SKY MAGAZINE, ISSUE 9

ISSUE #9 FEB-MARCH 2022 For Teen Girls Only!

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M O R F S LOOK

S E V A F OUR

I pledge

20 - 21

WHO RUNS THE WORLD?

I will trust

totobemyself true and what

22 SKY Talent

my choices,

with TAFARA

and I will not

23 Unstoppable Self-Esteem

let anyone else determine

I believe in.

who I am.

4 Hola SKY Sisters!

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This issue’s contributors 6-7

THE TRENDOMETER

I �il� rise

Get the look

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

PERIOD POWER:

Body Beautiful:

HOW TO MAKE A REUSABLE SANITARY PAD

HOW TO DRESS FOR YOUR BODY

Letter to my 14 year old self

by Natasha

Take THE

28 - 29

10 - 11

12 - 13

That’s my THING.

my thing.

TRUE LIFE: I Survived My Cruel Boy Crush

27 SKY Spotted

8-9

and dancing?

That’s not

25

Bwalya Nkumbula

making friends

SMOKING

How to Spend Galentine’s Day with your Girlfriends

Career Corner

to m e et my Success,

Jealousy, gossip and

24

I will

14 - 15

Celebrity Insider With

WEZI

make choices

according

to my character.

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How to Deal with Double Standards 31

How to be a BOSS with your coins 32

Love yourself by nourishing yourself

33

16 - 17

Sporty Girls Matter

SKY COVER GIRLS

Monica Munga

34 18 - 19

30 Days of Positivity

SKY ADVICE 35

We want to hear from you!

Hola SKY sisters!

This Issue’s Contributors W��t��s

How is 2022 so far? I hope we have set our new

year’s resolutions or goals, cause we got to stay focused sis.

So this issue is heavy on EMPOWERMENT: shedding more light on our self-worth, ability to make decisions and all that good stuff. I am super psyched for you to see all the juice and sauce this issue brings.

SKY girls are all about the drip. This issue’s Get the

Look brings you all the iconic fashion looks from our fave celebs to keep you looking popopo yet comfortable. Looking good is one thing but being comfortable is another. Body beautiful is all about embracing our size and it highlights what to wear for your size - it basically tackles any insecurity that we SKY girls have. We’re sharing tips on how to dress for your body shape and size - so you know, you can look good and feel empowered all the time!

Zhane Cunningham

Natasha Malama

My Thing: Music Ice-cream Movie's

My Thing: Music Movies Dancing

Not My Thing:

Not My Thing:

Bullies Gossip Fake friend's

Untidiness Clingy people Cussing

I am beautiful, I am smart, and unstoppable

(paraphrasing the SKY Stay True song). Say that again, but this time tell it to yourself. Cause in this issue you’ll find some positive affirmations that will give all the good vibes and keep you going sis. Btw feel free to stick the center spread on your bedroom walls so you can have something to remind you how beautiful and amazing you are every time you look at it.

Money, Ndalama, Mali!! We all know how money is

so tempting, yeah? Financial expert and SKY big sister Jayne Mazimba kicks in with “how to be a boss with your coins” and teaches us the importance of financial literacy. Because a lit manana should never be broke.

Lincia Mabo Chanda Chibale My Thing: Piercings Books Food Not My Thing: Hot weather Negative energy

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My Thing: Photography Graphic design Meeting new people

My Thing: Being me no matter what society will say

Not My Thing:

Not My Thing:

Liars Bullies Lack of teamwork

My Thing: Chicken Sour candy Floral and sweet scents

Not My Thing:

Not My Thing: Strawberries Piercings Milkshake

Idle minds Unproductivity Selfishness

Talking I'll about a fellow woman

Muzya Musokotwane My Thing: White toe nails Not My Thing: Nosy people

Precious Mwansa

Ruth Nzipa

Abigail

Louisa Kasalika

Thoko Kalinda

My Thing: Sports Creativity Current affairs

This issue is fire, make sure you read word by word and feel empowered!

Bye for now babes

Trust Mulenga

My Thing: Listening to Music Taking pictures Writing Not My Thing: Rudeness Panicking Extremely loud environments

My Thing: Food Books Family Not My Thing: Creepy crawlies Bullies

Namasiku Kayama My Thing: Water Music Not My Thing: Disrespect Walking long distances Negative vibes

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The Trendometer What Makes Us Feel�Empowered?

This issue we’re thinking about our theme: empowerment.

What makes you feel empowered? What makes you feel not empowered?

Here’s the lowdown on what SKY Girls in the SKY Girls Zed community had to say on the issue.

THINGS THAT MAKE US

FEEL EMPOWERED

1.Options make me �eel�empowered.

I don't �ant to be �orced into anything, choice is everything to me.

2.Acknow�edgment. When I'm doing something, approval�from the people that matter most to me makes me.

3.Intel�igence, success and kindness. A triple threat that makes me �eel�like an unstoppable boss babe.

4.Music makes me �eel� empowered, it helps me stay positive and can give a bright side to �ife.

5.I �eel�empowered �hen I read success stories �rom very important and famous �omen especial�y when they openly speak� about their struggle.

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6.MANEH! Eish having money definitely makes me �eel�empowered because it gives me access to a �ot more things.

7.Looking good. Getting my hair, makeup and nails done makes me �eel� complete and ready!

THINGS THAT MAKE US

NOT FEEL EMPOWERED 1.People �ho are al�ays negative about everything don’t empower me. �egative thoughts don’t empower me either and I try my best to avoid them as they can force me to remain stagnant.

2.Unconstructive criticism. When people just shoot down ideas �ithout proper reasoning or a better suggestion.

3.When someone tries to pressure me into doing something I don’t �ant to do.

8.Education. It’s something that can never be taken away �rom me and I’m able to make decisions �rom an informed perspective.

9.Diversity. I �ove being �riends with girls �ho are dif�erent from me. It shows me that it’s great to be me, and it’s great to be them. There is room �or everyone.

10.Defining my preferences and choices. When I took�the SKY pledge I confirmed �hat’s My Thing (education, dancing and Netf�ix) and �hat’s �ot My Thing (smoking, negativity and snakes) and that made me feel�empowered.

4.Pessimism doesn't make me �eel�empowered.

There's a bright side silver �ining to everything.

5.Being second guessed �hen I �now�I’m right.

6.Having my choices questioned is a no no. I have the right to decide �hat I �ant and don’t want in my �ife.

7.Being underrated doesn’t make me �eel�empowered. I real�y hate it �hen people undermine me, I end up doubting mysel� and delivering �ess than �hat I �now�I’m capable of.

8.When I do something that isn’t ‘me’ and I only realize afterwards that I gave into peer pressure and I �orgot to stay true to mysel�.

9.When other people make decisions �or me.

It makes me �eel�like I don’t have control�over my own �ife.

10.When I �ail�at something and I �ose my motivation.

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Street Style

Preppy

By Trust Mulenga

HOW TO GET THE LOOK OF OUR FAVES! A lot of celebrities we love really go all out with their style, so why not get some inspo for all our favorite looks. Here are a few that really stand out - plus how you can get the look and reinvent it yourself!

For a long time, fashionistas have been enamored with the preppy look. Tennis skirts and sweater vests have become must-haves, but the trend doesn't end there. The trend is only getting started, so here are some creative ways to wear it.

If you have a polo shirt, you should wear it with a matching blazer and shorts like our girl Princess Natasha Chansa who rocked this fit at the SKY Fest. Your polo shirt can also be paired with a cute skirt or jeans of your choice, a three-piece necklace, and Dr Materns, sneakers, or heels for an even more elegant look.

Polo shirts usually cost K100-K150, but you can get them for K25 if you thrift them. Sis thrift tennis skirts are fantastic because not only are they reasonable (ranging from K25 to K35), but you can also get unique ones that hardly everyone has! Tennis skirts from Mr Price cost around K150.

Baddie Tank tops, bodysuits and a high waisted bottom! We see a couple of both local and international celebs rocking this combo!

Thimna, Shakirah and Shadaya nail this look all the time! The bottoms could either be jeans, a skirt, tights or shorts! Add on a cute little bag to complete the look.

