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YA YOUNG AFRICAN EXPRESS

Vol. 5 no. 4

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Vol. 5 no. 4

... Queen of hearts became passionate about it,” she says. “What keeps us inspired is seeing people infested with jiggers make a full recovery and resume their normal day-to-day routines, thanks to our care and treatment,” says Cecilia. In only 3 years, the anti-jigger campaign has become one of the most successful humanitarian campaigns in Kenya. It has received numerous accolades and Cecilia was awarded the Head of State Commendation from the president of Kenya, among other awards.

The catwalk, the lights, the applause, the fame—modelling must be the epitome of glitz and glamour. But Cecilia Mwangi, the Miss World Kenya 2005, altered this image forever when she put aside the glamour for the poor, jigger-infested people in Kenya.

Cecilia’s efforts were first met with scepticism. “Convincing the world that people are suffering because of jiggers in the 21st century is the hardest challenge I have ever faced. Most people thought I was trying to pull a diva stunt,” says Cecilia.

IN THIS ISSUE

ecilia joined the Ahadi Kenya anti-jiggers campaign when she attended a workshop organised by its founder, Stanley Kamau, to urge celebrities to join him in his quest to turn Kenya into a jigger-free nation. Only 2 celebrities responded: Cecilia and the late Mighty King Kong. “I just wanted to see how I could be of help,” says Cecilia.

“I didn’t know how much fellow Kenyans were suffering from jiggers until I joined the campaign. Once in, I

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YOUNG AFRICAN EXPRESS

CREDITS Publisher Jacaranda Designs Ltd Technical Advisers Experts from our sponsors Executive Director Susan Scull-Carvalho Creative Director Peta Meyer Art Director Katherine Moir Senior Editor Helen van Houten Writers Diana Lee-Smith, Pauline Maina, Peta Meyer, Katherine Moir, Sarah Radoli, Susan Scull-Carvalho, Julia Wanjeri Graphic Designers Samuel Gachie, Grace King’ori, Susan Mbula Makaa (lead designer), Katherine Mamai Artists Bella Kilonzo, Jemima Maclean, Katherine Moir, Harrison Muriuki, Martin Ngugi, Sherry Odeyo, Benjamin Ondiege, Nkrumah Ondiek, Tony Siema Photographs Diana Lee-Smith, Pauline Maina, Margaret Ndimu, Sarah Radoli, Ahadi Kenya, www. sxc.hu, www.wikipedia.org Contacts info@youngafricanexpress.net subscription@youngafricanexpress.net marketing@youngafricanexpress.net Website: www.youngafricanexpress.net Printed in Nairobi, Kenya Jacaranda Designs Ltd PO Box 1202–00606 Nairobi, Kenya Tel: +254 (0)20 374-4737 Fax: +254 (0)20 374-9171 Cell: +254 (0)722 667747 Email: info@jacaranda-africa.com Copyright© Jacaranda Designs Ltd 2010 Young African Express is published by Jacaranda Designs Ltd, under a registered trademark. All rights reserved. While every attempt has been made to verify all facts, instructions and procedures, the publisher claims indemnity against results of any nature whatsoever arising from the application/s thereof. Readers are encouraged to contribute. They must include a self-addressed envelope if they want their materials returned; we cannot be held responsible for loss or damage. The editor reserves the right to alter materials in any way deemed necessary. Young African Express is not responsible for unsolicited material. All articles and material submitted must bear the contributor’s name if they are to be used by Young African Express. The opinions expressed in this newspaper are not necessarily those of the editors and publishers of Young African Express.

Thank you for “adopting a school” by sponsoring subscriptions for others. Diocese of Lodwar • James Finlay (Kenya) Ltd • Kitengela Glass • Malewa Ranching Initiative • Nairobi Pentecostal • Tara Consultants • Nicky Blundell Brown • VVOB education for development • AgriFRESH Kenya Ltd • Hopcraft family • Ole Moi Yoi family • Braeburn School

Vol. 5 no. 4

EXPRESSIONS

Dear Readers,

As the holy month of Ramadan ended, we were reminded by our Islamic brothers and sisters around the world that it’s good to help those who are needy, to share love, show respect and give thanks. Last month, our Kenyan readers witnessed a peaceful nationwide voting process, called a referendum. Millions took part in it, and the majority voted for a new constitution. This proved most voters want change so their lives will be different from how they are now. They want their voices listened to and responded to, and their many needs better met.

this question in several articles. Making change to better meet the needs of a population spans a full range of demands: from improving health care and providing education that’s relevant, to making sure all people can get safe water, live in a decent house, find a fair paying job and so on. From your messages, we know you want to see big WHAT ARE YOU changes happen so that you can learn GOING TO DO FOR more and master the skills needed to YOUR COUNTRY? create or get job and earn money that will improve your life. So, what role do you have in making these “big changes” happen? In the 1960s, US President John Kennedy said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” For all Kenyans, this chance is here. Send us your thoughts. SMS 0722-667747 or 0733960757, write to PO Box 1202 - 00606 Nairobi, email info@YoungAfricanExpress.net, or visit our Facebook page. Let your voice be heard, and we’ll print your responses in our next issue!

Who will make these changes? In this Young African Express issue, we’ve raised

We say…

Which form of punishment would you prefer: caning or being given a task to do?

Franklin Mwangi, 13 Class 7, Early Bird Community School Hobbies: Playing football and revising

t is good to be punished for the mistakes one has made. When I have made a mistake at school, I’m usually given a beating, after which I’m told how to rectify my mistakes. If I were able to choose, I would rather be told to clean the compound or stand for a whole lesson with my hands held up. At home, if it’s not caning, my parents ground me for 3 days or make me go to bed without a meal, which is what I prefer. I don’t like being beaten because it is painful.

Timothy Musau, 13 Class 7, Mwangaza Primary School Hobbies: Playing football, reading novels

Pauline Atieno, 14 Class 8, Mwangaza Primary School Hobby: Reading novels

here is nothing wrong with being punished because it teaches one to be careful in future. At school, there are punishments I am given, like sweeping classrooms or standing in the assembly holding a wet sweater until it dries. At home, my parents ground me or assign all the house duties to me to punish me. If I were to be punished for making noise in class, I would choose cleaning the classroom. Caning is hurtful and may lead to a serious injury or even death of the student.

support punishment because we will not repeat the mistakes we had earlier done. In our school, we are made to clean the compound and sometimes we are caned. For making noise in class, I wouldn’t mind being caned though at home I would want to be punished through doing the house chores. Parents and teachers should also advise students and explain why they are being punished. Advice is a long-term solution compared to caning or punishment.

Elizabeth Mueni, 14 Class 8, Mwangaza Primary School Hobbies: Singing, reading novels

support punishment because it encourages

one to be well behaved. My mum will either lecture or beat me when I have done something wrong. At school, I sweep, slash the grass or get some caning. The ideal way to correct someone’s behaviour is by giving him or her advice instead of beating them because they get used to the rod at some point.

Vol. 5 no. 4

Oppression My eyes well with tears From the pain of oppression. I suffer daily in silence In the name of tradition. Was it a mistake God made For creating me as a girl child? Boys and girls are both children, All we need now is justice. Day by day, I watch my classmates drop out of school. Soon it will be my turn To follow the same footsteps, My father very firm on it, In the name of wealth and respect. Boys and girls are both children, All we need now is justice. My eyes well with tears As I watch my mother in pain, Beaten like a drum, Crying for my rights. What sin did I commit? Or is a girl less of a child? Boys and girls are both children, And fairness is all we need. Fathers, brothers, uncles and everybody, listen! It is a cry of pain From your daughter, niece or sister. The cruel face of Oppression stares. You have solutions but are not willing to let go. You will pay for it, You will pay! For a girl child is the core of society.

EXPRESSIONS

YOUNG AFRICAN EXPRESS

Queen of hearts continued from page 1

way from her duties as a goodwill ambassador and one of the most celebrated models in Kenya, Cecilia is living her childhood dream of becoming an engineer. “All I wanted was to be an engineer just like my father,” says Cecilia, the last-born of 4. Guided by her dream, she secured a place at Jomo Kenyatta University of Technology to pursue her dream course: Bachelor of Science in Computer Technology. She graduated to become an IT engineer. Today, she is an IT specialist at Intersat Africa. “I know, the techie in me is far from the lipstick and heels of the modelling world, but IT makes my world go round,” she says. Cecilia says the biggest lesson she has learned along the way is to appreciate life and never be okay with being okay—know what you want in life and follow your heart, your path.

Cecilia with one of the many awards she has won.

