January 2010
M A G A Z I N E
Editor’s Note Imagine if someone you were really attracted to approached you and asked you out. Would you say yes? What if they told you they were HIV positive? Would you change your mind at that point? Recently, I watched a YouTube video of a young woman claiming that she has been infecting men with HIV and other STDs as a way of getting revenge. She said that all she had to do was flat iron her hair and wear some designer jeans, and men would be falling all over themselves trying to sleep with her. Some were even willing to pay for it! As it turns out, this was a HOAX! However, there is no doubt that such people exist. We have all heard of men and women who chose to keep the vital information that they are HIV positive to themselves and maintain promiscuous lifestyles. All this is done in the hope of “taking people” with them so to speak. Shuga, written by Amanda Lane, is a hard hitting movie based in Kenya. It is about college age kids caught up in the fast paced night life of Nairobi while facing day to day challenges. Director Tebeho Mahlats, did an incredible job on the quality of the movie. He made sure the cinematography did not take away from the storyline, but that instead you are immersed in watching the characters as their lives unfold. We can all relate to each one of the characters in the movie at some point in our lives. From the virgin who tries to keep her friends aware of the dangers of promiscuity, to the hardworking young adult who will do anything to get to the top. One of the scenes in the movie contains an interesting dialogue between one of the main characters, Skola (played by David Omwange who is our feature story), and his friends. Skola says “you would think that if someone is infected by HIV/AIDS, they will take it upon themselves to let their partner know”. As is the situation with multiple horror stories we have heard, that is not always the case. Shuga is a movie I would highly recommend for you to watch while taking heed of the message behind it. You will be impressed with the quality of work done by the director and the actors. The biggest message I got from it is that you need to take care of yourself and love yourself enough to be responsible. Just because someone is attractive and looks good, doesn’t mean that they are not infected. HIV/AIDS does not discriminate and can come in all different shapes and sizes, so we need to take the responsibility to take care of ourselves. This year and for years to come, let’s all make a conscious effort to be responsible and take care of ourselves. No one in this world can do a better job of looking out for you. If you don’t take care of yourself, who will? Much love and Respect, Linda Obel
By Linda Obel
Content
January 2010
Editor’s Note Feature Story Evalyn Githina Editor AIM Network
Wangechi Ruguaru Graphic Designer AIM Network
G-spot Alita’s Travel’s No Evil Immigrants In MN Must See website
Linda Obel Editor AIM Network
Wambui Wamutogoria Editor AIM Network - Kenya
Entertainment Book Review Fashion Poetry
Alita Watson AIM Contributor
Gerald Montgomery AIM Contributor
Julia Nekessa Opoti AIM Contributor
Tech Buzz
AIM Network© Tel: 612.208.9655 Email: aimminnesota@gmail.com www.issuu.com/aimminnesota E-mail us to subscribe to AIM Magazine, to Advertise, to comment on the issue or to submit an article for publishing.
