The Convo Magazine: Issue 1 by James Wetu

CONVO

CONTENTS MENTAL HEALTH + BUSINESS + SPIRITUALITY + FASHION

04 EDITOR'S NOTE 06 CHURCH IN THE FRONTLINE OF MENTAL HEALTH

08 CONTENT MARKETING FOR YOUR BUSINESS

09 SHE MATTERS

15 THE COVENANT

THE PAIN OR THE PERSON

16 SACRIFICE OR COMPROMISE

6 BUSINESS STRATEGY

15 SPIRITUALITY

19 IN THE KITCHEN

08 FASHION

HE MATTERS

We have also used blogs as a way to reach out and share information. As this platform continues to grow, our understanding and knowledge of particular topics have expanded. This has allowed us to connect directly to the suffering and needs of the community around us. This newsletter highlights some to the conversations that we have had and some of the programs that emerged as a result of this bold move. The four main programs that have defined Convo this year include; He matters- a conversation on issues affecting men in the society Digital marketing – with an aim to help small businesses grow online Doctor’s Bench- handling all the issues that affect our health Contemporary Christian living – encouraging conversations that encourage genuine Christian lifestyles

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. This pandemic has put to test everything we once knew. Our dreams and foundations have been greatly affected. This pandemic has killed so many dreams but it has also activated some dreams we never thought would become real. Who would have thought that anything good would have come from such a disastrous thing? For us, Convo is one of those dreams that would probably never have been realized if this pandemic never existed. This has been an interesting year for Convo. We have reached out to more people than we thought was possible. Convo’s main agenda is to encourage conversations that matter, to bring to light the issues that directly affect us yet unspoken.

CONVO CONVO ISSUE 1 May 2021

EDITORIAL James Wetu Editor Wachira Fridah Deputy Editor CONTRIBUTORS Lynette Mwangi, Rachael, Wanjiru , Lydia Arunga, Muthoni Ngugi MARKETING manuel consultants mmconsultinggroup254@gmail.com VISUAL TEAM James Wetu Keith Nyamai WRITE TO: become ventures Nairobi Phone: 254 7211 08961 Email: business@jameswetu.com

One of the conversations that has had greatest impact and feedback is mental health. We decided to explore mental health and sought to find solutions to this silent epidemic. The rising suicide cases and stigma around mental illness are alarming. How can we mourn suicide and stigmatize its causes? We may not have reached out to all mentally ill patients but after the vlogs and blogs, people who were struggling with mental illness were stirred up to reach out for help while those who had overcome mental illness got the courage to speak out. Muthoni Ngugi (featured) is one of those people that decided to use her story to rescue those suffering silently due to mental illness. Her courage, compassion and resilience has helped us understand and believe that healing is indeed possible.

We have hosted a number of guests who helped us to advance these conversations.

COVER PHOTO

Muthoni Ngugi business@jameswetu.com

ENCOURAGING CONVERSATIONS THAT MATTER

MAY 2021

MENTAL HEALTH

Vulnerability When one has been in solitude for a long time as a coping mechanism, it takes insurmountable courage to express themselves; the thought of putting yourself out there, makes one feel very vulnerable. Your mind tells you solitude is safe. However, what I have learnt in my journey towards healing is that fear for the unknown can be quite paralyzing. Whereas we cannot be ignorant of a harsh world that considers trolling a ‘thing’, healing actually begins when you take up courage to speak and rise above the shame, (*shaming the shame). The pain that has crippled us for years; the pain of childhood traumas that we have suppressed for years, cycles of rejection, betrayal, emotional abuse, physical abuse, death, grief, deep sorrow, struggling to find your sense of belonging, the awareness that you need to express yourself, but the very thought squeezes life out of you, when you remember how many times you’ve been misunderstood. All this feels like being buried in a heap of garbage. Yes, I visualize it like gold or treasure buried in a heap of garbage with no one willing to reach out and pull it out. But it reaches a point where you get so exhausted of the weight on your shoulders, it becomes suffocating. That’s when it starts feeling like groping around in total darkness trying to find a

I VISUALIZE IT LIKE GOLD OR TREASURE BURIED IN A HEAP OF GARBAGE WITH NO ONE WILLING TO REACH OUT AND PULL IT OUT.

switch, or being in a bottomless pit, trying to find a reed to hold on to and crawl out. This is the critical point where you really need support system to literally pull you out of the pit. E: msovirgy@gmail.com

