Africa, while Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya are not in the top

My journey with an Autistic son

Written by Eunice Mwaura

Even though autism has been around for a long time, it has become increasingly frequent in our society in recent years. This is due to improved diagnostic tools and more awareness as compared to before. Although it is a lifelong disorder, early diagnosis should be made to allow for early intervention. Hilda Ng’ang’a, a mother of two, shares her experience with her 10-year-old son who was diagnosed when he was just five years old. ‘It doesn’t have to be International Autism Day to create awareness and the need for inclusion of the people living with autism. As a parent to an autistic child, every day is an awareness day for me,’ Hilda Ng’ang’a begins as she chops carrots in her kitchen at her home located on the outskirts of Nairobi. ‘My son loves it here.’ The quiet and serene environment, surrounded by greenery, is a deliberate choice for her 10-year-old son to live and comfortably thrive in. She informs me that the environment plays a significant role in the coping mechanism and behavioral episodes of an autistic person. Ever since her son was diagnosed with autism, Hilda always purposed to share her son’s story as a means to create awareness. Most importantly, she wants to nurture a culture of acceptance and inclusion of this often overlooked disorder. What is Autism Spectrum Disorder? Autism spectrum disorder refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech, and nonverbal communication. Early diagnosis and intervention is essential as this can make a

significant difference in improving the quality of life of a child with autism. Hilda noticed that her son’s behavior was unusual even before he was diagnosed with the disorder. Being in the medical industry helped her spot some developmental challenges in him, though her motherly instincts also constantly told her

that he was developing differently. She describes him as being socially disengaged from her as a child. As he grew older, he always kept to himself and never wanted to be around his peers. The diagnosis was not simple as the first diagnosis they received was not conclusive. The doctor assured them that their son had global developmental delays, a condition in which a child takes longer to complete certain milestones, compared to other children their age. Because he was their first child, it was assumed that it was not unusual for him to have developmental delays, as many firstborns especially boys “often” do. She was encouraged to seek occupational therapy; treatment used to enhance motor skills, balance, and coordination in children and adults who struggle with everyday tasks like writing or getting dressed, and speech therapy. It was assumed that things would improve over time, but nothing much ch ‘I already knew what my son had, but I needed a medical diagnosis to ascertain my prognosis,’ she says. It is a normal concern for any parent to worry when their child has not achieved any developmental milestone. At the age of three, he still couldn’t speak, and Hilda was now very conscious of the fact that her child was developing quite differently. She felt the need to act on this concern so she sought a second opinion. She took him to a government hospital in Thika, 40 kilometers east of Nairobi. ‘When we stepped in, the assessor looked at him for a few minutes and verified my suspicions; he was autistic. At the time, he was only 5 years old,’ she recalls. Autism Diagnosis Challenges Autism can be difficult to diagnose because there is no medical test to diagnose it. As such, the doctor must rely solely on the child’s developmental history and behaviors to make a determination. Another factor is that the diagnosis is made by developmental specialists/pediatricians/ psychologists, which is a costly affair that is not affordable to many. The interventions required are equally costly. It also comes back to awareness; while autism awareness has grown, it’s still not yet fully understood and embraced. It is assumed that it’s fairly usual for a firstborn child to have developmental delays. Thus, some people go undetected until they are teens or adults, meaning they may not even receive the intervention they deserve. However, the earlier the diagnosis the better because it allows individuals to receive the necessary support to attain their full potential. “It is a costly disorder, especially since many people

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cannot afford support services. As a spectrum disorder, the medication required in the treatment of seizures, convulsions, and gastrointestinal disorders is beyond the typical Kenyan’s reach in terms of cost. Government support is required to facilitate the provision of support services for people with autism. This could include the elimination of taxes on medical facilities and services, including drugs, or the reduction of VAT on products required by autistic people. This could be a step in the right

