Editor’s Notes Feature Story: SUZAN MUTESI Chew on this Africans on the beach Health Talk Book Review G-Spot August Food Photography No Evil Tech Buzz Adverts Subscription
Editor : Wangechi Ruguaru
Editor : Linda Obel
Contributor : Gerald Montgomery
Contributor : Kabura Wahome
Contributor : David Mutua
Editor : Eva Githina
Contributor : Wambui Wamutongoria
Sam the Designer
Frustration is an overwhelming information. I know I get frustrated when things do not move as fast as I think they should, or when one of my very good ideas falls through. I am sure you have plenty of moments when you are frustrated by people, things or situations.
However, I want to leave you with a couple of things you can do to help that frustration pass. The first is easy. Read an issue of AIM Magazine. Seriously. I am not kidding. We always feature someone like you that has overcome great obstacles and has gone on to see their dreams come true.
The wise voice will always point out how that frustrating situation is meant to make us stronger, better or wiser and how we will look back one day and smile, even possibly laugh about that migraine-inducing, nail-biting, throw-something-fragileat-the-wall moment in our lives.
The other two are equally easy. Do something to take your mind off the issue. Exercise, run, swim, do yoga, dance, cook something tasty or sew a jumper. Whatever it is that relaxes you, JUST.GO.DO.IT.
Regardsless of all that conventional wisdom, I am sure that at the moment when you are knee-deep in all that frustration, there is very little wisdom that pierces through to your brain and all you want to do is act out to lessen that helpless feeling.
Last but not least, remember in the words of Terry McMillan that “there is a price for everything...be prepared to pay in kind with your heart...but keep your soul� Peace and Bangles,
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n i h t i G a v E
By Eva Githina Suzan Mutesi is a Ugandan born designer that is setting the fashion world ablaze. After she moved to Australia to complete highschool, she developed an interest in fashion that prompted her to actively find a way to present her vision in the competetive and cuthroat business of fashion design. Suzan founded Achea-Mpong a fashion label that has done well in Australia and has been very well received by the African Australiam Community. Suzan Mutesi describes the Achea-Mpong woman as “a girl who travels a lot”.“She is a confident girl who loves shopping for one-of-a-kind pieces,” she says. “She loves making a statement wherever she goes.”With a style all her own” AIM Magazine had a chance to get a better understanding of what drives and inspires Suzan, and this is what she had to say... AIM: What are your full names and where are you from? SM: Suzan Mutesi I am orginally from Uganda. AIM: When did you become interested in fashion design?
SM: My love for fashion began as a little girl playing with African fibre dolls and dressing my friends’ dolls using only the clothes in my wardrobe. AIM: How did you discover that you had a talent for fashion design and how did you develop that talent? SM: After making the move to Australia to complete high school, my passion only grew stronger. I taught myself only the basics of design, such as alterations and mending torn clothes on a sewing machine AIM: How did your family help or challenge you as a far as fashion design is concerned? SM: My family has been very supportive by being my shoulder whenever I am down; understanding challenges that crop up with fashion, feeding me with positive and encouraging words which keep me going. AIM: What do you see as fashion design’s contribution to society? SM: Fashion contributes to material resources, human capital, and artistic vision in a single garment. African Tradition and culture are visible in the latest fashion trend popularizing African prints, and their dissemination through the marketplace and ultimate disposal involves an equally complex chain of activity.