MAY 2021

MENTAL HEALTH

The Curve At this point, you’re so tired that you imagine death as so peaceful. You want to live but it all feels like unbearable pain. The most unfortunate thing is that the people around you seem to have no clue about what’s going on with you, they think you are just being petty or seeking sympathy. They don’t realize you are on survival mode; every waking moment comes with excruciating pain; a dagger like wound in the chest. At this point you have probably exhibited some irrational behavior as your brain tries a coping mechanism to suppress the pain. The sad irony of life is that, when you need help, that’s when no one wants to be associated with you. No one wants to help this gold crawl out of the dirt or the heap of garbage they are buried in, and unless God in his love and mercies awakens and burdens people towards helping you, you are pretty much on your own. Sad, right? Yes. Depression is a very lonely place. When people wrestling with depression, suicidal thoughts and death wishes attempt to open up, it’s not something they can adequately put into words; It is a whole mess on the inside, a storm, a hurricane, a whirlwind of thoughts, emotions and desires beyond human expression. So when they try to explain themselves, they are often viewed as needy, conniving, attention seeking, demanding, ill-intentioned or manipulative. In truth, they are quickly running out of their internal coping strategies and are desperately groping about for someone, something called hope they can hold on to, so they can crawl out of the pit. When they are not able to find that someone, or if they are pushed away and ignored for long enough, they now completely isolate themselves and end it. I know that because I have been there.

I could tell he was hurting, I wanted to go sit at his feet and give him company, but it looked like he wanted to be left alone. When he was drunk he was a very jovial man; would put on this worship tape cassette and tell us to join him and sing along; his favorite song was “Momîrîirie, mûno marute andů, njîra ya muoyo ni mûtharaba”. Translated to mean that the disciples endured a lot of suffering, to teach us that the only way to everlasting life, is through the cross. Yes, this man was gold, a treasure hidden in pain. And through it all, he remained a very responsible father. Sadly, I lost him prematurely at 40, where life, apparently begins. If only someone had seen the gold in him and help him out of the garbage pit, but unfortunately, the ones who could have done that, were probably the first to put him back in that garbage pit, every time he tried to crawl out. One of the reasons why people with deep emotional and psychological wounds take too long to heal, sometimes is because the people they meet in life or the people around them, do not know how to handle a flickering wick or a weak reed. They lack the heart of Christ, who will never break a weak reed or put out a flickering light. (Isaiah 42:3, Matthew 12:20). So instead of shielding and nurturing them in an environment full of gentleness and protection, they push them, rough them up, mock them for being ‘weak,’ and dismiss them. They meet people who count their wounded hearts as burdens they would rather not be associated with. They meet people who break them when they are weak, and tread all over them when they are broken. They meet people who rubbish their pain and sarcastically tell them directly or indirectly to ‘man up,’ ‘get over it,’ or ‘grow up.’

The memory After years of bottling up emotional and psychological wounds from childhood traumas, loss of my father prematurely and later the loss of my mum, I then developed a lower back problem that affected my legs and nerves, hence subsequently affecting my daily life, (which I have been dealing with for the last three years). I thought I had just had enough of my own shares in life, but Nooo…; In my struggle to find healing, last year(2020), I fell in very wrong hands, camouflaged as “A man of God”. That did it! It cut off the last hold I had in life. The deceit, betrayal and the manipulation that I suffered through this man(who was a narcissist) , drove me over the edge and incapacitated me; psychologically, physically and emotionally. I went into severe depression; struggling with the mere basics of getting off the bed, or taking a shower. I really wanted to die, I went to bed every night, asking God to take me. Mornings were the most horrible, as I wondered why another day of pain had come. I groped in this darkness for four months until God by His mercies sent angels in form of humans, who extended a hand of compassion and I started my therapy sessions. I will forever be grateful to God, and I am so humbled by His mercies and love; He touched the hearts of people who bore my pain, saw my condition as it was, and without judgement came to my rescue to walk this journey with me. As I said before; many whom I thought would understand, actually left, avoiding any association. God sent me angels in form of strangers.

Missed Chance Unfortunately, 22 years ago, my father didn’t get such a chance; Instead of enjoying the joy of a little girl having a healthy bond with her father, I watched him dealing with the aftermath of rejection, his struggles with a sense of belonging and self-worth, sent him spiraling down to depression, then alcohol. Now I know that’s the only way he knew as a coping mechanism, I still remember when he was not drunk, how he would take a wooden seat and go to the same spot, just sit there, his arms crossed. He had this faraway look in his eyes and a sad face.

WHEN A HEART HAS BEEN DISMISSED AND MISHANDLED FOR BEING WOUNDED LONG ENOUGH,

The Pain

IT SHUTS DOWN.

People take physical wounds and sicknesses seriously, and one with an evident physical disease may be handled with some level of empathy and understanding. But when a person who’s battling emotional and psychological wounds and trauma tries to open up, they are treated as ‘attention seekers’ or people looking for a ‘pity party.’ Yet, their pain is valid and the internal, unseen damage is very real. More real than anyone can imagine. And when a heart shuts down, unless God intervenes in His mercy, it begins to desire death. Thus the increased suicidal cases, even in the Church around the world, and so many people are struggling silently with the desire to end their lives. It’s only that they don’t have the guts, or at least that’s how they reason. But in reality, it is God who is holding them together. (As God held me together). It is God who is keeping them from falling apart. If you are in that place right now, I pray with everything in me for healers to be sent to you. For gifted hands, gifted with compassion and tenderness to access you and hold you, graced by God to access the depths of your soul and heal you. Most of all, I pray that the healing power of God will access the very core of who you are and uproot the very source of your incessant pain. May you be made every bit whole. And for everyone else out there, who probably have no idea what it’s like to handle someone who is struggling with deep emotional traumas and depression. Maybe you don’t even have any idea how to recognize one, just normalize kindness and love. Avoid using harsh words and mockery. Extend grace even to those people you were about to write off based on their behavior, you never know the root cause of what they are dealing with.