direction towards the realization of long-term support for people living with and affected by this disorder.” More schools should also be better equipped to accommodate children with disabilities. Hilda informs us that getting a school that her son could comfortably fit in proved to be an uphill task. ‘We moved from one school to another; public, private, and even religious-based institutions. Most were ill equipped while others out rightly turned us down, even though we were ready to incur extra costs to have our son admitted with his own shadow teacher.’ Inclusion and Awareness Eventually, they got a good school which she admits has been very beneficial in helping her son achieve major milestones in his daily life. They are taught sign language and activities of daily living, in addition to an individualized education plan (IEP); so it is not only theoretical but also practical. ‘Before we took him to this school, he used to attend a regular school, which we noticed wasn’t benefiting him. Along with his classmates, they would all be given the same assignment, yet this is a child who couldn’t even hold a pen (fine motor skills). This prompted us to look for another school which we felt could handle his situation better,’ she tells us. Aside from paying for her son’s school tuition, Hilda must also dig deeper into her pocket to pay for his therapies. ‘We may send children with special needs to special needs schools, but at the end of the day, they will still have to interact with the society in general. This is the reason why there is so much discrimination which stems from a lack of understanding and knowledge of the disorder by the general public. Far more emphasis should be placed on education, awareness, and inclusion.’ ‘As parents, we must not only educate ourselves about autism, its symptoms, and interventions but also learn how people view it in order to provide a better future for our children. Personal acceptance of the condition is the first step to helping our special kids. My path has not been easy; I am not only a mom, but I have also become a doctor, a nutritionist, and a therapist during the course of these years. I can’t complain because every day with him is a learning experience. It’s not always doom and gloom,’ she says. ‘While

‘We are put in situations to build our character, not to destroy us

being a parent to an autistic child involves patience, compassion, and a lot of support, it can also be a very rewarding experience because they are gifts from God.’ Future Outlook for Neuro-Divergents ‘Some of the greatest successes in contemporary history have been achieved by neuro-divergent people such as Albert Einstein and Bill Gates. They embraced their differences to achieve great things, and I believe that my son will as well. He’s a really hands-on person, especially in the kitchen and I’m sure he’ll become a great chef one day.’ ‘Speech can be difficult at times, but it is not impossible. Aside from his teachers, his younger sister also helps him a lot with his speech. They are very fond of each other. Apart from helping each other with their social skills and speech, they also run up my water and electricity bill with their cooking,’ she jokingly adds. ‘But I would highlight that we must continue to advocate; autism is still a misunderstood disorder since we still have children who are hidden by their parents. We have heard of cases of autistic children being chained and locked up in their houses, never to see the light of day. People with autism should not be locked away, they are human beings like you and me. And they, just like us, deserve a chance at the same opportunities.’

Hilda and her son - Nothing can be done without hope and confidence

Getting to know you written by Pastor Elvis Iruh Pastor Felix Asare wrote the foreword

BOOK REVIEW

Pastor Elvis Iruh’s new book is out…… Title: “Getting to know you” - A book on marital steps with information about marriage Author: Pastor Amb. Elvis Iruh

About the book

Whether you’re preparing for marriage or want to enjoy a deeper union with your spouse, this guide will help you enjoy a relationship built on solid Christian values. Pastor Elvis Iruh is a licensed minister with Victory Outreach International. His book highlights simple principles that are often taken for granted. Learn how to: • get to really know a love interest before deciding to marry; • avoid mistakes that lead to divorce; • appreciate the sanctity of marriage; partners can carry out with each other as well as guidance for pastors and church leaders who may need help in advising couples. This guide will help couples enjoy marriage that is built to last. *****

About the Author

ELVIS IRUH is a native of Delta State, Nigeria. He attended numerous schools in Nigeria, including the Nigeria Institute of Journalism, Lagos, Nigeria, before continuing his studies in Europe and earning a degree in theology from Victory Education & Training Institute. He worked for several media organizations in Nigeria as well and has been the publisher and editor-in-chief of The Voice news magazine since August 1999. He is serving as an associate pastor at Victory Outreach Almere, The Netherlands. The book can be used for educational purposes as well as educating your children on the subject of marriage. He is also available to speak on related topics covered in the book at any organized event or church activities. He is open for collaborative efforts to strengthen marriage institutions worldwide. It is a mission he has dedicated himself to helping the younger generation to talk and address the challenges they face in building good and solid relationships which could end up in marriage. You can purchase the book in Holland via his website: www.elvisiruh.com or through his publishers’: www.authorhouse.com/ Elvis Iruh or on www.amazon.co.uk via this link:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/ aw/d/1665580844/ref=ox_sc_act_

• forgive your partner when they make mistakes. Before you think of getting married, you should take the necessary steps to really get to know your partner. Your past should not contain any surprises - and your values must be aligned. This revealing book is filled with practical exercises that image_1?smid=AHRB2OK2Q2YCL&psc=1 You can contact him directly through any of his social media handle for your questions or comments, he would look into it and respond would be sent to you accordingly.

