SKY Magazine issue 16

SKY is a community of teen girls. We are all about being true to ourselves and what we believe in. We make choices that are true to us. And in the community, we support each other, helping each other to stay true to the things we want in our lives, and things we don’t want in our lives.

Does SKY sound like a community you want to be a part of? Then, we got you, girl! All you have to do is take the SKY Pledge. This is a promise that you make to yourself.

Take the SKY Pledge online by going to any of our social media platforms

@SKYGirlsZed on Facebook and Instagram or visit the SKY Hub located at Arcades Shopping Mall. Once you take the SKY pledge, you get a pledge number and SKY wristband; this is confirmation that you are now a SKY girl and part of the sisterhood! Your pledge number helps you take part in exclusive competitions for SKY girls, and the wristband is your personal reminder to stay true to yourself.

SKY girls have access to so much fun and great content, plus you will receive exclusive event invitations and participate in awesome competitions and win amazing prizes. So what are you waiting for? Take the SKY pledge, and let’s connect!

To take the pledge, visit the SKY Point at Arcades or our Facebook Page.

I pledge to be true to myself and what I believe in I will trust my choices and I will not let anyone else determine who I am

Success making friends and dancing That’s My Thing

Jealousy gossip and smoking That’s Not My Thing

I will make choices according to my character I will rise to meet my SKY

I hope you're doing great and school term is treating you fine. I'm thrilled and excited that the new issue is finally here, and it's all about mind coolness. Mind coolness has so many definitions. But, it can be defined as the ability to stay calm and act reasonably, even in difficult and confusing situations. It’s about stilling your mind, and knowing that you are great and can achieve anything you set your mind to!

Mind coolness, is mind happiness!

There are so many exciting articles in this issue, besties! You'll definitely love and enjoy them. In this issue, we will learn how to take care of our mental health and cope with the stresses and challenges we face.

Embracing Who You Are is one of my favorite articles because it talks about being who you are, loving yourself, and doing what you love. We are all beautiful and unique, and we must embrace ourselves.

If you enjoy reading the letter to my 14-year-old self, you'll definitely enjoy this one because it features Wezi Heart Sound, a singer, songwriter, and humanitarian. Wezi is a sweetheart, a beautiful and bold woman. She's an inspiration to many girls. That includes me, of course.

Besties!! We all make mistakes. Getting over mistakes is a must-read. We learn through mistakes, and we should always learn to forgive ourselves, move on, let go and try to be better.

Are you a foodie or love cooking?! Well, get some inspiration from Chef Womba Mfundi in Career Corner. Join her in her kitchen and experience the world of food like never before.

Lastly, bestie, feeling a lil lost and confused is okay. It's okay to not be okay. It's okay not to know where you belong; life can get complicated. But always remember you'll always find your way, besties. Take care of yourselves by eating well, recreating some get-the-look fits, and taking pictures to remember the moment. You're beautiful, you're enough, and you're loved.

So dream big and Rise to Meet Your Sky!

BIG HUGS,NATASHA

Lincia Mabo

MY thing

Sports, creativity, current affairs

my thing

Idle minds, unproductivity, smoking

Nicola Tembo

MY thing

Creativity, Self expression, Helpfulness

my thing

Bad manners, The risms (racism, colourism, featurism, texturism)

Alice Phiri

MY thing

Reading, binging shows, family

my thing

Procrastination, breaking gel nails, early mornings

Kalumba Chikonde

MY thing

Positive energy, music, laughing

my thing

Negative energy, olives, cold weather

Chileshe Mfula

MY thing

Crocheting, art, sleeping

my thing

Loud noises, sweet popcorn, sleeping late

Precious Mubanga

MY thing

Books, Chocolate milk, Math

my thing

Smoking, Sports, Bugs

MY thing

Music, ice cream, movies

my thing

Zhane Cunningham Bullies, smoking, fake friends

Wankumbu Phiri

MY thing

Make up, eating, good vibes

my thing

Waking up early, procrastination, movie spoilers

SKY babes are you ready to discover the hottest trends and biggest no no s Look no further than our collection of Top Things and Not Our Things sourced directly from our amazing community of SKY Girls just like you Through social media and our SKY Hub we ve gathered the most buzz worthy topics and must avoid pitfalls to keep you in the know But we want to hear from you too What s your thing this month What s definitely not your thing Share with us and join the conversation as we stay on top of the latest trends together

OUR THING

Being told our natural hair

is difficult Cyberbullying

Procrastinating

Esther Chungu’s staRring Halle The Little Mermaid

Uwmwala Album Launch

Stay True S4 Schools Out: Term 1 Holiday

Taking Care of

OUR THING NO T

Heavy Makeup Gas lighting Our Mental Health (World Health Day)

Share your My Things Not My Things in the socials so we can feature them too

Embracing

By Maya Loncke

Let’s deal with Okay,

Picture yourself standing in front of a mirror, looking at your reflection. What do you see?

Do you see flaws, imperfections, and shortcomings? Or do you see a unique and beautiful individual with strengths, talents, and potential waiting to be realised?

Embracing who you are is a powerful act of self-love and acceptance. You can unleash your full potential, pursue your passions, and live authentically by embracing who you are. So, let's dive into the journey of self-discovery and learn to embrace and celebrate the wonderful person that you are.