In her future, Cecilia aspires to excel in her career, turn Kenya into a jigger-free nation and make Ahadi Kenya, Ahadi Africa.

Interesting Cecilia facts

starte d Mo delling world: Cecilia e was —sh ool sch h hig mo delling in and 01) (20 ls Gir se Hou Miss State i rob Nai s Mis -up ner later, 2nd run (2004).

Girls, stand tall, For justice now is in our favour. Our dream is to be professionals, And professionals we will make. Let’s all come around, Let’s all come together, And fight oppression of a girl child, An enemy to development.

you feel Favourite quote: Do what for you’ll in your heart to be right, be be criticised anyway. You’ll if you ned damned if you do, and dam don’t—Eleanor Roosevelt. esty, Most cherished values: hon and e lov , ing integrity, car selflessness.

Castin Patricia Abuya Moi Girls, Isinya P.O. Box 36, Kajiado Age: 15

Attention Educators: Follow the colour codes for curriculum links Expressions: English language and literacy Staying Healthy: Health, hygiene and nutrition Practical Science: Maths, science and technology

Our World: Civil society, social sciences and human rights Business and careers Going Green: Agroforestry, home gardens and environmental conservation Critical thinking, puzzles and brainteasers

YOUNG AFRICAN EXPRESS

Vol. 5 no. 4

staying healthy

Cold and hunger ave you noticed how quickly you feel hungry during the cold season? When it is cold outside, your body must work harder to maintain its internal temperature.

You need to eat enough food and drink enough liquids to meet the body’s increased demands. If you have a deficiency of iron, copper and zinc, you will not be able to maintain your body temperature when you are exposed to cold water and air.

How to eat during the cold season: 1 Drink plenty of water.

2 Eat a well-balanced diet that includes food from all the food

groups—carbohydrates, fats, proteins, minerals and vitamins.

3 Eat hot food. This helps to keep your body warm. 4 Eat regular meals and, if you can, include some snacks.

5 Take lemon tea with honey to put a check on colds, which are common during the cold season.

heat than it does when your stomach is empty. As your stomach digests the food, heat is produced, which keeps your body warm.

6 Eat lots of fruits (such as pineapples, tangerines and oranges), and vegetables (for vitamins C and E). 7 Eat whole grains, lean meats, and poultry (for zinc) and low-fat dairy products, pumpkin, butternut and carrots for vitamin A.

When the temperatures are low outside and high indoors, your skin flakes easily. Be sure to eat fish and nuts to ensure that your skin doesn’t dry out.

In 30 to 60 minutes after you eat, your body generates about 10% more

You should try to keep warm at all times during the cold season.

All about soap How often do you wa sh your hands? Do you wash them wit h soap? Many of us neglect this imp ortant part of the hand-washing rou tine.

New soap from old

Stir over low heat until mixture becomes a creamy paste, adding more water if necessary.

Why is soap important?

Grease and dirt on our hands carry germs—bacteria and viruses. Soap makes it possible for the grease and dirt to mix with water, so that they rinse off. And soap smells good! You may argue that many people can’t afford soap but the truth is most households have soap, including 95% of Ugandan and 97% of Kenyan households.

All soaps are equally good at removing germs. You do not need anti-bacterial soap, which may contain harmful chemicals.

Grate soap leftovers.

Pour into moulds (such as ice cube trays) or shape into balls and put on baking tray.

Boil water in a pot and put a heatproof container over it. Fill 3/4 of the container with grated soap and add about 100 ml boiling water.

If you have no soap, use ash, sand or even mud—all remove more dirt than water alone, although they may carry germs. You can also save on soap by recycling slivers of leftover soap.

Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.

Cover with cloth and leave for 2 weeks to harden.

We should wash our hands for at least 15 seconds each time.

Just think:

• 80% of infectious diseases are transmitted by touch. • Hand washing with soap is the cheapest way to prevent disease. • Pneumonia is the most common cause of death of children under 5 worldwide. Hand washing with soap can reduce the rate of acute respiratory infections by 23%. • Diarrhoea is the 2nd most common cause of child deaths in the world. Hand washing with soap can reduce diarrhoea rates by more than 40%.

Take part in Global Handwashing Day on 15 October 2010. Go to www.globalhandwashingday.org.

Vol. 5 no. 4

YOUNG AFRICAN EXPRESS

Diseases

See the little jiggers? Musa can barely walk due to the numerous sores on his feet. He keeps scratching the itchy sores, which are spreading to other parts of his feet. Almost every member of his family is nursing such sores on either their feet or hands. All these wounds are a result of jiggers.

he jigger, whose scientific name is Tunga penetrans, is a type of flea found in sandy soils in tropical countries. It is the smallest flea, only about 1 mm long. It lays its eggs on the soil; the larvae develop into adults by feeding on decaying organic matter. The adult flea feeds mostly on warm-blooded hosts like humans, cattle and chickens. The female jigger seeks an abundant supply of food when she is about to lay eggs.

Medics remove jiggers

from a boy’s foot.

I hatch—and the cycle begins again. The adult then dies and is shed off from the skin.

A female jigger, swollen

t first, the host feels a slight irritation at the point where the jigger is burrowing. The infested area reddens, sometimes with a slight swelling and if the jigger is not removed in time, the swelling becomes a blister. The itchy wound is now painful and probably gets scratched a lot, and dead tissue causes it to ooze pus. The wound can get infected with bacteria, which could even lead to loss of infected toes or limbs.

ecause this with eggs, compared with flea can jump the head of a needle. only about 20 cm, it usually attaches itself to the feet of the host. When we walk here are different ways to barefoot in areas where the flea is treat a jigger bite. The first found, the jigger hops on. The female is to remove the entire jigger burrows head first through the immediately. However, this method can skin, breathing through an cause another problem if extraction opening in her exposed equipment such as needles abdomen. As she feeds, are used without being she swells up to sterilised. Doing so 1 cm in diameter could spread diseases and over the next like HIV from an 2 weeks releases infected person. over 100 eggs, Needles should which fall to always be sterilised the ground and before use.

Jiggers are the smallest known fleas, only 1 mm long.

t is important to remove the entire insect intact. To avoid breaking it up, another treatment is to soak the wounds daily for 15 minutes, in water mixed with a disinfectant, for about 2 weeks. To eradicate the fleas completely, have the entire homestead fumigated, including farm animals and their shelters.

e can prevent jigger bites by observing personal hygiene and keeping the environment clean. Keep grass short and always wear shoes to protect your feet. There are repellents that you can apply to your skin to avoid being bitten—but they will quickly be rubbed off bare feet, so you still need to wear shoes. When you are on the farm, be sure to wash your feet thoroughly to get rid of newly acquired jiggers.

eople like Musa and his family may be stigmatised and their condition deemed a curse. Jiggers are not a curse. Stigmatising someone suffering from jiggers hurts their self-esteem and makes them feel ashamed to seek help. We can tell them the importance of cleanliness and volunteer to help them eradicate the jiggers. If you read our front page story, you will know Ahadi Kenya, is doing that. Thanks to Ahadi, many people across East Africa are now living a healthier life.

For more information, go to this website: www.jigger-ahadi.org

YOUNG AFRICAN EXPRESS

f HIV is left untreated it destroys the immune system and makes the body vulnerable to disease. HIV goes through 4 stages. From the moment someone becomes infected with HIV, they are at risk of infecting others, even though they have no symptoms nor know that HIV is in their body.

Window period

Our bodies make antibodies to fight infection by bacteria and viruses. The process of creating HIV antibodies, called sero-conversion, can take from 3 weeks to 6 months. If an HIV test is done before

Vol. 5 no. 4

hiv and you

• Fatigue (extreme exhaustion) • Night sweats, which result in dehydration • Wasting (rapid weight loss)

sero-conversion is complete, it may not show as positive.

Asymptomatic period

At this stage, there are enough antibodies for a test to be positive, but the immune system is still strong enough to prevent symptoms from showing. In fact, a person can live for many years without symptoms as long as they eat properly, sleep well, take enough exercise and have the support of family and friends, as well as access to treatment and medication.

AIDS

In this final stage the immune system is so severely damaged that it can no longer fight opportunistic infections. Normally minor diseases can become dangerous because the immune system is weak. The illnesses that occur become more serious, leading eventually to an AIDS diagnosis. AIDS is diagnosed when a person has HIV and one or more opportunistic infections. Although an opportunistic infection can lead to death, someone who has AIDS will have been living with HIV for many years.