Love this look for an everyday look! It’s comfortable and cute. Easy to reinvent and also easy to style. Styling these are so fun, from deciding what bottom to wear to finding the cutest crop.

Baddie looks usually have very minimalist colors so make sure to get your black, white and nudes ready!

Mr Price has a "To Go" area where clothes like tank tops, pants, and body suits are super low and range in price from K20 to K150. Fashion world also has some stunning tank tops and body suits priced between K120 and K200.

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You never go wrong with a cute leather jacket!

Zendaya and Kendall Jenner definitely have this look on lock! Goes perfect with either a plain tank top and skinny jeans or a cool statement Tee and a pair of mom jeans! Accessorize this with some sunnies and hoop earrings and you’re good to go!

Because the leather jacket is an easy add on to what you already have on, it makes it a go-to for anything street! Leather jackets can change a whole look. It’s handy to have AT LEAST 3 different colored leather jackets! Try it out with a couple of your favorite colours! Mine are Pink, Black and Red!

If you’re wondering where you can purchase a leather jacket don’t worry sis we got you covered.

Mad, The Fix, Fashion World and Mr Price are stores where you might find leather jackets, however they are on the more costly side and range from K450-K850. If you are rolling on a budget you can thrift for a leather jacket which will cost between K150-K200.

Afro Punk

Sho Madjozi never disappoints when it comes to a colorful Afro Punk look! Neon print shirts or tie dye shirts are extremely loud and cool, worn on a puffy skirt and some good sneakers and don’t forget to play around with the colour of your hair too for the extra Punk-vibesss. What a shoe in!

This look stands out because it has so much personality and oomph! Puffy skirts never go out of style (the puffier the better) and nothing screams punk like pairing it with some dope sneakers! A perfect look for a dress up party or concert, you’re sure to turn heads and get a lot of questions!

You can purchase tie dye or neon shirts from thrift stores which are about K50. Tie dye shirts are really cool cause you can make them at home too. If DIY and thrifting is not your thing, you can find tie dye and neon shirts in Mr Price which are K100-K150.

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APPLE PIE

slim legs and arm, wide shoulders and a top-heavy figure.

It took me some time to accept my body shape. I really didn’t notice when I was gaining weight. Until the people around started pointing it out every time they saw me.

At first it bothered me, then I started to feel insecure. Until I realized that it doesn’t matter how people think I should look - what’s important is how confident anyone should be regardless of their body shape.

By Lincia Mabo

SKY Girls assemble! This article is all about body positivity, whether you’re all about the bass or your dynamite comes in a little package, there’s room for ALL body types to be appreciated. This article brings you the real life experience of having different body shapes and how they came to love themselves.

Let’s get into it!

What to wear: Elongate your torso by wearing v necklines. Wear dresses and tops that cinch or gather under your bust. Wear a belt at the smallest part of your waist to create an illusion of a waistline.

Firstly, know your body type, take a moment to look at yourself in the mirror. Really pay attention to how wonderfully and beautifully you are made.

PRETTY PEAR hips and thighs are little bigger, small shoulders, well defined waist and bust.

Most of us spend a lot of time on social media, we have all been subjected to the reign of the thick bodies. Most social media influencers getting hype are super thick! This left me feeling really insecure because I constantly compare myself to them. Through a lot of self-reassurance, I’ve come to learn that self-acceptance isn’t only about accepting myself for what I have but also embracing my slim thick body. I realized I’m a perfect mixture of slim and thick.

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What to wear: to balance out a pear, draw attention to your waist, by wearing a belt. Wear eye catching prints, textures and details on your tops, to draw eye attention upwards. Avoid skinny and tight bottoms that emphasis the wide hips.

SLIM AND SLENDER

CHERRY

TOPPED

CUPCAKE

small waist and hips, full bust and wide shoulders.

I grew up around a lot of girls and I was the only fat one, I'd always feel insecure about the pimples I had, the stretch marks, not forgetting the belly. This made me look older than I actually was and seeing how thin and clear skinned my sisters were, just made it more difficult to feel confident about myself. As I got older, I learned to understand that what other people think of me doesn't really matter.

What to wear: Show off your legs and lower body with bright coloured bottoms, wide legged pants and full skirts.

Avoid wearing spaghetti-straps and boat neckline tops.

CURVES FOR DAYS

Proportionate bust and hips, small but well-defined waist.

I was very skinny growing up. So, everybody got used to seeing me that way. I started gaining weight when I was around 15, I understood that it was a natural change and embraced it. It was and still is a healthy body gain.

What to wear: If you are blessed with curves for days you can wear body hugging dresses, skinny or straight leg jeans. Avoid wearing baggy or loose fitted clothes, they don’t hide your curves, just make you look bigger than you are. Always have a good fitting bra.

Bust, waist and hips are of similar size, minimal curvature.

My body hasn’t always been the way it is right now.

Over the last 7 years I’ve experienced different changes with my body. I would sometimes look very skinny or bigger or I’d notice some parts of my body grow in a way I didn’t expect. After some time, I’d gain or lose weight and I reacted differently according to the body change at that moment. I didn’t like it sometimes but I lived with it. Some of my peers in the same age group had bigger bodies than mine and some were taller and they picked on me saying I was too small and asked me why I was like that. This made me uncomfortable in my body. I turned to my community and family and noticed more people with a body like mine. This encouraged me to love my body too and feel beautiful and confident.

What to wear: You might not be as curvy as the rest, but doesn’t mean you can’t create the perfect fit for you! Stay away from overwhelming styles and layering. You can wear short skirts with a poof and flare to them. Sweetheart necklines and tops with collars and ruffles will flatter too.

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Hey Natasha!

It’s great to see you at this stage of your life. There are a few things you need to know.

You’re gorgeous just the way you are! Yes, you might be very skinny and looking like a broomstick at the moment. But remember, you’re the youngest in your grade. You’ll soon mature and blossom the way your friends have.

Boys are not everything! You may want their attention now but you’re such a bright star – you’ll soon outshine those that you want to notice you. There’s plenty of time ahead for relationships and romance – trust me!

Natasha by

Chiumya

Natasha Chiumya is an all round property professional – her passion lies in helping others to empower themselves through property ownership. As a property lawyer, licenced real estate agent and property developer, she has a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities in the real estate sector. When she’s not running her businesses, she loves to laugh, have fun and spend time with family and friends.

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I know occasionally you feel lonely and unseen. It’ll get better.

There are people around you who love you dearly even if they don’t always show it. At each stage of your life, God will put people around you to help, guide and support you.

I’m excited for what lies ahead for you – you are so smart, astute and a trailblazer. All the hardships you’ve been through will work in your favour as you move ahead in life. You can look forward to lots of travel and new experiences! Take time to enjoy it all because it goes by so quickly.

Try to be more patient and don’t be in such a rush to grow up. Growing up happens, whether you will it to or not.

Stay close to God. He’ll be your best friend and a most loving companion, looking out for you at all times.

e v o l y m

a h s a t Na 13

SKY: What brings you the greatest joy?

WEZI: Honestly, being around genuine love, especially my

SKY: What’s your most embarrassing childhood memory?

WEZI: One day I was in class, and someone cracked a dry

family.

joke. I laughed so hard I peed in my pants.

SKY: What is the best advice you’ve been given?

WEZI: I’ve been given good advice from so many people

SKY: What got you into music?

WEZI: I’ve always been drawn towards music and my love

but if I’d had to choose one out of the many I’d say my grandmother who said it's not a legacy until you pass it on

SKY: What quote do you live by?

WEZI: The Bible verse Psalm 27: the Lord is my light and

my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is my life, of whom shall I be afraid?

SKY: What’s one thing people would be surprised to know

about you?

WEZI: That I actually do not eat meat, I am a vegetarian.

SKY: What is your perfect pizza?

WEZI: I am a vegetarian, so

probably anything with veggies, although I am not really a pizza person.

SKY: What is your favorite vegetarian meal?

