Sharing is Caring. This is a phrase that you`ve probably heard be said over and over and over. For the next few weeks, I have purposed that I am going to be practical with that slogan.
I`m all about sharing with the world what I do but I especially love sharing what my friends do. Not to brag, but I have some pretty cool friends.
I plan to do a 3 part series showcasing what my friends do. I`ve titled this series, “My Friends Hustles”.
I want you to know them and one day, give them business. I know I`m being ambitious but hey, that`s life mwattu.
1. Hweza Creations
Hweza Creations customize items like tees, vests, hoodies, cushions, cups and so much more .
AJ Beauty Glam provides bridal styling, makeup for every function including weddings, bridal entourages, photo shoots, private events and so much more…
Photoshoot make up📷: Ninnojackjr Photography &Peter Paican
3. Kitiibwa Designs
Kitiibwa (Kitiibwa Designs) is a growing brand in high class fashion and design. Currently, they produce and sell handcrafted leather sandals and flip-flops for women and men that come in diverse and creative designs. They also welcome custom designs and sizes to suit the individual tastes and needs of our customers. Their social media handles are:
This is an enterprise that focuses on providing videography and photography services for both traditional and church weddings, kukyalas (official visitation by the groom to the bride`s home), corporate events, social events and so much more.
5.Peaches Events Planning
An event planning company that provides complete, management, consulting and supervision for both Corporate and Social Events. They provide clients with spectacular events through creativity and unique planning.
Eating: All manner of things but I tried out this yogurt at Yogusserie two days ago and I loved it.
Drinking: Chai mukalu with no sugar. Real mukalu😂 because I like it like that.
Reading: All Louise Bay novels. Though now that March is here, I am getting off this adrenaline rush.
Wanting:To attend Royal sisterhood at Worship Harvest Naalya. Some of the speakers are Moses Mukisa, Beatrice Byemanzi & wait for it, Eunice Adubango.
Playing: wide as the sky, a song by Matt Redman
Wasting: no time in pity parties.
Creating:content that makes me happy
Wishing: for Lebanese food. As I read I am Mathob, she spoke of Lebanese food as being so delicious and how every must try it out. Being a foodie , I put it on my to do list(recommend places in Ug)
Enjoying: reading books more than ever
Wondering: about Zambia. I want to go there for no reason.
Loving:my reading momentum. I have read over 10 books this month alone
Hoping: March brings me God’s very best
Marvelling: at how we think we are insignificant simply because we are focusing on people we feel are ‘significant’ because they have 1000 or a million plus likes on social media.
Smelling: oranges because I got the flue bug and oranges do the trick.
Wearing: my natural hair out
Following: Sarah Jakes Roberts, this lady is on a mission and her shine gives me light to shine.
Noticing: how we reap what we sow.
Knowing: that my besties and I will meet up in March(S and V this is me saying, I’mma hunt you down😂😂😂)
Bookmarking: quotes from I am Mathob by Mahtob Mahmoody (a must read for everyone)
Opening: up to memories from the past. Trying to understand them and me now. Is there a connection? 🤔🤔
Giggling: about my nephew’s reactions to being denied things he wants.
Feeling:happy, extremely happy. I need to learn contentment in March.
Wanting:To attend Praise Fest hosted by CITAM church in Kenya,and Travis Greene is on the lineup. It’s happening on 30th November, a day after my birthday. Just had to put it out there.😋😋
Playing:Trap house (1-3)sermons by Pastor John Gray
Wasting: no time in petty parties. I can’t deal with petty people.
Creating:content that makes me happy
Wishing:For a getaway in November.
Enjoying:Watching #Crystal1on1 by Crystal A.Newman. Her you tube channel is everything. There is power in telling your story.
Wondering:how we can help our girls stop the self doubt.
Loving:the season I am in .
Hoping: I understand how much God loves me and it sinks in. He is a good good father.
Marvelling:at how God is always speaking to us.
Smelling: coconut oil (I use it in my hair & on my body)
Wearing: necklaces with literally everything 🤣🤣🤣
Following: Lisa Bevere, this lady is amazing. Her content is good and she is passionate about ladies. This is a setup by God.