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Don't put value on material things. We know these things are LOW-KEY/HIGH-KEY, but remember that trends, clothes, make-up, and hairstyles all come and go. What are you comfortable with? Avoid social comparison and be your own trendsetter! the

Don't put your worth into other people's hands: trying to live by the standards of others is close to impossible. They can never be you, and you can never be them. Always stay true to yourself, and know your worth sis.

Now,

for the good stuff.

Don’t focus on what you don’t love about yourself; focus on what you do! Chances are that someone out there would love to be you!

To become the best version of yourself, here are some tips to help you be a baddie internally and externally.

Do things that make you feel empowered: Visualise positive outcomes as much as possible and make them more real by creating a vision board, journaling, or simply writing down your determinants and taking small daily steps to achieve them.

Confidence

comes from doing things you're good at and things you enjoy. So improve your skills, take up a hobby, and hang out with people who make you feel good about yourself. To the haters; Out of sight, out of mind!

Get physical: do some form of exercise every day. Regular exercise makes us feel stronger, healthier, and happier. It doesn't have to be a 10 km run; you can simply dance or walk! Help others; rather than focusing on yourself, try to help another person daily. You will feel much better about yourself when you reach out to others.

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So lovelies remember being the best and happiest version of yourself starts with acknowledging that YO U ARE BEA UTIFUL JUST THE WAY YOU ARE Then as always stay true to yourself Later

By Kalumba Chikonde

Aesthetics to

Want to stand out from the crowd Or are you just looking for another way to express yourself through fashion Today we give you different trendy aesthet ics that bring out originality and challenge our every day sense of style The hippie girl clean girl grunge and Y k all play a huge role in today s fashion trends and we are here to give you all the tea

Girl Clean Hippie Girl

If you're thinking of going for that effortlessly elegant but casual look, the clean girl aesthetic is the way to go. The clean girl aesthetic combines beauty, fashion, and lifestyle trends. With a simple white or cream top tucked neatly into some blue denim mom jeans, decorated with simple gold jewelry and plain pair of sneakers, you can complete a look that touches on a minimal but very feminine style. Wearing makeup that screams au naturel but gives you that gorgeous glow, it says you’re ready for business!

It's time to let down your hair and be one with nature by trying out the hippie girl aesthetic. Say "YES" to Love and "YES" to new adventures, and express your free-spirited nature while embracing the influence of the stylish 70s by wearing bell-bottom jeans with a groovy printed loose shirt. If you want a more modern look, go for a flowy maxi skirt with an earth-colored top. All these express a natural charm with a hint of a bohemian flare of a hippie girl.

Grunge

Feeling a little edgy? Why not try an inspired 90s punk rock look? With dark colors and baggy ripped jeans or studs and chains, the grunge aesthetic is known to be 'rough around the edges" but also has a coolness and rebelliousness. Add some fishnet tights under the jeans and black boots…you'll be ready to go out and rock‘n’roll!

Let's return to when low-rise jeans were hot and chic, and animal prints screamed couture! The Y2k aesthetic has become one of the biggest and most influential fashion trends in history. Why not join the trend? A vibrant pink top with shiny sparkles and low-rise jeans that show off your beautiful curves, barbie doll makeup look with dark brown lip liner, and some shiny gloss. With this look, you can even bring Y2k into Y3k!

But with all things fashion it ’ s all about what makes you comfortable and shows off your unique style and personality nothing wrong with that So show us what you ’ re rocking on our socials and stand a chance to feature in our Get the Look section or on Stay True TV show

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Ultimate BodyChecklistCare

Is the goal clear and healthy skin

By Wankumbu Phiri

Don ’ t leave it to chance Taking care of your skin and body requires daily attention and maintenance It requires a routine

And yes this may seem tiring but the results from loving your skin and body will give you that vibrant glow every day

To ensure you re getting the most out of your skincare routine including these practices in your daily routine is important

D r ink Wa t e r

I know, sis, you might be tired of hearing this, but it really does help you get that glowing skin. Water helps to keep your skin hydrated and moisturized. When you drink water, it helps to flush toxins out of your body, which can help to reduce inflammation and improve skin health. Aim to drink 2L to 3L daily, and you'll see that glow.

Keep your Skin C l e a n

Throughout the day, our faces go through so much that we wash our face twice a day with a gentle cleanser or regular soap to remove dirt, oil, and makeup. Also, avoid touching your face as much as possible, as this can transfer dirt and oil from your hands to your skin. And girl, please don't forget to change that pillowcase each week!

To get that glowing skin, you need to remove dead skin cells and use a gentle exfoliating scrub once or twice a week to unclog pores showing off that glow. What's super cool about exfoliating is that you can use products found in your kitchen! So instead of buying high-end body scrubs, consider getting handsy and making your own scrub. All you really need is sugar, lemon, honey, and essential oil if you want that supper sweet scent like vanilla or lavender.

Do not forget this step, sis! Hydration is essential for maintaining healthy-looking skin regardless of age or skin type. That's why moisturizing should be a key step in your daily beauty routine. After washing your face with warm water in the morning, apply a moisturizer to keep your skin youthful and radiant. If you're dealing with acne or oily skin, opt for a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer to avoid clogging your pores.

Protect you rself from the sun

I know you've heard things like, "Do black skinned people even need sunscreen?" Yes, they do! You still have to protect that beautiful skin from UV rays. Apply sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily to protect your skin. We know sunscreen may be a little bit on the costly end, but we got the plug. Check your local pharmacy for UV Block 50. They have different sizes and range from K50-K150.