Feature Story
“No idea is really original, it’s always influenced by someone or something that came before, just learn from all these expressions and put your spin on it”
By Wambui Wamutogoria
David Omwange
By
Wambui Wamutogoria
It’s not hard to see why he is a star, just moments after he walked into my office we were chatting it up about everything under the sun. In just moments, he dispelled some pretty embarrassing misconceptions I had of Pakistan where he lived; apparently Pakistan is a lush green country with friendly people, great food and wonderful infrastructure. He has also been part of the poetry slam scene in New York where he lived before moving to Pakistan. He is the perfect example of what expanding your horizons can do for opening up your mind to different cultures. I sat down with this budding star to discuss his acting role in Shuga, an MTV production causing waves for its accurate depiction of the Kenyan night life and for depicting young Kenyans in a better light than we are used to seeing. Wambui & David
Wambui: What is your full name and where are you from? David: My name is David Omwange Nyareru. I am a Kenyan actor but I have lived in the US and Pakistan. Wambui: How long have you lived abroad? David: In total about 14 years. We as a family have always had opportunities to live in different parts of the world because of my mum’s job and when my family was moving back I had the opportunity to stay in Pakistan where I was at the time but decided to move back to Kenya Wambui: What was the hardest adjustment to living far away from home? David: Despite all those years away from Kenya the people I have met in Kenya since 2007 are the people who I consider to make me feel most at home, so….home is where they are. The hardest part when moving is leaving and letting go of old friends and making new friends. In Pakistan for example I was planning on staying there indefinitely but because of the violence I had to leave. Wambui: What inspired you to become an actor and a poet? David: I have always been a writer of poetry but not a performer of poetry and then, when I got into music through hip-hop, I took my poems and turned them into rhymes. I couldn’t fit into the box of hip-hop content-wise and I wasn’t fulfilled by it so I went back to poetry. During my last year of High school I met up with Coyline Gomez. She introduced me to the whole spoken word scene in New York where I performed. As for acting, when I took Drama in my last year of high school something about it just drew me in. My drama instructor was a big inspiration, she showed me how to use my whole body and facial features to express myself. I lived and breathed acting from the way I spoke to the way I walked. Everything, just to make sure I portrayed the character. I’ll never forget what my acting instructor told me; she said that “most actors’ use method acting where you should use your past experiences to portray a character but she said to me “it’s all about circumstances” just put yourself in the character’s circumstance. You won’t always have past experiences to connect with the character but what you can bring to the character is how you would react if you were in that circumstance. Use what you have such as props and the audience to bring the character to life. Ever since I took acting lessons I don’t just watch movies anymore I dissect them in my head, which makes me selective about the things I watch. I analyze everything it’s been a ride. I love it! Wambui: What kind of roles have you played and what productions have you been a part of? David: In Shuga I play Skola he is the alpha male, womanizer, no boundaries Radio Dj who takes life easy until he is hit with the possibility of being HIV Positive. This was an MTV sponsored production that was and is still getting a lot of buzz because it portrayed the Kenyan youth and night life in a more realistic and relatable way. In my first role however, I was 8, no I was 7... in the Cinderella play, I was the guy with the glass slipper that went around trying to find the prince’s new bride. The best thing about that role is that I
“
We have a long way to go because the right people are not motivated enough to be in this industry. If it doesn’t embrace religion or family TV it’s not widely accepted
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touched the leg of every girl in my class, which was a major achievement for me at 7, it was paradise actually. I have also been in independent, off Broadway plays. “Turn It Up” was a play about urban kids in NY. I played Tony who had social disparities with the kids around him because they were at a lower social structure and he had moved “out of the hood” he was battling with connecting the two worlds, that was my favorite role so far. It was a really challenging role because most of it was very expressional, and I had to use my entire body to portray this role. Wambui: Do you find that the characters you play stay with you? David: Maybe this will show my immaturity as an actor but a character will stay with me for up to a day