Symptomatic period

During this period the HI virus becomes more active. The immune system starts to be severely weakened and the body becomes prone to infection. Common symptoms include: • Nausea • Diarrhoea

and now my period is late!

you’re pregnant? shame on you!

everyone gets a late period sometimes.

malia, are you okay?

you can’t be sure you’re pregnant.

Story by Peta Meyer Art by Bella Kilonzo

i’ll have to leave school— oh, my life is ruined!

we only did it once ...

oh, nuru ... i feel sick. i think i’m pregnant.

and what if you’ve caught hiv?

later ...

my parents will kill me! i’m not pregnant after all! and my period has come!

malia, the first thing is to find out if you’re really pregnant. we can get a test kit at the chemist… oh, yeah! thank you, nuru. i have learned my lesson.

you should have thought about that before, you shameless girl.

malia has made a mistake but now she needs our help.

uh ... really?

well, there’s one more test …

do you know what it is?

... an hiv test?

TALK ABOUT IT! what would be the consequences if malia really were pregnant? there are only 2 things that can protect against pregnancy and hiv infection at the same time—one is not having sex. what’s the other?

Vol. 5 no. 4

bodyworks

YOUNG AFRICAN EXPRESS

The immune system:

y m r a e t a v i r p r u Yo against germs Oh no! ocyte It’s the leuk ain! army. Not ag

Countries have armies to protect their land from invasion. Your body has its own army to protect you from invading germs and viruses—it’s called the immune system.

he immune system is not one organ but a network of cells, tissues and organs that work together to defend your body against attack. The first line of defence is your skin. Your skin is the biggest organ of your body and among its many functions is to act as a barrier to germs. Healthy skin has a slightly acidic pH (acidalkali) balance that repels bacteria. Airborne bacteria and viruses can enter your body at the nose and mouth. The mucous membranes lining your nose and throat produce mucus to trap and flush out dust and germs. When you start sniffing and sneezing, those are signs that germs have entered your body and your immune system is fighting the infection.

Tonsils: part of the immune system you can see

Say “aah” in the mirror and you will see your tonsils—lymph glands that lie on either side of the back of your throat, designed to trap bacteria, viruses and other harmful organisms before they enter the rest of your body. Sometimes the tonsils get infected, causing swelling, a bad sore throat, pain and fever. See a doctor white if this patches or uvula nodules happens swollen because tonsils untreated tongue tonsillitis can lead to a much more severe infection.

The real soldiers in your immune army are the billions of white blood cells, also called leukocytes. There are many different types of white blood cells but the 2 main ones are phagocytes, which attack and engulf germ cells, and lymphocytes, which remember and recognise previous invaders. bacteria

white blood cell (phagocyte)

bacteria are digested

Apart from the blood, leukocytes are found in lots of places in your body, including the bone marrow (where blood cells are made), the lymphatic system and your spleen.

When the immune system gets sick

There are some diseases that instead of attacking an organ attack the immune system itself. HIV, for example, can weaken the immune system until it can no longer defend the body and even simple infections can become deadly.

The lymphatic system: your immune HQ

The lymphatic system is a network of tiny vessels linked by lymph nodes found in different parts of your body. Your lymphatic system maintains the fluid balance in the body and absorbs nutrients from the food in your small intestine. It is also the body’s main line of defence against bacteria and toxins. The lymphatic system filters harmful substances out of the fluid surrounding cells before the fluid is returned to the blood. Has a doctor ever felt for swollen glands on the sides of your neck, like when you’ve had a throat infection? The little swellings are actually lymph nodes containing immune system cells that filter and remove harmful germs. Lymph nodes are usually small and you don’t notice them. But when they’re swollen that means your immune army is at work. You also have lymph nodes in your armpits, your groin and many other places.

The role of your spleen

The spleen is an organ about the size of your fist, found in the upper left abdomen and protected by your rib cage. The spleen stores and filters blood cells as part of the circulatory system. As it filters the blood, white blood cells trap and destroy harmful organisms.

Dirty hands are one of the easiest ways for germs to hitch a ride to your nose and mouth. You can help your immune system by washing your hands regularly with soap.

YOUNG AFRICAN EXPRESS

LIVING RIGHT Parents might complain about your moods but it’s really just your new “puberty brain” trying to adjust, and things will settle down in time. Meanwhile, here are some ways to cope.

Read about it. During tough times, it helps to know what’s going on. Go to the library for books about puberty, or check out teen websites such as www.pbskids.org/ itsmylife.

Emotions and puberty

uberty is the time when new hormones move around inside your body, turning you from a child into an adult. These hormones bring more than physical changes. While your body is growing and adjusting, so is your brain—bringing extremes in moods and emotions. One minute you’re playing happily, the next you’re screaming at your little brother. The smallest thing can make you euphoric … or totally depressed.

Talk to your friends. Remember, your friends are going through puberty too and you can offer each other support. Talk to an adult. It can also help to talk to your mum or someone older who remembers what going through puberty feels like. Or talk to the school counsellor or nurse.

Express yourself. Writing, drawing, singing or making music—these are great ways to let your feelings out! Keep a diary, dance or learn to play the guitar. You’ll find it feels good to express yourself in a creative way.

NOAH, AREN’T YOU A MEMBER OF THAT YOUTH GROUP? YOU ARE LATE!

I DON’T GO THERE ANY MORE. THE PASTOR IS WEIRD…

Vol. 5 no. 4

Myths about child abuse Myth 1: Only girls are in danger of sexual abuse, not boys

Fact: Sexual abuse happens to both girls and boys. But because boys are expected not to show weakness, they may not talk about it. Sexual abuse of boys is more common than we think.

Myth 2: Most child sexual abuse is committed by strangers. Fact: Sexual abuse by strangers is actually quite rare. Most abusers are family members, neighbours or people known to the family.

Myth 3: It’s only abuse if it’s physical or violent.

Fact: Physical abuse is just one type of child abuse. Emotional abuse can be just as bad because it causes longlasting damage to the child’s personality.

WEIRD? WHY DO YOU SAY THAT?

Myth 4: Child abuse doesn’t happen in “good” families.

By Peter Meyer and Martin Ngugi K.

WHEN WE WERE ALONE AFTER YOUTH GROUP ONCE, HE PULLED DOWN HIS PANTS AND ASKED ME TO CHECK IF HE HAD AN INJURY SOMEWHERE … IT WAS CREEPY! I SIMPLY RAN.

THE SAME THING HAPPENEDTO ME LAST YEAR! I RAN AWAY TOO!

DID YOU TELL SOMEBODY WHAT HAPPENED? WHO WOULD BELIEVE ME?

Fact: Child abuse happens in all neighbourhoods, cultures and religions. Sometimes families who seem from the outside to “have everything” are hiding a different story behind closed doors.

Myth 5: Only bad people abuse their children.

HE’S THE CHURCH PASTOR!

THE MAN IS MISUSING HIS POWER TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF BOYS. HE CAN BE PUT IN JAIL FOR SEXUAL ABUSE. BUT IF NOBODY TELLS, HE WILL NEVER GET FOUND OUT.

Fact: Not all abusers intentionally harm their children. Some have been victims of abuse themselves and don’t know any other way to behave as a parent. Others may be struggling with mental health or alcohol issues and need help. If you think someone you know has been abused, call these hotlines:

YOU’RE RIGHT. I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE UNTIL NOAH SPOKE UP. LET’S GO TOGETHER TO REPORT IT. I WONDER IF THERE ARE OTHERS...

a 116 • Childline Keny ne One-2-One Hotli • Liverpo ol VCT 0800 22 11 121 ildren Ugan da • Action for Ch or 0800 111 222 3 33 111 0800 ania (51) 152243 • ANPPCAN-Tanz

Vol. 5 no. 4

YOUNG AFRICAN EXPRESS

Human rights

Did you know that prisoners in Kenya were allowed to vote during the referendum? This is a right included in the new constitution. Whether you think prisoners should be allowed to vote or not depends on whether you believe prisons are there to punish or rehabilitate. What do you think? Here are some arguments for both sides.

Arguments against prisoners voting:

• Prisoners should not be allowed to vote as a punishment so that they learn to respect the rule of law.

• Prisoners are politically naïve and incapable of making informed decisions.

• Prisoners may skew election results in favour of political parties that are lenient on crime and justice. • Ensuring that the voting does not interfere with prison security will be costly and complicated.

• The electoral system is based on a society’s collective sense of respect for the law, citizenship, and democratic processes. These are the very values that prisoners have flaunted so allowing prisoners to vote violates the entire spirit of the electoral system.

DO THE

RIGHT

People living in close quarters, like those living in a block of flats, need to respect each other’s privacy.

