THE LOVE LETTER.

Its sad to be low and out, feeling bad you are down and blue,
quite absurd they know, nobody ever needs to be cold but true,
just keep it warm, your heart might wish they stuck as glue,
Some come and go, others stay and hold their love is true,
No choice when they are gone, all you have is a love letter.

To remind you of the niceties gone, only means the facts are memories,
Not now or ever they are done, left are images with pictures and stories,
All the songs you danced and sang, when gone its emptiness that worries,
Let go and forget however much it hurts to leave, do it and hope for berries,
With the texts you shared when whole, wish it is true like a love letter.

Love bites but all are painful lessons that leave you hurt,
Sometimes you hope and regret as you wish it wasn't your heart,
That had to go through it all, but who is perfect it trips and leave you flat,
That's love it comes when it wants, and leaves letting you smile and cry it is a flirt,
No one understands what love is, all we hope it was true as a love letter.

Photography courtesy of Manna van Dijken- Netherlands.

RAISED AND DROWNED.

About 5 years ago I left my rural home Kigoma in the western region of Tanzania. I had just cleared my form 4 levels and since I had no one to pay for my college education, I opted to hustle and look for jobs in Dar es Salaam city. Life wasn't so easy and I had to do odd jobs just to get something to eat as I was lucky to have a friend housing me as a visitor in this new town.
One day, I got a friend who worked as a chef in one of the clubs in town. He invited me to his work station and I stayed with him for about 1 hour sharing stories and having dinner as he interchanged between his jobs and attending to me. The live band was performing on stage and luckily enough the band leader asked for anyone who could do a freestyle song to come onto the stage. I took the opportunity and sang a song that had been done by one of the big local stars and was a hit back in the days. He later called me aside and asked if I could do something with him. I was later to be a backup artist for his performances at Mango gardens in Kinondoni.

That is how I started my music career and decided to look for a manager to handle my recordings and production in Dar es Salaam. Someone referred me to *Axel the well-known promoter. He took me to a production house and paid all the costs and from there onwards my first single about "A girl I loved much" got into the airwaves since Axel knew many media houses and maneuvered to take me to the top. My single topped the charts and was sold to other East African countries especially Kenya. I respect Kenyans for their love for our style of music.
I was rising so fast, it even surprised me. I had my first international concert in Nairobi Carnivore Simba saloon and well got about Tanzania shillings 3 million for my efforts. Axel was good, he was connecting me so fast and his concerts were sure crowd pullers. He made me a superstar in a few months and I even bought my first car only a few months into my career after a major concert I had in Europe.
I will never forget this particular concert I was to hold in South Africa. We fell out with my manager Axel on the amount I was to get for my performance. He wanted to set the standards and I felt I was rising and I deserved a higher percentage because it was mostly my effort and voice that people loved. I left Dar es Salaam on a one way ticket since Axel had promised to pay immediately after the show. I arrived on a Friday morning ready for my show which was to be on the same day evening from about 2100 hours.
The concert was to be held at Voodoo Lounge in the town of Johannesburg. We kept communicating with Axel till 1900 hours when he gave me a contact person who was to drive me to my concert. He would also be handling everything about the show and in the end pay my allowances as per collections. This guy’s name was Bruno. He didn’t fail to show up. He had a black S class Mercedes Benz. He picked me from the hotel where I was and drove off to a place I couldn’t tell since it was my first time in South Africa. The drive seemed longer than the initial expected and planned since I had done a shallow research and knew it was about an hour away.  Bruno was quite only nodding to the music that was playing in his car. We were just the two of us. I realized he was now heading to a slum area which I later learned was Soweto.
Bruno parked his car near a shipping line container and pulled out a pistol. Without speaking a word he only gestured me out of the car. I tried to ask what he was doing but he stretched his hand and said “Telephone wallet and watch now!”
I had no option but to hand him my handset, the wallet and my golden wrist watch my travelers bag which had my stuff had also been locked in his boot. As I stepped out of the car he also ordered me to remove my shoes and jacket. I was left standing barefoot and nobody to turn to. I couldn’t communicate with the locals so I kept repeating my music fame names. I knew I had to do something to get my way back home. Try the police or something.