G et enough sleep

You might be like, WHAT! Sleep really? Sis, YES, really! While you sleep, blood flow to the skin increases, which helps to deliver oxygen and nutrients to your skin cells. This increased circulation can give your skin a healthy, radiant glow. In addition, your skin cells work to regenerate and repair themselves. Lack of sleep can disrupt this process, leading to dull, tired-looking skin and an increased risk of wrinkles. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night to help your skin repair and rejuvenate.

Eat a h e a l thy diet

Say goodbye to junk food; we know candy and fast food are scrumdili-yum-yum. To function properly, your skin needs various nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Eating a balanced diet that includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats can provide your skin with the nutrients it needs to stay healthy. But you can have a cheat day here and there for control, of course.

Avoid S m o k i n g

Smoking harms your skin in many ways, including accelerating aging and leading to wrinkles due to the harmful chemicals in tobacco smoke that damage collagen and elastin, two proteins that keep skin firm and elastic. It also reduces circulation, constricts blood vessels, causing a dull, uneven complexion, and can contribute to developing dark circles under the eyes. Smoking is not our thing. It gives us the ICK!

As you can see, maintaining healthy and vibrant skin doesn't have to be complicated. In fact, sometimes, doing too much can lead to poor skin quality. The ultimate beauty routine checklist only requires simple steps to keep your face, neck, and chest looking great. By following this daily routine, remember you are beautiful the way you are!

By

Victoria Wezi Mhone

MY thing

Dear Victoria Wezi Mhone,

How's life on the Copperbelt treating you? I hope the beautiful town of Ndola you're growing up in is treating you well. I understate the tough start life has thrown on you. Losing a father at the tender age of 5 is not easy, and sometimes you miss him dearly. So it's okay to feel sad because your sorrow is justified. But always remember that you are surrounded by people who love you, grandmother is always there for you. Even though mom isn't physically around sometimes, she loves you to bits, as does your uncle, who takes care of you.

Having spent a lot of time with your grandmother, she's more than just your grandmother; she's your best friend. She taught you everything you know about life. She's always telling you stories of your mom so you can feel close to her even in her absence; your mother has sacrificed a lot in the name of love for you and your sisters. Always remember grandmother's last advice and keep them dear to you. Never forget her advice to listen more and talk less; beware of how you treat people because some people wear broken smiles; laziness is a harmful comfort and only offers temporary relief.

My sweet song bird always stays passionate about who you are and whose you are. Never forget that you are fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God, so always put Him at the center of everything you do. Keep being humble and compassionate; you will need that as you grow older. Believe in yourself. Some opportunities will come by, but you will face challenges and obstacles; people will reject you not because you are not good enough but because they don't see what you have inside. They don't know what you are capable of or understand how bright your future is.

Forgive even the ones who will never have the heart to acknowledge how they've hurt you. Don't carry pain for too long; write it down; put it in poetry or a song. You will be fine. Most importantly, make mistakes and learn from them. Keep going!

Geing Over Mistakes

Mistakes happen, it's inevitable, and it's a part of life. What's important is how we respond.

Learning from our mistakes is the key to growth, so think of your mistakes as giving you an opportunity to learn and grow. We often don't see it like this and instead place blame or don't take responsibility. Think about the words we use when we make mistakes. For example, you accidentally knock a glass of water off the table, and it breaks, then you say, 'Oh, ya tobeka!’ (Oh, it broke!). Wala, it didn't just break; you knocked it over, it hit the floor, and that's how it shattered to pieces. Even in describing what happened, we want to take away responsibility from ourselves. This is a simple everyday example, but it's true for bigger things.

Sometimes, we do take responsibility, but not in an empowering way we can learn from. We say things like, 'I'm so dumb!’ ‘I really perfed!’ This isn’t helpful.

it, do so. 3

If you hurt, caused harm, or offended anyone, apologise. 2

1

Admit your mistake. Take responsibility. Don't try to cover up or deny it; that'll just make things worse.

Mistakes are bound to happen at school, work, and on the sports field; in fact, research shows that the average person makes 3-6 mistakes an hour. Despite this inevitability, many of us still get down on ourselves when we make mistakes. This is because we associate mistakes with failure. They are not the same thing. Mistakes are errors in judgement, often accidental or misguided. Failure is a lack of success, not doing something you should've done. We all define failure in different ways, but that's what it boils down to.

The most accomplished people got where they were by making mistakes, learning from them, finding solutions, and moving forward. Instead of feeling defeated, they use them to see where they can make improvements. Look at mistakes as stepping stones to get you from where you are to where you want to be. They are part of your journey. I’m going to show you a 5-step process of moving through your mistakes and coming out more empowered and self-confident.

4

Find the lesson in the mistake, learn from it, and apply your learning. Ask yourself questions like ‘What went wrong?’ ‘How can I do it differently?’

5

Finally, have compassion for yourself. Understand that mistakes are part of your life’s journey. Let it go, don’t dwell on it.