maximum. I just try to use the things around me and other actors around me to portray the role, which I think allows me to go deep enough to get lost in the scene and then allows me to come back. Wambui: How did you get involved in Shuga? David: Mid July 2009, we auditioned in groups, 3 of my friends auditioned and we all got it which was pretty cool, but when we got there, we found these established actors so I thought, they’re just doing it for the formality, they probably know who’s going to get the role, but I still went in there and gave it my all. I really thought I had no chance, but they called the next day and a week later it was official, I auditioned for the role of Leo, who was the nicest guy because I thought it was more challenging, but I got the role of Skola, the playboy Dj and that worked out great for me in the end. Wambui: I know at the beginning of the show Leo is the lead but as the story unveils Skola turns out to be the focus and the more interesting character. David: It’s funny how that happened, when we auditioned we only saw a portion of it and it seemed like that to me too, but when we actually started acting I was like whoa! Wambui: How did your role in Shuga compare to your previous or current roles? David: It was by far the easiest, not to downplay it or anything but 5 years ago I was just like Skola so it was easy for me to portray him. I didn’t need to prepare too much for it because elements of me connected with the character. It was also easy coz I did theatre, which is more demanding, playing the same role. In the future you will see me in Changes which starts in March, 2010, the director called me and said she would like to have me in it and I was like….Wow! I am also now working on other side projects so you will see me in other projects such as writing a few scripts here and there, and working with fellow artists to form a local organization for artists such as the Actors Guild. Wambui: Is there a well established art scene in Kenya? David: For the past 2 years the poetry scene or spoken word scene is by far stronger, music is very rich in terms of the range of performance events, but unfortunately the music scene is experiencing repetition in content and is going through a down phase right now. Juliani is my favorite recording artist and I just wish we had more artists of his caliber, his style is unique and he has a way with words that is unparalleled in my opinion. The film industry is not very well developed. This is not because the resources aren’t there but there is just something missing; maybe it’s that the arts are still not seen as respectable or professional so it’s not as easy to get support or sponsorship which will fuel the industry. Most productions fall short in the most obvious ways so it’s not respected as being new or special. Production on the other hand could be a lot better. We have a long way to go because the right people are not motivated enough to be in this industry. If it doesn’t embrace religion or family TV it’s not widely accepted. Wambui: Would you ever consider going behind the camera? David: Ultimately I would love to direct. Dark night, Avatar and other independent films inspire me to move in that direction. A lot of people in the industry feel cheated by some of the limiting characters they are asked to portray and also some the productions made for them as an audience. We know that the Kenyan film industry should be further along than it is currently, and I want to be part of that progression.
David Omwange
By
Wambui Wamutogoria
Wambui: What advice would you give to young and upcoming actors and poets? David: Expose yourself to everything, music-wise listen to all genres, the same goes for films too, especially the independent, musicals, black and white classics that go back a ways. Learn from the pioneers. I gravitate towards the arts so I keep my ears open to all art forms. As I observe art I am analytical and I try to see what makes it tick and why it works. Auditions were intimidating but pretty simple, so don’t think about it too much just go. Network with people in your industry, sit with fellow artists especially for inspiration, have healthy debates and just express yourself. Be experimental; think outside the envelope, pursue your craft with a purpose. Also don’t be too hard on yourself as an artist as far as originality of content is concerned. No idea is really original, it’s always influenced by someone or something that came before, just learn from all these expressions and put your spin on it. Wambui: If you had to pick some of your favorite African actors, who would you pick? David: Idris Elba, he progressed gradually I don’t want to burn myself out before my career begins I don’t want to be type cast either. Angela Basset is also one of my favorite African American artists. Wambui: You are well travelled, what causes or issues are you passionate about from the different cultures and societies you have lived in? David: Pakistan exposed me to women’s rights issues in a whole new way, the mode of dress just made me think