Diva magazine issue 13 by The Diva Magazine

EMPOWERED TO INSPIRE

January 2015 - March 2015

YOUR BURDEN MY BURDEN CLARE AKAMANZI BEING PART OF TEAM RWANDA

EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION

EBOLA

STOCK MARKET

THE NEW HUNTING GROUND FOR WOMEN

FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS

UNDERSTAND YOUR MAN

Rose Busingye

A REALITY TOO GRIM TO IGNORE

COVER STORY

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editor’s note Dear Readers As we step into the New Year, I want to wish our entire esteemed readership a Happy and prosperous New Year 2015. 2014 was an event full year, full of pronounced growths as well as challenges. In this year we got our website revamped. Now you can access your online copy on www.thedivamagazine-rw.com. We also managed to have the magazine on Rwandair among our distribution outlets. You can now comfortably read your copy as you fly to any of the RwandAir destinations. A special thanks to our partners and the readership for the immeasurable support. We keep going because of the inspiration that we get. Here I would like to mention especially Rwandair and Rwanda Development Board (RDB) among others. Without you all, 2014 would have been an uphill journey. We appreciate and remain indebted to providing top, quality content to you. Welcome to the 13th issue. Here we are after four years of amazing support, In this issue we aim to inspire you to a life of sisterhood and brother hood by reading our devotion. Enjoy our cover story, Rose Busingye a female entrepreneur who is passionate about women and girl child empowerment and get inspired. Attitude is everything and Rose demonstrates how important it is to have a positive outlook towards life. Don’t miss out on the profile of Clare Akamanzi, she inspires women to be smart. Get to know about her personal story and career path. A lady who has demonstrated impeccable brilliance in promoting investment as COO of Rwanda Development Boards. This and many other women aspiring to be great entrepreneurs have stories that will teach you a thing or two. Enjoy our supplement on private sector alliance which tells of an opportunity to harness the public and private sectors through dialogue. Take pleasure in our usual columns on business, law, entrepreneurship, home décor, food and riddles for your children’s indulgence. We at the Diva will continue to look out for content that will inspire, enrich and open prospects in your various areas of interest. The Diva team wishes to thank all those who have contributed to the success of the magazine’s various issues by placing their adverts, supplements and articles in the Magazine as well as all those who took time to read the magazine and gave us productive feedback to make it the success it is today We look forward to yet another year of great accomplishments. We wish you a happy and prosperous new year 2015 as you embark on new beginnings. Lillian

THE DIVA

Jan 2015 - Mar 2015

PUBLISHER FALCON G. NDIRIMA EDITOR Lillian M. Ndrima

Your Burden My Burden

Rwanda’s Attempts at Competitiveness

Clare Akamanzi: Being Part of Team Rwanda

Stock Market: The New Hunting Ground for Women

Cover Story: Rose Busingye

Female Entrepreneurs

Special Economic Zone: Current Status

Understand Your Man

5 Tips on How to Run a Successful Business

Towards A Robust Economy:

Employee Recognition

Law & Business

Cybercrimes

Ebola a Reality too Grim to Ignore

Staying Healthy

Make Your Front Porch Ideal for Relaxation

Fruity Chicken Wings

Talk to Aunt Umulisa

Kids’ Corner: Riddle, Jokes, Why the Cheetah’s Cheeks are Stained

CONTRIBUTORS ANN ANJAO Oscar Kimanuka John Karanja John Maina Clare Ngang’a William KARAIGA Martha Ayuma EFUA HAGAN FRED NKUSI JUDITH ACHIENG KUSTOM

PHOTOGRAPHY Glance Media Ltd DESIGN AND LAYOUT GLANCE MEDIA LTD SALES & MARKETING

GLANCE MEDIA LTD

P. O. Box 4665 Kigali, Centenary House, 2nd Floor, Kigali - Rwanda

www.thedivamagazine-rw.com

All rights reserved. Production is whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited. The name The DIVA is a registered trademark of Glance Media Ltd. Liberty; while every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine the publishers cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of information herein or any consequences arising from it.

devotion

Your Burden

MY BURDEN By Anne Anjao

There is a story of a mouse that peeped through the crack to see a farmer and his wife unwrap a package. The mouse looked on excitedly, thinking something pleasant was afoot just to see it was a mouse trap! Retreating to the farmyard, the mouse proclaimed: There is a mouse trap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!

The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said, “Mr. Mouse, I can tell this is a grave concern to you, but it is no consequence to me, I cannot be bothered by it.” The mouse turned to the pig who said, “I sympathize with you but there is nothing I can do. Be assured you are in my prayers.” The cow was no better. He said, “Wow, Mr. Mouse, I feel sorry for you, but it’s no skin off my nose.” 6

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So the mouse returned to the farm house, head down and dejected, ready to face the trap alone. That night, a sound was heard like that of a mousetrap at work. The farmer’s wife rushed to see if the mouse had been trapped but she did not see that the trap had caught a venomous snake that bit her. Her husband rushed her to hospital and she returned home very feverish. Villagers recommended fresh chicken soup to cure the fever. The chicken died that day. But as

devotion days went by, the fever increased and being very caring neighbors, the villagers poured in in great numbers to offer their comfort. The farmer had no choice but to slaughter the pig to feed them. The farmer’s wife never recovered, and on the day of the funeral, the farmer slaughtered the cow to feed the mourners. From his crack in the house, the mouse looked upon all this with great sadness. The story above illustrates why God so abhors selfishness and lack of concern for others. The desire He has for the

world is that His creation must build a sense of brotherhood and good neighborliness. We cannot accomplish much as individuals who only care about ourselves, but together, operating in love, we can weather the many storms in life. The response the mouse got is typical of our response when we see a brother in trouble: It’s none of my business; I will pray; I feel sorry for you. Yet God wants us to go further than just feeling sorry and praying. He wants us to offer tangible solutions. If those animals had joined forces and come up with a solution for poor mouse,

the snake would not have been trapped and the farmer’s wife would probably be alive. When Ananias and Sapphira chose the selfish path of retaining part of the proceeds from their sales when everyone else was dealing honestly and generously, they were instantly struck dead. So next time your neighbor is robbed by gangsters, your neighbour’s son is doing drugs, your neighbor’s daughter is sleeping around, and you do nothing, remember, it’s a matter of time before all these catch up with you as well.

The poem below by Pastor Martin Niemoller sums up this message: First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me— and there was no one left to speak for me.

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Among the topics to be discussed are: • Gender & Development; Working with men for gender equality • Women and Communication - Flexibility • Gender Analysis & gender responsive planning and budgeting • The Opportunities and challenges as a media Entrepreneur & Journalist • Breaking down the barriers faced by women • Innovative Leadership • Women, Wealth & Wisdom

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business

Rwanda’s attempts at competitiveness in the face of adversity By Oscar Kimanuka Rwanda is today carefully and systematically applying the principles of competitiveness. Competitiveness is broadly viewed as a measure of any nation’s advantage in selling its products in international markets. Competitiveness has been used most recently to describe the overall economic performance of a nation with respect to the level of productivity and ability to export its goods and services. The idea is that, Rwanda, like a company, can study an industry, in this case tourism, analyze its potential clients, and pursue a niche with an “unbeatable product”. The ‘unbeatable product’ of Rwanda in this case is ecotourism, which is based on its variety of primates, an asset unique in the world. The North West of Rwanda happens to be a habitat for the mountain gorilla, and Southern Rwanda is home to thirteen other types of primates as well as the Nyungwe forests, one of the surviving high-altitude rainforests in the world. The mountain gorillas of the Virunga, where more than half of the world’s population live, are some of the rarest 8

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primates on the continent. It is worth noting that it was on the Rwandan slopes of the Virungas that the late Dian Fossey studied gorilla behaviour for almost two decades, and on these very same bamboo-covered slopes that the acclaimed movie, Gorillas in the mist was shot in 1988. Competition, as it has been observed “is not about cheap prices, cheap labour, or lowering taxes. Nor is it about accessing markets”. These elements are in fact part of competitiveness and integrate all of them toward the specific goal of producing and selling good-quality, highmargin products and services to demanding clients both at home and abroad. Holland is an interesting example that can inspire Rwanda. It has high-cost labour and no sunshine and yet it remains the world’s number one exporter of flowers. There are 12 research centers in horticulture in Europe and all of them are in Holland. Rwanda’s strategy is to understand the dynamics of

Jan 2015 - Mar 2015

tourism. Rwanda’s neighbours are all selling the same tourism experience—safaris. Rwanda appears to have learned that success in tourism is not measured in the number of arrivals of visitors. It is the receipts and not competition on safaris. So Rwanda’s tourism could not be mainstream. The starting point for Rwanda is therefore in the North West, home to the rare mountain gorillas. The number of tourists trooping to our parks is encouraging. It is not the mountain gorillas that this country’s tourism should be based on. The spectacular scenery with brilliant views over a beautiful mountain range, makes one realize why Rwanda is better known as the “the land of a thousand hills.” But to base tourism on gorillas alone is not enough to build an industry that generates employment for the average Rwandan. That is why Rwanda is also looking at attracting conferences, regional and international as part of the wider efforts to sell the country. Tourists who visit Rwanda are not only passionate about primates but also love the haunting

beauty of the countryside as well as the cleanliness and security. The country’s ecotourism product enables it to keep people in the country on average of seven days. The target here is not the backpackers with a shoestring budget. We are talking about surgeons from New York and big time business people with disposable incomes. These are people with money to fly in on private jets. These ecotourists are demanding. They want for instance to interact with scientists who understand the behaviour of primates. What all this requires is coordination and establishing infrastructure, training and education for tour guides and all those in the tourism industry. Already a lot in this regard is being done. Thanks to the efforts of the Rwanda Development Board and all those in the tourism industry! Oscar Kimanuka is a consultant in communications and visiting lecturer at the RDF Senior Command and Staff College, Nyakinama

profile

Clare Akamanzi Being part of Team Rwanda

By our correspondent

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profile Who is Clare Akamanzi?