Arguments in favour of prisoners voting: • Allowing prisoners to vote promotes responsible citizenship and fosters the development of law-abiding citizens.

• Granting prisoners their right to vote promotes a sense of belonging and establishes a link between them and the community, so it helps in the rehabilitation of prisoners. • Voting ensures that prisoners’ voice on issues such as prison overcrowding and abuse by warders are heard. • Prisoners should also have the opportunity to influence the formation of policies that affect the world to which almost all of them will some day return.

• Prisoners’ right to vote is not a universal fundamental right. It varies from country to country.

• In countries like Russia and United Kingdom, convicted prisoners are automatically banned from voting.

• In countries like France and Germany, a prisoner’s eligibility to vote is determined on an individual basis, that is, what someone was imprisoned for. • In some states in the USA, anyone who has ever been imprisoned is banned from voting even after they have been released from prison.

THING

Good neighbours should also know when to keep quiet— waking everyone up late at night is not neighbourly!

Living in a community

Be pleasant to those around you but respect their need for their own space. Be friendly but know when to stay away.

Areas like stairways or the compound belong to everyone. Work together to keep them clean and everyone can enjoy them.

YOUNG AFRICAN EXPRESS

Vol. 5 no. 4

our world

Meet the resistance! was ruled by the omukama (king) of Bunyoro. In 1894, Buganda became a protectorate under Kabaka Mwanga II. Mwanga’s father had pitted Catholics, Protestants and Muslims against each other, but Mwanga aggressively expelled all Christian missionaries and ordered all converts to abandon their faith.

Have you heard of Nabongo Mumia, Koitalel Arap Samoei or Kabaka Mwanga? They were traditional leaders who led their communities in resisting colonial rule.

Koitalel Arap Samoei, of the Nandi people.

oitalel was an orkoiyot—the supreme chief of the Nandi people of Kenya. He was made chief in 1885. Koitalel led the Nandi in resisting British colonial rule for 11 years during the building of the Kenya-Uganda railway.

The kabaka declared war against the British on 6 July 1897 but was defeated at the battle of Buddu on 20 July. England’s commissioner of Uganda in 1900, Sir Harry Johnston, was ordered to establish an administration. He offered the Bugandan chiefs jobs in the colonial administration if they would collaborate, which they did.

Nabongo Mumia of the Luhya.

efore the colonial era, the Luhya were ruled by the nabongo (king), who came from the Wanga clan. The Luhya form of government was similar to the monarchy in countries like the United Kingdom. The nabongo was assisted by a council of elders known as the lukongo. Amakuru were officials directly under the elders. Other leaders were known as vaami (lords). The nabongo ruled a large area, from eastern Uganda across Lake Victoria, up to Naivasha. Mumia, the 17th nabongo of Wanga, was ruling when the British came to Luhyaland in 1894. The Europeans changed his title from king to “chief” and named his capital Mumias.

Ko italel’s Barsirian Arap Man son, yei (born 1882), wa s fro m 1919 the Nan di lea der was detain to 1922, when he e d by the British. Release d o n ly in 1964, Barsirian w ser ving p as the longestolitical p Kenyan his risoner in tor y.

etween the 16th and 19th centuries, the Bunyoro Kitara kingdom in Uganda was one of the most powerful in East Africa. It

Kabaka Mwanga II, of Buganda in Uganda.

blind spot

by Benjah Ondiege and Katherine Moir

The blind spot

blind spot

However careful drivers are, they sometimes cannot see pedestrians and other vehicles on the road. They are in the driver’s blind spot.

There are various blind spots for drivers. Small cars have a better view around them than big ones, and trucks have the worst view. Here are the blind spots for trucks.

Be extra careful around big vehicles—and take care of young children near them, too!

Vol. 5 no. 4

Reading is fun

YOUNG AFRICAN EXPRESS

improvement or even feeding livestock, like at the farm.” Sweetie repeated what Mingu had told her that morning on the way to school, almost word for word, watching Mr Mwamba’s eyes grow big.

BY LEE DIANI Our serialised story continues in this issue

Episode 2: Learning at the waste dump

“O

rder! order!” intoned Mr Mwamba, eyeing the students giggling as he imitated the speaker controlling unruly members of parliament. “Today our subject is waste! Who knows the meaning of the word?” Hands flew up. He liked this class. “Things that are thrown away because they are useless.” “Stuff you’re supposed to put in the waste bin.” “Nasty, dirty things. Yuk!!” “Good!” he chipped in, “But remember, a word can be a verb as well as a noun. What does it mean if we waste something? ... Yes, Mercy”. “The verb ‘to waste’ means NOT making proper use of something.” “Yes!” He banged the table. He really liked this class. “That is what we

are going to learn about. And we are going to see it in action—where all the stuff that is wasted goes and how it is dealt with. Today’s visit is to the main city waste dump.” There was murmuring and shuffling of feet. “We shall leave in an orderly fashion at the end of this class and go to the school bus. You all know the routine. All right, all right, calm down. It’s not the end of the class yet. First, we are going to learn how waste can be managed better by thinking about it better. Now, did you know there are different types of waste? Who knows how we can classify wastes?” Sweetie’s hand flew up and Mr Mwamba nodded to her. “Organic and inorganic,” she said proudly. “Inorganics are all the things that do not rot, like glass, plastics and metal. Organics are all the things that rot and can be used for soil

“Well,” he said, “I am impressed. Class, Sweetie has told us correctly what the main categories of waste are. She has also told us how the organics can be used and not wasted, so we have understood more about the 2 meanings of the word. Very good. Now let us learn something more from this about science, as well as about English language. Did you know that re-using organic wastes helps nature to do its work? Nature does not waste anything. Everything on this earth stays on this earth and moves around in natural cycles. We live in nature, in what we call the ecosystem—and we have to learn to make everything we do on this earth work harmoniously with the natural ecological cycles.” He wrote the words with a flourish on the chalkboard as he spoke. “Now, Sweetie has told us that things that rot can be used for soil improvement. So, food that might be thrown out can be used to make compost that fertilises crops—and thus turn into more food. That’s a natural, ecological cycle that feeds us, over and over again. But even before the food rots, it could be eaten by livestock—instead of making a mess in the ecosystem—and again turn into food that we can eat. Remember that next time you eat a chicken leg, or an egg, or even when you drink a glass of milk. All that yukky waste has not been wasted!” He smiled as he wrote “hydrologic cycle” on the board. “What goes round THAT cycle?” “Water,” yelled everybody. “Right!” said Mr Mwamba. “And never a drop can be wasted—that’s impossible! It cannot get out of the natural cycle, it just goes round and round as vapour, liquid, or even solid ice cream … I mean ice,” he joked. “And it also helps grow our food. Did you know that even waste water can be good for growing food—if it has some organics but not too many inorganics in it?” He was enjoying

Continued on p. 12

YOUNG AFRICAN EXPRESS

Reading is fun

Continued from p. 11

Vol. 5 no. 4

“You may get out now. This is our guide, who will show us around and explain the different projects here,” he said. “Remember to stay close together.” Sweetie followed her friends, a bit scared by the place. But she listened carefully as their guide explained the problems the City Council had in managing the waste dump, because of the large amount of waste produced. The guide showed them how people were separating the waste into its component parts and explained how the United Nations was providing training and projects to help them earn a living in ways that help the City Council manage the dump.

himself now, with the class hanging on his words, and hoping for an ice cream on the school trip.

n the school bus, Sweetie sat with her best friends, Veronica and Mercy.

As the bus drove round a huge mound of waste and then a kind of crater with people working in it, making piles of different objects the girls could hardly make out, they saw a group of makeshift huts to their right, facing down into the crater. The bus stopped

Sweetie was feeling depressed and helpless. Because the task was so big, she couldn’t see how the dump could possibly cope with so much waste. Despite the teacher’s warning, she had lagged a little behind the others and was gazing into the distance, towards the group of waste-sorters in the crater. Suddenly, one of them was waving at her, and yelling, “Sweetie! How are you?”

“Did you see Mr Mwamba’s face when you told him all those things, Sweetie? He nearly had a fit,” giggled Veronica. Sweetie hunched her shoulders and looked embarrassed but was secretly very pleased. “How did you KNOW all that?” asked Mercy. “Did your parents tell you?” “Ummm, no,” said Sweetie, “It was just somebody I met. Oh look, here comes the dump. Gruesome.” Gruesome and ugly it was, with burning mounds of evil-looking waste, their smelly smoke going a great distance, and huge ungainly birds wheeling above and perching everywhere looking for food. “They find food there,” said Veronica, “but I hate to think this mess could make food for human beings.” “Oh no!” gasped Mercy, “Look, there are people all over, looking for scraps. How terrible. And look at those goats too.”

well before they reached the huts, drawing up next to a United Nations 4-wheel-drive vehicle. Somebody got out of the vehicle and waved to Mr Mwamba, who was at the front of the bus.