Remember SKY Girl mistakes and how we learn from them encourage us to keep going In the words of one of the greatest singers Aaliyah If at first you don t succeed dust yourself off and try again ’

Contact details: Bwalya Penza info@innersafariquest.com

www.innersafariquest.com

Instagram: innersafariquest_ISQ

FaceBook: InnnerSafriQuestISQ

Twitter: @innersafari_ISQ

If you’re able to fix

By Precious Mubanga

Cooking Up a Storm

Music, Travel, Food MY thing

Bad Attitudes, Negativity, Dishonesty

MY thing

Womba Mfundi Chef

Are you a food lover Is cooking your thing

Step into the kitchen with Chef Womba Mfundi known professionally as Chef Womzi Chef Womzi has made a name for herself in the culinary world through her passion for global cuisine and her talent for incorporating local ingredients into her dishes

At 29 years old, Chef Womba is the CEO and Head Chef of Womz Nomz, a catering business based in Lusaka, Zambia. Her love for cooking began when she was just 8 years old, cooking alongside her mother, siblings, and house help. Despite being self-taught, Chef Womba's skills were recognized when she won the amateur category of Master Cook Zambia 5 years ago. This gave her the confidence to start her own catering business in 2018, which has since expanded to a team of six members.

What Chef Womba loves most about her job is the joy that her food brings to her customers. Seeing their excitement when they try the food that she and her team have worked so hard to prepare is truly an honor for her.

Reflecting on her career, Chef Womba's biggest regret is not starting earlier. However, she has learned valuable lessons along the way, such as the importance of asking for help and delegating tasks.

For a SKY girl interested in pursuing a career in Culinary Arts, Chef Womba advises educating oneself as much as possible. “You need to have good grades if you want to become a chef, it's not a degree you enroll for as a last resort because you didn’t do well in school. You will still need to use a lot of mathematics because recipes are all about quantities and measurements, also you will have to learn costing and you need to be good at science because cooking is a science big time.”

Having excellent English skills as developing menus that effectively communicate and provide comprehensive information to customers is crucial. The title of a good chef is earned through hard work and dedication, as chefing is a demanding profession that requires consistent effort. Without putting in the necessary effort, even talented individuals may find that their potential goes unrealized.

And lastly, consider enrolling into culinary school to acquire the best qualifications. At the moment Zambia doesn't have a degree level course for culinary. There are diploma level certificates from institutions like Fairview college and Teveta. As well as practice and read culinary books and gaining as much hands-on experience as possible through internships, job shadowing, and volunteer work. Chefing is hard work and requires effort and hard work to truly succeed, but the sky's the limit for those who are willing to put in the work. As an executive chef, one can earn upwards of K120,000 annually, with the potential to earn even more as a restaurant entrepreneur. She also emphasizes the importance of resilience and standing up for oneself in the male-dominated culinary industry.

Get ready to be blown away by the comedic powerhouse that is Vubwi! With her talent, she is quickly establishing herself as one of the biggest names in comedy. Catch her live on stage, on your TV screen, or follow her on social media - no matter where you encounter her, it's crystal clear that her wit and humor are extraordinary. Vubwi is a force to be reckoned with in the world of comedy, and she's taking the industry by storm with her unique style and impeccable timing.

What did you want to become when you were a kid?

VUBWI: I was so passionate about poetry that I wanted to become a poet. I never imagined that I would become a comedian.

Tell us about your journey into comedy and how you got your start?

VUBWI: There was no transition. Stand-up comedy was not part of my plan at all. I was in a play in my first year of university, and my character was everyone's favorite. Then, I starred in another play, and the character I played was also a fan favorite. Two weeks later, I was invited to my first show as a stand-up comedian in 2017.

What is your creative process like?

VUBWI: It happens naturally. If you sit down and try to think of the material, it becomes very difficult. We usually tell people stories and then think, "Wait! That could be a very good skit." I surround myself with funny people, and that allows my creative juices to flow.

How did you come up with Vubwi?

VUBWI: When I starred in my first play, I was asked to act as a mad person. I was not comfortable taking that role because I understood that people do not choose to lose their minds, so I asked to play a drunk person instead. That was how Vubwi was born.

How do you balance being funny with being sensitive to potentially offensive material?

VUBWI: Before I perform, I run my material through a couple of fellow comedians just to see what may or may not offend people. I have always been considerate of others. My father taught me to always think of the next person before I do or say something.

Have you ever had performance anxiety, and how did you overcome it?

VUBWI: All the time! It never goes away. I can't eat sweets before a performance because my stomach turns, and I get sweaty palms. The only thing that calms me down is singing. If I couldn't sing, I think I would lose my mind. I usually pace up and down while singing and then go through what I would like to talk about before saying a prayer.

How do you handle criticism or negative reviews?

VUBWI: It all comes down to introspection. Introspection creates a shield that keeps criticism from negatively affecting you. If you know why you are doing what you are doing, you will understand that opinions are not facts. I try not to pay attention to opinions that come from a place of bitterness.

Who are some of your biggest influences in comedy?

VUBWI: Number one would be my dad. He’s very funny. I also look up to Tiffany Haddish, Trevor Noah, Dave Chapelle, and Kevin Hart.

Can you share any upcoming projects that you’re excited about?

VUBWI: Next month we have a show at the Music Club and the headliner is Salvador from Uganda. In May, I have another show in Chingola, Copperbelt, and in June, we have a show as well. I'm very excited about them. On April 6, Easter Comedy Festival with headliner Patrick Salvador from Uganda at the Music Club, East Park Mall. May 26th and 27th, the Kopala Comedy Festival in Chingola.

What is the most important thing you want your audience to take away you’re your performance?

VUBWI: Science. When I make jokes about science, I really do want the audience to know how the body works.

What is the best piece of advice you have received in your career?

VUBWI: A friend once told me that when you are about to perform on stage, do not compare yourself with the previous comedian. Your audience has come to see YOU. Be yourself and do your best.