I’m Rwandan and proudly so. I was born in Uganda and returned to Rwanda with my family after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsis. I am the fourth child in a family of six. Law is my profession having specialised in trade and investment. I am privileged to be in Rwanda’s public service as Chief Operating Officer of the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and I consider the responsibility to serve an honour.

Please share your educational background with the Diva readers and why you chose your discipline

I undertook my pre-university education in different parts of Uganda; the East, West and Central Uganda because my parents had grown up there as refugees. I later graduated in Law from Makerere University, which I followed up with a bar course at the Law Development Centre in Kampala. I cherished studying Law because it exposes you to analytical evidence-based thinking across different disciplines. We studied law in almost every sector: criminal, corporate, family, environment etc. I particularly enjoyed commercial law and law on taxation. I later obtained a Masters in Trade and Investment Law in South Africa and Amsterdam.

Briefly give us your work experience

I started working in 2004 as a trade expert in Geneva and then joined the Government as a diplomat mainly focusing on trade negotiations at the World Trade Organisation in Geneva. I later had a short stint in London as a commercial diplomat. I came back to Rwanda in 2006 where I was the Deputy Director General of the then Rwanda Investment and Export Promotion Agency (RIEPA) before RDB was merged with other institutions in 2008. I am extremely privileged in the responsibility bestowed upon me to continuously serve my fellow Rwandans and I am immensely thankful to our Leadership for entrusting me with it. I am learning a lot each day I serve and getting enriched by this unique exposure.

Rwanda was ranked position 46th out of 189 economies by the World Bank’s Doing Business rankings. What does that mean for Rwanda?

It is a very good vote of confidence in Rwanda’s business environment which we take seriously. The reforms have actually been very systematic and consistent under our leadership. It all started with a question by President Paul

Kagame on why we were among those at the bottom. His Excellency gave us all the support we needed to systematically reform the business environment. About 14 laws were reformed in the doing business framework. Commercial courts have been reformed and it’s one of the places we are doing well. We have made significant steps in easing the transfer of property and obtaining construction permits as well as ensuring that it takes just 6 hours to register a business. The government took this seriously because it is an opportunity to address the concerns of the private sector and to ensure its growth. Aside from this report, Rwanda is continuously reforming all areas of the economy, to make Rwandans more competitive and productive.

You have been recognised by various internationally reputable organisations such as the World Economic Forum and Forbes magazine among others, as the youngest and most influential personalities in Africa. What do you say about that?

These awards are in honour of the great leadership we continue to enjoy and the collective work that Rwandans display, resulting in real results whether politically, socially or even economically. Our generation is benefiting from a country that believes in its citizens and is working hard to ensure every citizen fulfil their full potential. When a team wins, each player is also a winner.

Many young women look up to you for inspiration. What advice would you give to women who wish to engage in business? Our leadership has provided us with a secure and Jan 2015 - Mar 2015

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profile conducive environment not only to live but also to operate businesses. Rwanda is full of opportunities. Find yours and exploit it fully with passion. Be curious and learn every day. There is so much we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know and so much untapped potential in each of us. When you find something, do it with full commitment, and invest hard work. When you fail, do not stay there, learn from it and move on quickly. Remain truthful to yourself and others. When you do all these things, life always has a way of rewarding you many times over.

the cost just like the single customs territory project has already done.

Please explain the role RDB plays in promoting development in Rwanda

Government recently introduced 4G LTE high speed connectivity to enable businesses to transact faster and the benefits are beginning to show.

RDB was created as a one stop centre to expedite private sector development and this was in recognition of the fact that the private sector is the most efficient engine of economic growth. We coordinate all government efforts in promoting businesses in the country. This involves reforming the business environment, supporting investors both local and foreign, developing SMEs and promoting exports as well as the privatisation of government assets among others.

What would you identify as Rwandaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main successes so far?

Rwanda has come a long way since 1994. We are a country recognised internationally for our work domestically in serving our citizens. The country is very stable economically and politically with visible improvements in the economy, health, education and in the governance sector. There is also peace and security, gender equality to mention but a few. More people than ever are engaged in business which has significantly reduced poverty levels. We are ranked by both the World Bank and the World Economic Forum as the 3rd easiest and most competitive economy respectively on the entire African continent. We have registered success undoubtedly but we are not complacent because we know we still have a long way ahead of us and so we keep our eyes fixed on the prize.

Every organisation experiences challenges. What challenges have RDB encountered that stand in the way of development?

We are addressing existing challenges in different ways as a matter of priority. For example our presence in the Northern corridor gives us an opportunity to mitigate challenges of being a land-locked country which otherwise increases the cost of transportation and of doing business. The ongoing Railway project from Mombasa Port to Rwanda is going to significantly reduce 12

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We have also attracted several energy projects that will provide more affordable and available power from methane gas, peat, solar and hydro resources. The projects we have already closed will provide up to 300 MW of power when in full operation while the ones in the pipeline could provide another 200 MW and we hope to conclude these deals in the near future.

At the institutional level, the management and staff of RDB are always seeking new ways to become more effective internally to have the right systems and also the right mind-set required to become even more efficient. At RDB, it is always about achieving more.

What has been your highest moment at RDB, professionally and personally? What has been your lowest moment?

Our highest moments in RDB are each time we sign a new deal. We see wealth creation, job creation and an increased tax base in each of these deals. These are truly the highest moments we have but we are even happier when we visit and see customers and employees in these new establishments. Our lowest moments are when projects take longer than planned to implement. We pay special attention to such projects findings ways to support them to resolve pending issues so that they are implemented faster. Our priority at RDB is to become ever more effective in expediting project implementation in order to attain the vision we Rwandans have set for ourselves.

trends

TREND OF The

New African woman In 1990’s, your typical brand image of an African woman consumer was one of a consummate homemaker: attractive, a large family (five to ten children), industrious husband, content with her domestic domain. Two decades later, you will beg to differ with this stereotype. Research carried out in Africa has shown that women have shifted from “housewife” to the “new woman.” You cannot afford to stay home anymore. As a woman, you simply do not have a choice. You have to earn a lot now to support a whole family. Brands should take note of this trend and focus their efforts on the new African woman consumer who has the following traits:

women in the developed world. Brands should capitalize on technology as being central to women’s lives. The demand for technological products like smart phones is expected to have a market value of $1 trillion by 2020 according to research.

2. Decision makers Women in Africa are the new decision makers both in government and in business. In a country like Rwanda, 64% of the law makers are women. They are also active leaders in all sectors of the nation. Brands should acknowledge this opportunity, declaring the rise of the “empowered woman” to be the biggest consumer trend affecting marketing plans. 70% of all global car purchases in developed and developing economies are made by women.

1. Tech savvy

3. Earning and purchasing potential

Women in some parts of Africa are upwardly mobile and like to save time while staying connected. They are spending more of their income on technology than

Success in Africa is being driven by women. Two thirds of the women are working in the informal and formal sector according to the World Bank. In some countries like

Kenya, women have started successful businesses, own and inherit property and have access to bank loans. This has in turn increased their purchasing decisions in the household. Many brands should focus on the 35-50 year market where women are professional, confident, often spending on luxury for themselves. Previously a lot of luxury was focused on men shopping for women. Women have income and power of choice as shown through what they are now purchasing.

4. Role Models The African continent has come of age to have women heads of state, Nobel peace prize laureates, Forbes wealthiest women and globally renowned female scientists, artists and entrepreneurs. This has been inspired by compulsory education programs that have boys and girls in primary and secondary schools in equal numbers. Brands should recognize the liberation of women that has resulted in massive consumer jumps. The continent’s economy has picked up and become more consumerist.

5. Buying into brands who understand them One of the biggest contradictions in the progress made by African women, and their position as consumers is that the pressure on them to conform to an ideal of “looking good” has grown rather than diminished. So within this context, brands should avoid stereotyping and alienating women with inappropriate or misguided perceptions of what they want and need. Previously you have witnessed the great changes in the roles of African women, which is taking place now at a smaller level, but the imperative remains for brands, whether overtly targeting women or not, to find a less patronizing, stereotypical tone. It may seem crazy to be debating how to engage African women in a cliché free-way, but brands continue to fail to do so, or avoid them entirely. This is a dangerous strategy when the new African woman consumer controls the majority of their household spending.

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business

Stock Market

the new hunting ground for women By John Karanja

How have your shares performed today? This question is more likely to be heard from a male voice than a femaleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. Why this is the case remains a mystery but according to several women I talked to, this is no surprise. Many women still struggle to understand how the stock market operates. There is a huge potential in that sector and the sooner women realize this, the better. Back in 2008 when the great recession took the markets by surprise, many 14

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ladies across the globe definitely suffered the most when their spouses sank into depression. It is difficult to understand how a share can gain a thousand points in seven months and then lose two thousand in a week. To many ladies, this is a risk too great and they are not ready to risk their hard -earned money in this type of investment. Adeline, a Kigali city young entrepreneur, sums up the horror, `I was once interested in buying sharesâ&#x20AC;?, she says, `A friend had advised me to consider investing in shares but then when the idea was

business

gathering momentum, the unexpected happened in 2008 and since then I washed my hands,” she continued. It’s certainly true that 2008 and 2009 were without a doubt nerve- wrecking years for stock investors. A stone drop in the Dow Jones average from just over 14,000 down to 6,626 was nothing but astonishing. However, today we are back to over 15,000, only six years later. Now, as a lady looking to get into the stock market, watching shares rise and fall may be your biggest nightmare. However, the best stock market investors don’t panic when shares fall. They just realize this is the time to buy more shares. When shares hit rock bottom, move quickly and get a bargain. This is what stock buyers do all the time. Many people may think you are crazy, but as a lady you just have to acquire guts and go for it. This certainly doesn’t auger well with investors

looking to offload some underperforming shares. Kigali securities exchange is doing well considering it has only been in operation for only few years now. This can be a good hunting ground for women in Kigali and the entire East Africa. More and more companies are expected to list as the business environment becomes more attractive for investors. Here are two areas a lady planning to invest in the stock market needs to understand; 1. Index funds and ETFsThis offers you the best chance to spread your wings and reduce the risk while at the same time giving you a window to continue investing whether shares rise or fall. Here it means that you just need to keep your money close to the counter ready to move to action when the drop indicator pops. A good stoke broker will be key. The companies

are always aware of which shares are worth your coin and which ones are a step too far. However, this should not limit your decisions. Move to action whenever you feel confident enough to do so. 2. A properly crafted investment portfolio will neither increase with equities nor disturb you with corrections. Rather, you will cash in as stocks rise and reinvest in them when prices fall, using new cash, dividends and interest inflows. The above two ways can offer you a continuous compounding return that investment experts look for. It also allows you to do it yourself keeping the cost and risk properly in check. All this will come if you plan carefully. Don’t follow the wind, it’s just passing. Plan, engage and consult the experts. A good approach increases your chances. Remember if you fail to plan it only means you are ready to fail.