It was Mingu, her friend from the morning. What should she do?

Will Sweetie join Mingu in the crater? Wait for episode 3.

Vol. 5 no. 4

YOUNG AFRICAN EXPRESS

agroforestry

seedlings and Cuttings

ou have sown seeds in your seedbeds or pots. What happens when they sprout? What about alternatives to growing from seed? Let’s investigate.

Care of seedlings

• Keep seedlings moist, watering them with a fine spray. • Remove any weeds carefully.

• Thin seedlings if they are too close together, leaving the strongest. For pots, remove all but one seedling.

• Shade seedlings and water them regularly, gradually reducing shade and water so that seedlings are used to more sun and less water when they are transplanted. When you check your seedlings, cut off any taproots growing out of pots

Cuttings—another way to grow new plants You can Plant your cuttings propagate Taking Cuttings may be planted (produce) cuttings directly at the many new Choose branches with at least 4 planting site but will plants bud eyes or nodes. You may get develop better in from one several cuttings from one branch. pots or propagation parent beds. Cuttings need plant— Using a sharp knife or pruning rooting medium—soil they shears, make a slanting cut at that is light, moist are the base, to give more room for and coarse. A clones roots to grow, and a straight cut mixture of coarse or copies at the top to reduce drying river sand and 20% out. Cut the base just below of the a node and the top 1–3 cm compost is good. Shade old plant. above a node. your cuttings from hot One way sun. Most species need is growing rooting hormone—chemicals to new plants from stimulate growth. cuttings—sections of leaves, stems or roots cut from the parent plant. It is easiest to grow tree seedlings from stem cuttings. Take them from healthy young trees with good features. Cuttings from soft branches develop roots faster and more easily than those from woody branches, but they need more care. Woody cuttings, from branches at least a year old, are better for dry areas although they take longer to grow roots.

• Water beds and pots well before planting. • Plant cuttings quickly (to prevent drying out), slanting cut down— cuttings won’t grow if they are planted upside down.

Plant cuttings at a 45º angle, with 2/3 of the cutting in the soil and at least 2 nodes above ground, facing up.

• Water twice daily. • Roots and shoots should appear after 3–4 weeks. Carefully remove the cuttings at intervals to check the roots. In dry areas, cover beds with polythene sheeting to keep moisture in. Insert cuttings through holes in the polythene. Shade well to prevent cuttings from getting too hot.

YOUNG AFRICAN EXPRESS

Vol. 5 no. 4

ecosystems

The invisible ecosystem W

ithout the activities of soil organisms, organic materials like animal droppings and dead plants and animals would accumulate and litter the soil surface, and there would be no food in the soil for plants.

Did you know that the ground right underneath your feet is full of life?

Fungi are decomposers. They break down dead plant and animal matter, releasing nutrients into the soil. They send long threads called mycelia through the soil.

Small animals like snails, earthworms, termites and dung beetles break plant matter up into pieces small enough for fungi and bacteria to process. When they feed on fungi, bacteria and protozoa they release nutrients into the soil. As they move around they mix the soil and create spaces for air and water.

Nematodes are tiny worms. Some are harmful to plants but others feed on plant pests.

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria like those in the root nodules of legumes convert nitrogen from the air into a form that plants can use.

Soil bacteria live near the surface, close to plant roots. Most are decomposers.

Protozoa are microscopic organisms that feed on fungi, bacteria, organic particles and other protozoa. In eating bacteria they release nitrogen that plants can absorb.

Soil life or soil biota refers to organisms living on as well as in the soil.

What is at work under this leaf litter?

Small but powerful`

Keep dudus happy

Bacteria and fungi are the foundation of healthy soil. They help decompose the organic matter in the soil. Protozoa, nematodes, arthropods and earthworms feed on bacteria and fungi and also on one another. Their activity makes nutrients available for plants throughout the growing season. The soil can contain millions of such organisms, as they feed on decaying material such as old plants, mulch and unprocessed compost.

If we nurture soil organisms we can produce good crops. With the right conditions, which include moist soil containing heaps of organic matter and the right food sources, these organisms will thrive in the soil over the growing period. They will do what they do bestâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;decompose material, release nutrients and suppress disease by feeding on disease-causing organisms.

Vol. 5 no. 4

YOUNG AFRICAN EXPRESS

ecosystems

under your feet

One cubic centimetre of soil contains 3 to 5 million bacteria.

When earthworms make and move through their little tunnels in the soil, they create air spaces and mix the soil. This activity helps plants take in the minerals and nutrients they need to grow.

helloo! anyone down there?

Some earthworm species come to the soil surface and feed on the high concentrations of organic matter, mixing it with the mineral soil. In many soils, earthworms play a major role in converting large pieces of organic matter, such as dead leaves, into rich humus, and thus improving the fertility of the soil.

Feed the soil and feed soil life

Mulch, cover crops (planted to cover Mulches and cover crops keep the the soil), compost soil cool and and manure create prevent erosion soil fresh good conditions for and water organisms plant decomposing dead evaporation. waste material, releasing Green manure nutrients and keeping humus (cover crops away diseases because (decomposed decomposing that are dug they provide food organic organic into the soil to and shelter for soil matter) matter rot), manure and organisms. compost improve soil structure These things not only by introducing nurture soil life, they Soil composition organic matter. help in other ways too. By Katherine Moir and Benjamin Ondiege

MILKA, DO YOU KNOW WHERE THAT DRAINAGE CHANNEL RUNS? NO IDEA ABOUT THAT, EITHER.

I DO, IT GOES TO THE STREAM. …

THAT’S THE OIL CHANGE DONE!

… OH! SO THAT DIRTY OLD OIL GOES THERE TOO? I’M AFRAID SO, JOB.

Agricultural soils lose their carbon content, contained in organic matter, because of excessive use of chemical fertilisers and failure to rotate crops every planting season. We can stop soil from losing its carbon content by adding compost, compost teas, mulches and cover crops. Mineral deficiencies in the soil can be fixed by adding non-soluble rock products such as limestone.

MUM, WHERE DOES THE USED OIL GO?

WELL, THAT’S A BIG STREAM—THE OIL WILL JUST DISSOLVE IN IT. BUT IT CAN’T DISSOLVE ‘COS OIL AND WATER DON’T MIX, MUM. INSTEAD, 1 LITRE CAN POLLUTE A MILLION LITRES OF WATER!

YEUCH! IF I’D KNOWN … WHAT CAN I DO WITH USED OIL IN FUTURE?

HMMM, YES. BUT WHEN THE DRUM IS FULL?

YOU NEED TO DISPOSE OF IT SAFELY. YOU COULD COLLECT IT IN ONE OF THOSE BIG EMPTY OIL DRUMS!

NO IDEA, JOB. ONCE IT’S OUT OF SIGHT, THAT’S THAT!

SELL IT TO RECYCLERS. THEY RECLAIM METALS IN THE OIL OR USE IT AS FUEL FOR THE FURNACE. HEY MUM, WE CAN MAKE MONEY BY CLEANING UP!

YOUNG AFRICAN EXPRESS

Vol. 5 no. 4

home gardens

At Furaha Primary, the compost has been dug into the beds. The children have planted a windbreak to protect their plants and soil from the warm, dry winds that often blow at the school ... They’ll take some years to grow to a useful height so we’ve planted fast-growing Mexican lilac* between them.

We’ve planted gum acacia* seedlings.

The class has made roofs to shade the beds.

* Gliricidia sepium * Acacia senegal

The windbreak will also improve the soil, attract pollinators to our crops and provide fuel and timber.

We found information on windbreaks on this website: www.paceproject.net. What did you choose?

The class had to select plants that suit our conditions:

Beans, cowpeas, soybeans, tomatoes, amaranth, pumpkins, sorghum ...

Temperatures: 8–34 ˚C—warm Altitude: 1,100 m above sea level Annual rainfall: 300–800 mm No nearby water supply Gentle slope Sandy loam soil Windy site

Whoah there! Begin with fewer crops and add more as you gain experience.

