maneno ya T.I.D hayakuwa ya mzaha, kwani majuzi alitangaza na kusema "siwezi shiriki”, akiwa anamaanisha amejitoa kwenye kinyang’anyiro cha tuzo hizo za Kili. Mimi binafsi nilishtushwa na uwamuzi huo wa T.I.D kwani sikuelewa kama kuzigomea tuzo hizo ndio njia ya kuzisukuma kumpatia tuzo au alikuwa na nia gani hasa hasa na maamuzi hayo. Baada ya wiki kadhaa toka T.I.D alipotangaza kujitoa, msanii Dully Sykes na yeye alitangaza kujitoa kwenye tuzo hizo, na yeye akiwa na sababu zinazofanana na sababu za T.I.D.

T.I.D na Dully Sykes ni wasanii wawili wakongwe katika mziki wa bongo flava, hivyo kujitoa kwao kunaacha viulizo. Mimi nimeachwa nikijiuliza, inawezekana maamuzi yao yamekuwa ya kukurupuka zaidi au kweli kuna matatizo ya kimsingi katika tuzo hizo za Kili. Je kujitoa kwao kutasaidia kukuza mziki wa bongo flava au utayumbisha mtazamo juu ya mziki huu na wasanii wahusika katika sanaa hii.

Mtazamo wangu katika swala hili ni huu, kama akina T.I.D na Dully Sykes wana hoja dhabiti ya kujitoa kwakuwa kuna tatizo la kupendelewa kwa wasanii katika tuzo hizo, basi tutarudi kwenye hoja ile ya umoja miongoni mwa wasanii wa bongo flava kupigania haki zao. Kuna umuhimi wasanii kujiunga dhidi ya kunyonywa haki zao.

Ningependa kuwaacha wapendi wa bongo flava na swali, je maamuzi ya TID na Dully Sykes ni sahihi? na je ni mafundisho gani wanawaachia wasanii wanaochipukia?. Safari ni ndefu katika mziki huu wa bongo flava, na ninadhani kama kuna maonevu kwenye hizi tuzo, basi nafurahi kuona kuwa watu wanaweza kusimama na kuzisusia katika kutafuta haki zao, lakini kama ni kwasababu za kibinafsi kwakuwa fulani ni mwananziki mkubwa na mkongwe hivyo anastahili tuzo, mimi ninahili lakuwaambia, ukubwa wa pua siyo wingi wa kamasi.

Watanzania tunaogopa Sayansi?

Takribani miaka miwili iliyopita watu kutoka kila kona ya dunia walikuwa wanazungumzia utafiti wa fizikia uliokuwa unaanza Geneva kutumia Large Hadron Collider (Picha halisi za vifaa na mashine zinazotumiwa zinapatikana hapa (virtual tour)). Ingawa sina takwimu zinazoweza kuniambia ni Watanzania wangapi walikuwa wanafuatilia au kutaka kuelewa nini kilichokuwa kinaendelea, nina uhakika ni wachache sana.

Kwa kifupi, wanasayansi wanataka kutafuta na kuelewa asili ya tungamo (mass); nini hasa hukipa maada uzito?

Maada inajengwa na molecules; ambazo hujengwa na atoms; ambazo zina viini ambavyo vina nucleons (neutrons na protons). Nucleons nazo zina 'vikolombwezo' vyake. "Tatizo" hujitokeza pale unapoangalia tungamo la - kwa mfano - proton moja: proton ina tungamo la 938 MeV/c² na vitu vitatu (quarks 'uud') vilivyomo ndani ya proton vina jumla ya tungamo la 11 MeV/c² tu! Na mpaka sasa hivi hakuna ushahidi wa chanzo cha tungamo linalobakia (zaidi ya 925 MeV/c²). Kwa maneno mengine, huo utafiti unaoendelea huko Geneva ni juhudi la kutafuta jibu la hili swali.

Experiments za awali zilikuwa na matatizo ya hapa na pale, lakini wiki mbili zilizopita kulikuwa na mafanikio yaliyokuwa yanategemewa. Na mijadala inaendelea. Lakini katika kipindi chote hiki sikuwahi kuona au kusikia Watanzania wakiwa kwenye midahalo inayohusu huu utafiti na tafisi nyingine muhimu kwa ujumla. Mbona hata hatuulizi maswali? Je, tunadhani haya mambo hayatuathiri kwa njia moja au nyingine? Au hatuna watu wanaoweza kunyambua na kutusaidia kung'amua nini kinachoendelea?