Noticing: how readers of the blog, prefer this series to book reviews😂😂
Knowing: God is strategic .He doesn’t waste time,energy, resources. There is a climax to everything you’ve been through
Bookmarking: quotes from Obama’s book, Dreams from my Father.
Opening: up to myself. Learning to be vulnerable with me.Allowing my self to understand me, my pain, my worries, my feelings.They matter
Giggling: at the fact that TV is plastic,what you see is not what you get.
I have attended so many weddings between 2015-2018 sometimes as a brides maids and other times as a support system😂😂. If there is such a thing😅😅
One thing that always bothered me were the speeches.What should be included in the speeches??We have speeches from friends,employers,siblings,parents and the “bagole.” Usually, people give embarrassing stories that speak of the bride/groom`s sex escapades, devious ways,health conditions, diet issues which have no place at the wedding in my opinion.
I was honored to give a speech at my friend’s wedding.For months ,I wondered what to say.I wanted to give funny stories about her,not embarrassing ones though.I believe the aim is not to embarrass but to show her strengths and fun side.
I settled for stories that described and affirmed Agatha.Filled the speech with prophetic declarations over her and her hubby.
I have known Agatha for 13 years and wish her nothing but God’s best. Speech was over within 5 minutes or less. hahaha!!!The siblings and parents speeches definitely affirmed her character.
I loved the theme of the speeches and I believe that all speeches at weddings should be nothing short of that.
Have you given a speech at a wedding before,what did you say?
Half of A Yellow Sun explores what transpired during the civil war between Nigeria-Biafra in the early 1960’s.
Photo courtesy: Acom Victoria
Odeningbo is the ‘revolutionary lover’ ,optimistic and opinionated about Nigeria and the world at large. He is highly educated and has a lover-Olanna,whose beauty is as rare as a gem and equally captivating. Both are educated from “abroad/overseas,” they are nearly not “African enough” until the civil war.
Their house boy Ugwu is the epitome of loyalty,he is ready to please his ‘sah’ and ‘mah’. He is woven intricately into their lives that not even the war can break that bond.
The barriers between servant and sah are not evident,sah puts Ugwu in school and opens him up to possibilities because he believes education is for all and gives one a future.
Olanna like many African women who are unable to conceive quickly as per the mother-in-law`s timeline ,faces the cold truth about ‘another woman.’ She discovers that her lover,impregnated a mere ‘village girl”.She can’t seem to get past her betrayal until her Aunt Ifeka tells her,”you must never behave as if your life belongs to a man.Your life belongs to you and you alone…”
The war changes every one even loyal Ugwu,he takes part in a gang rape of a bar girl and deep within he loathes himself . Olanna`s rich parents leave the country because they are afraid of the war but their children choose to stay.
Kainene and Richard. Kainene is Olanna’s twin sister who seemed unruffled by life’s happenings.She happened to life,life never happened to her.In her steel demeanor,she loves Richard-oyinbo-‘white man’ though she will not say it. She is like the master and he the mistress. She manages her rich father’s businesses and knows who to trade with.
Olanna betrays her in cold blood when she has sex with Richard. Both parties are guilty.Richard was blown away by Olanna`s beauty. Everyone referred to her as the beautiful one and Kainene as the plain one with a steel demeanor
. Kainene tells them both,”it’s unforgivable” and a cloth of unforgiveness envelopes her never to go off but the civil war causes the sisters to forgive each other.They had more conversation during the war than happier times. Olanna suddenly enjoyed her sister’s sarcasm and even laughed along.
Olanna finally had a confidant when it came to ‘should I keep the village girl’s baby”, Kainene seemed to think it’s Noble and Olanna kept the baby. She became a mother to baby and loved her so much that she would do anything for her even during the war.
Kainene unbothered,unruffled woman of steel cannot be found,even after the war is over. I personally screamed and almost threw my book away, how could Adichie end the book just like that.How?? Kainene, strong and unruffled by anything was never found and both Olanna and Richard were never the same.
This book is real, compassionate and insightful.
War in any form is bad,tears families apart,causes wounds and leaves them exposed.War makes for strange alliances .War tears nation’s apart,there is nothing good about war.