a lot about women’s rights….women rights are always at the back of my mind. I am not exactly a philanthropic type of person but I have been involved where I can, like when we went to a school on Thika Road and bought sanitary towels for some needy girls that couldn’t afford them and whose lives would be made very uncomfortable without them. We also had a career day for them. I want to be involved in my own quiet way, by creating long term sustainable solutions. Wambui: You have a fabulous physique, what do you do to stay so trim? David: I used to play basket ball in high school and gym was part of curriculum in high school, outside of that, my diet consists of mostly chips (French fries) and, mayai (eggs) I don’t do the gym except maybe when I help my mum carry groceries. Wambui: How can our readers contact you? eomwange86@gmail.com or just friend me on facebook
Watch Shuga: http://ignite.staying-alive.org/kenya/videos
Shuga has been released at two great Premieres in Nairobi, Kenya and Lusaka, Zambia and has since been taking these countries by storm. Courtesy 2009 MTV
Brand new from the MTV Staying Alive stables is a new campaign that challenges young people to ignite a movement to change their sexual behavior, and turn previously held norms on their heads to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS specifically in Kenya, Trinidad and Tobago, and Ukraine. This campaign, under MTV’s award winning global HIV/AIDS campaign, Staying Alive, will address sexual networks, multiple partners, drug use and living with HIV, all in the context of national cultures and norms. Courtesy 2009 MTV
Askari (Security) By David Omwange
It was because of Boredom that I made my way out of the club I retreated to a shadowy corner outside I cloaked myself with the canvas of the night I chilled. waiting, hoping for a sight of joy a sight to imprison my attention for a few more agonizing hours then I saw you MR.ASKARI I saw you watching these people as they mingled as they appeared and disappeared into a mist of monotony & visible anonymity as they exercised the subtlety of showcasing their sick rydes I saw your eyes caressing the women as they walked past you in disregard I was disappointed MR.ASKARI but I understood I had no pen or paper but how I needed you to know so I removed my phone I began hitting the letters that would create the words I couldn't tell you because of the distance of strangers because I had no right MR.ASKARI, what you're looking at is an abyss of empty experiences MR.ASKARI they hide behind justifications such as "Letting loose" MR.ASKARI & "Living life" MR.ASKARI prisoners of their delusions of freedom MR.ASKARI watch them closely; every a moment, their eyes shoot around, hoping to be affirmed by lust-envy MR.ASKARI that their presence here is not in vain MR.ASKARI hoping to catch someone watching someone like you MR.ASKARI MR.ASKARI, I went in to celebrate growth and accomplishment I came out an example of celebrated conformity MR.ASKARI MR.ASKARI, there's nothing in there to inspire dreams but plenty to provoke their destruction MR.ASKARI how I painfully want you to know MR.ASKARI how I painfully want you to see MR.ASKARI to see........that there's nothing there..........nothing MR.ASKARI
Fashion – Have fun paddling in the rain this Spring
By Evalyn Githina
● ● ● First and foremost, to prevent that fine head of yours from getting wet. A stylish umbrella, that is both functional and that shows of your quirky personal style is an easy and absolute must have……. Now that the head is covered, we need to be able to walk miles in water protective galoshes! Just because it is raining outside is no reason to leave the house looking like you borrowed Farmer Kombo’s foot gear! These boots are available all over town. There are plenty of options from cowgirl inspired looks to the more urban and office appropriate choices. The beauty of these kicks is that they will weather fine if you decide to go to the office, make rounds around town come rain or shine, also, if you decide to help Farmer Kombo plant his beans, or milk his cow, your booted feet will not stand in your way!
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G-Spot – In the Balance
By
Gerald Montgomery
My Dear African Brother, Have you at anytime in your life (here in America) felt it necessary, convenient or beneficial in any way to emphasize that you were African as opposed to allowing someone to presume or continue to assume you were African-American, if even for a moment? No need to elaborate if you wish to answer and no need to answer if you wish not to, as long as you know this question is coming from your African-American brother who loves you dearly and only intends to lay the foundation of his argument. Just think about it is all I really need you to do. The point of the question is to simply point out that you, as an African, have the luxury to disassociate from African-Americans whenever such association is detrimental to your quality of life (as I will also acknowledge being African-American has impacted me negatively at