statement. Always have fun with Loud and Proud colour combinations that make for a dynamic, confident look, always have fun with it. AIM: If you had to describe your fashion house philosophy in a few words what would it be? SM: I think Dresses are a form of communication. I am interested in communicating an image with style; expressing a sensation of “Being in the world”, in its constant movement. AIM: What advice would you give to give to upcoming fashion designers? SM: Follow your passion, Express your passion. There will always be hard times and challenges, don’t give up they only make you stronger. Remember if people like Gucci or Tiffany Amber can do it then why not you, anything is possible if you believe and work hard. Designer: Suzan Mutesi Photographer: Manny Zervos /Kounelli Photography
AIM: What issues, places or spaces inspire you? SM: My family inspires and allow me to do what I do every day. I have been blessed to have been exposed to a handful of mentors throughout my career and daily I draw from my mentors, the things they have taught me. The immense impact that fashion has on today’s culture and daily life is evident everywhere you turn. I take moments to think about my day-today life I stop and think about what we are wearing, or how good someone else looks? That influences me as designer. Influence from television shows like “Project Runway” and “Fashion T.V” to the numerous fashion magazines on newsstands. AIM: What causes or issues are you passionate about? SM: I am very passionate about supporting charities that give back to the needy. AIM: Which African fashion designers do you admire? SM: Tiffany Amber, Maki Oh and Christie Brown AIM: What about Africa is special to you? SM: The traditional food from Africa, Nothing compares to those flavours, AIM: Do you have any style tips for our readers? SM: Comfortable vintage clothes, give you a unique fashion
Don’t Let The Sun Burn The sun is an integral part of our lives. Its presenece or lack thereof dictates a lot of what we do and how we do it. Considering how influential it is in our lives, yet the one thing most have yet to master is how to prepare our skin to deal with the harmful effects of the sun. There is great debate about whether or not black people should wear sunscreen and if we are to wear it how strong it should be to prevent our skins from burning. Most of us are now conditioned to buying sun screen in the department stores while we overlook the more available items that have been used for generations to protect our skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Avocados grow in abundance all over and what most do not know is that AVOCADO OIL can be used to protect our skin from the sun. If you cannot make avocado oil at home, buy avocado oil and apply it on your skin as a light sunscreen. COCONUT OIL offers more protection from the damaging effects of the sun while also pulling double duty to prevent wrinkles, age spots, saggy skin and inflammation. It is also
perfect for dry skin. So next time you have to buy lotion and sun screen, skip these and go for avocado or coconut oil and save yourself a ton of money. If you happen to spend too much time in the sun, there are also homemade solutions for soothing and cooling your skin, you can make a mask using items found in your pantry. COCONUT OIL+HONEY+ALOE VERA = This concoction makes a soothing remedy for surn burnt skin. You can make a cucumber mask using...CHAMOMILE TEA+CUCUMBER+ALOE VERA So go out and enjoy the sun and in the words of A.L. Kennedy in Day, remember... “A good roast of sun, it slows you, lets you relax–and out here if there’s anything wrong, you can see it coming with bags of time to do what’s next. This is the place and the weather for peace, for the cultivation of a friendly mind.”
Stella Jean
ZANKARA
Kitenge Collection By Asos
Kitenge Collection By Asos
Malaika designs
Andrea Iyamah
Squat your way to Fitness The Squat is one of the funniest looking exercises, but one of the best for your health. Whether you are into Yoga, Pilates, Aerobics or weightlifting there are various variations of the squat to fit your exercise regimen and to help you achieve your fitness goals. Basic squats are excellent for the butt, hips, thighs and calves and they help strengthen and build muscle in your entire body. I also love that the squat imitates a lot of real life activities such as sitting on a chair/toilet, tying your shoe laces, picking up items from the floor, just to name a few. Squats are also the best way to build muscle and helps your muscles work more efficiently as well as enhance mobility and balance. Squats help us jump higher, run faster, tone our gluts(butt) and the entire body too all while enhancing waste removal. Working your squats also helps you age more gracefully, strengthen your core and has also been proven to help with communication between our brain and muscles which certainly helps us prevent injuries and leads to greater flexibility. Proper form is a must and so to help you get these right, do utilize proper form to prevent injury. Here are the various variations you can include in your workout routine depending on your preferences and fitness level. So go forth and try the following squats and enjoy a fitter and healthier you!
Burpee Squat Chair Pose - Garland Pose Chair Pose - Squat Chair Pose Frog Squat
Green Card stories is a collection of stories told by Immigrants who have gone through the Immigration process to attain their Green C a rd s . Fo r e a c h sto r y t h e re i s a p i c t u re o f t h e person whose story is featured and then their story providing details on where they came f ro m t o w h e re t h e y a re n o w.
The Introduction to the book is written by Laura D a n i e l s o n a n d S t e v e Ya l e - L o e h r. I n i t t h e y h a v e broken down what Green Card Stories is, how long is has been around- since 1940 and they have also gone into detail on how a Green Card is obtained.
Each narrator explains why they left their country of birth to migrate to the United States of America. They touch on what they experienced once they got here, how the immigration process was for them and what it means to them to be in the United States.
The process is a long journey of both bureaucratic obstacles and personal transformation. They have done their best to stay as neutral as possible, so as not appear biased on Immigration. There is enough negative and fear striking information on Immigration readily available so to see a book that is just stating facts and telling true and personal stories about such a sensitive issue is a major plus.