Email: info@elvisiruh.com or elvisiruh@gmail.com

AFRICA DAY CELEBRATION IN BULGARIA

May is the month of Africa, this is when we annually celebrate Africa Day. On 25th of May 1963, leaders of 30 of the 32 independent African states, at the time, gathered and signed a founding charter of the Organization of African Unity - OAU in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In 2002 the OAU established its own successor, the African Union (AU). Today the African Union consists of 55 member states and this year commemorates a 20 year anniversary! Annually Africa Day is a celebration of African unity it is celebrated on the African continent and by African Diaspora communities all around the globe. Being proud of Africa - my fatherland, since 2016 I promote the heritage, culture, and development of the green continent in my mother’s country Bulgaria by establishing the Africa Day public celebration event. In 2018 we joined forces with the African foreign missions represented here to create a bigger and better showcase of Africa locally. After a two-year gap, due to the global Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, we are back with a vibrant and colourful event in the capital Sofia. This year together with the African Embassies and Consulates accredited in Bulgaria, headed by the Dean of the African Group of Ambassadors H.E. Zakia El Midaoui, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco, the celebration was outstanding. The participating embassies of Morocco, Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Nigeria and South Africa, along with the consulates of Seychelles, Ghana, and Sudan presented their national stalls covered with authentic food, souvenirs, and various items representing each country. Besides being the event organizer, I also have the pleasure to be the MC of the event, coordinating, and introducing the acts on stage. This year we managed to fill in two entertainment program segments, showcasing performances by locally based African artists, Bulgarian groups performing African dance, and of course a variety of Bulgarian folk performances, as I’ve created a unique symbiosis in the cultural program to show the similarities and differences between the Bulgarian and African culture. To enhance the event even further there was a bazaar with African crafts, goods, hand-made beads jewellery, scented oils and perfumes, colourful garments and interiors made from African fabrics, and of course delicious sweets and fruit cakes. Some members of the local African community provided services such as afro plaits braiding and henna tattoos which were very popular with the younger visitors to the event in the City Garden. The idea and purpose of commemorating Africa Day in Sofia besides the historical reason, is for the event to serve as a platform for showcasing Africa’s diversity through its art and culture. With the handful of nations represented here my organisation Albena International Limited builds a bridge from Africa to Bulgaria. Ms. Albena A. Jones Guest writer for the African Day for the month of May 2022.

PER fORMANCES ON STAGE

COUNTRIES ON STAGE

Africa Day Celebration in Bulgaria by Albena International

By Pastor Michael Umerah John-Mllis

1. BOOK ONE: EVERYMAN WANTS REBECCA by Michael Umerah John-Ellis, Details: “Ten Steps To Successful Marriage Union” Uncovering:- Understanding Marriage. ×How to find and attract your dream spouse, establish true love at first impression, and remain treasured by your spouse. **** 2. BOOK TWO: GOD HATES POVERTY by Michael Umerah John-Ellis The book teaches you ways to banish poverty from your life. It expands for you to understand and take advantage of the God’s provided power for wealth, so you can maximize your life. ***** 3. BOOK THREE: THE RIGHT FAMILY by Michael Umerah John- Ellis It shows ways of rediscovering the marriage Union as was divinely envisaged; in concept, wisdom and beauty of God. **** 4. BOOK FOUR: THE LAST OIL by Michael Umerah John-Ellis It is about how to start divine or circular assignments and see them to successful completion. The book uncovers how to properly enter your calling or dream assignments, and the importance of preparatory trading for a successful and fulfilling practice of assignments. **** 5. BOOK FIVE: SPIRIT OF PROPHECY by Michael Umerah John-Ellis It is a complete topical compendium for the Christian empowerment. The book expounds to teach on what Prophecy is and not, the levels of Prophecy, how prophecies come for the advantage believers, and proper ministerial representation of God as his/her mouthpiece and employer. All books are published on www.amazon.com For your reading pleasure as hard copy or Kindle edition and downloads, Contact +2348032265077 or +2347086368336. E-Mail: michaeljohnellis@gmail.com

Protect The Shea Butter Trees!

Written by Cynthia Omondi

For generations, Shea butter has been recognized as incredibly nourishing for the skin. For many Northern Ghanaian families, it is also a top income-generating product, as the trees can withstand unpredictable weather. As demand for it increases, since global brands use it for chocolates and creams, the threat of lockdowns and tree felling lurks.

Upon our arrival, we are taken aback by the clean suburban-like streets, colorful yellow-yellows (motorized tricycles), and motorbikes that populate the roads. Welcome to Tamale, Ghana’s third-largest city and an emerging hotspot for investment within West Africa. Many know it as ‘The city of Shea butter and smocks’ – Ghana’s national outfit. ‘Would you please bring me some Shea butter?’ is a common request from friends when traveling to these parts. The beauty products are always in demand, but what exactly is Shea butter?