WEZI: I enjoy lumanda and nshima

for singing. My parents did encourage me to sing at the age of 7 years old. I’m also grateful that my dad was able to see me sing before he died.

SKY: Who inspired you?

WEZI: God, He is my ultimate inspiration in life.

SKY: How would you describe your sound?

WEZI: Versatile, and I think I’m more of a storyteller.

SKY: Who would you collaborate with?

WEZI: Funny enough I’d love to collaborate Ipupa, I absolutely love his music.

with Fally

SKY: How do you show yourself love?

WEZI: I rest, taking care of my body is important.

SKY: What is your annoying habit?

WEZI: I bite my nails. I know that it’s a bad habit and it’s

CELEBRITY INSIDER WITH

unhealthy.

SKY: What do you like doing in your spare time?

WEZI: I read! I love to research about our African history, I

enjoy knowing the history and culture of different countries and who their presidents are. I study for fun. I'm a history girl.

SKY: What sports do you enjoy watching?

WEZI: I enjoy watching all of them. One day you will find me watching basketball, the next day I will be watching football, boxing, so I basically enjoy all of them.

SKY: What type of music do you listen to?

WEZI: I listen to everything, it could be rock, listen to all genres of music.

country… I

SKY: What celebrity would you rate as a perfect 10?

WEZI: Locally I’d say James Sakala.

SKY:

you?

What’s the weirdest thing a fan has ever done for

WEZI: One day I was out with my family and then a fan

came and hugged me and started crying and surprisingly I started crying too.

HER thing Music, reading and watching sports.

HER thing Smoking, being judgmental and dancing.

SKY: What ridiculous thing has someone tricked you into doing or believing?

WEZI: That I cannot amount to anything, that’s ridiculous.

SKY: What were you like as a kid?

WEZI: I was a lot. I was a leader of a singing group in a club called Scripture Union, I used to like singing, and playing.

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SKY Girls got the honour to sit down with Wezi, one of Zambia’s leading singers.

She recently featured on a Grammy-nominated album, and we had the pleasure of her appearing at our first SKY Fest to sing happy birthday to us! We wanted to learn more about who Wezi the singer and activist is.

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

WEZI: I had a lot of ideas and definitely changed my mind

a lot. I wanted to be a geologist, then I wanted to be a psychologist in the school of humanities and even went on to my third year at the University of Zambia but did not finish.

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SKYCOVER GIRLS

This issue of the SKY Mag is all about becoming a boss and loving yourself! For the cover competition we asked you to write about your role model and why. Our winner for this issue is Chimwemwe Malubila Check out her entry essay and how her lunch date with her role model Sophia Chapeshamano went.

Chimwemwe Malubila (16) ENTRY ESSAY My name is Chimwemwe Malubila! I’m 16 years, grade 12 next year at David Kaunda Secondary school. I would like to be part of the competition and this is my essay.

My role model is Sophia Chapeshamano, who plays the role as Natasha Sosala in Zuba.

I started watching the show when it just started in 2018, Natashas character really inspired me, how she was a teen and did silly stuff to enjoy her teenage life but later realized she had better things to focus on and build a better her. I started following her pages on Facebook and Instagram and got to know what she does.

Sophia Chapeshamano the founder of Armstemweka which was inspired by her late young sister Temweka Shiloh. She was born with spina bifida which later developed into hydrocephalus and as a result, slowed down her development. This NGO was made to help other children who have such conditions.

MY thing Writing, Drawing and Dancing.

my thing Gossiping, Lying and Smoking.

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I was inspired because I lost my niece who had such a condition and she was disabled. After seeing what Sophia came up with I told myself that one day I would like to build an NGO and help such children grow.

We have so many children like that today, who feel left out and have many insecurities. They just need a voice and need a chance to be heard. Her foundation comes together and helps such children grow and not feel left out. They should know that they’re unique just the way they are. This is why Sophia Chapeshamano is my role model.

Meeting my Shero I was so excited to win the SKY cover competition to meet my role model.

My role model, Sophia Chapeshamano, is special to me because she has a unique personality as well as a heart that is always willing to help. She started the Armstemweka Foundation, inspired by her late sister Temweka Shioh, it aims to care for, and raise awareness about neuro conditions. I was inspired because I lost someone close to me who had such a condition. I hope to one day build an NGO like Sophia’s and help children.

Sophia is also very ambitious and self-driven.

What struck me when I first met her was the fact that I am taller than her. I found it really cute lol.

Also, she is very beautiful. Having lunch with her was a lot of fun. It felt like a dream come true. I would definitely want to do it again. Not only because I enjoyed being around her, but also because we did not finish having our conversation.

In spite of that, I had a great experience.

Sophia taught me to love myself and not have insecurities. She taught me to be confident and not care about the negative things people say about me. If I had a chance to re-live that day and change something, I would increase the number of pictures that we took together to secure myself more memories.

I would like to encourage my fellow SKY girls to love themselves because I believe that everybody views you the way you view yourself. It all starts with you. Everyone has insecurities but you just have to choose to be positive. The quote that I live by says, “Everything happens for a reason.”

Stay true!!

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I will own my space and occupy it unapologetically

I choose to be positive because I attract what I think

29 I choose to embrace myself

I deserve to be seen for who I am

28 I will focus on the brighter side of every situation

My secret of attraction is to love myself

27 Even if I’ m not as good as I’ ll be tomorrow; I am better than I was yesterday

I know I’ m not perfect but I am who I’ m meant to be

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30 I will rise to meet my SKY!

Above all, remember you are beautifully and perfectly made as God intended.

Goodbye to all thoughts that don’t support self-love

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23 22

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I choose to make choices that are best for me

I am a winner; failure is not my portion

I let go of energies that drain me Every day is my chance to try again and do better

I deserve to feel heard and understood

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18 17

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Oh yes I can I know my thing and I will stand by it

I have faith in my capabilities; I can do it

I chose to be deliberate about my actions, thoughts and feelings

My destiny is aligned with greatness

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I release all fear and hate; I welcome courage and love

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Everything is working for my good

My life is a gift; I‘ll enjoy it to the fullest

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I will do better today than I did yesterday

I can do anything I set my mind on

I am present in this moment; this is exactly where I’m meant to be

I am surrounded by inspirational energies

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Affirmations are something everyone needs in their life! You’ve heard how people say you are what you think - well it’s true. Affirmations are sentences or positive statements that tap into both your conscious and unconscious mind to motivate you to reach your full potential. We all have this potential in us, sometimes we need a little help to get us there. Affirmations when spoken to ourselves have the power to change the way we think and act in our lives, and they can help us achieve our goals in life. So SKY girls, here are our favourite affirmations to kick off your 30 days of positivity. Tweak them, or create your own to help you have a year of positivity and love.

I am worthy of love

M��u��q��n��s��s��y s��e��t�, ��e��t��n� I��e�� �� ��r��d� i��i�� �� ��

2

I��m��r�� �� m��e��

1

DAYS OF

30 POSITIVITY

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WHO RUNS THE WORLD?

GIRLS BEYONCE SAID SO

Today we have women that not only inspire and motivate us to do more in life but also encourage and give us strength in taking up the impossible.

Who is that woman for you? Here is a round up of women breaking strides and inspiring us around the world.

Climate Change Activist:

Producer and Entertainer:

Vanessa Nakate is a Ugandan climate justice activist that graduated from Makarere University Business School with a marketing degree in Business Administration. Vanessa started a lone protest outside the gates of the Parliament of Uganda against the inaction towards the climate crisis. She spearheaded the campaign to save Congo’s rainforest that is undergoing massive deforestation. Vanessa was one of the youngest people picked to attend the 2019 United Nations Climate Conference. We must have young and most important African people involved in the ongoing fight against climate change seeing how Africa is largely affected by global warming even though the continent only accounts for 2-3% of the world's carbon dioxide emissions from energy and industrial sources. Climate change is something that affects everyone and we need more people to be actively involved.