Some have shared how even after getting their Green Cards and going back to their home countries they for different reasons ended up coming back to the United States because they either missed being it or could not find similar opportunities back home.
The purpose of Green Card Stories is to ‘ capture t h e t r u e d i v e r s i t y a n d i m p a c t o f t o d a y ’s i m m i g r a n t America, showing what a richly nuanced society [the US has ] become through immigration’ and this is so true.
The people featured in this book are from all over the world. Green Card stories is not specific to one country or skin color and the narrators also range in age; there are those who migrated in their old age and there are those who migrated when they were young. Some had no say whatsoever in the migration. Fo r s o m e , t h e i r h a n d s we re t i e d w h i le o t h e rs knew from the word go that only by coming to the United States would they be able to breathe.
It is so easy to hear what is said on the television or radio and form a conclusion about the issue. This book personalizes the issue for the reader a n d i f o n e i s ve r y h o n e st w i t h t h e m s e lve s t h ey s e e t h e m s e lve s i n t h e i m m i g ra n t .
Green Card stories show how each of these individuals have been transformed, some have shared the tribulations, joys and breakthroughs. The tales are skillfully told in great detail. Green Card Stories is a glance into an issue that is in the headlines every other day in the United States. It started off as ‘remarkable, inspirational stories that called out to be told’ to ‘adding context to the growing national debate about immigration and serves to remind us that we are predominantly a nation o f i m m i g r a n t s’ .
It could be you, you might be the first generation going through the process so that your children, a n d y o u r c h i l d r e n ‘s c h i l d r e n h a v e i t b e t t e r t h a n you did. It could easily be you. Here is a preview of some profiles from Green Card Stories: Peter Ajak: Sudanese lost boy in Houston, TX (refugee) - After coming to the U.S., he got a job as a security guard. There was a misunderstanding due to a firearm possession and he was detained and put into removal proceedings. He finally got legal help and got cancellation of deportation. He n o w w o r k s f o r h i s i m m i g r a t i o n l a w y e r. Sam Ebute: Nigeria in Brooklyn Park, MN - He came as a boy and was abandoned here and raised by an American family in a small town in Wisconsin
that didn’t realize he wasn’t legal. He ended up in deportation proceedings and got cancellation of removal. He now works with orphaned and at risk kids. Mogtaba Maki: N o r t h e r n S u d a n i n Ta m p a , FL (refugee) - Escaped being drafted into the northern army of Sudan and its bloody civil war against the south. He endured a harrowing journey and eventually resettled a s a r e f u g e e i n Ta m p a , w h e r e h e w o r k e d tirelessly to get the rest of his family to s a f e t y. J o s e p h M i n ta h : G h a n a i n We st N ya c k , N Y He is the chief of 90 villages in Ghana, even though he lives in the United States. He flies b a c k t o h i s v i l l a g e 6 - 1 2 t i m e s a y e a r. T h e government doesn’t like him being a tribal v i l l a g e c h i e f. H e i s n o w a U . S . c i t i z e n . H e now feels he is a citizen of the world. He is also a doctor and originally came to the U.S. to study medicine. C h a r le s N ya g a : K e n ya i n A t l a n ta , GA - Wo n the diversity lottery but didn’t apply in time. He and his family were put into detention. They realized that his brother had also filed an application for him years before and that it was current. Saah Quigee: Liberia in Ithaca, NY - Came to Cornell on student visa, then successfully applied for asylum. To o k a w h i l e , b u t eventually got his wife and kids here.