Food—we’ll get green beans and the dry (common) beans, rich in protein, vitamins and minerals. We can grow them alone or intercrop them with sorghum or maize. Our altitude and Why suitable climate suit beans. They can grow in many types of soil, specially with compost added. They need plenty of organic matter. Uses

Mwalimu, where do we start?

Uses

COWPE A, KUN DE (Vigna ungu iculata)

Legumes fix nitrogen in the soil so we should plant cowpeas as a cover crop* in one bed. We can plant sorghum after harvesting the cowpeas. * A crop planted between other crops to improve the soil. What about beans? We eat them almost every day ...

PUMPKIN, MALENGE (Cucurbita moschata)

Uses

We can eat the drie d cowpeas, an d the po ds an d le go o d gre aves are a en vegeta ble. Cowpeas ca cover cro n be a p, Why green ma use d as nure or suitable intercrop pe other cro d w ith ps. Why Cowpeas like san d suitable y soils most Good work, , an d tha t’s what we class. have. They do well in war m cli ma ours an d tes like are well adapte d to con dition dry s.

We must get good quality seeds, choosing the variety that suits the local conditions.

We can eat the nutritious fruits, leaves and flowers as vegetables and the roaste d seeds are a wholesome snack.

Uses

Pumpkins do best in warm, dry conditions. They need welldraine d soil high in organic matter so, with the compost we’ve added, our soil should suit them.

Why suitable

Keep the seed packets after you have sown the seeds. They have useful information on the back. Put them on sticks thrust into the ground next to the seeds.

uld be layer sho The soil r fo p e • 1 cm de seeds amaranth eds owpea se c r • 4 cm fo eans rb • 5 cm fo

What do we do when the seeds germinate?

Well then, we’ll grow cowpeas and beans, plus amaranth and pumpkins.

AMARAN TH, TERER E (Amaranthus spp.)

Amaranth grains are an impo rtant cereal an d the leaves w ill provid e green leafy vege tables.

Amaranth is drought re sistant, likes war m conditions an d prefer s welldraine d loam soilsw ith compo st adde d, our soil sh ould be go od for it.

Mmm, terere and pumpkin leaves!

Once they have the seed, it’s time to sow ... Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil.

Now it’s time to plant crops!

... the school will save money and we’ll get lots of protein!

What the class have found out about these plants: COMMON COMMON BEAN, BEAN, MAHARAGW MAHARAGW E E (Phaseolus (Phaseolus vulgaris) vulgaris)

We planted mango, banana and papaya seedlings down one side of the plot. The bananas and papayas will bear fruit within a year.

That’s a story for another day!

Plant the pumpkin seeds directly. Make holes 2–3 cm deep, 100 cm apart in rows 200 cm apart and put 3 seeds in each. Cover with a mix of soil and compost.

In our next issue the Furaha Farmers learn how to transplant seedlings and care for crops.

Vol. 5 no. 4

practical science

YOUNG AFRICAN EXPRESS

= s H Ma - n

+ tio in ac

Interest rates To help you pay for that cool T-shirt you want, your sister agrees to lend you Ksh 200 at an interest rate of 1% per day.

instrument. The flared shape of the vuvuzela contributes to making the sound loud.

espite its loud and irritating sound during the World Cup 2010 in South Africa, we all learned to love the vuvuzela. This South African horn was almost banned from the matches after complaints from some players that it was distracting them from playing. One of the reasons behind its ear-splitting sound is the way it is shaped. Sound is a form of energy, just like electricity and light, made when air molecules vibrate and move in a pattern called waves, or sound waves. When the vibrating air molecules reach our ears they make them vibrate to produce the sensation of sound. Big or small vibrations make loud or soft sounds respectively. The loudness (intensity) of sound is measured in decibels (dB). How high or low a sound is (its frequency or pitch) is measured in hertz (Hz) and depends on how close the sound waves are to each other. Chalk scratching on the blackboard, for instance, creates many closely packed sound waves that hurt our ears. A vuvuzela is a wind instrument—we blow air from a mouthpiece down a tube to make the sound. The shape and length of the inside of the tube affects the sounds made by a wind

The vuvuzela sound is loud and strident because of the way the player blows it. A trumpeter keeps the tension of the lips and the airflow steady and continuous while blowing. An average football fan blows the vuvuzela erratically, sending puffs of air through the tube. The sound produced is irregular and the frequency fluctuates. The sound produced by a vuvuzela can sometimes cause temporary deafness because it produces around 116 decibels at 1 metre. For a person who is far away, the intensity will have reduced by the time the sound reaches their ears. 140 dB

gunshot ambulance siren

120 dB 116 dB

vuvuzela

90 dB

lawnmower

85 dB 60 dB

heavy city traffic normal conversation

15 dB whisper 0 dB

1% of Ksh 200 is Ksh 2 … hey, that’s peanuts! You can afford it, right?

Let’s check it out.

Suppose you take 1 month to repay the

loan—that’s 30 days.

Ksh 2 a day x 30 days = Ksh 60. So you have to repay

200 + 60 200 260 + 60

Sound that is below the range of human hearing is known as infrasound, while that above the range of human hearing is known as ultrasound.

No matter how lou d, soft, high or low a sound is, it travels at the same speed to reach our ears: 343 m per second or 1,236 km per hour.

interest

200 260

Now, what interest + 60 rate is that? You need to figure260 out the percentage. Step 1: First divide the interest by the loan amount. Knock Knock offoff Knock off the zeros. the zeros. the zeros.

Divide by Divide by the biggest number Divide by the biggest number the biggest that will gonumber intogo into that will that will go into bothboth numbers—2. numbers—2. both numbers—2.

6060 66 60 = = 20 200 20 6 200 =

200

203

= 3 = 10 10

= 3

near total silence

The decibel levels of different sounds. Regular exposure to noise at 85 dB and above can cause gradual hearing loss.

loan

10 multiply Step 2: To get a percentage, the result of 3 by 100. 10 Multiply the top number, leave the bottom number. Multiply the top

number, leave the bottom number.

Knock off the zeros again ...

Multiply the top number, leave the 3x 100 = 300 = 30% bottom 10 number. 10

Knock o zeros a

So your rate after 1 month 3 x of interest 100 = 300 = 30% is 30%, 10 which is much more 10 than what banks charge. (Way to go, Sis!) Did you notice that 1% per day has to 3 x 30 days?300 equal 30% after 100 = We needn’t = 30% 10 at have done10 any fancy calculations all. Sometimes story sums just need a bit of logic to figure out. Charging interest on loans is how moneylenders and banks make money.

Sound travels in waves from its source to our ears, which detect the sound and send nerve impulses to the brain. Vuvuzelas produce high frequency waves.

Your dad and mum just bought a flat screen TV on hire purchase—are they paying interest on that too? We’ll work it out in the next issue.

YOUNG AFRICAN EXPRESS

Vol. 5 no. 4

practical science

How a

LOCK

works

ct gy fa

o hnol

Tec

file

H oIw ... do

A lock is a mechanical or electronic closing mechanism that can be opened by using a key, key code or password. Locks come in different shapes, designs and sizes but almost all work using the same concept.

he lock that you are likely to find in every house is the lever tumbler. Inside this lock is a set of levers, a bolt and a keyway for the key to be inserted. The key lifts the levers to the correct height so that the bolt can go through. If the wrong key is used the levers could be raised too high or too low, making it impossible for the bolt to shoot. The more levers, the harder it is for the lock to be picked.

1. Parts of a lever tumbler lock.

2. As the key turns, it lifts the levers to the correct height.

Lock picking is the process of opening a lock without the correct key while not damaging the lock. A locksmith, who assembles and designs locks and keys, has lock-picking equipment. However, some thieves also pick locks to steal whatever is secured.

3. The bolt slides out and the levers fall back into place.

Other types of lock spring driver pin key pin

Pin plug tumbler or Yale When there is no key in the lock, the When the correct key is inserted, the driver pins (blue) are pushed down by meeting points of the driver pins (red) lock—a and key pins align with the edge of the the springs so that the plug (yellow) more cannot rotate. plug. Now you can turn the key. secure lock for doors or padlocks. These door locks often have a keyhole on only one side of the door. Useful for places where children are not allowed, like a room containing dangerous chemicals. Small children have a hard time opening it. Combination lock—used for safes, briefcases and some padlocks and bicycle locks. Opens when the right sequence of numbers or letters (key code or password) is used.

Warded lock— simple lock found mostly in inexpensive padlocks.