Adichie weaves a superb book leaving one stunned and with a gruesome picture of what civil war can do to it’s Nationals.
I recommend the novel to anyone who needs to be reminded that starting a war is not a walk in the park .Whoever needs to be reminded to have a little compassion for their neighbors.whoever needs a stern reminder to be loyal to her people and all friendships.
Ever had people crushing over at your place for a few days,weeks,a month or two,years?
I have been hosted before by friends and I have learnt a couple of things about hosting people. There are hosting Dynamics and today Rachel and I share tips on how to be a good host.These tips are in no particular order.
+Always know your people.What do they like to eat,what are they allergic to.This helps to plan better for their stay.
+Plan!plan ahead for their coming.Stock whatever you need to stock for their stay.
+Don’t change your menu for your guests.Make adjustments depending on who likes what but don’t do a 360 on your menu.This might be costly and draining as well on your pocket,house help if you have one or yourself too.
+Take/accept the help.The more people in the house, there is multiplication of house chores.Incase a guest asks to help out ,let them help.
+Ask for help.Remember some of these guests,like to work and if African ,they have been trained to work and might be uncomfortable sitting all day.Ask them for help.This helps you bond and you could learn something new about each other.
+You are bound to meet people of various cultures.don’t be alarmed.
+For guests who stay for long;months or years, purposefully involve them in the house chores and activities.If you go by a rota include them that way they appreciate and are part of the family and it also lifts the burden off of you to do everything. Everyone has to have some form of responsibility.
+It is important to know how long a guest is staying, especially if you are in a family setting, that way there is no uncertainty and family members are well prepared. Guests who stay for Ununspecified days can easily feel like a burden and there could be the anxiety of how long is the person staying.To avoid such discomfort and uncertainity,it is good to know the length of the stay.
+Be ready to be vulnerable.This comes with letting someone in your space.Be yourself and don’t adjust your lives completely. Let the guest adjust to your system (this can be added to the menu as well)
+It is great to learn from your guests as well, as much as it is your house, your rules, try to involve some of their ways especially if they are from a different culture. You could ask them to cook a common dish of theirs or show you how they do their things. This way the guest feels appreciated and is able to involve a part of them in the family
+When a guest does something wrong or off, it is OK and right to tell them directly and in a kind and polite way. It is so easy to find yourselves discussing the guest behind their back with other family members yet the issue would have easily been resolved by speaking to them. This can also breed contempt and ruin the whole experience.
+Always consult with your family members before agreeing to host someone, that way they are prepared cause even if you are the one taking care of most of the things, they have a right to know and agree as their space will be invaded/interrupted
+Considering all the above, it is actually OK to say no to hosting someone, it doesn’t make you a bad person, it does take grace and quite some work, so be willing to give 100% rather than say yes and your heart is not in it. Whatsoever you do,do it with all diligence as unto the Lord and not man.
This post was co-authored by Racheal Atieno-my Kenyan sister,who has hosted me and so many other people at her home in Nairobi over the years. It is right to say her home is international 😂😂.
Women empowerment can best be done by women who know and understand fellow women. Meet Noeline Kirabo who is building an active legacy when it comes to empowering young ladies to live out their God -given potential. Many know her for Kyusa but today, she tells us all about the New Generation Mentoring Program and how to be apart of the upcoming cohort in September.
1st NGMP cohort, Further left, Sumaya, Cathy, Grace, Noeline Kirabo , Fifi and Justine on the extreme right. Certificate ceremony.
1.Who is Noeline Kirabo?
NK: Noeline Kirabo is a family therapist by profession and a social entrepreneur by passion. She has over twelve years’ experience in the nonprofit sector mainly working with children, youth, women and community self-help groups.
She is the Founder and Executive Director of Kyusa, a registered organization that empowers out of school youth in urban slums to become employable by developing passion driven sustainable careers.
She is the Co- Founder and director of Newen Consults a personal and business development consulting firm.
Noeline is also the founding president of Christian Women Entrepreneurs Network (CWEN); a platform that brings together Ugandan Christian women in business to connect, create and collaborate.