E: msovirgy@gmail.com

MAY 2021

MENTAL HEALTH

BY FRIDAH WACHIRA The problem

I came across this statement sometime back and it is just sad how true it is. Just recently when looking at the statistics on the suicide cases globally and in our country I wondered if our ignorance concerning mental illness especially in our local churches has contributed to the stigma. Truth be told, most of these suicide cases caused by underlying mental illnesses like depression and anxiety disorders are not usually sudden. The victims live with these mental illnesses for a long time until it overwhelms their capacity to cope. So the question is, how do we as the church and as individuals participate in breaking the stigma and preventing the mental illness cases from turning into suicide cases? What is mental health?

The Kenya Mental Health Policy 2015-2030 launched recently states that 1 in every 4 Kenyans suffers from mental ill health in their lifetime. This translates to 12 million Kenyans who will need medical attention. Kenya has 88 consultant psychiatrists and about 500 psychiatric nurses serving a population of over 45 million people. (PDO Kenya.)

WHO defines health as the state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, which is marked not only by the absence of disease or infirmity. That said, there is no health without mental health.

This is of course due to many reasons including the fact that this generation is more conscious of mental health issues and can articulate them better than the previous generations.

Simply stated mental illnesses are diseases of the mind. One can be sick in their mind as with other organs like the heart or kidney. Scientific investigations of the human brain have shown that mental illness is associated with changes in the brain’s structure, chemistry and function. There is also proof that these illnesses have a biological basis. This information is important because most of us have probably dismissed a mental illness as just being “sad or blue”. I am not in any way stating that all sadness is as a result of a mental illness.

Even more worrying are the statistics on the suicide cases among teenagers. According to suicide.org;

A more comprehensive definition of mental illness is a health condition that changes a person’s thinking, feelings or behavior (or all three) and that causes the person distress and difficulty in functioning. We know that man is a spirit being who has a soul and resides in a body. Our mind sits on the soul. The mind is to the soul what the brain is to the body. The mind is the faculty of human reasoning and thoughts. It is responsible for processing feelings/ emotions. Our thoughts inform our emotions which in turn inform our actions and behaviors. When one suffers from a mental illness their thought processes are affected and this may reflect in their behavior. It is important to note that individuals with mental illnesses do not necessarily look like they are sick especially if it is mild. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental disorders (DSM 5) lists approximately 297 disorders. Charles Spurgeon explained it this way; the mind can descend far lower than the body, for in it there are bottomless pits. The flesh can bear only a certain number of wounds and no more but the soul can bleed in ten thousand ways and die over and over again each hour. Worrying Statistics

I don’t know what’s more worrying; the increasing prevalence of mental illnesses or the silence and stigma around these illnesses. According to WHO, 1 in 4 people worldwide will experience mental health issues. The National Institute of Mental Health states that 1 in 5 American adults lives with a mental illness.

Studies and surveys have shown that Generation Z and millennials are more anxious and depressed than all the previous generations. In one survey, a half of millennials those between 24-39 years said that they left a job at least partly because of mental health reasons. More than 9 in 10 (91 %) said that they have experienced at least one physical or emotional symptoms because of stress. Only half of all Gen Zs feel like they do enough to manage their stress. (American Psychological Association).

Every 100 minutes a teen takes their own life. Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death in young people aged 15-24 years About 20% of all teens experience depression before they reach adulthood Only 30% of depressed teens are being treated for it A story that caught my attention was the death of Pastor Andrew Stoecklein who committed suicide in 2018. An article by his wife Kayla Stoecklein (https://www.christianitytoday.com/pastors/2020/september-webexclusives/pastor-suicide-wife-stoecklein-mental-healthchurch.html) and many other incidents of leaders and church members struggling with mental illnesses show us why the church needs to stop shying away from having conversations around mental health. Mental illness does not discriminate. Nobody is really immune when it comes to mental health issues. It can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, geography, income, social status, race/ethnicity, religion/spirituality, background etc. With these understanding we will be more empathetic towards the people around us who are suffering from these conditions. Where are we as a Christian community in terms of mental health care? The truth is mental illness can be highly stigmatized in the church. Christians tend to take care of their spirits with little or no focus on the mind. We tend to forget that the mind is the door to the spirit. Your life and health are actually more important than your ministry. You will be in a better position to serve God and the people when you are healthy physically, socially and even mentally.

The dead don’t thank you, and choirs don’t sing praises from the morgue. Those buried six feet under, don’t witness to your faithful ways. It’s the living—live men, live women—who thank you, just as I’m doing right now. Isaiah 38: 18-19 (MSG) continued next page....

MAY 2021

MENTAL HEALTH

From previous page....