What advice do you have for aspiring comedians?

VUBWI: It’s haaaard! Your audience is a mix of different people, and you do not always know what is suitable for certain groups. Thinking of material that will make everyone laugh is not easy. If you are not careful, people will judge you because of one bad performance. It can also be frustrating because people prefer more popular comedians, so they may not pay you as much attention. You need to be very introspective and understand why you are doing what you do. You need to love what you do because when things get tough, your passion will help you push through.

Embarrassed

Is Social GivingMediaYou Pressure

Girl! Are you feeling the pressure from social media? It's like everyone’s trying to show off how woke or real they are, especially us Gen Z kids. We’re always on our phones and it’s causing anxiety to spread like crazy. Anxiety is the feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome. Everyone feels anxiety and we already have enough to deal with, like puberty and peer pressure, but now we have to worry about what’s hot and what’s not on our feeds.

It’s messed up because we're supposed to be socializing with our friends, but we're doing it through apps like WhatsApp, TikTok, IG & Snapchat. Studies show that this kind of socialization can make us feel lonely and depressed. And we’re measuring our worth based on how many likes, shares, and follows we get. It’s crazy to think that some girls are even being pressured to send nude photos to older guys they think they trust.Instead, the guys end up sharing the pics with others, and the girls end up trending for the wrong reasons or can even get in trouble with the law.

These are extreme cases, but they do happen. Other pressures brought on by social media include:

FOMO (fear of missing out) – not invited to parties, movie chills, etc, that others are posting about.

Pressure to post attractive and appealing & revealing images.

Pressure to get comments and likes on postings. Abusive comments that they have no control over.

Pressure to reply quickly to posts or risk rejection from ‘cool friends’.

You may not even know you’re under pressure, but if you find yourself feeling the pressure, you’re not alone. Sometimes we don’t even realize how much it’s affecting us, like when we’re stressing about not getting a break.

Here are some tips to help you unplug:

Manage screen time – most smartphones have apps to help you manage your time on social media. Give yourself a daily, weekly & monthly target for the amount of time you spend on your socials.

Make sure your targets are realistic - if you spend 3 hours on your socials every day and set a target of 30 minutes a day, you're not likely to achieve it. Make the reduction in screen time gradual but consistent.

Suggest more in-person hangouts with your friends. When you're hanging out, you can keep your phones in a bag on a table away from you or in another room while you chill together.

Contact details: Bwalya Penza info@innersafariquest.com

www.innersafariquest.com

Instagram: innersafariquest_ISQ

FaceBook: InnnerSafriQuestISQ

Twitter: @innersafari_ISQ

By Chileshe Mfula

Hey there SKY girls is there something you are so passionate about, and care about when you look around your community? Something you would want everyone to acknowledge and celebrate? Well that’s kind of what International days are all about. International days are important days that raise awareness and promote action on various issues such as human rights, peace, health, education, and the environment. By commemorating these days, we can come together as a global community to share knowledge and promote positive change. In this issue of SKY we’re highlighting a few days you might not know about, and how you can commemorate or celebrate them.

World Health Day th April

World Health day was founded to commemorate the anniversary of the World Health Organisation (WHO). WHO is an international organisation that works worldwide to promote health and ensure all people have access to healthcare and people are protected from health emergencies (like COVID-19), and generally to promote better health and well being. Each year a theme is chosen to highlight a priority concern for WHO. The theme this year is ‘Health for All’ . Fun fact: the first World Health Day was in 1948!

ways to celebrate this day

Eat healthy and stay hydrated! This one's obvious. You need energy and to eat the right foods to stay healthy.

Talk to someone. Mentally, everything can be draining at times. So whether you need to talk to someone or offer an ear to a friend or someone who just needs it, it's a great way to show you care about your and others' mental health.

Exercise! Alone or with friends, it's up to you. It’s great for your overall wellbeing, taking care of both your mind and your body. You can do something as simple as walking.

Earth Day nd April

Earth Day is celebrated on 22nd April and reminds us that we all have a job to do in looking after our planet and making sure we can keep living here for a long time. It’s important that we work together to create a future by using resources wisely and not damaging the environment.

ways to celebrate this day

Plant Trees! Where does oxygen come from? Trees! So get up and plant a tree at school or home. Feel free to name it after yourself or a loved one.

Start an upcycling club at school. Unleash your creativity and transform your unwanted items into something new and exciting! Revamp your old curtains by transforming them into cushion covers, breathe new life into an old pair of jeans by fashioning them into a trendy denim tote bag. The possibilities are endless - let your imagination run wild.

Help Clean up Trash. Consider organizing a class trip with your friends or classmates and pick up any litter you find. Let's work together to keep our environment clean and beautiful!

Africa Day th May

Africa Day is a time to recognize our beautiful continent's diverse cultures and rich history.

Africa Day celebrates the anniversary of the Organization of African Unity (1963). Don't know how to celebrate it? Don't worry; we got you.

ways to celebrate this day

Visit the Lusaka Museum or Go Virtual with the Women’s History Museum. Before you start to yawn, museums can be really fun; you get the chance to learn about the history of your own and other countries' heritage and backgrounds. That's pretty cool.

Design/Wear a traditional outfit. Dressing up is always fun; take things to another level by using your favorite chitenge to make a cool dress, jumpsuit, shirt, etc.

Explore food from around the continent! What's a celebration without something yummy to eat? If you don't know how to make any, it'll be a great opportunity to learn from a relative or go online and google dishes from your fave African destinations.