The stock market provides a good place to invest your money. As a woman, don’t fear. Success goes to only those people who are willing to try and try again. And when you get into the stock market, you will never look back. That start-up may be a bit stressing and draining but in the long run it pays. The stock market like any other business doesn’t limit your horizon. You can invest whenever and wherever you want. Nairobi, Lagos, Kampala or Johannesburg can definitely offer you the opportunity you might be looking for. However, home is always best and Kigali stock market can only get better. Consult your stock broker today and then sit back and watch your investment grow. As they say, in money there is magic, whoever has money has a chance, so take your chance.

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cover story

ROSE

Busingye 16

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cover story

A life of no

impossibilities She became a millionaire in only six years “I did not have any background in business. I used to buy clothes and sell them during lunch time. I moved from one office to another selling to anybody interested.” By John Maina

She arrives right on time just as I am noting down the name of her shop (CREATIONS OF ROZA) clearly visible right across the street along Avenue de la Paix. One look at her, her brightly colored BMW and you begin to understand how well things are going for her. Rose Busingye is a proper definition of what is possible. She tells me the word ‘impossible’ means ‘I am possible’. It’s now six years since she started business. Her determination and hunger for success are palpable. A happily married mother of two (son-12, daughter-10), Rose tells me it was not easy to start business as a young mother. She was working as a Communication officer in a leading company in Kigali. This meant she had to balance work and family. She however had set a personal goal. “I had always promised myself that past a certain age I will not be employed,” she says. “I had this feeling that it was time for me to start. I did not have any money, and neither did I have anyone to talk to about my idea. I was however very optimistic about my idea. My strong faith in God also played a key part in my decision that time,” she continues. “You know as they say you can sit and wait for life to happen to you or you can choose to happen to life, I chose the latter,” she says.

Her choice of business was simple. This is because all her life she always wanted to see women look good. “All I wanted was to make girls and women around me look smart. It is what I felt would make me feel happy anytime I looked around.” Rose borrowed some money from friends and together with her savings, made a journey to Uganda. She says it was hard at first because she did not know what type of clothes would sell. On her way there though, she made up her mind and decided to buy dresses, office suits and trousers. She started by selling to her friends but later decided to hawk from one office to the other during lunch breaks. “I moved from one office to the other talking to people, showing them what I had. To my surprise, the reaction was very good. I felt encouraged. I made more trips to Kampala and sold more clothes,” she continues. Rose says she would sometimes get home so tired to the point of questioning why she was doing this anyway. She however says that even though her husband provided for the family, the drive to contribute to the family and attain some degree of financial independence as a lady pushed her forward. The business grew rapidly and it became necessary for her to open a shop for the convenience of her clients. Jan 2015 - Mar 2015

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“I had always promised myself that past a certain age I will not be employed,” This was not easy as shops in the central business district, which was her preferred location, were extremely expensive. She decided to partner with a friend who was also selling clothes in the same manner and together they rented a shop at Avenue de la Paix, just next to Mt. Kenya University town campus. The partnership lasted only a short time when she decided to go it alone. At this stage however, things started becoming complicated for her. Customers were asking for better dresses, better suits, skirts, tops, sweaters, jackets, shoes, clutches, sandals, handbags among others. She researched and researched again until the thought of Thailand hit her. This Far Eastern country was the only place she could get what the ladies were asking for. She went back to Mr. Google and asked more questions; which city, which market, what price, which hotel, how much until she was finally convinced that language was the only barrier she had to deal with on arrival. “I did not know anybody in Thailand. I was however determined to see my business grow. I was not ready to sit and watch as my customers came and went unsatisfied. The trip was ok and I can say it was another breakthrough in my business,” she says. Rose’s business grew phenomenally. Her clients were happier and generally satisfied. She made more trips 18

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and added more customers. She even added another employee. The clients told their friends and the friends told other friends. “I expanded the shop. Ladies came in one after another to shop for the best earrings, necklaces ,scarves, watches, dinner gowns, dinner dresses, shoes and sandals and many more,” she continues. The business is now doing very well with her source now expanded to the United States. Her clients keep coming. She tells me any lady will definitely not leave her shop empty handed. This is because there is everything that a modern lady needs. Rose’s business is now worth millions. She however can’t understand why it should be such a big issue to men when a lady prospers financially. “I think the reason why families break up is because ladies tend to let the money get to their heads and forget why they worked so hard to get it in the first place. Failure to handle success is clearly the genesis of family problems. As a woman, I work so hard to ensure that I contribute to the family. This however should not be used to undermine the role of the husband. He remains the head of the family,” she says. Despite her success, she understands only too well that family comes first.

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“My family has always been number one on my list. My husband and the two children are the first thing I think about when I wake up. Every morning I ensure I wake up before everybody else and prepare breakfast for the entire family. Am always the last to leave the house. In the evening, I ensure am home early enough to help the kids with their home work and perform my duties as a wife and a mother,” she adds.

She also calls on the government to consider tax exemptions for businesses started by women and young people for a period of at least three and half years to give them a chance to grow. This she says will encourage more women and young people to start businesses and create employment.

Business is going digital and ‘Creations of Roza’ has not been left behind. Rose is currently in the process of starting an online shop that will help her reach more clients out there. She plans to expand in the region and Managing a business and especially a start-up, comes diversify her business. She looks up to Oprah Winfrey with its challenges. Rose understands this only too well. According to statistics, three quarters of businesses don’t for inspiration. She says that even though she knows live to see the third birthday. She however has a word or she might not realize similar success, the journey Oprah followed and where she is today is phenomenal. She has two for women looking to start businesses. changed mindsets and inspired millions across the globe. Rose also encourages other women out there to come “I did not have collateral and I never thought of out and tell their stories and help make a change borrowing. This allowed me to manage the little money in the society. “I will be very happy if my I had. I re-invested my earnings and watched my story inspires another woman out business grow. It is simple. Avoid huge debts there. I know I still have a long way at the start of your business; don’t spend to go but I also know that I may money you don’t have and don’t borrow “You know as they be a step ahead of many women money you can’t pay,” she says. say you can sit and wait for life to happen who might be looking for such an encouragement to just kick start “It is also important to choose an area to you or you can their journey”. that you are passionate about. I have choose to happen always wanted to see women look good, to life, I chose the Rose is also Rwanda’s facilitator for dress well, look smart. I feel good when I latter,” Institute for Economic Empowerment see a lady smartly dressed. I am passionate of Women (IEEW). The organization about women and girl child empowerment. This trains women who are already in business means that I enjoy what I do and I don’t feel I can do on different issues related to business under the anything else. I want all women to feel appreciated”. program called PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS PROGRAM. She says the program is open to any woman who is Rose further insists on the importance of numbers. To currently operating any kind of business (must be able manage a business successfully she says, you have do to communicate in English). She enrolled for the program your math properly. You have to plan your success. It just a short time after starting her enterprise and she has will be very difficult to realize your goals if you don’t learnt a lot ever since. calculate your losses and know how to avoid the same next time. Finally, Rose says that above all, two things that really She says that the biggest obstacle to women out there is matter to her most is first her relationship with God the fear of failure. Many ladies according to her have the and secondly her physical health. “Am a member of the church choir and I never miss a church service wherever best ideas but are just afraid to make that all important step of starting. She encourages ladies to try taking risks am around. God has been my strength whenever the going gets tough. I pray for guidance from Him all the as that is the only way they will realize their time. Physical health is also very important. I make sure full potential. I work out every morning before I begin my day. It has helped me keep fit and fresh all the time. It also reShe however notes that there are some challenges that energizes your body and mind”. are difficult to avoid. The exchange rates for example can swallow a big chunk of your profits. She says that sometimes she is forced to wait for the currency to stabilize but it only seems to get worse. Jan 2015 - Mar 2015

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entrepreneurship

Female Entrepreneurs Race to Award Victory Entrepreneurs have been the pioneers of innovation for a long time. From small scale manufacturing industries that started humbly in someoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home to prototypes of ground breaking software that were designed on a laptop in a university dorm room. What makes entrepreneurship so crucial to development and innovation is that it can and does come in any shape or form. In Rwanda for example there has been a boom in the number of female entrepreneurs, almost everywhere you look there is a successful female entrepreneur leading industries that were historically reserved for men.

One is

of these industries is manufacturing. To date the industry still dominated by male entrepreneurs. However, female entrepreneurs are increasingly entering the arena of mass production. An example is GMart Manufacturing Company which is led by a female entrepreneur. The company manufactures and sells chalk sticks to be used in learning institutions. They are the only domestic chalk manufacturer in Rwanda and they aim to slash the number of low quality chalk that is imported into the country by producing a high quality chalk stick that is good value for schools.