There is this one old man who had witnessed everything, so he beckoned me with his middle finger a sign that only means an abuse around here. He was half bald and had dreadlocks too. I moved to him and half smile and almost crying of helplessness he pointed to a place called Moroka Police post. I had to go report there. Our English is not so good so I really had a difficult time communicating. He left me at the police post and rushed of.
Hungry and confused, I only had my God to protect and show me the way. I swear I prayed like never before. I was just seated at the OB front desk and praying in Kiswahili, and my mother tongue and a little of English words like Jesus Come Help. I can now laugh when I recall the whole ordeal. I stayed at the police post for the night with inmates as they had to get anyone who could help with the translations the next day.
When inside the police cells, I got this Tanzanian guy who spoke Swahili fluently but didn’t want any of the officers to notice he was an alien. So he spoke with me and even set a way of getting his brother to get me out of the cell and act as my relative who had been informed of my ordeal. My luck was here and at about 0900hours on Saturday I left with a brother I had never met to his house. He was a slum dweller and lived in a single room in Soweto too. With my bare feet and folded trousers, we walked through the dirty and rugged environment. When we reached his house, He told me the only way out of South Africa for me was to be in a week’s time and we would get some smuggler to get me out through Botswana and Zambia back to Tanzania. It meant pretending to be a turn boy in the transit trucks one after another. Back then I was just a naïve silly young man who didn’t even know about embassies and how helpful they were.
All I wanted was to come back home to my place where I was respected and upheld as a superstar. We hatched the plan that got me into more trouble by the border authorities in Tlokweng border. I was arrested and I kept singing Tanzania hahahaha. And they decided to take me to immigration officials who luckily enough helped me out. I was deported to my home in Dar es Salaam. No communication from Axel or anybody linked to him. Trying to contact him meant death threats and I had to keep off and follow my star.
Starting over was difficult and I took months trying to get shows. I had been branded a failure and whenever studio I visited for recordings turned me down. I was a “glutton and un appreciating”. I am lucky to have received Jesus after my frustrations and believe me even up to now nobody in the public domain knows that I gave up music. I listen to my voice and even hear people sing along as they play but I swear the things I saw and experienced in the hands of Axel hurt me to date. He even once ordered me to carry hard drugs to my show for his boys to sell to the revelers and my fans. I am glad and happy I kept saying No to all the bad things.

I am tempted to do something for my fans once more. Though life as a superstar hurts a lot. Media want to know whom you are dating, where you sleep, what you eat when out and how much wealth you have accumulated. You as a common man can even pee on a fence when pressed so bad but believe me I can’t do it. Not that it is impossible, No but because I am supposed to be different even to calls of nature.
When I returned home from my torment in the south, I had a rough time and ended up selling my car to pay for the rent. Now I double as a shopkeeper in my business and as a Cab operator in the evenings. I had gotten used to handling big cash. It hurts. I want to take time out for a while then rebuild myself. I have been approached by other managers but I am cautious now. All my singles were super hits and I want to do more of that when I am sure and steady.
My advice to upcoming artists is simple “DON”T LET MONEY AND WEALTH FOOL YOU. WITHOUT GOD YOU ARE NOTHING.MAN FAILS AND HURTS BUT NOT OUR HEAVENLY FATHER”


Disclaimer : The names in this story are not Real characters names and are used specifically for publishing purposes.

Special thanks to Khalid Hanif Dar es salaam Tanzania.
Narrated by :Deuz on behalf of the main Artist. Dar es salaam tanzania.
Additional research by : Roosevelt Benard
Photography Courtesy of African Labs.
For Paree International Productions.
Inspiring forever. 