Oprah Winfrey is an American talkshow host, television producer, actress, author and philanthropist, was once the world’s only black billionaire and the greatest black philanthropist. She is best known for her talkshow, The Oprah Winfrey Show, which was the highest-rated television program of its kind in history and ran for 25 years, from 1986 to 2011. It was known that anything and everyone Oprah endorsed went on to become super success. In many cases, women are considered to be weaklings and dependent on men but Oprah Winfrey proved that belief wrong by setting an example and being a woman of influence. Recently, Oprah was the first person to do a worldwide interview of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle - her influence remains second to none.

Vanessa Nakate

Oprah Winfrey

Actress:

Lupita Nyong’o Politician:

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is a Liberian politician who served as the 24th President of Liberia from 2006 to 2018. Sirleaf is the first elected female head of state in Africa. She won the 2005 presidential election and took office on 16 January 2006. She was re-elected in 2011. She won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011, in recognition of her efforts to bring women into the peacekeeping process. She has received numerous awards for her leadership. In June 2016, Sirleaf was elected as the Chair of the Economic Community of West African States, making her the first woman to hold the position since it was created. She has made her community a better place by bringing women into the peacekeeping process.

Kenyan but Mexican-born Lupita Nyong'o pursued a master's degree in acting from Yale school of drama and soon after she graduated, started her acting career. Lupita Amondi Nyong’o is a Kenyan and Mexican actress. The daughter of Kenyan politician Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o, she was born in Mexico City, where her father was teaching, and was raised in Kenya from age one. The 38-year-old began her career in Hollywood as a production assistant, and later became an award-winning actress. She featured in MTV TV series Shuga, before going on to star in 12 Years a Slave alongside Brad Pitt and winning a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role in it.

Nyong’o then went on to star in the culture-changing Black Panther alongside the late Chadwick Boseman. Nyong’o has also penned a book for Black children, and has the film rights to the Chimamanda Adichie best seller Americanah.

Activist and Influencer:

Actress and Activist:

Not only did she serve as the first African American First Lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017 as the wife of former U.S. President Barack Obama, but Michelle Lavaughn Robinson Obama has consistently shown she has her own talents too. Born on January 17th, 1964, the lawyer by profession also represented Black women and fought for children’s rights as a first lady. Her bestselling book Becoming charts a memoir of finding yourself and your voice.

Yara Sayeh Shahidi is an American actress, model, and activist. She is known for her great talent, beauty, hard work and humility. She gained recognition for her starring role as the oldest daughter Zoey Johnson on the sitcom Black-ish and its spin-off series Grown-ish.

Her film credits include Imagine That, Smallfoot, and the lead role in The Sun Is Also a Star. The young actress was born on 10th February 2000. As young as she is, she is focussed on a cause that is important worldwide: equality. She believes that everyone is equal regardless of age, gender and race.

Michelle Obama

Author:

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a Nigerian writer and feminist. She has authored several novels including Americanah which was selected by The New York Times as one of ‘The 10 Best Books of 2013’. Chimamanda’s Ted Talk titled, “We Should All Be Feminists” has been viewed over 7 million times on YouTube, and Beyonce even used a part of it on her hit single Flawless. Chimamanda is a feminist and often advocates for women’s rights and holds master’s degrees from Yale and Johns Hopkins Universities. Chimamanda has helped put Africa on the map by producing great works of literature that are read all over the world.

Yara Sayeh Shahidi

Activist:

Lucy Sichone

Lucy Banda-Sichone (1954-1998) was a Zambian civil rights activist who played a pivotal role in representing the Zambian people who had their rights violated by the State at the time. Born and raised in Zambia’s second largest city, Kitwe, she became the first Zambian woman to receive a Rhodes Scholarship. When she returned to Zambia, she became a phenomenal lawyer and public defender. She founded the Zambia Civic Education Association and never shied away from challenging, and where necessary chastising, government officials. In 2015, Lucy Sichone became the first woman to have her portrait displayed on the walls of Oxford University’s prestigious Rhodes House. Her legacy will always be that she made sure the rights of an individual were respected.

Actress:

Marsai Martin

Caila Marsai Martin is an American actress and producer. The 17-year-old is best known for her role as Diane Johnson on the ABC sitcom Black-ish. In 2019, Martin starred in the comedy film Little, which she also produced, becoming the youngest person ever to produce a movie. She has shown that no matter how young a person is, they can achieve their goals and become legends.

Activist:

Malala Yousafzai

Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani female education activist and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate. She is often known mononymously as Malala. Born on 12th July 1997, Malala became a powerful symbol of the female education movement after defying local laws that forbade girls from going to school. In her defiance she suffered a bullet to the head by the Taliban. Thereafter, by a miraculous surgery and recovery she continues to lead the struggle against poverty, illiteracy and terrorism.

Media Mogul & Philanthropist:

Mosunmola Abudu Politician:

Author:

Until recently politics was largely led by men. But in today’s world, women are taking up the challenge of being successful politicians. Kamala Devi Harris is a 57-year-old African-American politician and attorney who is currently Vice-President of the United States. She is the first female Vice-President and the highest-ranking female official in U.S. history, as well as the first African American and first Asian American VP. She has set an example to the younger generation that even women can take part in politics and do just as well, if not better, than men.

Namwali Serpell is a Zambian author and professor. She won the Caine Prize for African Short Fiction in 2015 with her short story titled The Sack, and she is the first Zambian to do so. Namwali published her first novel titled The Old Drift in 2019, and the novel has gone on to win numerous prizes and helped Zambia gain recognition for producing talented authors. Namwali is a recipient of the Windham-Campbell literature which she won in 2020.

Namwali has helped prove that women can achieve so much in literature. Young Zambia writers should look up to her as inspiration to write more and they will get the recognition they deserve.

Kamala Harris

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Namwali Serpell

Mosunmola Abudu better known as Mo Abudu is a Nigerian media mogul and philanthropist - basically the Oprah of Africa. Forbes has described her as “Africa’s Most Successful Woman”. Mo has built a media empire that focuses on changing the perception of Africa and bringing Nigerian stories to the world through film. She has a media company called EbonyLife Media that has produced the biggest TV and box office success in Nigeria’s history. While cinema is still a male-dominated industry, Mo has proved that she can hold her own.

Mo has overcome racism, the fact that she’s a woman and the gender inequality she faced to become a household name in Nigeria, and even secured a Netflix deal amongst her other achievements. Mo has helped change the way Africa looks to the world and changed the narrative that is often depicted on television and film.

Mo is now running a training academy to bring more people into the TV and film industry in Nigeria.

Economist:

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

The 67-year-old Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is a Nigerian-American economist, fair trade leader, environmental sustainability advocate, human welfare champion, sustainable finance maven and global development expert. Since March 2021, Okonjo-Iweala has been serving as Director General of the World Trade Organization, the first woman, and the first African to serve in this position. She symbolizes power. She stopped at nothing to achieve her goals to better the world by going for her goals.

21

Unstoppable Self-Esteem

by Bwalya Penza

Have you ever noticed how some ‘bad’ event can happen and different people have different reactions to the exact same event? For example, if you have a surprise test in your class and you and your friends fail, you may find that some of you take the lesson from the failure and decide to read up on your notes more regularly. However, others might take the failure as a reflection of who you are and keep hammering yourselves with negative self-talk long after the surprise test has passed.

Introducing…

Tafara Sakala MY thing

my thing

Studying, getting good grades and making friends

Belittling other people, bad vibes and dancing

Self-esteem is all about how you feel about yourself. When your self-esteem is not strong, you’ll find that it rises and falls according to the events happening in your life. So, if you get good grades at school then you feel great about yourself, but if you fail a test, then you feel bad about yourself. However, true self esteem is based on who you are and what you think about yourself, not some external event that may or may not happen.

SKY Girls Zed has a new radio show on Komboni radio hosted

by SKY Girl Tafara. If you’ve been listening to SKY Live on Hot FM, Kwithu, or our Soundcloud channel, then you’ll already know her bubbly personality.

But who exactly is the girl behind the mic?

My name is Tafara Sakala and I am 19 years old. I am a first-year law student at the University of Lusaka.