Most mentally ill patients who are also Christians might feel frustrated when they don’t feel better after they pray.

Studies have shown that the clergy are often the first point of contact when someone is going through stress, grief and depression. Pastors and church leaders are the first to be approached when there is a mental health or family crisis. Think about it, where do you seek help first when faced with stress or when you are overwhelmed by situations that you seem to have no control over? John Peteet an associate professor of psychiatry in Harvard Medical School made this observation; 60% of the oncology patients in psychiatric consultation at his institution were also known to a chaplain but there was no communication between the two disciplines. Lack of communication and collaboration between the clergy and mental health professionals does more harm to a community. A community which views spiritual and psychiatric interventions as competing alternatives can discourage much needed therapy and medication. I believe that the body of Christ is better equipped to deal with these mental illnesses. The body of Christ should be a place of refuge for those who are suffering. We should accept the people with mental health issues just as we accept the people with physical disabilities in our congregations.

SOCIETY TELL BOYS THAT ‘BOYS DO NOT CRY’ AND THUS CONDITION THEM FROM SUCH AN EARLY AGE NOT TO EXPRESS EMOTIONS BECAUSE DOING SO IS WEAK

Because of the way we have ignored mental illness, we are hurting people. We have sent the message that there is something wrong with you if you are a Christian with mental illness. The truth is there is something wrong with you. You are ill and you need help. And the church can be part of that healing process - Dr. Ed Stetzer (Life Way Research on Mental Health) Why are we afraid to talk about mental illness in our Christian circles? This could be for many reasons but I will just highlight a few of them. We don’t know what mental health problems are, how to recognize the symptoms and how to help those that are affected.

Could it be we are quiet because we don’t know how much impact we could have if we showed up into this fight? The church can’t be quiet about mental illness anymore. The doctor to patient ratio when it comes to mental health clearly shows that there is a huge gap. Globally less than 50% of those who need mental health treatment receive it. We need to raise mental health champions amongst ourselves. Most of us are not fully convinced that mental illness is a disease just like diabetes or any other physical condition.

They don’t understand why they can’t seem to control their emotions and thoughts even after appearing in every altar call. Think about it this way. A Christian with a heart condition caused by obesity will get healed after you pray for them because prayer works but that will not be enough. If they continue living a sedentary lifestyle and don’t seek help from a nutritionist on how to manage their weight, they will come back with the same condition or even worse after sometime. It is the same with mental health. Even as you pray for them it is important to signpost them to a professional who is equipped to help them sustain that healing. Psychiatrists are less religious than physicians in other specialists and the general public. Most of them view religion as being judgmental and monolithic and unfortunately our silence and inaction is proving them right. As a result, Christians are also not able to trust these professionals and their therapies. As I had stated earlier Christian communities and the clergy are on the frontline when it comes to battling mental illnesses. However, the sad reality is that we don’t have enough information and skills to fight mental illness and we are also not very willing to collaborate with the mental health professions. This is a relationship that needs to be mended. We often attribute mental illness to sin. This, I believe, is one of the main reasons why mental health stigma still persists not just in the community but also in the church. People in the church suffer quietly because they are afraid that admitting that they are experiencing depressive, anxiety or bipolar symptoms might mean that they have backslidden, are living in sin, have weak faith or that they don’t pray hard enough. This is not fair at all because it sends the message that the mental illness is the patient’s fault. What can the church do? I believe that the church is in a better position than any other institution to deal with mental illness. If we live up to this, then we’ll see a fall in the suicide and violence cases. We can’t afford to stay silent and uninvolved. We can achieve a lot even without additional budgets and staff.

Break the silence The Bible is not afraid of talking about mental and emotional anguish, why is it that we are afraid? We need to talk about these issues in a way that is acceptable and easy to understand in our congregational setting. According to Dr. Ed Sermons stop stigma. A research done in 2014 showed that nearly two-thirds of religiously observant protestant Christians with depression reported wanting their churches to speak openly about mental illness. Reach out These illnesses thrive in exclusion and isolation. I have seen instances where families with a schizophrenic member or relative keep to themselves. They prefer to take care of the patient alone and sometimes even the neighbors are not aware. This is what happens with stigmatized conditions. People tend to think that they are better off alone and away from the rest of the community. Some do not want to burden anyone with their sickness. Others are ashamed and don’t want to be the topic of discussion after they have left. This is why as the body of Christ we should let them know that the fellowship of brethren is the safest place for them to be. We should reach out and extend Christ’s love to these patients and their families. Collaboration with mental health professionals We should build a network of trustworthy mental health professionals around our communities. Sometimes people we know and fellowship with may experience trauma that is too much for them to heal from by themselves and might need more help than we can offer. As a church we should have a referral list and information about the mental health services in our community. This gives people in our congregations the confidence to seek for help when they need it and to do so early enough.

There is so much more that the church can do to win this battle against mental illnesses. Mental illness is treatable and this is why we shouldn’t be quiet about it.

E: wachirafridah6@gmail.com

MAY 2021

MENTAL HEALTH

From previous page....