Ifuatayo ni filamu fupi ya Michael Specter ambaye anazungumzia hatari ya jamii kutoipa nafasi sayansi kwa ujumla. Labda baadhi ya mambo ni mapya kwa Watanzania wengi wa kawaida, lakini tujue fika kuwa ndipo dunia inapoelekea. Inabidi tuulize maswali; hata kama huelewi kila kitu kuna uwezekano mkubwa watoto au wadogo zako wakaanza kudunduliza ujuzi wa kuwa wadadisi.



Nimekuwa nikisita kuandika kuhusu mambo kama haya kwasababu hayapewi kipaumbele kwenye jamii yetu kwasababu mbalimbali. Lakini wengi wetu tunajua nafasi gani vizazi vya watoto na wajukuu zetu vitakapokuwa ukilinganisha na wenzao kutoka nchi nyingine.

Kama unadhani mambo haya ni mazito sana, nenda kapumzike halafu rudi hapa kutoa mchango wako!

Matumizi ya 'sms' katika mapambano dhidi ya Ukimwi

Nchini Afrika Kusini mapambano ya kupunguza vifo kutokana na Ukimwi yameingia sura mpya. Wenzetu wameanza kutumia huduma ya simu za mkononi katika mapambano hayo. Inafahamika kuwa Afrika ni sehemu yenye waathirika wengi wa ugonjwa huu duniani. Bara hili pia lina idadi kubwa ya watumiaji wa simu za mkononi (zaidi ya milioni 300). Mwaka 2008 shirika la Praekelt kupitia mradi wa Masiluleke walianzisha huduma iitwayo TxtAlert yenye nia ya kuwakumbusha ahadi za hospitalini/zahanati waathirika wa HIV walio katika matibabu.

image: http://www.poptech.org/project_m

Nchini Tanzania kuna huduma ya ujumbe fupi utumwao bure ujulikanao kama „tafadhali nipigie“, huduma bure ya TxtAlert ya wenzetu huko bondeni ni kama hii ila ujumbe utumwao unaenda kwa hospitali/zahanati na wao kwa kushirikiana na mshirika wa TxtAlert wanakukumbusha appointment yako. Kwa kutumia huduma hii, waliosajiliwa wanaweza pia kubadili ratiba ya appointment kama waliikosa.

Wenzetu wanachotaka kupunguza ni ukithiri wa waathirika wasioenda hospitalini kupokea dawa, tabia ambayo inaweza sababisha ‘ukuaji’ wa virusi vya ukimwi (HIV) sugu. Huduma hii pia inawasaidia wauguzi kupunguza msongamano ulio holela unaotokea baada ya watu kusahau au kukosa appointment zao. Mradi huu unaendelea nchini Afrika ya Kusini na mpaka sasa zaidi ya watu 10000 wamesajiliwa, na manufaa kadhaa yameonekana. Ingependeza pia kusikia nchini Tanzania makampuni ya simu au taasisi za teknolojia wakizindua huduma hii kwa kushirikiana na zahanati zinazotoa HIV therapy.

muasisi wa mradi wa Masikulele, Gustav Praekelt akitoa mada katika kongamano la Poptech 2008 (picha na Kris Krüg)

Hatuna Kiongozi...

...pale maji yanapotufika shingoni Vijana wa Tanzania.
Kuna mambo ambayo hujiri na yataendelea kujiri kwenye jamii yetu kila kukicha. Baadhi ya mambo huhitaji hatua muhimu kuchukuliwa; kuanzia mijadala, mipangalio hadi maamuzi ya nini kifanyike kuweka mambo sawa kufuatana na matakwa ya wengi. Mengi sana yametokea nyumbani kwenye mlongo uliopita lakini inaonekana Vijana wengi tumesahau nini Shaaban Robert alichotuasa. (Kama ulikimbia umande, naongelea suala la viongozi na wananchi kujitoa mhanga lilojadiliwa kwa kina kwenye kitabu cha "Kusadikika".) Inaonekana wengi wetu tulisoma na kukariri sentensi kadhaa tu ili tusifeli mitihani ya Kiswahili.