World Menstrual Day th May

World Menstrual Day raises awareness about, and breaks the stigma of menstruation. Honestly there are billions of us who have our periods, why is it still so misunderstood? But it is, it also highlights the impact of period poverty - not having access to safe and hygienic period products.

If you don’t know how to celebrate this day, that’s alright.

Here are ways to celebrate this day

Have a Period Party. This will be so fun for you and your friends to do on this day in hopes of breaking taboos and other negative energy toward menstruation. You can do this by sharing experiences, exchanging tips and advice, and having open and honest conversations about menstruation. In addition, period parties can be a fun way to express creativity, with decorations, themed snacks, and games centered on menstruation.

Donate! Whether money, underwear, or menstrual products, donating to the less fortunate is a good way to observe this day. Educate. You can share your experiences with other girls who may not know what's happening to them as it might be their first time having a period. If you see someone struggling with using a pad and you know how to use it, help them. You'd definitely want someone to help you in that situation.

Download the Oky App! Oky provides useful tips on how you can manage your periods. You can download the app from the Google Play store or Apple App Store. You can also download it by visiting www.okyapp.info. And you can also visit the SKY Hub for help downloading the app!

Now that you know how to celebrate these days go on ahead and have fun Make sure to tell a friend or even a few so that you can celebrate together

Let us know how you commemorated these days or any other international days on our socials

By Nicola Tembo

DIY: Decorate Your Journal Cover

Did you know journaling is an amazing way to manage your emotions

When you write down your feelings you can understand them better and feel better faster

Though you could buy any random notepad having your personalized journal can make the process more exciting and well personal

So here s how to customize any notebook and make it your fabulous journal

You'll need the following:

A small notebook

Any colored paper or wrap of your choice

A glue stick or tape

Scissors

And anything to make it pretty �� markers pens colored pencils stickers cutouts

Step 1

First, measure your wrap against the book and cut away the excess. You can use a ruler if you would like precise lines.

Once you're done, get your glue and stick the paper to the book.

Then decorate how you want it. You can go crazy with the colors, or if you would prefer, a cleaner look, just black and white can do. You can even use cutouts from the SKY magazine!

Step 2 Step 3 Step 4

This is not mandatory, but you can put your journal in sections. You can allocate as many pages as you want to a particular section. You can mark each page with a piece of paper at the top or title it.

Here are some ideas of sections you can have:

Feelings and emotions

Mood tracker

My day today

What I m grateful for today

My religion and spirituality

School Health and Fitness

My Goals

Friendships

My Things Not My Things

It's ok if you don’t feel you’re a creative girl! This journal is for you and only you; if you like it, that's all that matters. Hope you have fun making and writing in your journal!

MY thing

Singing, Making new friends, Creativity

My name is Febby Chileshe, and I'm the cover girl for this issue!

I have been a SKY Girl since 2020. I am one of the first SKY Girls! From the day I saw the live launch on Facebook, I got intrigued and knew I had to join. After being a SKY Girl for so long, I am so happy to have gotten a chance to be the cover girl for this month’s issue. I found out about the cover competition when I saw a post on Facebook asking us to write 250 words about what makes us happy. I submitted an entry, and to my surprise, I actually won the competition. I was so excited that I first ran to my mother and shared the good news with her. She was so happy for me.

Two things make me happy, music and staying true to myself. Listening to music always lifts my mood and makes me happy again. Staying true to myself makes me happy because I make decisions based on my own opinion and not that of others.

I really enjoyed my SKY experience. The whole day was extremely fun and memorable, and I hope to have more days like this in the future. Everything was amazing, but my favorite parts of the experience was getting my hair and makeup done and meeting new people.

Hey, SKY girls, my name is Febby Bwalya Chileshe; I'm 17 years old, I wrote my grade twelve last year, and I stay in Kabanana, so in this essay, I will write about the things that make me happy.

Firstly, staying true to myself makes me the happiest person ever because I do not easily get influenced by other people; I make decisions based on my opinions and how I feel about something, not based on other people's opinions.

Standing up for myself and others when faced with bullies makes me happy, the peace of mind that I get after standing up for myself and others makes me feel confident and happy.

Being smoke-free also makes me happy because I can breathe freely at all times makes me happy.

Furthermore, being stress-free makes me happy because having too much stress can disturb your mental health.

Hanging out with my friends makes me happy because they make me laugh because they are smoke-free, and they stay true to themselves.

Creativity makes me happy because idle minds and laziness are not my things.

Seeing my family happy and united makes me the happiest person ever.

Read Febby’s Winning Entry and next time you might stand a chance to feature on our cover

During an interview, Keke Palmer described her personal struggle with anxiety and depression, acknowledging that everyone faces challenges and setbacks in life. She emphasized that it's important to remember that not everything is catastrophic and that with age and experience comes wisdom. Looking back, she expressed a desire to have told her younger self the same message of resilience and perspective.

In honor of World Health Day in April, we are recognizing celebrities who have courageously shared their personal stories to show the importance of therapy and seeking mental health support during times of struggle. Through their inspiring stories, people such as Selena Gomez, Wezi Heart Sound, and Keke Palmer demonstrate that seeking help is a sign of strength, and there is no shame in prioritizing one’s mental wellbeing. As we celebrate these powerful individuals, we are reminded of the transformative power of therapy and the possibility of finding happiness and healing by asking for, and seeking out support.