There are some industries in Rwanda, such as the fashion industry that have been dominated by women. In the Kigali Fashion Week that took place a few weeks ago, most of the designers and entrepreneurs were women; not just to say women making and selling clothes for other women but rather women making and selling clothes for all. Moreover, some of the designers use cooperatives to bring their creations to life; these cooperatives are also mostly led and ran by female

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entrepreneurship entrepreneurs. Haute Baso, an up and coming fashion house that produces high quality accessories and interior design pieces is one of such companies. The 2 women behind the company use cooperatives to produce their creations. In the process they give cooperative members opportunities to refine their craftsman ship through trainings and artisan seminars. It is clear that now more than ever, female entrepreneurs are aggressively seeking opportunities to expand their businesses and reach their vision of success. An example of this is the Educat - GT Bank Entrepreneurship Award 2014. Educat is a Danish INGO that is based and operates in Rwanda. The 4th sector organization works with partners to provide entrepreneurs with different tools that enhance their success. Some of these tools come in the form of one on one business consultancies and post finance support, mentorship opportunities and access to

investment. For the second year Educat has teamed up with GT Bank, the bank of SMEs, to deliver a competition that has quickly become the biggest entrepreneurship competition in Rwanda. During Global Entrepreneurship Week, winning entrepreneurs will be award 11 million Francs in cash prizes, an airline ticket, 1 month free advertising on igihe.com and more. This year of the 12 country wide finalists, 6 of them are female entrepreneurs. The entire group of Kigali-based finalists are female entrepreneurs. “There was no positive discrimination when selecting the finalists. We set out to find only the best entrepreneurs for this program, it just so happened to be that out of the 200 or

so applications we received from Kigali, the most outstanding entrepreneurs just happened to be women” says Andreas Norlem, CEO of Educat. Different organizations in their various capacities have frameworks in place that empower female entrepreneurs such as preferential lending from financial institutions like GT Bank to encourage and empower more female entrepreneurs in Rwanda. These frameworks have undoubtedly aided the rise of female entrepreneurs but they cannot take full credit for the success of female entrepreneurs. These entrepreneurs have observed their daily surroundings and have found that there are needs that are currently unmet by other enterprises on the market. For this reason they have created their own solutions to meet these everyday needs. Uzuri K&Y a fashion line that is also one of the finalists in the Educat – GT Bank Entrepreneurship Award has created affordable footwear that is a fusion of western and local influences; something that was nonexistent on the market before. Similarly, Exclusive Media another female led enterprise is bringing indoor advertising solutions to businesses in Kigali and soon plans to extend their services to the rest of the country. Through their entrepreneurial mindset and identification and pursuit of opportunities, female entrepreneurs have managed to solve consumers’ needs, bring value to the market and achieve financial success. It goes without saying that a successful entrepreneur whether male or female is always an inspiration to watch. They inspire others to take the leap of faith and follow their passion. They show young people that job creation is an alternative to job seeking. Above all, when an entrepreneur is met with success it not only enriches them as an individual but also makes the community as a whole more vibrant. That is why entrepreneurship stakeholders all over are eagerly awaiting the finale of the Educat - GT Bank Entrepreneurship Award to see who will be named Rwanda’s next entrepreneurial superstar. Will it be one of the female entrepreneurs? Jan 2015 - Mar 2015

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business

Special Economic Zone current status By our correspondent

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Jan 2015 - Mar 2015

business Special Economic zones program is designed to provide investors with industrial and commercial land, improving on availability of electricity, transport linkages, market access and availability of skills. Provide designated, serviced land for small and large scale industrial development, as well as reliable, quality infrastructure, competitive fiscal regulations and streamlined administration procedures. SEZs will provide the opportunity to cluster anchor tenants with suppliers and other service providers, thereby creating jobs in skilled sectors and encouraging knowledge transfer.

Special Economic Zones are increasingly being used as an economic policy tool worldwide. They have the ability to promote private investment, industry and export growth as they offer quality infrastructure, streamlined business regulations and incentives to investors and businesses. Rwanda’s target is to escape the “commodity trap” by diversifying its exports into targeted products and services, innovating and increasing productivity, and serving higher margin, niche markets. To ensuring success in implementing the Special Economic Zones Program in Rwanda will significantly contribute to Rwanda’s Development Goals while ensuring proper resource allocation. This would then lead to a rapid growth of Industry, job creation and skills transfer, and increase in both domestic foreign investments while at the same time diversifying exports. Since this program was put in place, more activities were undertaken in order to move forward the Special Economic Zones program. These activities are related to regulatory framework, and development of Kigali Special Economic Zone and other potential zones around the country. The regulatory framework is progressing well and now, the program has reached the operational phase.

At the regulatory framework level, the Special Economic Zones Authority of Rwanda (SEZAR) has been established to regulate, coordinate, administer, and provide strategic planning and monitoring for Special Economic Zones in Rwanda in accordance with the Zones Law and Regulations. This Authority is based at the Rwanda Development Board. Legal instruments that have been formulated and enacted include the law No 05/2011 of 21/3/2011 regulating Special Economic Zones in Rwanda, a policy, ministerial order on licensing fees, ministerial order on negative list and Prime Minister’s order establishing the Special Economic Zones Authority of Rwanda (SEZAR). Furthermore, additional regulations were formulated and gazetted including those related to establishment of one stop shops in zones, users and operators’ rights, licensing procedures, among others. Still on the regulatory framework, some more regulations are still being worked on and pending more enactment and these relate to land use and management of the SEZ designated land across the country and more critically one on the SEZ fiscal policy that will guarantee the investors a more attractive investment package with differentiated investment incentives.

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business

Looking at the implementation, Kigali Special Economic Zone has been set up through the merger of former Kigali Free Trade Zone and the original Kigali Industrial Park projects.

â&#x20AC;&#x153; Special Economic Zones are increasingly being used as an economic policy tool worldwide â&#x20AC;?

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The whole zone is developed in two phases with the first phase made up of 98 Hectares while the second phase is made up of 178 Hectares (More details in Brochure) The first phase is fully booked and construction by individual investors is ongoing. The second phase is booked up to 80% meaning that only 20% of the available land is remaining. On infrastructure, the first phase is fully serviced with all the infrastructure up to 100% while the second phase is now at around 78% with more works on access roads, sewage and water provision. The procedure to obtain space (plot) starts with depositing your business plan and drawings with the Developer (Prime Economic Zones Limited PEZ) who, upon allocation of the plot will enter into a sale agreement with the user (Investor). Upon signing the sale agreement, the investor comes to SEZAR for the construction permit for which they pay a maximum of Frw. 60,000 per plot.

business

So far, there 61 companies in the first phase and 13 in the second phase. Two forms of incentives are considered in the SEZ program, the non fiscal and Fiscal incentives. The non fiscal incentives include the availability of serviced land, streamlined procedures and ease of Institutional collaboration. The fiscal one include tax exemptions which apply mainly to companies licensed as EPZ and Free Trade Zones. Here Import duties and VAT are exempt. The rest do benefit from the incentives provided under the current Rwanda Investment code. All companies can operate in the SEZs except those dealing in products and services that are mentioned in the negative list. These are items that are not allowed by law. Some of the examples of such items on the negative list include among other, the plastic paper products, fire arms and some chemicals. Looking at the implementation also Export Processing Zones (EPZ) is one of the components of special economic Zone which is in operations and in progress.

Looking at the implementation also Export Processing Zones (EPZ) is one of the components of special economic Zone which is in operations and in progress.

EPZ means a designated part of the customs territory where any goods introduced are generally regarded, for purpose of import duties and taxes, as being outside the customs territory but are restricted by controlled access.

Jan 2015 - Mar 2015

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business PROCEDURES & REQUIREMENTS

l) Adequate lighting for security purposes;

1. Application letter addressed to the Head of Special Economic Zones Authority (SEZAR); requesting a License to operate the Export Processing Zone.

m) The EPZ should have one single entry gate;

2. Pursuant to section 169 of the Customs Management Act, the operator of an Export Processing Zone shall be required to provide the following requirements in the designated area:

a) The applicant shall have a rental contract whose duration is longer than the duration of the license applied for or furnish a proof of ownership of the premises;

n) The EPZ operator shall be required to give security in the amount not being less than the duty chargeable on the goods, for the due arrival and re-warehousing of goods within such time as the proper officer may consider appropriate. The application to Develop, Operate or as a user with EPZ status shall satisfy at least the following requirements: 1 Fill out a prescribed form;

b) Fence-structured premises of at least 2 meters high;

2 Engage in one of following activities: Manufacturing, commercial and service activities for the sole purpose of producing goods or services for export (at least 80 per centum quota).

c) Inside EPZ shall have concrete or cemented ground/ floor;

3 A feasibility study and business and financial plan depending on the proposed area of activities.

d) Suitable offices with all facilities for Customs and other stakeholders;

4 Payment of a non-refundable fee for each application (Developer, Operator or EPZ Enterprise of USD 2,500 paid annually.

e) A computerized system in place capable of generating arrival notices of goods; f) Systematic procedure of Entry and Exit of goods in the EPZ; g) Electronic weighing equipment approved by competent authorities; h) Provide keys and locks for securing the doors at the EPZ; i) Provide all necessary labor and materials needed for treatment, sorting, packing, examining, weighing and storing; j) Provide insurance for the goods inside the EPZ; k) Keep records of all types of plant, machinery and equipment, raw materials and goods manufactured in the processing zones and keep that record at all times available for examination by the proper officer;

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Jan 2015 - Mar 2015

relationaships

under

stand your man

By Jesse Kimani

The mystery of who men are will not end soon I guess. Most ladies tend to think that guys are always easy to understand and to decipher until they meet that one guy that they like but whom they quite don’t understand. Guys are awesome, but sometimes, they really don’t make sense, or maybe their sense of humor is different. Well, that’s just guys being guys. And though no two guys are the same the following can be general ways to decode if a guy is really into you.

1. Determine how the guy looks at you If the guy is looking at you with a sparkle in his eye, in that “I want you to want me” kind of way, he’s obviously crazy about you. He’s probably so busy concentrating on you that he’s not even aware of what he’s saying or doing. This is good for you, as it means

that whatever comes out of his mouth is likely to be honest and undisguised.

2. Listen to the tone of voice he’s using When a guy really likes you, his tone of voice changes to a deep, calm and more reassuring voice. The way he talks to you is not the same way he will talk to any other lady. He will almost always address you calmly even when he is angry as his bias towards you always calms him down. This however depends on how comfortable a guy is with you as some tend to have a shaky voice depending on their levels of nervousness.