YOUR TOMORROW IS GREAT!!

Don't let your history hurt you, whatever happened is gone,
Let go and believe it's all upon you, when you believe it will be done,
Who said the rich wasn't raised like you,all are naked in time we are born,
Lucky few inherit it all unlike you,give it your all and your fruits will be born.
Don't ever let your past torment you! Your tomorrow is great.

Get friends and learn their ways, in life you never do it alone,
keep the efforts and clear your ways, Get no limits it can be done,
Even the most wealthy toiled their ways,if only you believe it can be done,
You are a star with a light in you, Give it a push and your efforts be shone.
Don't ever let your past limit you! your tomorrow is great.

Photograph: courtesy of Frank de Leeuw

LEAN ON ME!!

Up from dawn the sun rises and between we change places
from the hurting that life splashes we cry, smile and make faces
We toil and hustle sometimes getting broken down into pieces
But hey, when it's done don't turn your back or stand alone in distress
When I am here, please lean on me.

Related not we are by blood, yet by heart we forever belong
In life races and colors isn't a matter, for in blood we share so long
Things we see discourage and separate, watch out else you tag along
Oh yes, when it happens don't cry in shame or hate them too but be strong
When you are low, just lean on me.

East or west they say home is best, the earth is home no west or east
politics split with boundaries to kill, our spirits they wreck them are beast
call me brother when you want my vote, leave me hungry without a feast
How now, when they step on you quit trying to fight them worry the least
When you are down, you lean on me.

One family from a dad and mum, yet jealousy keep breaking them down
Some from a distance but hate your progress they'll kill to keep you down
Its better with animals that love no hatred can keep them mad or frown
Yes sure, man is bad they judge and choose who's black and brown
When you see this, understand lean on me.

Photo Courtesy of Frank De Leeuw - Netherlands.

CHOCOLATE ANGEL OF THE NORTHERN SOUTH

                      

The northern province of South Africa has the most attractive natural features that any tourist would kill to put their eyes upon. It’s called the Limpopo a local name which means the strong gushing waterfalls also derived from the Limpopo River.

Limpopo being a province in the north has a lot to admire be it the physical landscape or the beautiful little children that are born and raised in this poor region of South Africa. Your choice stands, either to kill yourself drinking the local poorly distilled liquor or forge through the poverty and other challenges to make it in life. If you are lucky to have enough cash then you may as well take drinks of wine at the Baobab pub which is a big tree carved into a pub.

In  Capricon,Botlokwa, Ga Phasha region of Limpopo about 28 years ago, Miss. Irene Macheba  Montle, who was just under the age of 20, still living at home with her mother , brothers and sisters, she was still a student at Mamafa high school when she gave birth to baby Tumelo Rosemary “ Tumza” her first daughter. She taught her the ways of life and gave her the warmth of a beautiful home with the help of her struggling single mother( grandmother of Tumelo) who was also working as a house keeper at the time Mrs Moloko Theresa Montle.

Beautiful face and tender skin made Tumza stand out of her peers and despite her slim and petit body she had a dream that wasn’t normal especially coming from her poor background.

Tumza’s father died when she was only 6 and life gave her a big blow of having to endure a single parent upbringing. Mrs. Montle toiled and hustled just to make sure there was something on her table for little Tumza and her 3 siblings. Working as a house keeper in different areas in Pretoria South Africa,and struggling to pay her fees for her studies for her teacher’s degree at university of Pretoria, which she later achieved and is now a teacher  at a school in Brooklyn Pretoria. All effort for her children.

Being praised as fancy face,” tumza ngwana” or “rozy baby” could make any girl child proud and happy but this was not the case for Tumza. She was worried; she had a stubborn childhood full of wishes and prayers. Her petit and tiny body attracted negative impressions and looking at her other friends and classmates, who had round figures and admirable African behinds gave her sleepless nights. They mocked her and bullied her too at times calling her odd names like “monatlana” meaning chicken feet for being so thin.