Most mentally ill patients who are also Christians might feel frustrated when they don’t feel better after they pray.

SOCIETY TELL BOYS THAT ‘BOYS DO NOT CRY’ AND THUS CONDITION THEM FROM SUCH AN EARLY AGE NOT TO EXPRESS EMOTIONS BECAUSE DOING SO IS WEAK

There is so much more that the church can do to win this battle against mental illnesses. Mental illness is treatable and this is why we shouldn’t be quiet about it.

E: wachirafridah6@gmail.com

MAY 2021

HE MATTERS

HE MATTERS BY JAMES WETU

Highlighting Issues affecting Men

MAN'S AFFAIR There is quite a number of issues facing men that include mental health, toxic masculinity, suicide, and lack of positive role models, depression and distress among others and are important paying serious attention to. Suicide has become the principal killer of men below the age of 45 and statistics are staggering. According to America Society for suicide Prevention, in 2017, men died by suicide 3.54x more often than women did. On average, there are 129 suicides per day. The Males accounted for 69.67% of suicide deaths in 2017. Such issue are important for us as a society. Encouraging men to have open conversations about topics such as their mental health and depression is thus very crucial and very necessary. Other than just the issues facing them, men need to be inspired to lead by example. Young men need positive male role models; our society also desires positive male role models. According

Independent,

International

Men’s

Day

FACTS is

observed on a yearly basis by people from all walks of life, who

According to America

care the continuous effort to improve lives, heal damaged hearts, seek solutions to social problems, mend troubled minds, reform the social outcasts and uplift the dysfunctional.

Society for suicide Prevention, in 2017,

My believe is that, if we can enhance this, we will be creating a society that is fare and safe for all of us to excel and flourish.

men died by suicide 3.54x more often than women did. On average,

Now that you are more informed about men issues, encourage a Man or a boy and do not forget to make a positive difference

there are 129 suicides per day

on any Man or a Boy you come across today and forever.

E: james@jameswetu.com

SHE MATTERS

MAY 2021

SHE MATTERS BY LYDIA ARUNGA

BEING A WIDOW Have you ever wondered how it is like for a woman to lose the person at the very center of her life - Her husband? Maybe you know firsthand or through a family member who is a widow. Have you ever wondered what she is going through and how to help her, or maybe you are just curious about what this journey is like? No matter which group you fall into, we could all benefit from understanding more about the journey a widow goes through after a loss, the grief and the efforts to establish a new life. Nelly Ken (real name withheld) lost her husband after being married for seven years. She was left with three children. We speak to Nelly Ken who will take us through her own experience of becoming a widow. She shares with us the different issues widows face, including problems related to social life, child rearing, property rights, forced marriages and so on. She also shares on how family and friends can support a widow in the months after his spouse dies.

Challenges Widows go Through. Loneliness and isolation.

Widows lack companionship from others and reject consolation, sometimes I miss my partner hence always feel the lack of someone to care for, a drop in status and inability to make new friends says Nelly Ken. There is also the aspect of being considered unlucky and inauspicious at religious functions. She states that being a widow she was blamed for the death of her husband. Child rearing

"Child rearing was difficult; since my husband left. We had been blessed with three children and he was the sole breadwinner. Taking care of the daily needs became a hustle for me. Other than taking care of them, disciplining them was also a problem, says Nelly Ken. Lack of inadequate income may become the basis for added difficulties in adapting to widowhood noting that it will be an added role of a bread winner. Denial of property rights

Widows have been evicted from their homes and striped of their properties. Nelly Ken found herself in the hands of his deceased brother who claimed he was the custodian of all of his brother’s properties.

How can you support a widow?

Having an experience Nelly Ken shared tips how you can things easier for widows. Please do stay connected. There is already a huge hole in our universe, do not assume we "need space" to grieve. Do refer to our husband's acts and words of kindness. We are so comforted by knowing that our husbands have not been forgotten, Nelly says. Invite us to participate in various activities. We may decline but we will appreciate being asked. Do not assume we no longer want to participate in the events, she concludes.

WORD Invite us to participate in various activities. We may decline but we will appreciate being asked

E: lydiarunga@gmail.com

MAY 2021

BUSINESS CORNER

WHY CONTENT MARKETING MATTER FOR YOUR BUSINESS

BY JAMES WETU

Traditional methods of marketing are becoming less effective as technology improves and people becoming wiser when it comes to making purchase decisions. A forward thinking marketer knows there must be a better way of doing things. There must be a better way. A way that shows you care about your audience. People want to feel cared for. The world, being loud and noisier today than ever before, attention is our most valuable resource. According to CMI’s digital content marketing stats, 72% of marketers say content marketing increases engagement. 72% of the marketers say it has increased the number of generated leads. 77% of companies say they have a content marketing strategy and 94% of marketers use social media for content distribution. (SEMrush, 2019). This simply shows how content marketing can be effective and cannot be ignored by any business that want to thrive. Content marketing is growing in popularity as people become more conscious about making purchase. People have been lied to by marketers and end up purchasing substandard goods that end up disappointing them. Customers are more careful now than ever before. So what is it? According to HubSpot, Content marketing is a strategic marketing and business process focused on creating and distributing valuable, relevant, and consistent content to attract and retain a clearly defined audience and ultimately drive profitable customer action. I love that definition because it captures the essence of marketing which is value creation. Content marketing is developing a relationship with a potential customer. My friend Steve call it courting the client. This is done by providing meaningful information that educates your potential clients. The purpose of content marketing is to create and share relevant written, downloadable, and visual media so your target audience can learn about your brand, expertise, and products or services. (Source: https://www.hubspot.com/marketing-statistics)