times). I don't have that option; even at the times I feel completely ashamed of those who misrepresent me. I'm not saying that you would ever do it, but that you could. And if you did do it I believe it would not be done maliciously, but to force your critics to allow your merits as a black man to stand on their own, as I too desire to be allowed to do. (Not all of us are good just as not all of us are bad. I wouldn't want anyone to assume either is true all the time.) To be African-American is a very unique thing. We have no history (by history I don't just mean a past, but a legacy of language and culture), and there is no other place in the world we exist, meaning no land that gives us our name, no “home” to go back to. See, you're [Liberian] here and there are [Liberians] in [Liberia], the land that gave you your name. There is no land called “Africa-America”. We don't even know which [west] African country we come from. And the only reason we are not heart-broken and sobbing daily about it is because we've been conditioned not only to not care that we don't know where we come from but also to despise you for being African. We, like dogs that have been beaten and starved, are euthanized, put down as compensation for all those who has ever gotten away with a crime, when we finally bite the next person to reach at us! In my life time Black people in this country were killed simply because they were black. In the not too distant past Blacks were murdered not only by other citizens but by law enforcement- confirmed in photos with them posing next to lynched brothers. They killed Dr. King for publicly declaring his humanity and demanding his minimum civil rights; then had the audacity to celebrate him as the
non-violent standard for all African-American revolutionaries to follow. God forbid we preserve our lives by deflecting their violent attacks with physical means like brother Malcolm told us to; like they themselves would do! So this is why we shutter every time we hear a news story of like caliber; because it could have been [me]. In 2009 there are still “first black” accomplishments taking place in America' the land of immigrants. Why is that? Are we really that far behind in talents and abilities or just in opportunities? President Barrack Obama (and all that he represents) is just black enough to bring us all down with his failures but not quite black enough to lift us all up with his successes. So we African-Americans know we won't get credit for his good (as you have already pointed out to me- his election day victory was an “American” victory; not for us to believe it was because of our record turn-out). But we fear the day he fails because that, my friend, will be because he's black! As a dear (African) friend once stated, “…I looked in the eyes of people I interacted with and saw what they saw covering my body. I was black and lazy, black and poor, black and violent, black and less intelligent; less motivated, less trust worthy, less of everything that could be good in a man and more of all that should be loathed, feared and suspected.” -IBé Kaba Do you see now why we are so sensitive to Mr. Obama's fate? The justification of Black America, as it has always been, hangs in the balance. Every day of our lives as African-Americans is a first impression scenario! Sincerely, Your African-American Brother
Entertainment
By
Linda Obel
Directions:
Ingredients
2 ounces ruby port 1 ounce brandy 1 dash orange juice*
Shake the port, brandy and juice well with cracked ice, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with twist of lemon peel (or, if you're using the OJ, orange peel). *Orange juice is optional
Flank Steak Appetizer
Ingredients 1 1/2 pounds flank steak -- 1 inch thick 1 recipe brandy marinade 1 recipe horseradish filling **Brandy marinade** 1 1/3 cups soy sauce 1 cup brandy 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice 2 cloves garlic – crushed
**Horseradish filling** 4 ounces cream cheese -- at room temperature 3 tablespoons prepared horseradish 2 teaspoons fresh parsley -- chopped garlic salt -- to taste
Make the brandy marinade by combining all ingredients in a bowl; set aside. Trim all fat from flank steak. Marinate steak for 8 hours or overnight in refrigerator. Remove from refrigerator 2 hours before cooking. Discard marinade. Grill on barbecue for about 7-8 minutes on each side. Allow to cool and refrigerate for several hours. Make horseradish filling by combining all ingredients and mix thoroughly. Remove meat from refrigerator and slice across the grain at an angle into VERY thin pieces. Cut each slice in half so that it is only 2 to 3 inches long. Spread filling on each piece of steak, roll up and secure with a toothpick.
Immigrants in Minnesota, an Economic Powerhouse
By Julia Nekessa Opoti
Julia Nekessa Opoti is a writer based in Minnesota where she writes on a variety of issues including African immigrants, immigration and health. She is the publisher of kenyaimagine.com, a progressive analytical website on Kenya. She can be reached at nekessa@kenyaimagine.com .