Selena Gomez has talked openly about having a hard time with her mental health for many years, suffering from anxiety and depression. However, she got help in 2014 when she found out she had lupus. After that, she went to different programs to help her deal with feeling very worried, sudden bad feelings, and sadness.

She decided to get the necessary help by seeing a professional and getting the right treatment. She mentioned that she hopes that speaking out about her mental health will encourage others to speak out about theirs as well. Because the only way to help it is to address it, and the best way to address it, is to speak about it. She has now been able to manage her mental health.

Nicki Minaj has talked before about how she struggled with her mental health. She said that when she was trying to become famous, she got very depressed and even thought about killing herself. But she kept going because she wanted to achieve her goals. When she received the Video Vanguard award at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards, she talked about how important it is to take mental health seriously, even for people who seem like they have perfect lives. Nicki Minaj almost gave up, but she kept thinking about her goals and her desire to be 'The Nicki Minaj'. That thought kept her going. She now lives a life full of ambition.

Bringing it closer to home, Wezi Heart Sound went through tough times with depression and anxiety. She lost some people she loved to depression too. Wezi thinks it's difficult for people to talk about these problems because of the negative views people have about them. This can make things worse. Wezi uses her music as a way to cope with her dark thoughts. She thinks that without her music, she would feel much worse. She thinks it's important to keep trying and to take things one day at a time because tough times won't last forever.

Ariana Grande

has been open about her mental health issues, including her battle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing that killed 23 people during her concert. She encourages others to seek help and emphasizes that it's possible to process trauma and reduce pain through therapy. She said “If you’re afraid to ask for help, don’t be. You don’t have to be in constant pain and you can process trauma. I’ve got a lot of work to do but it’s a start to even be aware that it’s possible.”

Megan Thee Stallion

has been a top performer since her debut, and in a recent interview with Taraji P. Henson on Peace of Mind with Taraji, she expressed the increased significance of mental health in her life.

“I feel like right now mental health is more important to me, more than ever because I have more pressure on me than I feel I used to have. When I was Megan, and I wasn’t as criticized, and under such a magnifying glass as I am now.”

If you need to talk to someone call Lifeline Zambia on or Tweet Facebook Dr Dalal Naeem

Introducing The

By Alice Phiri

Get ready to meet the fresh faces lighting up your screens! We haven’t changed everything about the show, but as Stay True is for teen girls by teen girls, we had to say farewell to our loved hosts who have become our big Sisters and Brothers being over 18.

We wanted to know a little bit more about who the new faces on Stay True are. These dynamic individuals bring diverse experiences, vibrant personalities, and fresh perspectives that will captivate and inspire you with their unique blend of wit, charm, and charisma; they will guide you through each episode that will keep you coming back for more. We can't wait for you to get to know them and experience the magic they bring to the show. So, without further ado, let's warmly welcome our talented new hosts!

I'm Susy Thomas. I am in grade ten at St. Patrick's Girls' School, a model, a girl rights activist, a humanitarian, and a Stay True host. Stay True is a fun show; I love hanging out with my SKY team. They're all amazing, and we get along well. As fun as it is, Stay True has taught me quite a bit. First, it taught me never to change for anybody.

One way I Stay True to myself (as that's the show's name) is by wearing my wristband everywhere I go. Whenever I'm in a situation that does not feel comfortable to me, I look at my wristband, which reminds me to Stay True to myself.

I first found out about SKY from my little sister, and once I saw how good it was, I knew I just had to take the opportunity. One thing I knew was that if I joined Stay True, then I would be on T.V., which is something I have always loved. I hope you guys enjoy this season of Stay True as much as I have

Hey y’all. I'm Thando. I'm a singer and dancer. If someone came up to me three years ago and told me that I would be hosting a T.V. series, I would be very excited, and I would look forward to the experience and take it up wholeheartedly, which is why I'm here now as a Stay True host. I found out about the Stay True auditions through Instagram. SKY Girls posted something on their Instagram saying they were looking for new Stay True hosts. So I decided to try it out, and I got the part! And now I am one of the Stay True hosts.

Many people inspire me, but my mom, my gogo, and Uncle Waffles are top of the list. And I know that my inspirations are proud of me, which keeps me going and puts a smile on my face. Stay True has taught me to be myself, giving me so much more confidence to do things beyond staying true. This is why I am studying economics and finance at the University of Lusaka, and I plan on being a D.J. like Uncle Waffles. All those things have one thing in common, and that's confidence. So thanks to SKY, I have plenty of it.

Nthandose

Hello, I am Tristan, AKA your favorite Stay True host, and we are back to bring you guys more entertainment. Stay True is a good show to watch and also a good show to make. I stay true to myself by giving myself a moral code I must follow. It acts as a life guide.

Stay True has taught me to be determined and passionate. Working on Stay True has let my talents shine, some being writing and acting. It's also taught me some good work ethics, which will take me a long way in my career.

I currently do some content creation myself. I do skits, and I'm planning on going bigger, but working in the entertainment industry has helped me understand how to better myself and the content I create.

I am Noah, one of the new Stay True hosts. I'm a dancer, and people call me "Noah, the dance freak." I'm quite interested in I.T., and I would like to study it once I start school. I heard about the Stay True auditions from a friend of mine. So I went for the open auditions, and here I am.