To b u y G r e e n C a r d S t o r i e s g o t o : h t t p : / / w w w . greencardstories.com/buy-the-book/
G-Spot Q&A: Knowing When to Move on Question: Please give me the words to say to get a man to understand that a strong woman requires a man stronger than she. I have tried to explain it to him; my words apparently falling on deaf ears. I can’t even justify staying any longer. When I visit him, he’s sleeping. When I call, he’s sleeping. And when I am sleeping, he’s, you guessed it, sleeping. It just ain’t working out; not for me. He’s turned out to be the person I said I wouldn’t date. -Anonymous My Response: I don’t mean this maliciously, but it appears the “strong woman,” in this case, needs to get the message - not the “weak man.” Sounds like you need the strength to leave, but instead you’re asking a man you believe to be weak to find the strength to go. I think “strong” or “weak” are transitional terms, not permanent features. We are strong today and weak tomorrow, only to be strong the day after. Sometimes strength resembles humility and weakness masquerades as toughness. If you perceive yourself as strong (as in always strong) how will you recognize when you are in need of help or when your armor is failing? If you have determined he is lacking in character or strength, why assume he has the capacity to know it’s time for him to move on? Doing so is merely a form of procrastination; you’re creating the stagnant situation then blaming the other person for it. Time for you to find that strength you believe exists within you and do what is best for you both. Too often we fear appearing to “give up on someone” too soon. But the dating stage is when we should be as unrelenting and sensitive to signs. Instead, we as a society tend to date with the dedication of marriage and maintain marriages with the nonchalant mannerisms of dating. May your source of strength and wisdom provide you with the courage needed to what is best. Blessings. An Afterthought: Unrelated to the original question, but something that has occurred to me to say. Have you ever asked yourself why you are the way you are, then considered all of the factors which influenced your current condition? Have you, afterwards, shifted your thinking towards what factors “keep” you in your present condition? Have you named your “vices” so that you might confront them? Identified the enablers and agitators in your circle? Have you ever thought about what “money” truly is; the cycles of saving and spending? Saving for the purpose of building capital with which to invest and spending for the purpose of expanding your ability to make gain? We cannot create progress existing in the past. Life might be linear (meaning we’re born, live and die) but reality isn’t (meaning we can exist in the past or still constantly dreaming of a future we do not prepare for in the present). Progress cannot be measured relative to others; you might always be behind one or two of your peers. Instead measure progress from where you were to where you are now. As long as you improve on this isolated scale you are making progress. But setting goals is the key. Iron sharpens iron, so let’s be better because of it!
Gerald Montgomery
Summer Eats: Roast Maize + Ginger and Lime Cocktail Roasted Maize is an african delicacy that is tasty, cheap and filling.You can buy Maize off the various street vendors or you can even roast the maize very easily in the convenience of your own home. You need: 4 cobs of Maize (could vary depending on the mumber of people you are feeding)
2 tbsp Cayenne Pepper 1/2 tbsp of salt 2 limes
- Prepare the maize by removing the husks and hair and wash thoroughly
- - - - - -
Make sure the grill is nice and hot Put the cobs of maize on the grill and keep rotating them until they have a nice charred look. Mix the cayenne pepper and salt in a bowl slice the limes in half and place the juicy parts of the lime in the cayenne salt mix Once the maize is ready rub the mazie using the lime which has picked up the cayenne-salt seasoning. You can also let the guests rub the lime cayenne-salt on the maize themselves.
Serve with cold lime juice or my favorite
GG Lime cocktail. To make the GG cocktail you need: 1 ½ oz gin 4 oz ginger ale/ginger tea juice of 1 lime - - - - -
Mix ingredients into a blender and add some ice Blend for 1 minute Pour into nice cocktail glasses Garnish with lime or mint (if you have it) Enjoy!
David Mutua holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Daystar University in Nairobi Kenya, with a specialty in Applied Computer Science.
He also has extensive knowledge in Desk Top Publishing (DTP) and holds a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) Certification.
He worked at Africa 24 Media where he designed the photography website, and was finally appointed Head of Photography after his skill and passion for photography was noticed as he would cover various events for the website.
After working at the organization for 2 years, he left to pursue freelance photojournalism. Since then, he has worked with a number of NGOs, including: Catholic Relief Service, UNICEF-ESARO, Concern Worldwide, International Organization for Migration, USAID|KenyaPharma, Practical Action and Plan International on different assignments across Kenya.
As the world of visual imagery grew to adopt new styles of broadcasting, David has adopted multimedia production as another mode of disseminating information.
By combining audio, text and still images, he has created a number of multimedia pieces for different clients. Apart from humanitarian work, David has also covered sports events, concerts and music gigs for various publications and newspapers.
David Mutua is a registered member of the Foreign Correspondents Association of East Africa (FCAEA).
CITY OF ARCACIAS Who lives sees much. Who travels sees more. – Arab Proverb The above quote is nothing short of the truth. As a humanitarian photographer, primarily, one of the things I enjoy most is to travel and of late I have had the pleasure of doing so. This time around, I got to visit “Cidade das Acácias”City of Acacias.