Ukijaribu kujikumbusha mambo kadhaa yaliyotokea - hasa rushwa na ubadhirifu - utaona kuna kama mtiririko fulani unaotabirika: Tunaanza kwa kupiga kelele, kuendelea kupiga kelele, kupiga kelele zaidi, kuwalaumu viongozi wetu, halafu mwishowe 'tunasahau' kabisa. Sasa jaribu kujiweka kwenye nafasi ya madaraka halafu upenyo wa kujilundikia mali unajitokeza. Naamini fika kuwa wengi wetu tutaishia kuwa mafisadi! Hii hutokana na kutokuwa na mkwara tosha; mafisadi wengi wanajua Watanzania ni watu wenye hulka ya upole na tusiojua kupigania haki zetu.

Ukiangalia kwenye vyombo vyetu vya habari na kufuatilia mijadala inayoendelea kwenye forums na blogs mbalimbali utaona kuwa hatuna viongozi. Hakuna watu wanaoweza kuwasihi na kuwapa motisha watu kupigania haki zao (hata zile za msingi). Na cha kusikitisha zaidi hatujadili kabisa "nini kifanyike" na kubaki kutapatapa kwenye maji ya kina kirefu! Lakini kuna dalili kuwa Vijana wanaanza kuamka, ila kwa mwendo wa kinyonga.

Wengi bado wanaendelea kumlaumu Mwalimu na Siasa ya Ujamaa. Lakini, angalau alikuwa ana ndoto zake ambazo aliamua kuzipigania. Alijitoa mhanga na juhudi zake na uwezo wa kutuunganisha zimetufikisha hapa tulipo na kutupa misingi ya Taifa letu kwa ujumla. Hata kama hukubaliani na Siasa za Ujamaa na Kujitegemea, nitashaanga sana usipoafiki kuwa alikuwa ana hulka ya kiongozi - kuwakutanisha watu na kuwapanga ili kufikia lengo fulani. Natamani sana tungekuwa na watu kadhaa kama Mwalimu waliokuwa na mitazamo tofauti.

Angalia kushoto, kisha kulia, halafu niambie ni nani ambaye anapaswa kupewa heshima na kuangaliwa kama kiongozi wa Vijana. Bila shaka majina kama Kabwe na Slaa yatakuwa kwenye vinywa vya watu. Lakini sidhani kama kuna mtu ambaye tunaweza kumchukulia kama taswira ya Vijana wa Tanzania.

Binafsi naamini kuna watu ambao wanaweza kuwa viongozi na kutusaidia Vijana pale tunapokumbana na vizingiti. Lakini labda imani yao kwa Taifa, hasa Serikali, ni ndogo kuliko punje ya mbegu ya mchicha kutokana na sababu mbalimbali.

Nakusihi Kijana kutojificha kama unadhani una uwezo wa kuwa kiongozi kwani Tanzania inakuhitaji (sio lazima iwe kwenye Siasa).

Fresh from the SriBuo Ghanaian music vault

SriBuo advertises a new album release from Ghana:

Artist: Obrafour (see profile on Museke here)
Album: "T.O.F.A." Time Out For Adhesion

Download free album samples:
Obrafour feat. Adjoa: "Dee Dee Ko (There They Go)"
Obrafour feat. Blitz & Tiny: "Eebehyehyew"
Obrafour: "Oya Hene"

Buy album:
- on iTunes
- on Amazon

Album art:
- SriBuo Media

For more info: www.SriBuo.com

Tanzania's Education and Career Exhibition

Venue: Diamond Jubilee Hall, Dar es Salaam.

Date: June 24th & 25th, 2010

Tripod Media Company Limited is organizing “Tanzania’s Education and Career Exhibition” which will bring together Primary and Secondary Schools, Colleges, Tertiary Institutions and Universities in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi in a Careers and Schools Exhibition so that students/trainers/parents/guardians can interact one-on-one with representatives of these institutions on programs offered, careers, admission requirements etc.

Objectives
- To assist Primary and Secondary school students, college and university students, teachers, parents/guardians, career specialists and job seekers by providing them with an event to explore different career paths, and obtain labour market information in the East African region.
- The exhibition also provides an opportunity to schools and training institutions to show case their institution’s products and services.
- The careers seminar that will run alongside the exhibition will provide valuable insight to students and career seekers as specialists from various professional backgrounds will give lectures on a wide range of careers and career prospects.