One of the best things that ever happened to me was SKY and it is amazing. I get to work with so many people. I love that I get to meet people from so many walks of life and they all stay true to themselves. I love that girls can also come together and know who they are. I love the photoshoots and the radio the most because they are so fun. And I get to meet celebrities that I only ever saw on TV or heard on radio!

My cousin gave me an issue of the magazine and I was excited because I had been seeing it around. I decided to follow SKY Girls Zed social media pages and I was able to stay up to date with them. I came across the opportunity of them looking for a third radio presenter. I auditioned by sending a voice note and they called me for an interview. I had to read lines and a script and I was asked a few questions and they called me to tell me that I had been selected within a day!

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Strong self-esteem is a very important part of helping you navigate through the ups and downs of life. When you base your self-esteem on ‘who you are’ then your self-esteem can remain intact no matter what is going on in your life.

So how do you do this? Well, it’s important to separate the results of an event from who you are. The test is just an event, failing the test is just something that happened, it doesn’t mean that you’re a failure. All it means is that you need to be more prepared in future. It’s okay to feel disappointed about not doing well on a test, but the key is to learn from the experience and not dwell on it. When you start dwelling on the event and attaching your worth to it, you are saying that how you feel depends on things that happen to you. This simply isn’t true. When you learn to separate the results of an event from who you are, your self-esteem will flourish.

Practical Tips for Unstoppable Self-esteem 1

Journaling

Journaling is a great way to clear the mind, self-reflect and get to know yourself better. When you write things down, it helps you to look at the situation from a different perspective.

When you’re dealing with a situation that brings down and you’re feeling low, write it down using the following structure or something similar that works for you:

It has been such an experience! Being an adolescent sometimes you think no one hears you or sees you, and that generally life sucks! But being part of SKY has shown me that being a teenager is a beautiful experience. There’s a lot of peer pressure and negative social media influence and that makes it hard to focus on yourself and not fall prey to this, but SKY has helped me stay true to myself and what I believe in. SKY is a great way to reach out to girls in Zambia and I love that it focuses on adolescent girls because no one was there for us like this before.

What’s bothering you?

What happened?

What I’ll take away from SKY is it allows me to be me in all my glory!

I am confident, I am able to stand up for what I believe in and the choices I make. I would rather be the only person making a different choice, than following the crowd doing things I don’t want to, because that’s me and that’s what I believe in and that’s who I am and I will stay true to myself.

What can you do next?

What kind of impact has it had on you?

How can you look at the situation differently in a way that supports you?

2

Self-Coaching

Another way to deal with a situation that brings you down (this could be anything from dealing with a disappointment or worrying about something to dealing with something that happened with your parents, or at school) is through self-coaching or reframing or power shifting. Ask yourself this series of questions and answer them honestly, then learn from it and let it go.

How can I take responsibility?

3

Positive Self-Talk

Practice saying something positive to yourself whenever you look in the mirror. You can have a positive statement about yourself whenever you see your reflection. You can either say it out loud or just say it quietly to yourself. Feel the positive energy flowing through your body.

Remember that what you say to yourself is more important than what anyone else says to you.

How can I learn from this?

Can I ask for something different or is there a different outcome or solution?

Contact details: info@innersafariquest.com www.innersafariquest.com Instagram: innersafariquest_ISQ FaceBook: InnnerSafriQuestISQ Twitter: @innersafari_ISQ

23

How to Spend Galentine’s Day

with your Girlfriends

True Life Feature

The Diary of a Lusaka Hun:

We know Valentine’s Day is known as ‘lovers’ day’ and is usually celebrated by couples.

What if we told you it doesn’t have to be that way? Ever heard of Galentine’s day??

This is a day for girls to celebrate their female friendships.

It’s basically Valentine’s Day with your best girlfriends. Sounds fun, yeah?

SKY Girls Zed has a few ideas on activities that will make your galentine’s day super cool and memorable.

Make it a

spa day

You and your girls can spend the day being pampered. Think about it; manis, pedis, and facials do sound pretty awesome right? In fact, there are usually promotions or discounts at many spa places during the Valentine’s period so keep an eye out for those.

Maybe you’re a baddie on a budget looking for something that won’t have you spend much.

No worries, we gotchu. You and your girls can have a DIY spa day at home. Think homemade face masks, doing each other’s nails and just great conversation.

Movie

I Survived My Cruel Boy Crush

night

Have your friends over for movie night or better yet, go out and see a movie. This is a chilled and low key option if you aren’t looking to do anything too fancy. Romantic comedies are perfect for this but you could totally pick an action or even horror movie. Your choice! Don’t forget to add your fave snacks! We know our SKY girls like food!

Take a class

together

Learning something together is a great bonding experience. And before you freak out, no, we’re not talking about math or anything like that lol. We’re thinking more like painting, cooking or even making candles and soap. P.S. they’d probably make for cute pictures and memories for the gram too.

You can check out Paint n’ Sip for painting classes, All Kinds of Everything Zambia for soap making classes and Mange-tout Cooking School for cooking classes.

Have a

picnic date A picnic date is more casual than a dinner date. This can be done at home in your garden or if you’d like, there are beautiful picnic spots in Lusaka, like Monkey Pools, Pazuri and Foxdale Forest Park. Make it cute, from your outfits to your décor so you can snap for the gram. Lastly, your picnic date won’t be complete without mouth-watering food. Make it extra special by preparing them with your friends and choose food that is easy to make like sandwiches, sliced fruits, chips with dips, or chocolate-coated marshmallows. Honestly, there is a lot you can choose from.

Whatever you and your girls choose to do this Valentine’s Day, remember, it’s all about the love and care you have for each other. Celebrating female friendships is so important because in the end,

24

there’s nothing quite like an authentic sisterhood.

I guess it happens to all of us. You know the story - girl likes boy, girl wants boy to like her, girl does whatever boy wants to get him to like her. Yep, that was me.

I was 15. I didn’t think I was interested in boys, and then I met him.

I went to a co-ed school, boys and girls at the same school. And that’s where I met him.

He was taller than me, he played football, and he was the cutest boy I had ever seen. I was convinced I was in love.

I would do everything to impress him so that I would get his attention but he wasn’t bothered by me. Yet, he knew I liked him.

But he then took advantage of that. He told my friends that he loves girls who fail at school and hates skinny girls.

They went ahead and told me, though they tried to warn me that it’s just a trick that will hurt me in the end. I think they thought that telling me that would force me to see how he wasn’t a nice guy, and certainly not the guy for me.

But l was just too stubborn to listen because I was really into him. I told them it was the only way he would notice me. I started to get bad grades and l ate all the time to try to gain weight.

I got in trouble with my parents for my failing grades, and all the eating made me feel slow and uncomfortable. And still the boy paid me no mind.

My friends remained persistent warning me that he only wanted to prank me and after a few days la I realized changing who I was to impress a guy was so dumb. l confronted him and told him that l had been doing what he said to my friends. At first it was quiet, a part of me believed that now that he knew the truth, he would see that though he had been mean, I was worthy of him returning my feelings. But then he burst out laughing.

He said he was joking and he just wanted to see if l would go through with it.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, he then said he doesn’t like dumb girls at all, neither chubby girls and he said he didn’t like me because l wasn't as pretty as his crush.

How cruel was that?! My friends could see how hurt l was, that I was almost about to cry, but they rushed quickly and grabbed my hand, leading me away and that comforted me.

They all made me feel better and they told me that I am beautiful no matter what people tell me, I then realised that no one should control my life and change who I am to fit their ‘requirements’.

It’s a new term at school, and I realise the cruel boy isn’t that good looking and that my sisterhood is much more important than him. I am who I am and I won’t change for anybody again.

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Career

Soon the Zambian music industry is going to explode by getting the international recognition it deserves. We have artists like Princess Natasha Chansa and Sampa the Great, who are allowing people to know about Zambia. In the next few years, we are going to be a bigger industry.

I have so much hope for the Zambian industry because it has so much potential.

Corner

The mistakes I made when I started my career were thinking I knew enough concerning certain things and also not understanding the full capacity of the work that I was supposed to do before I could commit to certain things.