Constant prayers and struggle for a young girl child wasn’t making things prettier. Her mother, having managed to take her just up to Secondary school in Mamafa, just a few miles from Mabyanene primary School. She had to shape her life and do something for herself to make it in life. She luckily moved away from home to Johannesburg Alexander Township, where she stayed with her father’s siblings,  just when she was 17 years old to attend her last two years of high school in Realogile High School. Tumza depicted exactly the meaning of her full name Tumelo which means faith. She stayed from one house to another struggling through till she was done with her matric, as things didn’t work out at her father’s family just after a year she moved.

After scoring admirable grades and getting a calling to join Tshwane University of Technology, she failed to get her admission because her mother Miss. Irene Macheba  Montle couldn’t raise the registration fees which was at the time about 2000 Rands. Left with no choice she opted to go look for a job and moved to Mamelodi Township in Pretoria.

Tumza landed her first job as a waitress and waffle maker and waitress in Milky Lane centurion and worked for four months earning a meager 3 Rands an hour before moving to another restaurant where she got better pay even enabling her to move out of her mother’s house in Mamelodi and rent a flat in Pretoria City for about a year and a half moving from restaurant to another to make ends meet. Luck knocked at her doorstep and she landed a job in Planet fitness as a direct sales representative which was well paying at the time, Tumza saved up and went to cornerstone College where she first gained a “how to sell”  qualities, call centre and debt collecting course..

The mercury was rising. Tumza met her prince charming in 2005 and tied the knot thereafter getting blessed with a baby a year later. Things started looking up. Due economic reasons, after careful and calculated dicision made between Tumza and her husband who was an expatriate and had visited South Africa to set up an engineering company called Beyontec Engineering, decided they relocate to Holland, his motherland after their 6 years stay in South Africa.

Tumza worked as the Sales & Marketing director in her husband’s company for three years and later got a second baby Lethabo Chloe Vodeb, after their first born Kgomotso Conrad Vodeb.

Tumza’s husband had to leave her behind in South Africa to go to Holland and set up a new home for their lovely family.

Tumza joined her husband a two year later in Holland.

Tumza recalls her sad ordeal in school because of her thin body and says throughout the 3 years of being bullied as too thin at school, she started praying every night for God to give her some meat on her bones

 “I wanted so much to be fat, and have big ass just like my peers” she says with a sheepish smile.

Tumza remembers winning the “Miss Botlokwa” as a queen when she was 16 in 1999.

“I was just doing it in the community events and concerts, those kind of things and I got just flowers, and a nice party cups set” she innocently brags.

 To her this never meant much because she felt she wasn’t perfect enough and her slim body wasn’t fit for anything. But remembers keeping the souvenirs she won until the time she was relocating to Holland when she sold them when leaving South Africa.

 “It was something that made me cry every day. I couldn’t get the courage to go on despite the few encouragements I got from the boys in Joburg.”

 She got tempted to try again because the boys at her new school liked her a lot and told her how she had a beautiful body and all.

“Coming from where I was from, my confidence was already chopped off and all that moving from one house to the next was not helping with worries either. So I gave up about modeling after one try in Alexandra Township.” Tumza says rather sadly.

She says in South Africa it’s only the light colored girls who feel more comfortable modeling and that dark is not viewed as pretty in South Africa. Besides most of the locals ladies are not as tall as the 1.75 m that is usually required for one to qualify to be a model.

“Being short always worked against me.” Tumza says.”I never thought I would do modeling again”.

After moving to Holland ,a new country and faced with a challenging task of looking after her family, going back to school to better herself, she says she got her second eye opener.

“I met this lady super model her name is Lily Cusiel, from Tanzania now based in Holland, and I must say she was an angel sent from God. The first time I met her, she told me dear friend you should be a model, you are very beautiful and you have a beautiful body.” She recalls.