3. Determine how much the guy is talking to you If the guy you are dating talks continuously, it may not be because he’s totally in love with himself. He may be nervous around you because he really likes you. Most guys also work hard to try and impress a lady and they will try to crack jokes in order to make you laugh so that they know if they are making any progress with you.

4. Look for body language A guy’s body language will in most cases give him away since he becomes more touchy and anxious when he really likes you. He will always

find something to keep his hands busy or will be fidgety whenever he is talking to you and can barely hold a gaze.

5. Determine how much the guy hugs you If a guy hugs you, he definitely likes you enough to show his feelings. There is also a consistency to the hugs and he will always linger and hold you tighter. You should however beware of perverts. But ladies should also beware of players/Casanovas as they have perfected their art and will in most cases lie with straight faces. These fellows know just what to say to turn ladies into putty.

Jan 2015 - Mar 2015

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business

5 Tips

on How to Run a

Successful Business By Kustom

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Jan 2015 - Mar 2015

business Capital

Human Resources

Money does indeed make the world go round therefore to assume that one can start a business without capital is just another fool’s errand. If I may be blunt, the best comparison I could make is the attempt to drive a car without fuel. (At the very best you will only push it a few meters ahead.) Capital is the heart of every business; it’s what keeps the lights on, the wages paid and the shelves stocked. We often fool ourselves that raising capital is easy especially with all the banks around that are scrambling for borrowers but just remember that if you take that path then your business belongs as much to the bank as the money they have lent you belongs to you.

Your work force is the face of your company and the driver of its growth. Their actions directly affect how and what your clients perceive of your business. If your staff isn’t professional, the ripple effect is that your business isn’t professional either and so it goes without saying that you must train them well and as frequently as possible but what most employers tend to neglect is keeping their staff happy. It does take much but it makes all the difference. An acknowledgment of good service and an extra day off work or even a small bonus can do the trick. It’s more of the gesture rather than the act itself.

Business Plan Business in some ways is similar to a building. In other words, just as it is a prerequisite to have an architect design the building and provide a construction plan, I can’t even begin to describe the importance of a business plan; It is the vision of the company, it’s birth, present and future. It lets you know how much you need to spend thereby determining how much you need to charge. It combines a series of market research studies with well thought out financial projections that ultimately help you determine what the right investments to make are.

Re-Investment It’s always important to separate the business from the personal especially where finances are concerned. The profits from your business belong to the business and must be re-invested if you hope for the company to grow. If you have to, assign yourself a fixed salary that is payable when you are making profit and adjust it accordingly depending on how much you make. Profits aren’t meant to finance your holidays or hobbies. They say the rich save then spend what’s left and it’s no different with business.

Time The person who came up with the saying time is money must have really been smart because he couldn’t have been more accurate. Most of us are lured into business by the illusion that business or self-employment is easier or offers more convenience and lifts off the pressure that comes with working for others. What we remainoblivious to, is the fact that we are trading in one boss for multitudes. It is true that to build oneself is more rewarding than doing the same for others but let’s not forget that it also takes its toll. So as you match to RDB to register your company, please be prepared to treat it as you would your child by giving it your undivided time and attention up until the moment it’s fully grown.

Jan 2015 - Mar 2015

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business

Towards a Robust Economy: Public- Private Sector Alliance By out chief correspond

By 2020, Rwanda should have attained an average annual economic growth rate of 11.5%, created 200,000 off farm jobs, increased exports to a tune of 28% per year and boosted household per capita incomes to1240 dollars. And for this dream to become a reality, the private sector will have to take the driver’s seat while government takes According to David Primack, an economist and Executive on the facilitation role hence the need for a structured Director for the International Lawyers and Economists Public -Private Sector Dialogue. (PPD) Against Poverty (ILEAP), PPD dialogue is fundamental for any modern economy. Being able to establish a robust and active PPD is a key advocacy tool in any highly functioning economy. Francois “It’s a fundamental tool in the tool box, for government Kanimba, Minister for Trade and Industry, is among to engage the private sector so that they are able to those who believe that for the country to attain a strong identify those areas where they can partner and work economy, both government and the private sector must together but most importantly work towards addressing work together, dialogue, listen to each other and most those constraints that are acting as impediments to the importantly partner to fast track economic development. progress of the private sector.” 30

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business

Many analysts believe that through PPDs, government will be able to understand the kind of incentives to offer to the private sector. “Incentives require government to create and embrace public private dialogue eco systems aimed at promoting efficiency and transparency in the implementation of investment projects,” James Cercone, President and Founder, Sanigest International, said. “How you marry government’s needs with private sector needs which take the majority of the risk in anticipation of a greater return is critical for Rwanda’s development,” he added. Steve Mutabazi, chairman Africa Olleh Services is of the opinion that the government must think like a private investor to fast track economic development. “You don’t simply give incentives and stop there. However, by thinking like an investor you will be able to fully appreciate what it is that investors want,” Mutabazi noted. Prior attempts to launch a unified PPD in Rwanda have had mixed reactions with challenges but for which the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) is tirelessly engaged in seeking solutions. Through their umbrella, the Private Sector Federation (PSF) as a medium of advocacy, PPD has been given the priority as a key ingredient and the only way both government and the private sector can partner to fast track economic development. It is through this PPD structure that has made it easy for RDB to coordinate issues among the public stakeholders, while PSF concentrates on the private sector content.

The role of RDB and Government Because of the potential and the confidence government has seen in its private sector, RDB has come up with a more inclusive, well streamlined and coordinated new public private sector dialogue structure. This structure, according to Francis Gatare, the Rwanda Development Board’s Chief Executive Officer, will

Mr. Francis Gatare - CEO OF RDB

not only help streamline PPD but also make it more responsive and action- orientated so that it creates a robust impact on the country’s economic growth. According to Mr. Gatare, the Government of Rwanda has come up with a number of initiatives such as the Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy, the Private Public Dialogue mechanism and through strengthening higher learning institutions and human capacity to support the country’s economic agenda. Daniel Nkubito, RDB’s Expert on Public Private Dialogue says there is evidence that through the joint Secretariat, the new structure is proving to be an effective mechanism in terms of influencing decision making, coordinating research and most importantly availing a platform that is well designed that will push stakeholders towards successful outcomes. Today, the government through its planning process has initiated the budgetary process in consultation with the Private Sector where the challenges and needs are highlighted beforehand such that the planning process can respond to the needs of the versatile business atmosphere as opposed to the previous one- sided planning approach that was not reflecting the other side’s interest. This structure addresses a major challenge of PPDs - the lack of consistent organizational leadership, which makes it suitable for both the public and private sectors to Jan 2015 - Mar 2015

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business

Hon. Vincent Biruta - Minister of Natural Resources

dialogue in detail, based on co- chair and co- share principles.

The Joint Secretariat – the PPD hub The Joint Secretariat – the PPD hub The hub aims at consolidating many of the functions of the initial structures to ensure efficiency and transparency. It is envisaged that getting both PSF and RDB on the same table will also help leverage on the opportunities especially in areas of research and advocacy, according to Gerald Mukubu, the Acting Chief Executive Officer, PSF.

PPD Structures and Platforms To reduce the Joint PPD Secretariat burden, some issues can be channeled through the PSF employee in Linking Farmers to Market (LIFAM), the newly elected PSF President at the district level and a woman entrepreneur who operates business in the district. On the side of the public, there is the Joint Action Development Forums Permanent Secretary who looks after the interest of district development plans of all the constituencies including the District Investment and Cooperatives Office and the Business Development Employment. To increase efficiency, the structure is organized in such a way that issues will be addressed at the local level through PSF local strategies and district local authorities. However, if inadequately addressed, the issues will be channeled to the RPPD Secretariat for consideration. The Secretariat may support the local level PPD in various ways or consider the issue for the High Level PPD Platform decision.

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The new structure allows the secretariat and Joint Advisory Board made of RDB and PSF CEOs to manage and reserve those issues that require national attention that were not resolved by the primary RPPD organs for presentation at the PPD Summit.

Achievements so far According to official statistics, through intensive dialogue and lobbying, PSF has been able to register incredible achievements. From the benefits of the implementation of the single customs territory which is saving up to $25million to the scrapping of VAT (18) on international calls , it clear that no one can underestimate the power of public private sector dialogues. Through PPDs, government has scrapped off VAT on service exports, removed import duty on vehicles (buses, and coasters), established district forums, with the inclusion of the PSF president in District Councilors Committees, repaid the late payments arrears to the entrepreneurs and removed 5% import duty on imported trucks among many other achievements.

career

Employee Recognition Reduce Turnover, Improve Customer Relations By Clare Ngangâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;a

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Jan 2015 - Mar 2015

career It’s no secret that organisations face high turnover rates and the cost of replacing an employee is high - sometimes up to 10% of the employee’s salary. Research also shows that motivated employees can have a strong impact on your customers’ experience. Happy and engaged employees are undeniably linked to more satisfied and loyal customers, which leads to growth and profitability. Below are the top ten ways you can bring employee recognition to your workforce.

Recognize achievements and contributions:

Encourage creative thinking:

Get to know your staff: Remember your team is human first, employees second. So get to know them personally by asking them questions. And when you find out what motivates them the most, look for ways to incorporate that into your recognition strategy

Whether it is through elaborate employee appreciation events or simply providing treats during a break, your team will remember the fun times when they might be having a rough day. This can make all the difference to someone considering a job change.

Be transparent:

Don’t focus on the negative. People are more apt to respond to positive cues than negative. Like the old adage says, you are likely to catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.

Celebrate successes:

Going beyond individual recognition, it is important to publically celebrate your teams’ successes. Did you exceed your quarterly sales goals? Don’t wait until the end of the year to celebrate everything, treat each success as its own special accomplishment.

8 2

Listen to your employees’ ideas and implement them when you can. This helps to build a more collaborative and innovative work environment.

Make work fun:

Provide positive reinforcement:

Be flexible with scheduling:

Annual review time is not the only time when you should acknowledge the work of your team. Take time regularly to recognize people individually. When possible, offer recognition on-the-spot to link the praise with the behavior.

Provide a clear picture of your company’s vision, mission and strategy. Not only will this help your employees understand the direction the company is taking, but will also help them to project your vision and mission with customers.