W
e continue to hear about the recession and unemployment. And it’s not just in the media. We've watched people we know lose their jobs. And some of you reading this might be in between jobs. Well, this is not one of those depressing articles about the economy. But, it is about the economy, Minnesota and immigrants. Consider this. Within the next ten years, the Twin Cities will lose more than 350,000 skilled workers to retirement. Without Latino immigrants, over 100 metro counties in the US would have had population decline in 1990 and 2000. 49% of Minnesotan counties have declining populations. The consequences of declining populations are astronomical. First it means a declining workforce, school closures, flight of young families to other states, reduced social amenities because of tax loss among other things. Enter the immigrant. Perhaps you have heard of the immigrant ethos. You live it, immigrants all around the world do. You work hard, pay your bills and build capital. And beyond that you contribute to the upkeep of your families back home. A recent report by University of Minnesota professor Katherine Fennelly shows that immigrants are increasingly becoming an economic powerhouse for counties and cities in the US that would otherwise crumble. While her study concentrates heavily on Latino immigrants it is indicative of economic immigrants’ trends regardless of their nationalities as can be demonstrated by the success of the African Development Center (ADC) in Minneapolis. Fennelly's report shows that in 2007 there were 346,838 immigrants in Minnesota, a 33% increase over 2000, compared to a 22% increase in the US as a whole. With increasing number of African immigrants in the state, we hope that more studies will be done to show the exact economic input of African immigrants. Her report shows that "children of immigrants are keeping many rural schools from closing or consolidating. Even with the enrollment of children of immigrants, between 2001 and 2006, 75% of Minnesota school districts experienced declining enrollments. " One of the strongest cases that Fennelly and other advocates of leniency on undocumented immigrants make is the contribution of these persons to local, state and federal economies. For instant, Fennelly posits that Minnesota would
lose over 24,000 permanent jobs and $1.2 billion in personal income should these immigrants be deported back "Children of to their countries of origin. immigrants are keeping When writing about the potential many rural schools deportation of Liberians in 2006 on from closing or Temporary Protective Status in the US I consolidating. Even with spoke with Bruce Corrie, a professor the enrollment of of Economics at Concordia University children of immigrants, between 2001 and 2006, whose research shows that the state 75% of Minnesota would lose $300 million if 4000 school districts undocumented Liberians were experienced declining deported. Corrie’s study shows that enrollments. " the Liberian Minnesotan buying power is an estimated $157 million dollars, a figure almost as large as the 2007-2008 Liberian national budget of $199 million dollars. Corrie said that while Liberians are a minority in the healthcare sector, their employment in the healthcare field has created more than 12,000 jobs and, should the 300 Liberians on TPS be deported, then Minnesota should expect loss in earnings of about $300 million. Now imagine a study that would encompass all African immigrants in Minnesota, wouldn't that be something? Fennelly asks other pertinent questions that have given fuel to the growing immigration debate. Do immigrants take jobs from native-born Americans? Not, exactly. Evidence shows that in fact immigrants tend to inhabit areas with high employment rates and not those with high unemployment rates. Areas with economic prosperity are more likely to attract immigrants than poverty-laden ones. Further research shows immigrants tend to occupy either very low-skilled jobs and very high-skilled jobs neither of which have high labor supplies from native-born Americans. For instance, nationally immigrants account for 25% of physicians and 40% of engineers with doctoral degrees. A different study by the Journal of Blacks in Higher Education reports that African immigrants are the most educated group in the US: ranking higher than any other immigrant group or local natives include white Americans. It is not clear if for Africans, education levels have translated to better jobs. The last ten years has seen an influx of African immigrants in Minnesota, and this year's Census will hopefully put an estimate to the population. Currently, as Census figures stand Minnesota has the fourth largest African population in the US; and the numbers are hardly accurate because they were taken 10 years ago.
Tech Buzz – Now Going Virtual
By Linda Obel
You know all those pictures you have collected on your computer over the years? The one picture you have of your friend that you were saving to use as leverage in case you needed a big favor? How about the music you have been collecting for the past 10 years that you cherish and show off to your friends anytime you guys are hanging out? What if one day a virus got onto your computer and corrupted everything you had on there? Good bye memories, goodbye leverage, goodbye being the coolest person with a huge library of music. I guess now is the time to ask you the ultimate question, “Do you back up your computer?” This is a very basic concept which most of us know about, but choose to ignore assuming that “nothing can go wrong”. It is always a good idea to back up your information. In this day and age you can buy yourself a portable 250GB Hard Drive which you will keep close by for about $70. This, however, brings up the issue of making sure that you back up your Hard Drive on a regular basis. Have you ever thought about virtualizing your information? How about virtually backing up your Hard Drive? There are multiple sites that now offer online backup services. Among them are Carbonite, Mozy and iDrive. These Online Backup services are pretty inexpensive, costing about $5 a month. Backups are performed at full speed, but when you are actively using your computer they stay in the background and will not slow down your computer. Some of these services give you the option to select the files you would like to back up. They also show which files have been backed up and which ones are pending. The files are encrypted before being backed up so your private information is safe. Initial backups take long since the service is backing up your entire Hard Drive. However, future backups are faster since they only back up new and/ or changed files. It is definitely an advantage to do online backups since you never have to worry about losing access to your backed up files. There is no portable Hard Drive to keep track of, and all you need is your username and password to be able to recover your files. $5 a month to safeguard of your most prized files? Definitely worth a try don’t you think?