About Shea Butter

In a nutshell, it is the fat extracted from the nuts of the Shea tree. It is solid at room temperature, has an ivory or off-white colour and has been used in cosmetics for centuries. Most Shea butter still comes from West Africa, where the trees originated. Its high concentration of vitamins and fatty acids, combined with its easy spreadable texture, make it ideal for all kinds of skincare. And you can even cook with it.

It was in great demand on the world market thanks to its wide range of uses: as a replacement for edible vege-

Inspiring the younger generation

table oils and within the beauty industry. This was until the Covid pandemic broke out and the import and export of goods were curtailed. Women from the northern part of Ghana – where Tamale is located – who lived entirely off the production of Shea nuts, were extremely affected.

Fortunately, organizations such as the Pure Trust Social Investment Fund (PTSIF) came to their aid. They were trained to turn Shea butter into soap or cosmetics, entirely by themselves, for the local market. According to a report by the Inclusive Business Action Network, Shea butter processing is the main source of income for women in the region, underlining the value of Shea trees.

‘If You Love Women Love Shea Trees’ Campaign

From Senegal in the west to Ethiopia in the east, the threat to Shea trees has become an urgent issue. In Ghana,

Dombatey Maalin (Right) amidst other women watering the crops

we can harvest, whatever the weather. That is why we are really fighting to save them, by creating awareness about them. A loss of Shea trees is a loss of income for hundreds of families, especially for women who depend on them.’

The Pure Trust Social Investment Fund is currently running a campaign christened ‘If you love women, love Shea trees.‘ It believes that protecting the trees is a collective responsibility and if everyone responds to it, women and children will have opportunities to a better livelihood.

Equipping the Women with Skills

Through PTSIF’s partnership with the PagSung Shea Butter Processors and Shea Nut Pickers Association, women groups from different districts of Tamale could be trained in quality Shea butter production. The partnership is a cooperative enterprise that aims to promote financially disadvantaged women from the northern part of Ghana, which is already the poorest.

the PTSIF has taken the lead in campaigning for their protection. They are regularly cut down by poor cashstrapped farmers for charcoal, thus threatening the livelihood of many women. Many Shea trees are also felled for clearing land so that buildings can be constructed. These practices not only harm the women and their families but even the national economy. ‘With the advent of Covid-19,’ says Habib Haruna, the managing director of PTSIF, ‘the Shea butter industry faced a drop in demand, due to lockdowns, causing the majority of women to shut down production. A disruption of that magnitude results, economically speaking, in widespread poverty – which can ruin many households. We took the initiative to have outside experts train the women to make different kinds of products: soap, mosquito repellent, and Shea cream for the body, for their own use, and for the local market. In this way, we were able to enable many women to continue supporting themselves. That is how essential Shea trees are.’

One of the women shaping the bar soaps made out of Shea at PAGSUNG ‘In the beginning,’ says Safia Hassan, the 62-year-old

Safia Hassan demonstrates how Shea nuts are collected

That is precisely why his organization started the campaign to save them. ‘According to researchers, shea trees take ages to grow,’ Haruna explains. ‘If you plant the seedlings, they often fail to reach maturity – and if they do, it takes up to twenty-five years for them to mature. So protecting the existing trees is the absolute best thing to do. They can withstand difficult weather conditions very well; the more of them we have, the more Shea nuts manager, ‘we did several things, including sewing. But making Shea butter turned out to be the most lucrative, so we put everything into that.’

Safia Hassan demonstrates how Shea nuts are collected

During the tour, we see more than fifty women doing all sorts of tasks: some busy with the seedlings, others with

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pieces of soap, but the women cooking the butter stand out the most. It is a scorching hot day and the fact that they are hanging above the pots in the scorching afternoon heat is a sign of great resilience – you could even call it awe-inspiring. Often, it is the women from the village who will col-

lect the nuts and make them into butter: shifting, washing, drying, grinding and boiling; not a step can be missed. And they derive satisfaction and self-esteem from it.

‘After the training, they could make the butter at home,’ says Safia Hassan, ‘but unfortunately they don’t have the right facilities to deliver top quality products. That is why most of them come here. Every time there is a big order, we ask them to add what they have made at home. That way they earn a little more.’ due into little balls. So we call them “cakes” and use them instead of charcoal for heating – although it is not enough for the whole cooking session, so we still need some firewood or gas, which is very expensive.’