72% OF MARKETERS

Its effectiveness and success is tied to the fact that people love stories. We all do love stories, don’t we? Our attention goes to those who can tell great stories. When customers want to make a purchase decision, their preference lies with the person who have been

SAY CONTENT

sharing great stories consistently. They will purchase your product. When effectively done, it has the potential to create a relationship with your audience. This will lead to trust. When an audience can trust you, they are often willing to do business with you when they make a purchase decision. If you understand inbound marketing, you will understand that content marketing helps

MARKETING INCREASES ENGAGEMENT

pull your audience from one stage in the sales funnel to another, generate leads and nurture them into becoming customers. Once you have them, do not stop, let your customers be promoters of your products. Your brand! Watch here for the conversation.

E: james@jameswetu.com

MAY 2021

BUSINESS CORNER

WHY YOU NEED A STRATEGY FOR YOUR BUSINESS BY LYNETTE MWANGI

A strategy is a long-term plan on what you want to achieve. In other words, a roadmap. A business strategy therefore is a documented plan on how an organisation is setting out to achieve its goals. Businesses with a strategic plan accomplish their goals better, easier and within a shorter time span as compared to ones without. So why does a business really need a strategy?

A business is highly likely to encounter threats and natural weaknesses in its time of operation. Strategies therefore try to give a remedy to these weaknesses and threats so that the business does not feel the impact so greatly. Strategies look at these future risks and help develop ways in which they can overcome these obstacles. A business strategy creates a vision and direction for the whole organisation. It establishes priorities for your organization and defines the organization’s view of success and prioritizes the activities that will make this view your reality. A strategy offers a guide on to how the business is performing both internally

and

externally

i.e.

strengths,

opportunities,

weaknesses, threats and competitors. If you find that you have departments working to achieve different aims, or going in different directions, you need a strategy. Once you define your strategic direction, you can get operations, sales, marketing,

administration,

manufacturing,

and

all

other

STRATEGY IS AN

departments moving together to achieve the organization’s goals.

ABSOLUTE NECESSITY

Strategies help or simplifies decision making. It’s easier to

TO INCREASE THE SUCCESS OF A BUSINESS

It also communicates the message to all stakeholders. implement new ideas, allocate resources, make organisational decisions with a strategy in play. Therefore, a business strategy is an absolute necessity to increase the success of a business i.e. the success and smooth running of a business depends on the strategies that have been put in place. E: mwangilinet13@gmail.com

DOCTOR'S BENCH

ENDOMETRIOSIS THE SILENT MONSTER

BY WACHIRA FRIDAH

March is Endometriosis awareness month. I know I sound excited but it is not because endometriosis is a good thing. On the contrary, endometriosis is a silent tormenting monster associated with excruciating pain. I am excited because the kind of information we have access to, this particular month could actually save and change a woman’s life.

Redefining I know you might be wondering Endo-what now? Don’t worry. I will explain what that is in a short while. If I wasn’t a medical student I would probably have no idea what that is either but thank God I am. Don’t run away yet I will try to keep the medical jargon away from you and be as simple as I can.

STATS 1 in 10 women in the reproductive age group are affected by this condition.

This corresponds to about 176 million women worldwide. 13

DOCTOR'S BENCH

MAY 2021 What

you

need

know

about

Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological condition. It happens when endometrial tissue (tissue that is

endometriosis

similar to the lining of the uterus/womb grows outside

Endometriosis is not just a ‘bad painful’ period. It is more than that. It is not a life threatening condition but it is life devastating and debilitating. It is important to clarify that this disease is not an emotional disease but a physiological one.

the uterus. It is almost like the endometrial tissue gets misplaced and grows elsewhere in the body hence the name ectopic endometrial tissue. The commonest site for endometriosis is the ovaries. Other sites include the abdominal cavity, cervix, vagina, sigmoid colon, fallopian tubes etc. This misplaced tissue usually

Endometriosis can cause emotional turmoil but the vice versa is not true. Most women have suffered because they were told that period pain is normal or they were thought to have a low pain threshold or

responds to the monthly hormonal cycles and that is where the torment is. With every period the ectopic tissues bleed resulting in inflammation and scarring.

dismissed as being psychologically inadequate/weak.

Why are we talking about endometriosis?