This Month’s Must See Website
By Wangechi Ruguaru
For those that read our last issue, you know that I am a blog fanatic. I do all things blogs and websites that strike a chord in me. A wise man said “A picture tells a thousand words”. That wise man was wise indeed. Enter Africa Knows, a website that shows a unique side of Africa, the pictures capture, innocence, laughter, nightmares and challenges. I highly recommend this website to anyone looking for inspiration, motivation, and laughter or just simply want to send a post card from the motherland. . . . .
This project is run by two TED Fellows (www.ted.com) Sheila Ochugboju and Joshua Wanyama who are passionate about ideas worth spreading in technology, entertainment and design. Africa Knows (www.africaknows.com) is a photojournalism site that seeks to capture daily life in the African continent. Their unique knowledge of life and culture as Africans helps tell real stories about the continent compared to international media houses. The photographs are combined with creative writing, poetry and statistics highlighting various things about the African continent. The site tells stories everyone knows and that are yet worldly unknown. Africa Knows is about the challenges, triumphs, dreams and nightmares of being an African in a 21st century city that is straddling several revolutions at the same time – the technological revolution, the agricultural revolution, a democratic resurgence and a post-colonial identity crisis complicated by old ethnic tensions.
http://africaknows.com All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others. Animal Farm George Orwell
The
Running
kid
Trying to stay up‌
Africa Knows about its own land and its own people more than any international media agency can ever know. Africa tells its own story to those who want to listen with their hearts and their heads. This is the beginning of a new identity, for Kenya and for Africa as a whole. Using the tools of digital media and social networks, Africa Knows will bring together the best of photojournalism drawn from Kenya as a starting point, alongside the most active and creative new writing to tell a different story of its self. This project will grow through naturally evolving networks to capture thoughts from across Africa…because Africa Knows that it is the cradle of all mankind. How You Can Help: Join Africa Knows if you are a Photographer, a Creative Writer, a Researcher/Analyst with raw data about what’s actually happening in Africa today. Join our networks and teams to tell a different story about Africa. By the year 2015, we want to have stories and pictures from all the countries in Africa. CONTACT INFORMATION Joshua Wanyama Pamoja Media www.pamojamedia.com 254 751 504477 254 717 514477
Joshua Wanyama is the co-founder and CEO of Pamoja Media. Pamoja Media is Africa’s first online advertising network selling banner and rich-media advertising to marketers seeking to reach Africans worldwide. In this position Wanyama has overall responsibility for leading the company. He oversees day to day operations and growth of Pamoja Media including relationships with advertising agencies, publishers and vendors. Read more…… http://www.ted.com/profiles/view/id/4756
Dr. Sheila Ochugboju is in the Science and Innovation Directorate at African women of Essence International (AWEI), where she leads the initiative for the Global Women Inventors and Innovators Network (GWIIN). She is a member of Pan African Network of Emerging Leaders (PANEL UK), the alumni association of participants on the British Council InterAction Programme. She recently launched the African Science Cafes for the British Council at the Grahamstown Sasol SciFest. Read more…..http://www.ted.com/fellows/view/id/28
See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil
By Evalyn Githina
Stand up and speak Ibé! Bridge Across Atlantic is alive with prose both hilarious and reflective that spans the expanse of expression that relays and verbalises the thoughts of the Author. If you want to speak and lack the words, Ibé Kaba has a poem that touches on almost everything you can think of so grab a copy and get inspired!
Asa’s album grabs you with the first hum of her guitar and does not let you go even after the last note is long over! You need to hear this!