Attendance target
Primary students/ Secondary students/ Teachers/ Tutors/ Parents/ Guardians/ College &University students/ Career changers/ Professional bodies/ Managers of training institutions/ Recruitment agencies/ Other stakeholders

Call for sponsors and exhibitors
Institutions and any other stake holders interested in participating as Sponsor or Exhibitor at the Tanzania’s Education and Career Exhibition may contact:

Tripod Media Company Limited
Dorothy Kipeja Ngoshani
Managing Director
255 22 781304 or 0754 291 291
dkipeja@tripodmedia.co.tz
info@tripodmedia.co.tz
www.tripodmedia.co.tz

The Question of Foreign Aid

Many of you may have heard of Dambisa Moyo, who has written extensively on the consequences of foreign aid.

I came across this video today which is a brief look into her work. She discusses how foreign aid is not successful in reducing poverty and in some instances inflicts further incentives for corruption in Africa.



Dambisa brings up important questions for Tanzania and greater East Africa: How are we using regional ties to use foreign aid efficiently? Where else can money go other than the government?

Harufu ya Kifua Kikuu (TB)

Kilimota kama 5 hivi kutoka Morogoro mjini, pembezoni mwa mlima Uluguru, kuna shule moja maalumu yenye wanafunzi wenye vipaji. Wanafunzi hao, viumbe ambao jamii tunawachukia kwa udi na vumba, wanapata elimu ambayo yaweza kusaidia katika mapambano ya ugonjwa wa kifua kikuu (TB). Viumbe gani hawa? Ni panya buku. Wanasayansi wa chuo cha Sokoine na wenzao wa Ubelgiji wameanzisha utafiti wa kuwatumia panya ili wawe na uwezo wa kuaguza (to diagnose) TB.


Nchi yetu ni moja ya nchi zilizoathirika kwa kiasi kikubwa na ugonjwa wa TB. Hali hii imezidishwa hasa kutokana na tatizo la Ukimwi tunalopambana nalo, kwani wagonjwa wengi wa Ukimwi wanakuwa pia na TB. Uaguzi wa mapema wa TB ni muhimu ili kuweza kudhibiti ugonjwa kabla haujawa sugu. Kwahiyo, changamoto iliyopo ili kupunguza vifo na taabu ya ugonjwa huu ni kuutambua mapema mno.

Njia mbalimbali zinatumika sasa kuaguza TB, mfano vipimo vya kukuza vinasaba (PCR), X-ray, kupima ukohozi kwa microscopy, vipimo vya ngozi n.k. Tatizo ni kwamba, vipimo hivi ni ghali na upatikanaji wake ni wa shida katika hospitali na zahanati zilizopo vijijini, sehemu zenye waathirika wengi. Jambo lingine ni kwamba, utumiaji wa microscopy, njia ambayo inatumika kwa wingi Afrika haina usahihi wa hali ya juu (kati ya 20-40%).

Tukirudi Morogoro, watafiti wamejaribu kutumia uwezo wa panya buku kunusa harufu adimu na kuutumia katika kugundua TB. Yasemekana kuwa, bakteria wanaosababisha TB, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, wanatoa harufu ya kemikali fulani (volatile organic compounds) ambazo zina pattern fulani. Wanachofanya ni kuwapa sample ya kohozi kutoka kwa muathirika na kumfundisha panya kugundua kwa uimara harufu hizo. Uwezo wa panya hawa kugundua TB ni mkubwa (zaidi ya 85% specificity na sensitivity) na cha kufurahisha ni kwamba, panya buku wanaweza kufundishwa kukumbuka hizi harufu. Mradi huu, ulioitwa APOPO ni wa kipekee kwani unatumia rasilimali tulizonazo ili kukabiliana na matatizo yetu.



Ni changamoto kwa vijana wetu kuweza kutumia njia mbadala katika kupambana na matatizo yanayotukabili. Wanafunzi wa umeme na kompyuta wanaweza sasa kushirikiana na hawa wa Apopo ili kuweza kutengeneza vifaa portable ambavyo vitatumika hospitalini. Hii ni katika kuendeleza tafiti.