Work with your employees and do your best to accommodate their individual needs. Doing this can help illustrate to your team how much you value their work and dedication.

Let employees have freedom, but hold them accountable:

Do you really need to have strict rules in place? Or do you trust your employees to know how to act professionally? You hired them to be the face of your business. Show them that you believe they know how to do what is best for the customer and company.

Provide growth opportunities:

Give your people the opportunity to attend industry events, conferences or training programs. Not only will they learn new things, but they will also have the opportunity to socialize with their co-workers and industry peers. Events are a great place to spark innovation and ideas.

While most people say they would work harder for extra cash, according to research, non-cash rewards are more motivating. Tangible/non-cash awards elicit more frequent visualization, which leads to both greater performance and higher goal commitment. While the assumption is often made that low-income earners are best motivated by cash, it is clear that tangible rewards still have a greater impact on desired business outcomes. Cash quickly becomes an entitlement, whereas non-cash rewards provide long-term motivation.

Jan 2015 - Mar 2015

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law

LAW & BUSINESS By William KARAIGA

Law is an instrument of necessity. If you didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have any law to dictate what kind of business you could create and how you could run it, I believe business power would probably be in the hands of a few. Business ethics and the law are two interrelated terms that can exist independently of each other when it comes to business, yet intersect in various vital aspects. This is due to the fact that most times ethical considerations are also legally enforceable. This is not always the case though, because some ethical considerations in business are more like an unwritten code based on basic morality that is assumed to be common. One of the examples of a situation where business ethics and the law interconnect is in the area of contracts in business. Morality or ethics dictates that when two or more parties agree to something they should honor the

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law agreement unless there is some form of mitigating circumstance that makes it unjustifiably difficult, or even impossible, to fulfill the agreement. However, this is not always the case since some parties to an agreement often find a way of extricating themselves from the performance of an agreement. Fortunately or unfortunately, this type of act is

in a football game, the law keeps things fair. And even though it interferes a little bit with the game and it upsets at least one side of the game, it still is important and, when it’s working correctly, it will keep things going. But it can also slow things down and make things less enjoyable.

We need it because it puts everyone on the same page. Law is one of the lubricants that keep the system of businesses go smoothly. For every system to be running smoothly, trust is required. Trust gives you not only the ability to sleep at night ethically wrong, but it is knowing that what you also a violation of the law say or what you agreed of contract and the injured upon is actually the case. party may seek redress For instance, in the stock from a court of competent exchange market where jurisdiction. shares are bought and sold, the real owners As a law of the shares are student, I not around at see law the time of as when two transactions: both or more there has parties agree to be trust to something there. they should

honor the agreement

friend and foe. The law is a powerful tool that can be used proactively to help business but it can also be wielded as a weapon against business. Over and over again, like the referee

motivation and incentive to innovate and create and be productive knowing that there is protection if someone doesn’t play by the rules. Law promotes efficiency and fairness. Moreover, Law

The law says, “I can help you and I can The law is protect a powerful you and tool that I can can be used guide you proactively to through help business this whole process. I’m really smart, establishes but I’m really what we difficult to deal with and I call moral balance in speak a different language. society. The goal of law I’m really expensive and is to set up a framework I have all these different in which values can be personalities and no one created. This way, human really understands me.” rights are preserved Finally, we need and the basic to understand doctrine that law levels and the playing field, morals of draws lines, sets society can be

Law promotes

entrepreneurship because people have this irrational belief that they’re still smart enough and capable enough to create something great in the world. Law gives companies the

Testament, where God wasn’t forgiving or easily understood, was not necessarily consistent, created people, killed them all off and was angry. This is far from the reality of the value of law.

preserved. Law sets the rules of the game and defines morality from a public policy point of view. Some people feel that the role of law was similar to God in the Old

boundaries in business and society, and gives direction. It creates security and is comforting. Law acts as protector and enforcer. You don’t want to have any big meltdowns hence your boundary systems must keep you inside the law.

Jan 2015 - Mar 2015

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law

To what extent does Rwandan law protect children from

cybercrimes? By Fred Kennedy NKUSI

According to the most recent report by the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (“CCPCJ”) “focusing on the growing problem of cyber crime against children”, there is an alarming increase in the misuse of technology in the abuse and exploitation of children in this digital age.

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Jan 2015 - Mar 2015

law The Report highlighted that with nearly two billion internet users worldwide, there are “greater opportunities [for criminals] to entrap new victims, including children. Specifically, new information technologies are being misused to commit crimes, such as (a) child exploitation; (b) production, distribution, and possession of child pornography; (c) exposure to harmful content; (d) grooming, harassment, and sexual abuse; and (e) cyber bullying and sexting. Children are particularly vulnerable to the exploitation of online predators because they rely heavily on networking websites for social interaction. Offenders use false identities in chat rooms to lure victims into physical meetings, thus connecting the worlds of cyber and physical crime. When this happens, virtual crime often leads to traditional forms of child abuse and exploitation such as trafficking and sex tourism. It is widely believed that exposure to certain content and easy contact with criminals online may affect the integral development of children. And once information and images are online, they remain online forever and are available to an increasing number of persons. Like many countries across the world, Rwanda is not immune from cyber-related offences committed against children. Given the current level of internet usage in Rwanda, children are not

barred from accessing internet, especially in cybercafés or from homes. To date, there is no specific law regulating ICT, regarding when and how internet can be used by children. Even the existing Penal Code simply envisages prohibition of child pornography, where Article 230 provides that “any person who displays, sells, rents, disseminates or distributes pornographic pictures, objects, movies, photos, slides and other pornographic materials involving children shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of more than five (5) years to seven (7) years and a fine of five million (5,000,000) to twenty million (20,000,000) Rwandan francs.” Clearly, the provision is short of specifying internet child pornography. Indeed, lack of an ICT law and policy is a big lacuna in providing an effective protection against online child abuse. Another loophole lies in the Convention on the Rights of the Child (“CRC”) which also does not explicitly prohibit online child abuse. The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography is directly on point and supplements the CRC’s goal of generating State policies that are in the best interests of children. Also relevant to this area is the International Labour Organization’s Convention concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the

Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour. The availability and use of Social Networking Sites (SNS) (such as Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, Spring. me, Ask.fm etc) brings both opportunities and risks to their young users. As the Council of Europe put it recently in their Recommendation on the Protection of Human Rights with regard to social networking services, SNS have “a great potential to promote the exercise and enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms, in particular the freedom to express, to create and to exchange content and ideas, and the freedom of assembly” (Council of Europe, 2012). However, SNS allow users to communicate through status updates, through messages on ‘walls’ or through instant messaging, to share photo or video fragments, and to connect with old or new ‘friends’ a risky venture. Cyberbullying has been defined as “the use of Internet or other digital technologies to harm or harass other people in a deliberate, repeated, and hostile manner by sending or posting harmful materials.” Sexting has been defined as “youth writing sexually explicit messages, taking sexually explicit photos of themselves or others in their peer group, and transmitting those photos and/or messages to their peers.” SNS are one environment in which this can happen. A number of remarks can be made with regard to this phenomenon.

The most obvious way forward here is to enroll the help of the Internet Service Providers (ISPs) who give access to the Internet and are thus the natural “gatekeepers” to the Internet. If ISPs can be persuaded to block access to illegal content such as child porn, by whatever means, then the problem becomes a much simpler one for governments to solve. The most obvious way to do this is to place liability on ISPs if they are found to be hosting or distributing the illegal content in question. Proper legislation is the foundation for the investigation and prosecution of cybercrime, including child abuse. However, lawmakers must continuously respond to internet developments, especially given the speed of developments in network technology. The main challenge for Rwanda, like many national criminal legal systems, is the delay between the recognition of potential abuses of new technologies and necessary adoption of law specifically addressing cybercrimes and computerrelated offences. If Rwanda is conscious of providing effective child protection against all forms of cyber offences, three paramount issues must be worked on: identification of gaps in the Penal Code; drafting of new legislation on ICT; and mandatory revelation of anonymous internet users by the Internet Service Providers (ISPs).

Jan 2015 - Mar 2015

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health

EBOLA

A REALITY TOO GRIM TO IGNORE By Anne Anjao

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Jan 2015 - Mar 2015

health This time however, the world is watching apprehensively since America’s Centre for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) confirmed on September 30, 2014, the first laboratory-confirmed case of Ebola to be diagnosed in the United States in a man who had traveled to Dallas, Texas from Liberia. He did not have symptoms when leaving Liberia, but developed symptoms approximately four days after arriving in the United States. By October 23rd, two healthcare workers who had handled him had been diagnosed with Ebola. The world is in shock due to the catastrophic death toll, hitherto unseen. Ebola continued spreading its tentacles when in October 2014, a nurse in Spain became the first person to contract the deadly virus outside of West Africa, after treating two Spanish missionaries who had eventually died of Ebola in Madrid. According to BBC News Africa, so far 4,922 people have succumbed to the disease: Liberia 2,705 ; Sierra Leone 1281; Guinea 926; Nigeria 8; USA 1; Mali 1. The first reported case of Ebola was in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1976 where 280 people died. Since then Ebola has claimed lives in countries such as Sudan, Uganda, Gabon, South Africa and Russia. The 2014 outbreak is the worst ever recorded and has claimed more lives than all previous outbreaks combined. What has compounded this situation is that infections are spreading from country to country. Moreover, the most heavily affected countries are poor countries that face serious financial challenges in combating the disease. America has had to come to the aid of Liberia by sending 3,000 troupes who include engineers and medical personnel. It is therefore important that everybody understands the disease and the potential risks associated with it. It has become everybody’s problem. Worth noting is the fact that several countries have taken serious measures to screen arrivals, especially from the most affected countries. Ebola checks are conducted where one is required to fill a form and the temperature taken. Those found with fever are taken to the isolation room for further checks. In Nairobi, travelers take away a flier containing the most important information about Ebola.