SHUGA is a hard hitting 3-part drama series that follows the lives and loves of a group of cool young students whose bright lives and fabulous futures are balanced on a knife edge due to their love of risk and danger. It’s a story of LOVE, SEX, & MONEY, Friday nights and the indelible marks we leave on one another. SHUGA tells the story of AYIRA, a modern girl in NAIROBI-KENYA, who knows exactly what she wants and what she’ll do to get it. But will her passion for an older man come at the expense of long term soul mate Ty? Running parallel is the Romeo and Juliet style love story of Virginia and Leo – while the two are destined to be together, will they be able to get past the obstacles that stand in their way? SHUGA explores the issues of sexual relationships among urban youth against a background of continuing HIV/AIDS infections. It examines the ramifications of sexual decisions on the lives of young people and their partners and loved ones. The drama format is a powerful medium to put across important lifestyle messages to educate and engage young people. http://ignite.staying-alive.org/kenya/videos
Alita’s Travels In the pursuit of all her endeavors, Alita is blessed to be able to travel for work, passion and pleasure. These travels take her to countries in Africa and South America. While on the road, Alita is witness to a great many adventures. She pens these encounters in the most amazing way that captures our hearts, transports us to the regions she is visiting and traveling through and she unwittingly brings us face to face with all she encounters on the road. Alita shares these writings with her friends and family and AIM Magazine is very honored that she has chosen to share this series of stories with us. Thank you Alita!
Town Boy Trouble - Ghana
By Alita Watson
I have just discovered that there is a system between the “Town Boys” in Tamale. As soon as a curious gringo shows up and openly invites conversation with any passerby, all the Town Boys start communicating by cell phone to relay details about the new prospect in town…so hopefully one will be lucky enough to capture their heart, either in pity or in love. The Town Boys are innocent in their mission to seek the attention of a pretty lady or friendly chap, hoping they will be the one to take them away from this place they have been born into, the place they fantasize of leaving with each monotonous day that passes. There is a great delusion about what lies outside the boundaries of these local communities that thrive on tradition, perseverance and kindness. Every time I return I see these young boys, usually between ages 12 and 18, they seem more and more desperate, spending the little money they can steal or take from mothers who work relentlessly to feed many hungry mouths, on “cool-guy” sunglasses, cell phones with the “hip-shit” ring tones, and washed out blue jeans. These boys are drunk on media, rap videos, violent action films, clothes, and the fastest cars and motorcycles made; not much different than them U.S boys but it’s beyond bizarre given the world that surrounds these boys in Tamale. The elders are baffled, the girls are intrigued, but most are scared for what this means for their culture, which seems to be disappearing by the minute as teens are bombarded by outside images of wealth, success, and happiness without sacrifice. The thirst for a taste of this life is visible in every direction, and site is lost on what is important, what is here. I relate to the desire to see the world, and get out! I’ve never felt so blessed to have the option and try not to be too “Mama Bear,” when these boys approach my Ghana Mamas. They can all hold their own and the Town Boys wouldn’t hurt a fly, but they all see my warning eyes as they each warily approach as if they were auditioning for the role of the year.
The Ghana Mamas (Britni, Bryn, Melissa, and Elisa) each bring something different and special to our little household and it is clear that each of them are discovering new pieces of themselves every day. I believe teaching others often brings insights into our soul, and as I watch each of them relate, explain, and empathize with their students, I appreciate their differences and feel a deep satisfaction knowing that there is a magical connection between both student and teacher. Today the girls will travel to "Kotinley," a village 30 miles outside of Tamale, where they will spend the night in the mud-huts of compound homes that sleep up to sixty people. They will eat, cook, and fetch water with the women, simultaneously avoiding the marriage proposals of the men who lazily sit in the shade watching everyone else work. We have been dancing, exploring, teaching, learning, playing and sweating! We have all purchased bicycles with baskets and learned the morning, afternoon, and evening greetings that we call to each smiling face we pass; the days have been long and lovely and only nine days remain until we will look back and marvel at all of the stories that we have written in such a short time.
2010 AIDS Walk Want to volunteer? Email: aimminnesota@gmail.com