Hey! If you were 18 today, what is the first thing that you would want to do? If it is to mark your entrance to adulthood by getting an identification card, here’s how:

Requirements

1. Proof of your age, name and place of birth. Any of the following documents can be used: • Birth certificate • Religious certificate • School-leaving certificate • Age assessment certificate from a medical officer of health • Child health card • Notification of birth in the form of a letter from an administrative officer—a chief or assistant chief 2. Proof of citizenship. Any of the following documents can be used: • Parent’s ID card (if you are a Kenyan by birth) • Certificate of registration as a Kenyan citizen (Kenyan by registration or naturalisation)

Procedure

With your original documents and a photocopy of each one, head to the district officer’s office in your area where: 1. You will fill out a form 2. A passport photo of you will be taken 3. Your fingerprints will be taken 4. You will be presented with a “waiting card”. You should present this card when you go to collect your ID after a month.

Vol. 5 no. 4

business & careers

YOUNG AFRICAN EXPRESS

Starting a small business Hello Mark, this is Uncle Stan. How are you?

Good morning, Uncle, I am fine, thanks. How are you?

service with the amount their market will be willing to pay. June and Mark’s customers are students and smallscale business people. Prices must be relatively low as their customers are not wealthy.

I’m very well. How are sales? Are you putting my equipment to good use?

ark’s uncle had lent Mark and June some equipment when they started MaJu Communications. Mark smiled into the phone as he remembered all the questions their parents and Uncle Stan had asked when he and June approached them for help. They were all concerned about sales … Sales are the most important thing in a business. You know that people want your services, but have you thought about location? Customers will go to the most convenient place. Location (site) is an important factor in the success of a retail business. It should be near possible clients or customers. Mark and June had focused on students and people with small businesses as their main market, so they found office space near several small firms and close to colleges and the university.

munity. Draw a map of your com are s sse Note where busine locate d, where the main where travelling routes are and dy. stu and peo ple live, work placed Why are the businesses where they are?

Have you worked out what prices to charge, your selling price? You need to cover expenses and labour and still make a profit, but your prices must be reasonable or you won’t get customers. A business operator needs to balance the costs of producing the goods or

Visit the busine sses yo u marke d on yo ur map. Which ones have go od sales? Co mpare their prices w ith those of similar business es, for example, restaurants or fo od kiosks. How about customer relations? If customers are not happy they will avoid you, no matter how good your prices or how convenient the location. The way customers are treated affects sales. If they get good, friendly service and good quality products, they will keep coming back. If customer relations are bad, they will go elsewhere. June and Mark try hard to please their customers. They have made mistakes but were able to fix them, keeping the customer and learning from the experience too.

Ask 5 custo mers fro m one of the businesses in yo ur co mmunity how they have been treate d. Fro m their answers, make a list of go od an d ba d treatments. How wo uld yo u impro ve the ba d treatment if yo u ow ne d the business? How will people know about your services? How are you going to promote your business? Although a business will get some customers or clients through word of mouth (people telling other people about it), promotion or advertising will reach even more people. When Mark and June started, they depended on word of mouth. Customer numbers did not increase as fast as they’d hoped. Then they realised that

they should do for themselves what they were doing for clients—design flyers and posters to promote their business. They put the posters up in their window and on notice boards and distributed their flyer on campuses.

opie s Photoc y Onl 50/Ksh 1.

e s inclu d Ser vice pying hotoco

printing Poster /Ksh 20 ly n o at

•P • Typing g • Printin cs dis • Blank ss cards • Busine rs • Poste

on tel ct us 839 Conta 6 20 82 no 07 arket

ngani at Mutha Find us

rm acia Supe xt to Ac Street ne

Design a poster for MaJu Co m munications. How w ill yo u attract customer s? Sales are going well, Uncle! I’d like to come and see for myself. Would you let me look through your records?

Certainly!

Whew! I’m glad June and I keep proper records!

Next issue: operating a small business—how to keep records.

YOUNG AFRICAN EXPRESS

You could be a

Vol. 5 no. 4

business & careers

t n e g a e t a t s e l rea

hile working as an IT intern at Infoken Solutions, Martin Gicheru also created websites for clients. He became interested in real estate when he designed a real estate website.

to go back and forth between the buyer and the seller. Both involved their lawyers and everyone went home happy. I got a good commission from that sale.

Anyone with the interest can become a real estate agent, says Martin.

day, people are buying “ Every and selling land and constructing

apartments. The industry grows because land value keeps rising alongside development. The demand for land pushes up prices. If there are good roads, electricity and water in an area, land prices will be high. A real estate agent is responsible for: • Managing an owner’s property, including looking for tenants, collecting rents and acting as a link between tenants and owners • Buying and selling properties (houses, land) on behalf of the owner • Assisting in searching for and buying properties • Advising plot owners on suitable development for their land • Advising someone who wants to invest in land • Assisting clients with the legal procedures involved in buying and selling land

e t u l a s e W

Martin talks to a client who needs to sell a piece of land in an upmarket neighbourhood.

My job comes with many challenges. You meet people with different characters and you have to know how to handle them, especially since dealing with land and money is very sensitive. You have to make sure that both buyer and seller sign detailed, binding agreements—and that you get paid for your efforts. Personal presentation is important. I almost lost a client once because I came to their office by public means. On my next visit, I hired a taxi to show that I was serious in conducting business. My best moment was when I managed to sell a piece of land without having

Evelyn Mungai

This was back in 1976 when girls were deemed to lack entrepreneurial skills and being young rubber-stamped the fact that she was inexperienced. But this didn’t discourage Evelyn from following her dream. Today, Evelyn College of Design is credited with training some of the best fashion designers in the region, and Evelyn, the girl who grew up in Cura Village, Kikuyu, is the recipient of numerous accolades including the honour of the Order of the Grand Warrior of Kenya.

There is money wherever your passion for a career is. Since 70 per cent of your life is your career, make sure you do something you like.

”

Career Facts

Diplo ma or degree Areas of stud y to be co vere d: • Estate Manag ement • Property La w • Land Econom ics You also need a license to show that you are a certified real estate agent.

n her 20s, with no background in design and no money to her name, only with a young person’s determination and an idea that seemed alien at the time, Evelyn Mungai set out to start the first school of design in sub-Saharan Africa—Evelyn College of Design.

Evelyn is currently involved in a village empowerment scheme in Cura, dubbed “Adopt a village.” It includes an Aids orphanage, a resource centre and a banana tissue-culture project. A woman of many firsts, Evelyn was the first African student at Kianda School, first woman president of the Rotary Club in sub-Saharan Africa, and first woman board member of the African Development Project Facility. We salute her pioneering spirit.

Vol. 5 no. 4

YOUNG AFRICAN EXPRESS

careers & fun

THE T EE

The

r e m r a f y h t l hea

Margaret Ndimu is a small-scale farmer. She keeps goats and has a small plot in which she has planted arrowroots. She also keeps freerange kienyeji chickens, and makes and sells peanut butter and banana jam, as well as cheese and yogurt. Margaret is a member of the Nairobi and Food Security Agriculture and Livestock Forum (NEFSALF).

“

I went to Mazingira Institute and was trained in livestock keeping. I chose to keep goats because it is cheaper than keeping cows. For example, I can feed 8 goats on fodder that 1 cow eats in a day. I feed my goats on nutritious fodder, which boosts their immunity so they rarely get sick. Unlike cows, goats can give birth to 6 kids in a year.

Mak

I started selling goat milk because studies have shown that goat milk is nutritious and good for infants, people who have allergies or diabetes and even those who have lowered immunity due to HIV and other diseases. Goat milk is good because it is easy to digest.

I sell 1 litre of goat milk at Ksh 150, compared to cow’s milk, which goes for only Ksh 20. This comes with many challenges, like finding a market for the milk, because it is expensive. I freeze the milk to keep it fresh. When I started my business, I had 2 pregnant does. Now, I have 12 goats. I sell them once they are about 4 months old. I also keep kienyeji chickens. I sell kienyeji eggs for Ksh 30 each. When the supply is low, clients are willing to pay more.

Margaret getting ready to take milk to her clients.

I decided to plant arrowroots because they are nutritious and have fibre, which is good for digestion. They are also drought resistant. I market banana jam and peanut butter by word of mouth when I visit women’s groups or during agricultural exhibitions. I sell my yogurt and cheese to a local primary school. I am educating my neighbours and clients on the health benefits of eating naturally produced foods.

”

Margaret exhibits her products with other farmers.