Periods should not be that painful. Any pain that

1 in 10 women in the reproductive age group are

affects your daily life and your productivity is not normal. A woman shouldn’t have to miss work or school or her daily activities because of her period. Unfortunately this is how it has been in our culture.

affected by this condition. Pretty common right? This corresponds to about 176 million women worldwide. It has also been found in 70% of women/adolescents with pelvic pain, 40% of adolescents with genital tract

Severe period pain is not normal!

anomalies and in 50% of women with infertility.

The exact cause of endometriosis is not known but a

women. For every 10 women with endometriosis, 4 will

Endometriosis is a common cause of infertility in

few theories exist e.g. retrograde menstruation which

have problems with conception. In fact endometriosis

in lay terms means that bleeding occurs backwards

is usually first diagnosed in women who seek

into the abdominal cavity thus causing endometrial

treatment due to infertility.

tissue to be implanted there. There are a few factors that can put one at risk of getting endometriosis. This

What’s more shocking is the amount of time it takes to

include; genetics (there’s a 51% hereditability), early

diagnose this condition. According to NAEAS, there is

age of menarche (first period), heavy periods, long

a 9-year delay between the time a woman seeks help

duration of menstrual flow among others.

and gets diagnosed with endometriosis. 9 years before getting a diagnosis! To make matters worse, some women NEVER get a diagnosis. It takes 8 doctors in 10

Common symptoms of endometriosis?

years to make such a diagnosis. 1/3 of the patients are usually asymptomatic. The level of pain does not always correspond with the severity

How does this happen? Misdiagnosis is also very

or extent of the disease. A person with mild

common with endometriosis. It is easily confused with

endometriosis may experience more pain than one

other diseases with similar symptoms or dismissed as

with a severe form. This kind of pain does not usually

just normal period pain (dysmenorrheal).

disappear even with painkillers.

The prevalence of endometriosis in Kenya is not Depending on where the misplaced tissue is, some of

known. This is because diagnosis involves surgery

the symptoms include;

(laparoscopy). The cost of treatment for endometriosis

Extremely painful periods (dysmenorrheal)

in Kenya is approximately Sh. 355 000 per woman per

Heavy/irregular periods

year.

Pain during intercourse (dyspareunia)

1/3 OF THE PATIENTS ARE USUALLY

Chronic pelvic/abdominal pain Discomfort during bowel movement Bloating,

constipation

nausea

during

ASYMPTOMATIC. THE LEVEL OF PAIN DOES

menstruation

NOT ALWAYS CORRESPOND WITH THE

Blood in urine (haematuria)

SEVERITY OR EXTENT OF THE DISEASE

E: wachirafridah6@gmail.com

SPIRITUALITY

MAY 2021

Wisdom for Life THE COVENANT Now consider Jesus who is the better priest of the

By Pastor Jeff Gichuki

New Covenant;

God is a covenant making and keeping God. We see Him make covenants with Noah, Abraham and Moses which covenants we study to appreciate the New Covenant by Jesus. The New Covenant however is superior in that it

Hebrews 3:1, 2 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house.

is better in many ways including in sanctuary, priesthood, sacrifices and the law.

What about the Priesthood of Jesus? Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who

Looking at priesthood, God commanded Moses to

has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of

consecrate Aaron and his family to serve as priests.

God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not

They were to be “go-between” or rather mediators

have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our

between God and man. Their work was to receive and

weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we

offer sacrifices to God on the behalf of the people. That

are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:14, 15)

work was only reserved to the family of Aaron. Though priesthood was a holy business, those mere mortals would fail many times. This

Aaronic

priesthood

passed through the heavens – not just the Holy Place to appear before the Father for us. With that

had

many

causalities

beginning with the sons of Aaron; Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them.So fire went out from the LORD and devoured them, and they died before the LORD. Leviticus 1:1, 2

Jesus, the priest over the New Covenant has

testimony,

still

sympathizes

with

our

weaknesses because He was tempted just like we are yet without sin. We have hope and confidence in Him, we have overcome sin and death! What a priest? Better, greater and eternal! PRAYER: Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)*

SPIRITUALITY

MAY 2021

The life of a true believer should not be smeared with compromise. Sonship should be mutually exclusive to compromise, the two cannot coexist.

SACRIFICE OR COMPROMISE? By Doug Kanja

However the main agenda of Christianity should not be to point out where humanity is going wrong, rather it should be to point it

Sacrifice or compromise.

towards he who makes all things new and right.

The walk of sonship, which we have been adopted into by Jesus Christ calls for a

Jesus didn’t spend much time pointing out

distinct lifestyle. A lifestyle which is worlds

all the errors humanity was making, which

apart from that which we used to live by, It

was a lot by the way, he has seen the worst

calls

of humanity, he however, just as expected

for

purity

and

holiness,

free

practices which the flesh craves.

brought out the best out of it.

Unfortunately and as expected the world

Paul , a former self righteous murderer

has watered down what it means to be

turned into a near image of Christ himself. I

Christian. It implies that it is okay to be

don’t like to compare people but he seemed

chained in sin so long as you’re born again.

to know more about Jesus than the disciples

It’s abused God’s grace and mercy and

who spent time with him.

continually uses it as an excuse to live in sin.