Transmission • It is thought that fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family are natural Ebola virus hosts. Ebola is introduced into the human population through close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of

infected animals such as chimpanzees, gorillas, fruit bats, monkeys, forest antelope and porcupines found ill or dead or in the rainforest. • Ebola then spreads through human-to-human transmission via direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes) with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people, and with surfaces and materials (e.g. bedding, clothing) contaminated with these fluids. • Health-care workers have frequently been infected while treating patients with suspected or confirmed EVD. This has occurred through close contact with patients when infection control precautions are not strictly practiced. • Burial ceremonies in which mourners have direct contact with the body of the deceased person can also play a role in the transmission of Ebola. • People remain infectious as long as their blood and body fluids, including semen and breast milk contain the virus. Men who have recovered from the disease can still transmit the virus through their semen for up to 7 weeks after recovery from illness.

Symptoms of Ebola virus disease The incubation period, that is, the time interval from infection with the virus to onset of symptoms is 2 to 21 days. Humans are not infectious until they develop symptoms. First symptoms are the sudden onset of fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. This is followed by vomiting, diarrhea, rash, symptoms of impaired kidney and liver function, and in some cases, both internal and external bleeding (e.g. oozing from the gums, blood in the stools). Laboratory findings include low white blood cell and platelet counts and elevated liver enzymes.

Treatment and vaccines Supportive care-rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids- and treatment of specific symptoms, improves survival. There is as yet no proven treatment available for EVD. However, a range of potential treatments including blood products, immune therapies and drug therapies are currently being evaluated.

Prevention and control • Good outbreak control relies on applying a package of interventions, namely case management, surveillance and contact tracing, a good laboratory Jan 2015 - Mar 2015

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health

Figures accurate from 4-6 October, depending on country. Death toll in Liberia includes probable, suspected and confirmed cases, while in Sierra Leone and Guinea only confirmed cases are shown.

• Reducing the risk of wildlife-to-human transmission from contact with infected fruit bats or monkeys/ apes and the consumption of their raw meat. Animals should be handled with gloves and other appropriate protective clothing. Animal products (blood and meat) should be thoroughly cooked before consumption. • Reducing the risk of human-to-human transmission from direct or close contact with people with Ebola symptoms, particularly with their bodily fluids. Gloves and appropriate personal protective equipment should be worn when taking care of ill patients at home. Regular hand washing is required after visiting patients in hospital, as well as after taking care of patients at home. • Outbreak containment measures including prompt and safe burial of the dead, identifying people who may have been in contact with someone infected with Ebola, monitoring the health of contacts for 21 days, the importance of separating the healthy from the sick to prevent further spread, the importance of good hygiene and maintaining a clean environment.

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Jan 2015 - Mar 2015

SUMMARY (Key facts) • Ebola virus disease (EVD), formerly known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever, is a severe, often fatal illness in humans. • The virus is transmitted to people from wild animals and spreads in the human population through human-to-human transmission. • The average EVD case fatality rate is around 50%. Case fatality rates have varied from 25% to 90% in past outbreaks. • The first EVD outbreaks occurred in remote villages in Central Africa, near tropical rainforests, but the most recent outbreak in West Africa has involved major urban as well as rural areas. • Community engagement is key to successfully controlling outbreaks. Good outbreak control relies on applying a package of interventions, namely case management, surveillance and contact tracing, a good laboratory service, safe burials and social mobilisation. • Early supportive care with rehydration, symptomatic treatment improves survival. There is as yet no licensed treatment proven to neutralize the virus but a range of blood, immunological and drug therapies are under development. • There are currently no licensed Ebola vaccines but 2 potential candidates are undergoing evaluation.

Source: World Health Organization and BBC News Africa

service, safe burials and social mobilization. Community engagement is key to successfully controlling outbreaks. Raising awareness of risk factors for Ebola infection and protective measures that individuals can take is an effective way to reduce human transmission. Risk reduction messaging should focus on several factors:

health

EBOLA INFORMATION FOR

Travellers from Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea Conakry are not permitted into Rwanda. Returning Rwandan residents travelling home from those countries are allowed, but are placed in quarantine for 22 days upon arrival in Rwanda. Others are allowed with special authorisation from the Ministry of Health. A quarantine facility has been set up at the Remera-Mbogo health facility.

There are a number of steps you can take to protect your loved ones and the community, including: •

Wash your hands with clean water and soap on a regular basis.

•

Consult the nearest health facility if you have the following symptoms: Fever, Headache, Joint, Sore throat, Weakness, Diarrhoea, Vomiting, Join and Abdominal pain.

•

Avoid direct contact with bodily fluids (blood, urine, stool, saliva, sweat and other secretions) of an ill person.

•

Immediately inform the Community Health Workers, local authorities, the nearest health center, or call our toll free number 114 in case you have the above mentioned symptoms.

Additional prevention measures include: •

The screening of all people at all border posts in Rwanda.

•

All people entering Rwanda must complete a travel itinerary detailing their movements in the last 22 days.

•

An emergency operations centre has been set up at the Ministry of Health.

The Government of Rwanda has also prepared a number of measures in the event that a person infected with Ebola travels to Rwanda. These include: •

Establishing a national isolation centre at the Rwanda Military Hospital near to the Kigali International Airport.

•

Training 3,400 health workers in dealing with Ebola.

•

Training staff at all district hospitals and health centres across the country.

•

Training RwandAir staff and customs and immigration officials.

•

Distributing biohazard suits and other prevention equipment to major hospitals around the country.

•

Awareness raising campaigns to help people understand how to prevent Ebola and respond in the event of a suspected or confirmed case.

Seeking early treatment increases one’s chances of survival. The symptoms of Ebola include: Fever Severe headache Muscle pain Weakness Fatigue Diarrhea Vomiting Abdominal (stomach) pain Unexplained hemorrhage (bleeding or bruising) Ebola is transmitted through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of a person who is sick with Ebola. The virus is not transmitted through the air. However, droplets (e.g., splashes or sprays) of respiratory or other secretions from a person who is sick with Ebola could be infectious, and therefore certain precautions (called standard, contact, and droplet precautions) are taken in healthcare settings.

Jan 2015 - Mar 2015

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health

STAYING HEALTHY Practices you could adopt

Understandably, many of us dread huge diseases and conditions that cause death like cancer, HIV/AIDS, Ebola amongst others. But there are certain habits we take lightly but when practiced, cumulatively, may cause equal devastation. By Martha Ayuma

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Jan 2015 - Mar 2015

health

Chewing of food

The longer you chew, the more time it will take you to finish a meal, and research shows that eating slowly can help you to eat less and, ultimately, to avoid weight gain or even lose weight. It helps you control your portion sizes, which naturally decreases calorie consumption. On average, you should chew your food 22 times.

Skipping the first stall

When you use a public restroom, do you tend to skip the first stall and choose one farther away from the entrance? Experts theorize that people tend to skip the first stall in favor of stalls further back in order to have a little more privacy. But because the first stall is used least often, it contains the lowest bacteria levels.

Cooking with the wrong oil

Studies have shown that high-heat cooking with shortening and soybean oil releases particulate matter, aldehydes, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, all compounds found in cigarette smoke and linked to airway inflammation. Pick the type of cooking oil best suited to your use. For instance, olive oil isn’t good for frying or high-heat cooking but is fine for cooking at low temperatures or in salad

dressings. Avocado oil, on the other hand, is great for high-heat cooking.

Eating late at night

A recent study in Cell Metabolism found that mice that ate an early dinner and then fasted for 16 hours were slimmer than those who ate the same amount of calories but snacked around the clock. Researchers suspect that the longer lapse between meals allows the body to process the food more efficiently. Another reason is that you may sleep better.

Choosing a particular food because of a healthy-sounding claim More and more food labels are sporting health benefits on their labels. Think: fat-free, trans-fatfree, gluten-free, etc. Fatfree products sometimes deliver more sugar than their fat-containing counterparts. And eating certain fat-free foods may even cause you to gain weight.

Not changing or sanitizing your kitchen cloth frequently enough Your kitchen sponge can harbor 150 times more bacteria, mold

and yeast than your toothbrush holder. According to a study from NSF International (an independent public health organization), most of the germs they found won’t make you sick, but some could. Simply boil your kitchen cloth at least thrice a week.

Eating excessive fruit

While fruits and vegetables are much better for you than refined foods like cookies and chips, research says that too much fruit can be harmful to your health. A lot of the fruit that is grown today is much higher in sugar than they would be in a natural environment. Humans have been able to make fruits larger and sweeter than their wild predecessors through hybridization. Excessive consumption of fruits can lead to problems involving the hormones that regulate your blood sugar; insulin, glucagon, and growth hormone. A chronic imbalance of these hormones is a sure way to develop cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Microwaves

Microwaves heat food by causing water molecules in it to resonate at very high frequencies and eventually turn to steam which heats your food causing a change in the food’s chemical structure.

Chemicals include polyethylene terpthalate (PET), benzene, toluene, and xylene. Microwaving fatty foods in plastic containers leads to the release of dioxins (known carcinogens) and other toxins into your food.

Handbags

A study by microbiologists tested swabs taken from the outside and bottom of handbags and found that your handbag could contain thousands, or even millions of bacteria including fecal bacteria and viruses that can cause colds and stomach upsets.

Plastic

One of the most troubling endocrine disruptors is a common ingredient in plastic called Bisphenol A (commonly called BPA). Used to produce polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, BPA is found in many drinking containers, the lining of most food and beverage cans (including soda cans), bottle caps, plastic cutlery, plastic food storage containers, toys, dental sealants, some dental composites, water pipes, eyeglass lenses, and more. The biggest health concern is reproductive toxicity — particularly for males. Numerous animal studies link phthalate exposure during fetal development with malformations of parts of the male reproductive system.

Jan 2015 - Mar 2015

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interior design

By Efua Hagan

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Jan 2015 - Mar 2015

Small rooms should be kept tidy to maintain an airy feel

interior design A front porch, also known as a veranda, provides the perfect transition from the outdoors to the inside of your home. In addition to being an extension of a house, a front porch should always be inviting and welcoming for you and your visitors. Often, front porches are left untouched. However, decorating a front porch is important for creating an environment where you can enjoy a comfortable outdoor experience, plus you will be making the most out of the space. So if you have a front porch that lacks originality and style, read on to discover how to bring it to life and create a place of soothing relaxation.