Banana Jam

Did you like the sound of the banana jam Sweetie enjoyed in the first instalment of our story, What a Waste? Margaret Ndimu, from the story above, has shared the recipe with us. She sends greetings and says this jam is delicious on bread or in any kind of porridge. You need • Ripe yellow bananas—2 bunches if they are large, 4 bunches if they are small • Sugar (quantity varies depending on the type of banana) • 1 lemon • Clean jars or containers with tightfitting lids If you have bananas growing at home you can make more jam and sell some. For 1 stem of bananas, use 3 lemons and proportionately more sugar. That will make about 12 jars of jam, 250– 500 g, depending on the size of the bananas. If you need to use more than one sufuria, put a cloth-wrapped lemon in each.

s an d their lids by Sterilise glass jar ur out 5 minutes. Po ab bo iling them for out it ur po s, jar plastic bo iling water into y. dr to s upside down an d then leave jar

What you do

1. Wash bananas before peeling to remove insects and dust. Peel, put in a big pot or sufuria and mash. Pass the mashed banana through a kitchen sieve (strainer) to remove all black parts. 2. Add sugar. For large bananas that are not very sweet, add the same volume of sugar as banana. For small sweet bananas, use a tablespoon or even no sugar. 3. Stir the mixture and heat. 4. Cut lemon into quarters and tie inside a cloth. When

bananas start to boil, place the tied lemon in the mix. Lemons are a preservative. 5. Simmer for 30 minutes, then leave to cool. 6. Pour the cool jam into the sterile containers and seal them. Store upside down to keep a vacuum. This banana jam keeps for at least 4 months if kept sealed. Once opened, use it all up or keep in the refrigerator.

YOUNG AFRICAN EXPRESS

Vol. 5 no. 4

puzzles and fun Fun for

You

Silly stories

Ask a friend to fill in the gaps in the story below, without letting them see the story or telling them what it is about. Just ask them for the words under the spaces. Then read it out aloud—the results could be hilarious!

Help from my phone

Cell ___________ are such ________ gadgets. With them, you are never out of touch. They may even save your PLURAL NOUN

ADJECTIVE

__________. I have this recurring dream: I am walking home from ________ when I hear a bird singing NOUN

NOUN

________ in a __________. I _________ around for it. There it is, high above my _________. It has bright ADVERB

NOUN

VERB

BODY PART

_________ and ___________ feathers. I can tell from the shape of its ___________ that it is a _________. COLOUR

COLOUR

ANIMAL BODY PART

TYPE OF BIRD

But disaster is looming. Because I am looking _____ instead of ______ at the ________, I do not see the PREPOSITION

PREPOSITION

NOUN

________ at my feet. I take a step and down I _________. I land with a _________ at the bottom. NOUN

VERB

NOISE

It is very _________. I can’t ___________ a thing, and my _________ is hurting. I ________ but nobody

ADJECTIVE

VERB

BODY PART

VERB

responds. What can I _______? Then I remember my trusty _________. I pull it out; it has reception! I ________

VERB

NOUN

ADVERB

___________ my ________’s number. “_________!” I cry, “I fell down a ___________!” Within ____________ VERB

FAMILY MEMBER

EXCLAMATION

NOUN

LENGTH OF TIME

I am rescued. I __________ my phone! FEELING

Solution

E Y T I R U P D J O V I

B M S Q T I A E S H N O

O U H E A L T H F L B N

A coin

A decimal point

Chase parked cars

canExpress.net YoungAfri @ o f n i Email:

X F Z Y D P M B I H J T

S A H N I C U T X Y A C

s or club

D R K S X E A F R G B E

ools to sch livered

A C B G E T L T K I N F

gs! l savin Specia criptions bs YAE su

S O A P I R O C L E A N

What do lazy dogs do for fun?

Q H P N L N F G E N D I

What mathematical symbol can be put between 5 and 9 to get a number bigger than 5 and smaller than 9?

I have head and tail but no body. What am I?

U W A S H E D Y V E G S

1+2 3 Test = your maths!

I S W O J V W H A Q E I

T R D E B B U R C S S D

Vol. 5 no. 4

puzzles and fun

CRAZY BELZO

YOUNG AFRICAN EXPRESS

By Bella Kilonzo

Help the alien find his space ship

Using the letters in the word ELEPHANT can you make at least 14 new words of 4 letters or more? You may only use a letter as many times as it appears in the key word.

ELEPHANT

Spot the difference

Wordsearch T R D E B B U R C S S D

I S W O J V W H A Q E I

U W A S H E D Y V E G S

Q H P N L N F G E N D I

S O A P I R O C L E A N

A C B G E T L T K I N F

D R K S X E A F R G B E

S A H N I C U T X Y A C

X F Z Y D P M B I H J T

E Y T I R U P D J O V I

B M S Q T I A E S H N O

O U H E A L T H F L B N

Find these words in the hygiene grid: soap sanitation hygiene health purity disinfection washed clean scrubbed fresh

Spot 10 differences between the 2 clowns

YOUNG AFRICAN EXPRESS

Vol. 5 no. 4

Civil society

Being in control of your temper is one thing, but what happens when everyone around you, say your friend, sibling or even parent, seems to be losing theirs?

Don’t fuel their anger. Try not to do or say anything that will make them angrier.

Listen. The anger is usually not about you. Hence, listen to the feeling underneath their words and try to understand what they’re going through.

Express yourself. Let them know how you feel. A good way of doing this is through “I-messages”. An I-message has 3 parts:

An example of an I-message: “I feel stressed when you yell in anger, because it’s disturbing being around all that negative behaviour.”

Know when to back off. If the person is too angry to listen to you, wait until they cool down then talk to them in a calm, non-judgemental tone. Don’t encourage or ignore destructive behaviour. If they start talking about hurting someone, destroying things, or venting their

“I feel ____________.” Be specific about your emotions. “When you ________.” Give details of how your friend, sibling, etc., acts when they are angry. “Because ____________.” Give the “why”.

anger in destructive ways, tell a person in authority. When dealing w ith the ange r of others rem ember: • Other people ’s anger is usually not ab out yo u. • Only yo ur ow n thoughts an d attitudes can up set yo u, not the anger of ot hers. • Forg iving an d apolog ising eliminate ange r. JACK, YOU BETTER START EATING MORE OR ELSE YOU ARE GOING TO BE OUTDONE.

I CAN’T WAIT FOR MARK TO GROW UP AND START PLAYING WITH ME!

Story by Pauline Maina NO, THAT WON’T HAPPEN.

Art by Bella Kilonzo

HE IS GOING TO BE STRONGER THAN YOU BECAUSE HE HAS SUCH A GOOD APPETITE!

WHAT FOR?

A BIRTH CERTIFICATE IS LIKE A CHILD’S ID.

ISBN 978-9966-33-081-9

YEAH, WE WERE TAUGHT THAT IT IS IMPORTANT TO REGISTER A CHILD’S BIRTH WITH THE GOVERNMENT SO THAT THEY CAN KEEP GOOD RECORDS.

I THOUGHT IT WAS ONLY NEEDED TO PROVE THE REAL PARENTS OR GUARDIANS OF A CHILD.

NOT ONLY THAT, DAD, WE NEED ONE TO GET AN ID WHEN WE ARE OLD ENOUGH.

REALLY? VERY TRUE, JACK. REGISTERING MARK WILL HELP THE GOVERNMENT TO KNOW THE POPULATION SO THAT THEY CAN PLAN AHEAD FOR THE COUNTRY’S CITIZENS. TOMORROW FIRST THING, WE WILL REGISTER MARK’S BIRTH. THANK YOU BOTH FOR THE INFORMATION. I’M HAPPY THAT YOU’RE WELL AWARE OF YOUR RIGHTS, MY SON!

Adopt-a-School: give 50+ youth a chance in life!

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To find out more, call us on +254 (0)20 374-6277, 374-4737. Email: info@YoungAfricanExpress.net

Learn

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BUT YOU NEED TO REGISTER HIS BIRTH EARLY—IT IS HIS RIGHT TO HAVE ONE.

DO YOU KNOW THAT NOWADAYS CHILDREN MUST HAVE A BIRTH CERTIFICATE TO BE ADMITTED TO SCHOOL?

�

BY THE WAY, MUM, DOES MARK HAVE A BIRTH CERTIFICATE?

REMEMBER YOU GOT YOURS JUST RECENTLY. WE SHALL DO THE SAME WITH MARK.

�

IT IS STILL TOO EARLY TO REGISTER HIS BIRTH.

The Young African Express is published by Jacaranda Designs Ltd, PO Box 1202 - 00606, Nairobi, Kenya. Tel: +254 (0)20 374-4737. Registered at the GPO as an educational magazine. The throu Young Africa gh your schoon Express l by contais now The throu Young Africa cting in Uchum gh your i super mark scho n Express