I have been a support of SKY for about a year now (I’m still waiting for them to launch SKY Guys!), and when I found out about the Stay True auditions, I just had to try out. Being a Stay True host has taught me a lot. It's taught me to be true to myself, and I stay true to myself by being me by embracing my passions which are dancing, fashion, and influencing.

Stay True is a fun show, and I enjoy every moment of it, but I would like to say that my favorite part about Stay True is game time and my co-hosts; they make being on Stay True so much more fun.

MY thing

Dancing, Singing, Good vibes

NOT MY thing

Sports, bad vibes, smoking

Hey guys, I'm Mutale. I’m one of your Stay True hosts, a mental health advocate, and an anti-child marriage activist. I had a friend who used to be on Stay True, and he told me they were having auditions for the Stay True host. I later on, saw the posts about it on social media. So I went for the auditions, and I got chosen as one of the hosts.

Being on Stay True has been a great experience for me; it has been fun, and I would say educational as well; it has taught me to embrace my confidence because that's how I Stay True to myself, It has also taught me cooperation and patience and those are skills I'll need when I become a filmmaker like my inspiration, David Kazadi.

I have enjoyed my time on the Stay True set and honestly if someone came to me three years ago and told me that I would be the host of a T.V. show I would be happy and excited but I would not believe them because that has been one of my dreams for a long time! I guess dreams do come true.

MY thing

Dancing, Basketball, Skating

Noah

NOT MY thing

Smoking, Negative people, Slow people.

Hey guys, I'm Abby, a Stay True host. I am currently in grade eleven at Olympia park secondary school. I found out about SKY girls from my sister. They had a focus group at the SKY hub that I went for. From there, one of the show's producers asked me if I would like to audition for the first season of Stay True because they liked my energy. And that's how I became a Stay-True host.

I have enjoyed being on Stay True this whole time. It has been a learning experience for me as well. I would like to be a journalist, and Stay True has prepared me for the good and the bad of being in front of the camera. It has also taught me to stay true to myself and bring out my inner self. I Stay True to myself by surrounding myself with people who are beneficial, for people who don't give off bad vibes or make me feel uncomfortable.

I have enjoyed being a SKY girl since my sister told me about it. I feel like each day; I am one step closer to becoming like my inspiration, Mwaka Halwindi. She is so young and has done so much. I would like to do that, and SKY Girls is my first step to reaching that goal.

MY thing

Acting, Dancing, Singing

Mutale

NOT MY thing

Alcohol, Smoking, Bad vibes

HELP

We got you sis! A crush comes with all sorts of emotions. It can feel both scary and exciting. You may have some unsettling feelings, like feeling shy or embarrassed to talk to him. This is all very normal. If you don't know him very well, find out what you have in common. If you have similar friends, suggest a get-together for all of you. That way, there's no pressure to make it just about the two of you.

Once you get to know a bit more about him and are comfortable talking to, and spending time with him, suggest spending time together doing something you both like. You may feel sad if he doesn't agree, which is completely okay. Don’t obsess and think about what you could’ve done or said differently.

You should never have to change to suit someone else. If he agrees, you have the chance to get to know each other a little bit more. Always make sure that you're safe and that your parents or a trusted adult know where you are and who you’re with.

So there s this cute guy I m crushing on and I don t know what to do Please

Firstly, good on you for being true to yourself and knowing you’re not ready for something that you don’t want. Sometimes girls feel pressured into getting boyfriends, but you don’t have to be, if it’s not something you want right now. Now, to your question, when you're hanging out with your friends, and all they talk about is their relationships, let them know that while you're happy for them, and you don't mind hearing about their boyfriends, it doesn't need to be the only topic on the agenda. You can suggest that you want to have some girl time and let that time be about your friendship group and stuff you like and do together. They should understand. Alternatively, you could use this time to start a new hobby, focus on a hobby you didn't have time for, or perhaps meet new people.

Hey SKY I feel picked on by my teacher he is always giving me a hard time I think he hates me How do I deal with this

Sorry you’re

feeling this way sis.

Sometimes teachers notice a student needs more nudging than others, and when they focus on you, it may seem like they don't like you. If this is not your situation, speak to your parents about it. You will need to document specific incidents like the date, time, and what happened. Ask your parents to speak with the teacher when you have this information. If this doesn't help, follow the chain of command by taking the matter up with your year coordinator or the head of the teacher's department with the documentation of the incidents. Don't take the matter to the head teacher until all these steps have been followed. If you go straight to the head, they may send you back to follow the steps in the chain of command.

SKY Girls share your thoughts and opinions on our socials to help our SKY sistas out too

Hi SKY all my friends are starting to have boyfriends and I m not ready to have one but I feel so left out of the conversations when we hang out What should I do

Be True To Yourself

If you spotted yourself on these pages you win SKY merch! Contact us on Facebook for details Send us YOUR photos of you with anything SKY - the magazine, billboards, wristband, anything! For the chance to appear on these pages.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Help us help you Stay connected with us on Facebook Instagram and TikTok to let us know what you would love to see in our up coming issues Reach out and tell us which local celebrities do you want us to profile What you’re feeling and what you aren’t What’s trending What isn’t What’s hot And what’s not

Meet your new SKY hosts , Susy , Abigail and Nthandose as they lead you through a fresh season of non-stop entertainment.

From Real Talk to Boys and Bants , DIY to Game Time , and electrifying celebrity performances , we've got it all covered.

Don't miss a beat! Catch us on ZNBC or tune into our Youtube channel beginning on the 8th of April 2023 .

For teen girls only!