Establish a comfortable seating plan Before a front porch can be inviting, it needs to have a comfortable seating plan. I know that many people aren’t comfortable with the idea of placing items on the porch in case they become damaged by the rain, but when it rains, furniture can always be shifted against a wall or covered to ensure protection. Also, be encouraged because chairs are available in bamboo which is a natural and popular fiber used for porch décor. Other popular porch chairs and tables are made from iron or plastic. Iron ones are

good for creating an elegant atmosphere, and are made with a built in cushion. Plastic chairs and tables are very practical but lack uniqueness. However, to bring in some flair, have chair cushions custom made with fabrics that have attractive colours and patterns. Not only will the chair set become more attractive but its level of comfort will be elevated.

with colourful flowers. Largeleafed-simple bouquets work for big porches. These should be scaled down for smaller porches. For an interesting look, use two or three colours and alternate them on the plant pots.

The extra details make a difference

What about the issue of security? If you don’t have a guard to watch over your house, make sure you take the porch chairs into the house at the end of the day to avoid the risk of having a thief sneak away with them. The last thing you need is to wake up one morning only to find that your lovely furniture has gone missing!

Consider painting the walls, or aspects of it. Consider which colour will best complement the front porch. You can chose to use colours that are on the walls inside the house. However, contrasting colours can also have a striking effect. Yellow is associated with happiness and energy, so if the rest of your house is white, a warm yellow would be a good option for welcoming guests.

Don’t hesitate to give your porch a fresh look with plants. To inject more colour into this outdoor space, chose plants

Also, to make your front porch more welcoming, invest in a good quality porch light to illuminate the space

adequately. Bring in some additional elegance by fixing fine curtains or colorful shades to the porch. They will be useful for providing shelter from excessive sun during certain periods of the day. Any front porch should serve as an area where guests can engage in a warm and friendly manner. Since first impressions are normally formed from this area of the house, it is important to ensure that your porch is always clean. Because of a higher exposure to dust, you will need to dust furniture, wash any linen fabrics and sweep more frequently than you do inside the house. Remember your front porch is an extension of your house. When decorated well and in a user-friendly way, it can serve as a place to relax and entertain guests comfortably.

Jan 2015 - Mar 2015

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food

Fruity Chicken Wings By Judith Achieng

Ingredients: • • • • • • • • • • • •

DIRECTION Using a fryer or a large pot, heat oil.

Oil for frying 1 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons paprika 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 teaspoon onion powder 1 teaspoon thyme 1 teaspoon white pepper 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 2-3 pounds chicken wings washed 1 cup chopped onion 5 tablespoonful of fresh Lemon juice or pineapple

Cut the washed chicken wings at the joint to yield a ‘wingette’ and ‘drummete’ from each wing. Sprinkle the wings with salt. Deep fry the wings until golden and crispy, 12 to 15 minutes. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Add the dry ingredients and continually whisk until it lightly bubbles, add the fruit juice and simmer for 5 minutes. Pour the spicy mixture over the crispy chicken wings and bake for 10 minutes (350 degree F). Serve immediately with white rice and salad. Makes 4 servings

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Jan 2015 - Mar 2015

Talk to

Aunt Umulisa your passport and knows After years of searching for a date, I believe I have found the perfect one. The challenge is that we have been dating online and have never met. He has suggested that we finally meet. The problem is that he is Brit and requests that I travel to London for our meeting. I am excited because I have never left Rwanda or boarded a plane before. In the 6 months we have chatted online, and

your whereabouts and can

parentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; concern and am

account for your movements.

inclined

innocent

girls

side

b) Involve investigators

have

with

to do a background check

ended

them

on this guy. It may cost lots

up as sex

of money but remember

for a

slaves or as house

number

life is more expensive than anything else.

servants

of reasons.

immediately

c) Alternatively, have the

One, the distance

they land in

is not a laughing

a foreign land.

matter, especially

where your family will

Some of the

scrutinize him, including

man come down to Rwanda

even skyped, we have grown

reasons we have

inquiring from London as to

to love one another and canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t

trafficking are

the truthfulness of his claims.

wait to see each other. We

borne in the

Involve as many sharp

have shared lots of photos too. However, my parents have vehemently objected to my going to London. I feel

when you, the

relatives and friends as

girl(sorry

possible for this

to call you

exercise.

vulnerable), must travel those miles to

minds of

a new environment. Do you

very sick people

have a relative or friend

who derive fun from

there? And even if you do,

subjecting such victims

is your relative or friend

to bestiality and then

Dear Agnes,

reliable?

watching such acts.

What a tricky situation!

really reveal their true selves

If I weigh the possible

online. There are stories told

into anything yet. Time has

disadvantages or ills you

of people who masqueraded

a way to pre-empt certain

may run into, I side with

to be other people only to

situations and save you the

your parents. At the same

end up disappointing the

heartache of a life time.

time I would not want you

other person because of false

to miss out on a relationship

expectations. In other words,

I am persuaded that once

that may be destined for

someone may appear tall,

the man realizes a whole

success due to unwarranted

just to discover the person is

community is involved, if he

fears nevertheless. Hence I

too short, not even 5

is a fraud, he will disappear

suggest the following:

into thin air the way mist

they are being unfair and old school. What should I do? Agnes.

We are on the information superhighway whether we like it or not. Truth is that a lot of business takes place on the digital platform. We are not afraid to make purchases using credit cards, and neither are we afraid to accept friend requests from people we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know on face book. Many testimonies abound of people who met online and ended up getting married. Digitalization of mass media has truly made the world a global village. However, I understand your

Two, some people never

Take your time. Do not rush

inches tall.

just disappears. a) If you must travel, then

Three, it is very possible

be accompanied by someone

there are criminal elements

Do you have queries? Send

you trust, and when you

operating online and

them to

arrive, stay with this person

whose career it is to lure

auntumulisa@gmail.com

in the hotel room so that

unsuspecting victims.

even if you go on dates,

There are also cases where

there is someone who has Jan 2015 - Mar 2015

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children’s corner

My children are four in number but, when one goes away, the rest cannot work. Who has a house too small for guests? What do you look at with one eye, but never with two? What is the house my father built with no central pole? What is the fire God lit and never put out? Why is a man like pepper? What things always chase each other but never overtake one another? My son is crying in the forest. I hear him, but I do not see him. When I face an enemy, I do know what to do. But facing this one, there is nothing I can do.

he is, The wheels of a vehicle, The wind, Incurable disease. Answers: The legs of a bed, A turtle, The inside of a bottle, The

sky, The sun, Until you have tested him, you can’t tell how strong

JOKES

Q: What do you call a fake noodle?

A: An Impasta

Q: What happens if you eat yeast and shoe polish?

A: Every morning you’ll rise and shine!

Q: “What’s the difference between a guitar and a fish?”

A: “You can’t tuna fish.”

Q: What do you get from a pampered cow?

A: Spoiled milk.

Q: What do lawyers wear to court?

A: Lawsuits!

Q: What gets wetter the more it dries?

A: A towel.

Q: What did the pencil say to the other pencil?

A: You’re looking sharp.

Q: What did Bacon say to Tomato?

A: Lettuce get together!

Q: What is the most hardworking part of the eye?

A: The pupil

Q: Why did the picture go to jail?

A: Because it was framed.

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Jan 2015 - Mar 2015

children’s corner

(A Traditional Zulu Story) “Kwasuka sukela....” Long ago a wicked and lazy hunter was sitting under a tree. He was thinking that it was too hot to be bothered with the arduous task of stalking prey through the bushes. Below him in the clearing on the grassy veld there were fat springbok grazing. But this hunter couldn’t be bothered. So lazy was he! He gazed at the herd, wishing that he could have the meat without the work when suddenly he noticed a movement to the left of the buck. It was a female cheetah seeking food. Keeping downwind of the herd, she moved closer and closer to them. She singled out a springbok who had foolishly wandered away from the rest. Suddenly she gathered her long legs under her and sprang forward. With great speed she came upon the springbok and brought it down. Startled, the rest of the herd raced away as the cheetah quickly killed her prey. The hunter watched as the cheetah dragged her prize to some shade on the edge of the clearing. There three beautiful cheetah cubs were waiting there for her. The lazy hunter was filled with envy and wished that he could have such a good hunter provide for him. Imagine dining on delicious meat every day without having to do the actual hunting! Then he had a wicked idea. He decided that he would steal one of the cheetah’s cubs and train it to hunt for him. He decided to wait until the mother cheetah went to the waterhole late in the afternoon to make his move. He smiled to himself. When the sun began to set, the cheetah left her cubs concealed in a bush and set off to the waterhole. Quickly

the hunter grabbed his spear and trotted down to the bushes where the cubs were hidden. There he found the three cubs, still too young to be frightened of him or to run away. He first chose one, then decided upon another, and then changed his mind again. Finally he stole them all, thinking to himself that three cheetahs would undoubtedly be better than one. When their mother returned half-an-hour later and found her babies gone, she was broken-hearted. The poor mother cheetah cried and cried until her tears made dark stains down her cheeks. She wept all night and into the next day. She cried so loudly that she was heard by an old man who came to see what the noise was all about. Now this old man was wise and knew the ways of the animals. When he discovered what the wicked hunter had done, he became very angry. The lazy hunter was not only a thief, he had broken the traditions of the tribe. Everyone knew that a hunter must use only his own strength and skill. Any other way of hunting was surely a dishonour. The old man returned to the village and told the elders what had happened. The villagers became angry. They found the lazy hunter and drove him away from the village. The old man took the three cheetah cubs back to their grateful mother. But the long weeping of the mother cheetah stained her face forever. Today the cheetah wears the tearstains on its face as a reminder to the hunters that it is not honourable to hunt in any other way than that which is traditional.

Jan 2015 - Mar 2015

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You come first, so does your safety

At RwandAir, we value your peace of mind as we value your safety With our IOSA certification you can trust that you are in safe hands