The town formally known as Lourenço Marques, Maputo (pronounced as Maputu as I was to learn later on) is a beautiful port city located on the shores of the Indian Ocean and serves as the capital city of Mozambique. It was a two day assignment and as such, the time factor limited the amount of sight seeing that I was able to engage in. Though, I was able to visit the central market with a group of communication officers that I was training in Humanitarian photography..
On the last day, I was able to view the town in my preferred mode of lighting, Low Light and Maputo sure did not disappoint. The first stop was the Maputo Railway Station.
The building is magnificent and still stands tall even though it was built in the early 20th century. Some even accredit the design to Gustave Eiffel, the designer of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. If you watched the movie Blood Diamond, the railway station was actually used as a hotel. Inside the railway station lays Kampfumo Bar.
Kampfumo Bar is a nice Bistro that is well known for its live jazz gigs. On this particular evening it was quiet but inside it lay gems. The walls are decked with lovely images of jazz greats, but what really attracted my attention was a huge beautiful black and white portrait image of the Sé Catedral taken by renowned Mozambican Photojournalist Ricardo Rangel. Ricardo was the first non-white employee to join the Mozambican newspaper: Noticias de Tarde, in 1952 and is well remembered for taking images during the colonial era that were banned and destroyed by the colonial government.
Outside the station, one cannot miss the Praça dos Trabalhadores
This statue of The War Faring Woman of Stone, was erected after “The Great War” (1914-1918). The sculpture was designed by Rui Gameiro around a legend that commemorates a courageous woman who rid the area of a deadly cobra (rising up from the woman’s feet), which had killed many of the local people. The monument is inscribed with the words “Aos seus combatentes europeus e africanos da Grande Guerra” which means “To the European and African soldiers of the Great War”. A few kilometers from the statue, on the Samora Machel Avenue, in front of the Maputo City Hall stands…
So after getting some chow, the next stop was on Avenue Julius Nyerere… the Palace of Weddings. The building serves as a space where many young Mozambican couples get married. Before it was refurbished, the hall would sometimes have up to 100 weddings on a Saturday.
The final Stop for the evening was a magnificent palace designed in the Maunelini style of architecture (a Gothic style of architecture from the first decades of the 16th century)…
The Mozambique Natural History Museum.
Reknown for stuffing animals, the museum has a collection of elephant foetuses which represent each stage of the 22 months gestation period of the elephant.
After all was said and done, it was good to fly back to Nairobi via The Roof Of Africa… …and see it in all its majestic beauty under the glare of the sun while listening to The Moreira Project by stellar Mozambican Saxophonist Moreira Chonguica.
No Speak ...
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The Olympics will be the thing to watch this month and if you are not able to watch Africa beat the rest of the world because you cannot skip work and watch it from the comfort of your couch, do not fret because from July 27 to August 12, people in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa will have a chance to watch the games live from London on the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) YouTube channel http:// youtube.com/olympic. The IOC channel will have 10 HD live-feeds from the Games, running from 9am to 11pm London time, plus a 24-hour broadcast of the Olympic News Channel. There will also be highlight reels and full videos of events after they’ve finished — all organized by the day, medal event, or the sport. Tune in to catch all the action on IOC’s YouTube channel which will offer fans over 2,200 hours of high-definition sporting event coverage from London 2012, including all the medal finals.
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Mobile Apps You Should be Using Your Bank’s Mobile App: Most banks have made banking easy and convenient and the majority even have apps that allow you to pay bills, transfer funds and check your balance on your phone. This works great if you are travelling or at a place where you have no access to a computer. So get with it and find a way to bank on your mobile. Paperless Note: Depending on the type of phone you have, there are various apps that allow you to write notes on your phone. You do not have to be bothered with carrying around a bulky notebook that you will most likely lose. Whenever you need to write something down, activate the memo or note-taking app on your mobile and jot down that to-do list, grocery list, passwords etc. I like to use this app when I am in a work meeting because it makes it easier to upload this via email and incorporate it onto my work to-do list. Most of these apps also allow you to email these lists to yourself. This is a handy way of backing up these notes and calendaring these items for later. Radio/Music Player: The beauty of mobile phones is that they now do more than just make calls and send text messages. Most have apps that allow you to stream types of local or international radio stations. This works great if you do not have the capacity to play your own music on your phone. If your phone has a music player, then it is also more likely to have enough space to allow you upload your playlist. This is very handy because it negates the need for an ipod or other music playing device. So make sure you maximize the features on your mobile phone for a moreorganized and fun life!