Seeing something I thought or dreamed of coming to reality gives me the greatest joy. My artists succeed, and seeing people love their music and sing along to their music, seeing them grow as they get appreciated and seeing their dreams come true, gives me the greatest satisfaction.

Bwalya Nkumbula MY thing

Love, good vibes and friendship

MY thing Smoking, gossiping and lying

When It Comes to female record label owners in Zambia, Bwalya Nkumbula leads the music game: she is the brains behind Natasha Chansa’s booming music career.

My name is Bwalya Nkumbula, I am 23 years old and I am the founder of Zed Arts. I am an artist manager, an actress and an entrepreneur. I studied Public Administration at the University of Lusaka and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in 2020.

I love my job because it allows me to meet different people and I also get to meet people I looked up to when I was younger that are in the music industry. I grew up listening to different artists and I never thought that I would meet some of them but now we are peers when it comes to work.

I have fun doing my job and that’s because I am passionate about it. It may get stressful and tiresome at times but I get to live my dream every single day.

Music is what got me into the entertainment industry. I got into it in 2017 and what inspired that was my friends that were musicians - they made great music but I felt like most people didn’t listen to it, so I figured that I could create a platform that would allow for my friends and similar artists to get a platform people could go to and listen to and download their music. I then launched the Zed Arts website.

I choose this career path every day because it is something I’m drawn to and I’m always excited to do it. The best career decision I ever made was trusting myself and my gut with certain situations like collaborations and partnerships. Starting my career is another great thing I have done.

After all, I have met some of the greatest people in my life because I decided to take the risk to do this.

The worst career decision I ever made was trusting so many people with certain things because I have learnt that not everyone is as passionate and as driven as you are concerning certain things. Sometimes you could trust people that ruin things for you.

My secrets behind my success have been consistency and trusting the process. I also trust that God didn’t bring this vision and plan in vain. I put in the work and now trust certain people because you cannot always do certain things by yourself. You need people to help, guide, teach and support you and also lift you as you rise.

My inspiration comes from anybody that can successfully do what they love and dream of, especially if they do things that they thought they wouldn’t do or they thought was impossible. I meet people that inspire me every single day in different aspects and sectors.

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One thing I wish I knew when I was younger is that I can do anything I choose to and that I am very smart and powerful. I was ambitious while growing up but became timid in my teenage years. I did not believe in my greatness that much and I wish I knew how great I was, or how many great things I could do, because that would have made me better. I am here now because that is where I should be.

I currently have four artists signed: Natasha Chansa, Foreighn, Mich and Sean Trey, and two producers. I signed Natasha Chansa because when I started the record label I was already managing her and when I told her I was starting a label she was one of the people who encouraged and supported my idea. She always referred to me as her manager when she started her career.

One of my biggest achievements has been winning the Stanbic Bank Zambian Woman of the Year Award for Digital Media in 2019 - I didn’t think I would win it. Just being nominated was a big achievement. It’s a huge platform for great women and it’s run by Karen Nakawala who is one of the women I look up to. Natasha Chansa is my other achievement because I have seen her grow into an award-winning artist as well as releasing her successful debut EP titled The Genesis.

I would like to be remembered for playing a part in the changing of the Zambian music industry, playing a part in creating the biggest pop stars the world has ever seen, and being able to create a legacy in people’s lives even after I have gone.

It feels amazing to have younger girls and other women text me and tell me that I have inspired them. It is a great honour to have taken a risk that inspires someone out there. I want to play a part in allowing people to understand that it’s OK to follow your dream regardless of what industry they are in, especially if it’s dominated by men. It feels great to beat men at this, I feel like that’s the best and most fulfilling part.

I show love to myself by spoiling myself through spending money on things that I like, spending the day watching shows I love, while eating food I enjoy. For a few years, I didn’t spoil myself because I had to sacrifice so much when I was building my company. I do things I love and disconnect if I have to. I also choose to get myself out of situations that might cause me stress.

I feel empowered when I am supported and when platforms like SKY Girls think my story is one worth sharing. I also feel empowered when people tell me that they look up to me.

At the beginning of my career, I wasn’t taken seriously because I am a woman and I am younger. I would walk into a room and I would be overlooked. Everyone would want to see who the label owner or artist manager is, when it was me and people thought that it was somebody else. It’s harder for women in this industry because sometimes some men take advantage when they are in positions that make them important to you and will try to take advantage of you. Also, women aren’t taken as seriously as men. I came across some financial challenges when I started - I had to learn how to save and sometimes I wouldn’t believe in myself. I overcame these challenges by affirming myself and thinking of how far I’ve come and how much I have achieved. I’d always show myself that this isn’t the end.

If you’d like to get into this industry as a teen girl you have to know yourself, know what you like and don’t like and know that many people will try to take advantage of you. But you should know that you have sisters in the industry that will look out for you. You have sisters like me and if you want to get in, I’m a phone call or text away. More girls should get into the industry because we need more women and girls in the industry as record label owners, artist managers and even producers that will help create a better and safer industry for women and girls, if they have more people like them that they can work with. It requires a lot of work like any other industry and it’s not a man’s world! You can achieve every single thing you put your mind to.

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.

27

Period

Power!

Let’s face it, we’re not always well-prepared for our periods, though they come monthly!

But in this feature you’ll find two super helpful articles to make sure you’re always prepared for those days of the month. Taking control of our periods can help us feel empowered - the theme of this issue. So get planning in advance using this article, and take back your power over that time of the month.

HOW TO MAKE A REUSABLE SANITARY PAD Did you know one sanitary pad is equivalent to 4 average-sized plastic bags? From a recycling perspective this means making your own sanitary pads not only reduces plastic usage which is bad for the ecosystem but replaces it with a more sustainable substitute. Plastic is not biodegradable but reusable cotton pads are completely biodegradable.

The science is there - reusable sanitary pads are good for the environment. They are also good for your pocket (or whoever pays for the pads in your home!). You can save the money and put it in your piggy bank, or buy yourself a treat at the end of the year! Reusable pads are indeed a safe, hygienic and eco-friendly option for you when you’re on your period.

STEP 4- SEW FLEECE MATERIAL ONTO CHITENGE

Now sew the fleece material with the absorbent onto the right side of the chitenge. Remember to leave a small working space, which is used to flip the pad inside out.

STEP 5- TURN IT INSIDE OUT

Use the working space to turn the pad inside out. Now you should have the right side of the chitenge on the outside.

You will need:

A sanitary towel (pad)

A piece of fleece fabric

A piece of chitenge or any cotton fabric

Marker

Thread Scissors

Needle

STEP 1- CUT THE FLEECE MATERIAL

Use the sanitary towel as a stencil and trace the outline of the pad onto the fleece, and cut out the pad outline.

STEP 2- CUT THE CHITENGE/ COTTON FABRIC

Get the fleece cut out and place it on the inner part of the chitenge, trace, and cut out the shape outline on your fabric.

STEP 3- SEWING ABSORBENT ONTO FLEECE

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Get another 9 by 9-inch square of fleece material. Fold it neatly and sew it onto the center of the fleece pad outline (the one you already cut into shape). Leaving some space at the top and on the bottom, this will act as your absorbent.

STEP 6- SEW AROUND THE EDGES

Sew all around the edges to secure your sewing and this time don’t leave a working space.

THE PERIOD STARTER KIT

In a perfect world you would know the exact day of your periods. While some people are lucky enough to have a cycle like clockwork, more often than not, aunty flo visits when you least expect it! So here’s a list of things you’ll need to always be prepared for the unfortunate event of a surprise period attack. Start by choosing a portable pack, case, or purse you’ll be using.

- Sanitary products - Usually on the first day your flow is quite light so pantyliners would do. However, for heavier flows a sanitary towel would work best.

- Painkillers - Cramps are never pleasant! Make sure you don’t exceed the limit on the label though.

- Small calendar and pen - this can help you track your period.

Cross out your days until you find a pattern.

- Extra underwear - If you’ve stained your pair of panties having a spare will come in handy.

- Hand sanitizer - Sometimes the bathroom runs out of soap and/or water.

- Baby wipes - Just in case you need to freshen up your lady parts.