As part of her passion for women, Noeline has also pioneered a four months coaching program called New Generation Mentoring program for young adult women 20 – 35 years preparing them to identify their potential and use it to strategically influence in the market place.
Noeline is an author, writer, motivational speaker, life coach, career mentor, trainer and business development consultant. Her life mission is to empower people to identify their life purposes and turn their passions into skills for fruitful living.
2.The name Noeline is synonymous with kyusa,but what is New Generation Mentoring Program (NGMP)?
The mentoring program was birthed out of my passion and commitment to nurturing young women to actualize their potential so as to influence in the market place. I had been mentoring and coaching ladies one on one for years so I just decided to turn it into a group mentoring because of the number of ladies that were approaching me for mentoring.
New generation Mentoring Program is a four months mentoring program that aims at developing outstanding female leaders. It is an experiential program that nurtures holistic development and equipping of women for kingdom service in the market place.
Noeline Kirabo
3. How many Cohorts has NGMP had so far ?
NK: Currently, we are running the third cohort and applications for the fourth cohort that will be starting is September are open.
Bonding moments with cohort 3
4.How does one apply to be part of the program? Any qualifications needed?
NK: We are looking to work with:
Women who actively seek ways to maximize their own potential
Individuals who enjoy problem solving and creative thinking
Women who thrive when working with other people
Ultimately, we are looking for 20 women per cycle who want to use their talents to make positive change in their lives and the world.
If you are thinking “wow, this sounds like me!” we would like to offer you an opportunity to apply for the next class of women influencers.
Weekly sessions will be held every Tuesday evening at Kyusa community library in Kalerwe.
Opportunity to take part in community service projects
By the end of the program participants have developed life plans, mapped out career and personal development goals, acquired leadership skills, public speaking skills, ability to effectively work in teams, financial management skills and have a supportive network to enable them continue growing into their full potential.
6.Achievements so far?
NK : NGMP alumni are influencing in different industries which include the legal fraternity, business, fashion, education, social entrepreneurship, telecommunication, IT, agriculture, writing and Beauty industry among others. This provides a wealth of networks and resources that alumni can continuously draw from as they advance in their career and personal development goals.
At the moment 30 ladies have gone through the program and are accomplishing great things both in their personal and career lives.
7.Future of NGMP
NK :At the moment we are focusing on smaller groups for the cohorts with the intention of consolidating the learning experience.
Alumni are expected to also run their own mentoring clusters thus producing a ripple effect of the program impact.
Recently we inaugurated the first Executive Committee that is spearheaded by program alumni with the intention of having alumni take a lead on the growing alumni network so as to strengthen networking, collaboration as well as community impact.
Future plans (starting 2018) include:
Hosting an annual women in the market place conference
Monthly seminars for women in the market place
Quarterly community outreach activities
Annual Rising Woman award
The rest will be unveiled with time.
8.As our chat ends, how do people connect with NGMP on Social media ?
I once read a book in my primary five about a girl who had a “golden heart’’, I literally thought the girl`s heart was made of gold. YES!!! , I laugh about it now because I sat in a literature class and I know better. The book was metaphorically speaking about a girl who was special, kind, loved everyone selflessly, was quick to help and was loved by the entire community. When she passed away, her heart was desired by all in the community.
In life, we meet people with “hearts of gold’’; they are the epitome of kindness and selflessness. Gold is rare, special, precious and important. The bible says, ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.”
My aunt-Hellen Luyima has a heart of gold; she has loved me as though i am her biological daughter.She is quick to help others ,selfless and desires to see the best in everyone.
I pen her celebration because words speaker better things(so they say); she has given time, money and love to me from a tender age.She is a mother to me even if i call her `aunt’. I have utmost respect for her dedication to me.
I thought she was too strict growing up and at times i hated the fact that she seemingly didn`t understand me and my needs.
However, she has passed on invaluable laws and lessons to me that i will never forget -love others, love goes hand in hand with generosity and kindness.Problem solving where by you render help to those who need it .
Empathy which simply means putting yourself in people`s shoes and feeling with them .Handwork which is her greatest trait.
I celebrate her today for contributing to who and where i am today.I will forever honor her.
Let us honor the people in our lives while they are alive.
No Ordinary Scribbles 