Jesus, who came to set the captives free,spoke not only of how to do good but

The line between right and wrong has been

also lead the example, to not only preach of

blurred out so much that most “modern”

righteousness and holiness but to also be

Christians cannot differentiate between the

living proof of it.He was, blameless and

two. It has become really easy for a lot of

represented the kingdom perfectly just as

people to live in compromise, giving up

we should.It’s time to do away with comprise

holiness

and become a living sacrifice.

for

momentary

pleasures

and

gratification. Giving themselves up as living sacrifices is not an option for most. The cost

You cannot have the best of both worlds. You

seems so great to bare and decide to take

either pick the world of the flesh, which is

the easy way out besides they will always

fun for a little while or you pick the world of

have the option to asking for forgiveness

the Spirit which has an everlasting kind of

later.This is a gross misrepresentation of

fun. It might seem so to the world, it’s been

our Father’s kingdom.

blinded to the truth, but Sons, true sons and not the self declared sons, have peace and

Christ came to set the captives free, he also

joy that surpasses all understanding.

showed us how to stay free, to stay pure. Free of the chains of the flesh and the lifestyle thereof.

E: dougkanja@gmail.com

DRESS CODE

MAY 2021

THE FASHION CODE BY RACHAEL WAWERU

MEN FASHION STYLE

Fashion and style is a form of self-expression at a particular period and place and in a specific context of clothing, footwear, hairstyle, accessories and body posture. It is a prevailing style or a custom. One of the ways to express your style is doing a casual dress code. It’s perhaps men’s best chance to express their sense of personal style. Whether you prefer something bagged or sleek, Men’s casual wear is an open invitation to dress in what feels most comfortable to you.

ALL WHITE

In regardless of the risk of going all white, it’s one of the best men’s style moves you can make. You can try to pair a white T-shirt with a matching chino pants or short and a part of tonal leather sneakers. If you find it too much, throw a navy blue over shirt on top to tone it down.

DRESS CODE

MAY 2021

LEATHER Due to its good looks, ruggedness and timeless appeals, leather will continue to be one of the most elegant and an outstanding Fashion Style. A quality leather Jacket or a Bomber Jacket made from the quality stuff will probably be one of the soundest style investments you’re ever likely to make. leather can be won in any occasion as long as it’s well paired with the rest of the outfit.

SUITS

FLORALS Floral prints are territories that can be tough to visit. But that, by no means doesn’t say that you should not try them. One trick of the floral print is that the rest of the clothing items should be plain when you’re wearing it. First, don’t wear two different floral prints together. Even if the contrast seems lovely, don’t. Secondly, the rest of your clothing items should be plain when you are wearing the floral printed shirt. Lastly, you should wear lighter but brighter tones in summers and duller plus darker tones in winters. Floral prints don’t suit all occasions. Be mindful about where you intend to wear one.

Suits can be made in very many designs such as a three button, single breasted jackets in which the top button whole is technically functional but not intended to be functional. To have a very elegant and an outstanding business suit, try be keen on who is the designer, the type of the fabric used and how well is the finishing. Most of the people get limited on wearing a suit with official shirts and official shoes whereas you can venture more by putting on a rubber shoe and a casual shirt. Try on a Navy-Blue suit with a white t-shirt and a black rubber shoe. remember to use a matching belt, shoe and watch to perfect your style Use fitting clothes, as a result you get a stylish, form fitting men’s suits that narrows at the chest and waist but not to the point of constricting blood flow or harbor discomfort.

Dressing Casually is about finding the right balance between comfort, individuality and style; think fashionable yet functional and outstanding outfits. Casual clothes typically blend personal comfort and individuality – since you have to mix and math different garments to create your unique and a classy look. E: talkfashion06@gmail.com

IN THE KITCHEN

MAY 2021

IN THE KITCHEN: TASTE & TEXTURE

WHAT'S COOKING IN THE KITCHEN?

Directions

SIMPLE CHICKEN CURRY RECIPE

until

By Mary Wanjiru

Ingredients 900g (2 pounds) chicken breast, cut into cubes

1. In a large pan heat oil. Add chopped onions golden,

over

medium-low

heat

and sauté

while

stirring

occasionally. 2. When onions are golden add grated garlic and ginger. Stir and cook for 2 minutes. Add chopped tomatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft. Add curry powder and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add chicken breast, season with salt and pepper, cook for 5 minutes, until golden. Cover the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes more. Add water, cover

2 onions

and cook 10 minutes.

3 garlic cloves

3. Add coconut milk/cream, and salt to taste, stir, and cook

1 tablespoon grated ginger

until lightly thickens. Add some coriander leaves and

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

simmer down for a minute.

2 tablespoon curry powder 1.5 teaspoons salt or to taste(according to your preference)

4.Serve this with rice or chapatti.

1/2 teaspoon black pepper 4 large tomatoes, chopped 1 can (400g/14oz) coconut cream/milk

E: marywanjiru.g@gmail.com

3/4 (180ml) water Coriander, chopped – for garnish