- Plastic baggy - In case your underwear gets soiled or you’re in a place where you cannot dispose your used pad or tampon.

- Emergency money - in case you have to top up your suppliers i.e. pack of pads, though having your reusable pad should stop you from needing to buy any disposable ones any time soon!

- Chocolate - Potassium in chocolate helps with muscle function (any excuse for chocolate, but no really). Make sure it’s in an airtight Ziploc bag.

STEP 7- SEW A BUTTON

Lastly, sew a button on one wing of the pad, a little hole on the other wing, and it’s ready to wear! Most reusable cloth pads can last up to 5 years if kept properly. Make sure to thoroughly wash your sanitary towel after every use and boil occasionally to kill bacteria. Boiling isn’t always 100% guaranteed to kill germs so make sure to also use bleach from time to time.

You can also visit our YouTube channel and see SKY Girl Tapo make a reusable pad in her ‘DIY with Tapo’ segment!

Share with us how you keep prepared for your periods and make the days a lot more manageable. We will share your tips with the rest of the SKY community - sharing is caring!

Whatsapp us on xxxx, DM us on Facebook and IG, or drop off your tips at the SKY collection point at Arcades.

29

HOW TO BE

How to Deal with

A BOSS

Double Standards

By Precious Mwansa

Hey SKY girl!

Ever had a friend who criticizes you for the exact things they do? Or experienced a situation where you and your brother or male friend make the same mistake but you get a stiffer punishment? Or maybe your boyfriend has expectations or standards that he doesn’t fulfill himself?

WITH YOUR COINS 1

If you answered yes to any of these questions, what you experienced was a double standard. We know, sounds deep ey?

Here’s the 411 honey.

Basically, a double standard is when two or more things (people or groups) are treated differently when they should be treated the same way. Like when a boy is loud and confident, they say it’s a good thing. But when a girl acts the same, she’s told she’s too bossy. That is a double standard.

When it comes to financial independence we generally think it’s old people talk. But financial literacy and financial independence isn’t just for adults. YOU can start taking control of some of your own money decisions for a better future. Honestly, the earlier you start, the better! SKY Girls want boss moves, and what’s more boss than managing your coins? Taking control of your finances today gives you a headstart for tomorrow.

Here are 5 Money Moves you can start making right now, to become a boss with your coins and take control of your own finances.

Set some goals: You can’t win at money, or

2

anything for that matter if you don’t know where you are going. Decide what you want to do in the next one year. What do you need to do with your money NOW, to get there?

For instance, you want to go on a trip to Livingstone with your friends in December 2022. That’s a goal.

So, what do you need to do with your money now, to be able to go to Livingstone in December 2022? An example is to save a certain amount of money e.g.

K1,000 for the trip. A tip: it’s easier to save regularly then wait until you have all the money at once. So if your goal is to save K1,000 by the end of the year, break that down into small manageable chunks, like K20 a week.

$

3

We live in a world that can sometimes be unfair and we experience double standards in our friendships and other relationships.

SKY is here to help you deal with double standards when you experience them.

With these steps, we hope that the next time you experience a double standard, you’ll be able to deal with it like the boss babe you are!

Xoxo 30

Budget. Once you have your money, don’t just spend everything without thinking. Draw up a budget.

This is a tool that will tell your money where to go, instead of you wondering where it all went.

On the spending side, your budget must always start with your savings (and, if you have any, investments). Save part of everything you earn towards your goal. Remember our trip to Livingstone as an example.

Step 2: Ask the person who you believe is applying a double standard to explain why they did that. This will help you understand why they did what they did. Sometimes people don’t do it intentionally so this may help them realize it.

Step 4: Don’t internalize the double standard. That means, if someone has called you loud or bossy but that’s because you’re a girl, recognize that it really means you are assertive and confident. Flip it into a compliment so that you don’t get brought down by negativity within yourself.

have your goals set, find ways of earning some money. Maybe it's allowances from your parents and or guardians. Offer to do things in your family like babysit some baby cousins for a fee, do some extra chores or, ask if one of your family members who has a business can hire you part time at weekends. One of our faves, Lulu Haangala, said during school holidays she helped clean a neigbour’s home to earn extra money. What are you good at that you can make money from? You won’t only earn some money, but you also learn a skill you can use later in life. Remember that you will need to get permission from your guardians to work if you are below 18.

List your income and how much you are expecting.

When you finally get it, you can write how much you actually got.

Step 1: Make sure what you’ve experienced is a double standard. Here are some questions you can ask yourself. Are two or more things being treated differently? If yes, is there a valid reason for it? If not, then it’s a double standard.

Step 3: Tell them how it makes you feel and show them that it’s unfair. Stand up for yourself and never be afraid to speak your mind.

Earn some pocket money. Now that you

Next list other expenses and how much you think each will cost eg. Body spray, movies, talk time, etc. alongside that, note down the actual amount spent.

4

Save half of all the money you get. Save,

save, save. For every money you get, you want to put away some into a piggy bank or better, yet a savings account. There are many free student accounts in all the banks in Zambia. If you can, walk into a bank and ask what accounts are best for you. Ask your parents, guardians or older siblings to take you to the bank and open an account that you can save in. Saving in the bank is safer for your money, but also you get to earn some interest. This is where the bank pays you some cash on top of your savings for allowing them to keep and use your money when you do not need it.

5

This helps you see whether you stuck to your budget or not and how you can adjust next time. Practice budgeting every week or every month.

See SKY GIRLS budget template for you to use.

About the Author

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Have some fun. Money is serious business, but you are young and free so have some fun. Budget fun things into your finances so that you are not missing out. After all, the reason we are doing all this is to have a good life. Just remember to plan the fun, spend in moderation and focus on your goals.

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Our SKY big sister Jayne Mazimba is a marketing professional with over eight years banking experience focusing on the development and marketing of financial products as well as relationship management of key relationships in the Public Sector. She is an award-winning Personal Finance Educator and Financial Literacy Content Creator.

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Love yourself by nourishing yourself “Disability is not inability. Let us participate and not just be watching.”

Monica Munga

Feeling good on the inside is underrated. Many of us aren’t exposed to the importance of how physical health can impact our mental health. This means feeling good with enough energy to get through your day. One of the most important ways to achieve this is by choosing the nourishing foods that benefit you. Once you feel great you will see an improvement in your mood and in turn have a greater appreciation for your body. Focusing on how well your body functions instead of only how it looks is a great way to learn to love yourself.

A healthy body image is feeling happy and satisfied with your body. We all come in many shapes and sizes and health is not defined by the number on the scale or how we look physically. It starts with our lifestyle and the choices we make.

Having a healthy diet is one of the most important components to health. In fact, research has shown that a balanced diet is not only nourishing in terms of physical health but also mental health. This means a good diet equals a good mood. The food we eat nourishes us in such a way that it fuels the hormones responsible for better energy levels. For example, your happy hormone is increased when you eat well.

So, what is A well-balanced

and healthy diet?

A diet that includes foods from all the food groups is essential to providing all the nutrients we need for a happy body and mind. Try and include the following:

Wholegrains & Starchy Veg Choose unprocessed grains like Roller meal, Brown bread/rice or Whole Oats and sweet potato, potato, cassava & maize

Legumes

Groundnuts, beans, chickpeas (Aim for ½ cup 2-3 days of the week)

A full schedule of studying, socialising and family commitments isn’t easy. We need enough energy to get through our day, to be able to focus and perform our best. Eating healthy doesn't need to be difficult. Here are some quick and easy meals & snacks for you to try.

- ½ cup roasted groundnuts - 1 cob boiled maize - 1 fruit - 3 cups popcorn - 1 lump Roller meal Nshima + 2 cups cooked Rape leaves with onion & tomato + ¼ Chicken roasted - 1 cup cooked Brown Rice + 3 cups mixed salads + ¼ cup avocado + ½ cup mixed beans - 1 cup Oats Porridge + 1 tablespoons peanut butter + 1 tablespoon sunflower seeds

Top Tips

Fruit

Listen to your body – a growing body sometimes needs more on certain days of the week. Learning to listen to your body’s hunger and fullness cues is a great skill.