Shea products on display at PAGSUNG If the organization could get a decent machine to turn the shea cake into energy, Safia Hassan believes it would be a great, revenue-generating move that adds value to the shea production. The traditional production process requires a lot of energy and creates a lot of organic surplus, which could be put to better use.

Witnessing the Impact

We hit the road again, this time to a processing site set up by the Pure Trust Social Investment Fund. The sight of round huts with conical thatched roofs along the roadside is a clear indication that we are heading towards a remote village. After two and a half hours on bumpy dirt roads, we arrive at Kilampobile Shea Butter and Processing Centre, in the village that gave it its name.

Enthusiastic women provide a warm welcome – most are elderly but still working the land. ‘This piece of land was given to them by the chief of this area, for free,‘ says Alhassan Abdallah, the regional PTSIF leader. ‘They were interested in a group project and ideally they wanted to do some cultivation. It measures one hectare in total and each woman has her own part, where she grows what she wants.’

One of them is Dombatey Maalin-Ere, a 42-year-old mother of three, with one at the university. Thanks to her work at the processing center, she has been able to support her family and pay for school fees. ‘Before I fully immersed myself in this,’ she says, ‘I used to burn charcoal and make local brew. Neither of them was easy, but I had no choice. My life has become so much easier since Pure Trust started this shea nut center because I used to have to walk three kilometers to get my shea processed. We received training and now I can also make other products, such as cosmetics.’

‘We have learned the importance of trees, not just shea trees. As a women’s group, we are in the front line of protecting them. Look around and you’ll notice that we have included many trees on our farm, especially shea trees. We also impressed upon our chiefs that those who engage in charcoal burning should refrain from cutting down shea trees. If we see anyone cutting them down or destroying them, we report it immediately to the chief. Shea butter production has real value and we call on everyone who

‘The cooking process is super intense,’ says one of the women. ‘We smear Shea butter on our skin, that way it becomes heat-resistant – and stays soft and smooth underneath,’ she jokes. ‘Well, cooking the butter has become quite a challenge,’ Hassan continues, ‘as the ideal method is lacking. We understand that climate change is becoming a real global problem, so from now on we’re foregoing charcoal and firewood, which are the major culprits, but it does make our work more difficult.’

Shea Cakes

Forced to look for alternative forms of energy, the women of PagSung arrived at what they call ‘shea cake.’ ‘After extracting the oil, a residue is left behind which we always keep. It is a tedious job and takes some time, because we do it by hand: desalinating the water and making the resi-

burns charcoal to join us, because together we will be able to do even more.’

Apart from the energy source, lack of capital has also been a major obstacle. ‘We suffer from poor infrastructure and limited resources, which often leads to inferior products. We have many problems, but we are trying to cope with most of them. Capital is what is needed most, to ramp up production and double our income – which will take away many of the problems,’ Dombatey admits. work hard but earn very little. The support that would help us tremendously right now is to get the certificates so we can export ourselves – and increase the women’s wages and provide more jobs.’

According to Safia Hassan, another issue is the lack of proper certificates, which means they are not yet allowed to export. ‘Getting those papers takes a lot of time and money,’ she says, ‘which we cannot afford at the moment. Our only option is to sell to companies that are certified, to which they put their brand name on it and export it abroad. This makes them a lot of money, but when it comes to paying us, they do it at their own discretion. In the end, we

Raw Shea butter nuts

Fuseina Akakpo, who studies Education at West End University College, is a happy young woman and active in the shea business. She is the secretary of one of the women’s groups supported by Pure Trust. ‘It makes me proud to belong to these women,’ she says, ‘who I always think of as my mothers. I provide the secretariat for the Ntereso community and I am the overall spokesperson for all the women groups, because I am the only one who is well-educated among them. I am a native so witnessing their drastic change, because they have been enabled to do so, is wonderful – and motivates me immensely. The people here depended on cultivation but because of the unpredictable weather, this was not a sustainable practice. After the training in making different shea products, I saw many women flourish.’

She has come a long way, having been brought up in a modest home by a fisherman father and a mother who traded the fish he caught. She started earning some extra money at an early age, even before she got her diploma. ‘At first, like all the other women, I could do nothing but make shea butter. But now, I can make several different products, sell them and support myself from that,’ she says with pride. What inspires her most is that the women she works with can now send their children to school with the money they earn from the butter.

While many choose to go to the city and take office jobs, Fuseina Akakpo has found her happiness in the local shea world – and hopes to have her own factory one day. But first she has to finish university and become a ‘renowned teacher’ she says. Until then, she will still maintain her passion in working with women in Shea butter production and protection of their golden treasure – the Shea trees!