Vegetables

Don’t let social media control you. Fill your feed with body positive messages.

The diet industry (what we see as we scroll social media) is a trillion-dollar business and is designed to target our desires and emotions. – there is no perfect body type.

Diary & Eggs

Peer pressure- opinions don’t matter – do you and you will be happy, everyone has their own view- what people think of you is a reflection of their disposition.

Aim for 2 per day

Aim for half a plate at meals

Include 1-2 per day

Lean meats

Aim for 1 serve per day and remove fat and skin

Healthy Fats

Add to your meals for the taste factor (avocado, nuts, seeds and vegetable oils)

Extras

These can be including in a small portion 1-2 per week (sugary beverages, cakes, crisps, sausages)

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Watch out for aggressive marketing of convenience foods, these are often not nourishing.

Focus on developing long term sustainable habits- strike a balance and don't over restrict.

Watch out for trendy FAD diets- There is no such thing as one diet fits all. A diet that removes entire food groups should be the first red flag you look for. Follow science-based nutrition experts for advice, ot influencers.

Focus on what you can control- genetics play a big role in our physical appearance and the environment we live in can also be something we cannot change.

Try and focus on what you can control.

To feel good on the inside and out, nourish your body.

Follow me for more practical tips and bite size pieces of information @eatsmart_dietetics @eatsmartdietetics www.eatsmartdietetics.com

MY thing

Being social with people, Hard work and Discipline.

By Denise Cohen

MY thing

Jealousy, Pride and Greed.

MONICA Meet

The 400m runner grew up in Chipata, Eastern Province, and at the age of 12, Monica started her running career at the Magwero School for the Blind in Eastern Province. In just two years she advanced from the School Zones to the National Team, joining the National Paralympic Committee of Zambia (NPCZ) officially. This led her to her first participation in the under 20 African Union Sports Council Zone 5 Regional Games.

Following her mother's footsteps, guided by her love and support, Monica has been deeply inspired by her. She has had other influential inspirations like Annie Kayange a fellow albino athlete who bagged a gold medal during the under 20 Regional 5 Games in 2012 here in Lusaka when Zambia had the privilege of hosting.

Albinism is an inherited condition that leads to someone having very light skin, hair, and eyes. It happens because they have less melanin than usual in their body. Melanin is what gives skin, hair, and eyes their color. Except for vision problems, most people with albinism are just as healthy as anyone else.

This isn't widely understood in Zambia and leaves room for stereotypes and stigma, something Monica bravely speaks openly about. “I wasn't free with the environment because they couldn't understand my status. Not only that, I was not allowed to move alone for the sake of security, because of the people's beliefs that our body parts can be used for rituals.” A sad reality of the world we live in. Athletes like Monica are brave for not only going after their dreams, but doing it while facing other challenges! Despite these unimaginable hurdles, Monica

The golden girl

with a golden heart.

ripped the odds in half and qualified for the 2020 Paralympics by winning Gold.

Because my skin doesn't allow me to be in the sun, I can't spend much time in the sun. Sunscreen helps, but it's still a difficulty, so I make compromises with how much time I workout and push myself. "Unless I was in school, I was not training or pursuing my sports career at home."

Monica has an impressive collection of medals in her collection, a vibrant career where she gets to camp in regions like Tokyo, inspiring episodes on international platforms supported by the International paralympic committee, she is also doing teaching, studying home economics and hospitality with special education at the Zambia Institute of Special Education (ZAMISE).

“Good deeds. Remember me for all the good things I have done, my successes and my achievements.” is Monica’s response when asked how she wants to be remembered.

Monica is a God loving girl with a mission to break the stigma, leave an impact and educate.

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WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

I’m currently dating two guys and I’m trying to figure out who truly likes me or is into me but I feel a little guilty. How do I let the other down without hurting his feelings?

Often people can be attracted to more than one person at the same time. But as you seem to already know, whether you act on those feelings not only affects you, but the other people involved. In this case our advice is to follow the golden rule; to treat others as you would want to be treated. If you were in a situation where a guy was dating you and another girl, wouldn’t you want to know about it? Would you want to be in that situation? The first step is to be honest with yourself. Ask yourself what gap it is that you’re trying to fill by dating both these guys.

Then be honest with both guys. Because if you let one down, it’s likely the other will find out that you had been seeing them both, and you may end up losing both. There are so many layers to explore here. Are you sexually active? If you are, you are potentially exposing yourself and the two guys to risk of STDs. This would not be fair for the guys, who are not aware of this.

As for who to choose, instead of comparing the two guys with each other, think about who makes you feel more safe, comfortable and happy with yourself.

Consider your own feelings first and you will come up with the answer of who truly likes you. But be prepared for both of them to feel upset when they discover they are not the only one.

I feel like my whole word is falling apart because my parents are separating. I see them sad and angry and I just don’t know how to deal with it. I need help SKY.

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Sometimes when parents separate, they manage to work out their issues and come back together.

However, if they are unable to do this, then they can end up getting divorced. Remember that their decision to stay together or not has nothing to do with you. They are doing this because their relationship isn’t working anymore.

It’s a very hard situation for you to be in, and it can affect both your mood and your focus. It may even affect your concentration at school and your grades.

Talk to your parents and let them know how you feel and how you’re being affected by the situation. It’s natural for people to fall out and argue, but if you’re constantly witnessing them being sad and angry then the effect of this is something you should share with them. If your school provides counselling or your parents can find a counsellor for you to speak with, explore this option with them. You can ask your doctor for recommendations for a counsellor, or look on the Lusaka Helps social media pages too.

No matter what happens, always remember that they are separating because of their issues. It’s not your job to save them. They love you and always want what’s best for you.

Heya! How did you find the ninth issue of SKY?

So this guy and I have been friends for a while and I started to like him and told him how I felt. He unfortunately doesn’t feel the same way and now things are just awkward. How do I move on from the embarrassment?

First off, your friend not liking you back isn’t a reflection of your personal worth. He may be going through something, or he may just not see you in that way, and that’s okay. I’m sure you have had people who liked you, that you didn’t like back. This isn’t something to be embarrassed about. You were brave enough to show your true feelings and they weren’t reciprocated. Of course, it hurts, but always remember that the most important opinion about you is your own. If you truly were friends, you will find your way back to each other as friends and be able to work through any awkwardness around the current situation. For now, we suggest you ‘fake it ‘til you make it’ which means consciously pretending to feel fine while you are around him. Before you know it, it will come naturally and you genuinely will feel fine. Don’t give the situation the power to affect you - the power is in yourself!

Don’t forget SKY is for you, by you. So whatever you want to see in the magazine, tell us and we’ll try to include it. Maybe there is a celebrity you want to know more about?

Or maybe yout need advice on anything happening in your life. Also share your My Things/Not My Things and we might feature you in a next edition of the magazine!

It’s totally for you, by you, so tell any fabulous teens you know to join the movement!

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Hot FM and KWITHU FM every Saturday morning at 10:00am Komboni Radio at 14:00pm

Hey SKY, I don’t know how to deal with repeating an examination class especially grade 12? I thought I was going to be done and start a new journey.

Please help.

Repeating a grade, especially your final year in secondary school, can really bring you down and make you question your self-esteem. You had all these plans and now you must re-adjust while you watch your friends move on and it seems like you’re being left behind. There are a lot of circumstances that could’ve surrounded your not moving forward.

The last two years have put a mental and emotional strain on both adults and children, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic. So first give yourself credit for having come this far. Now you must look at how you got where you are and figure out where you need to adjust. Is it in time management? Do you need some form of structure for your homework and study plans? Do you need extra help? Or do you need motivation? Speak to your school and find out what kind of support structures they have to guide you through this final year, speak to your friends who passed Grade 12, what worked for them, see the study tips SKY has provided. You can also look at this as an opportunity to regroup and work towards your goals for both your final year and your future.

You will start that new journey you planned, believe in it and believe in yourself.

If you have a question, a comment or a shout out, post it on our Facebook wall and we might speak about it on the radio show ;)

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