She remembers telling her friend Lily Cusiel off that she is married with two kids and only 1.63 m tall.

“She told me she is a model too at her age, she has children too. Then I knew my second chance to do what I have always loved is here.” Tumza says with a renewed confidence.

She sees this as a delayed but not denied chance and encourages the other African girls with dreams and determination.

“Now I am confident and that is why I am giving it my all, I know this is my second shot at it and nothing will stop me now”.

Tumza was in the finals for “Miss Limburg Int.”  That is a province in the south of Holland; she is a glamour, fashion, hair and artistic model in Europe. She is also a founder of an organization that focuses on creating shelter for the homeless, providing them with rehabilitation, providing skills for them and creating projects to create a sustainable life for the homeless in Africa…She calls upon social workers, designers, seamstress, directors , African governments, global governments and all people who wish to be part and help the people with no place to call home..

”I am saying lets provide sustainable life to those who in need .lets not shut ourselves and pretend we don’t see what is going on around us..PROVIDE A SHELTER, REHABILITATE, EDUCATE, PROVIDE SKILLS, CREATE AND IMPLEMENT PROJECTS THAT WILL REQUIRE THE SAME SKILLS. This is one most powerful way to pick anybody up.”

 She now remembers her struggle in South Africa, how she took herself to a Centre College from her meager savings from waitressing.

With her photo of modeling pose she has a pistol and says “If that mugger can come back now he can know what I am made of, I can shoot him down.” This she says referring to the mugger who robbed her at gun point one Sunday afternoon in the streets of Mamelodi Township. An event that pushed her out of the Township, never to return again. Insecurities and rape cases on innocent girls was the order of the day. Things she says she wants to fight through her modeling career.

In reference to her style of donning a smoothly shaven head, she says;

“The inspiration behind my smooth shaven head is that lots of African women are made to believe that our natural beauty is not as beautiful as hair extensions and straightened hair. A lot of money is being spent on trying hard to be pretty when our own beauty is what we need to represent and stand behind it. Our kids will be embarrassed of being black if we don’t take a different route now. In whatever I do, I try to do different things that we were meant to believe don’t look good on black women!

“African women should embrace their inner beauty and play around with their hair!  We are also taught to cover up which is weird because as Africans our ancestors used to wear almost nothing until the Europeans came to Africa. The taboo that is pit behind covering up is the reason why people with Aids don’t survive in South Africa, everyone sees them as whores of their times. They are stigmatized. Sex is a shameful thing back home.”

With her snowy white eyes and the cute beautiful African smile Tumza, who has fought  her way through hardship and poverty manages a smile every day and says she wants to do it all for her lovely mama land Africa. Now happily married in the Netherlands but forever has her Africa at heart.

 She poses for a camera for our catch phrase: 

“I AM DONG IT FOR AFRICA. PAREE!!”

AUTHOR: ROOSEVELT BENARD. (Dar es salaam Tanzania)

INSPIRED AND NARRATED BY: TUMELO ROSEMARY VODEB MONTLE. ”Rozy Vodeb” (Holland)

SPECIAL MENTIONS: LILY CUSIEL (Netherlands)

                                    : MRS. IRENE MACHEBA MONTLE (LIMPOPO PROVINCE SOUTH AFRICA)

EDITOR: LARS & Rozy Vodeb (Netherlands).

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY: RONNY ROUFFA (Belgium)

                                                : JOHAN LEMMEN (Netherlands)

FOR PAREE!  INTERNATIONAL PRODUCTIONS inspired by BENARD ROOSEVELT doing it for Africa.

KEEP DIGGING!!

Sometimes you hit the rocks, so hard you freak and screech
almost giving up along the blocks, try hard its almost your reach
tik tok there goes the clocks, stay focused quit not lest the breach
that's last that broke as strokes, heads high you are not far from rich.
Don't give up my friend and keep digging.

both ends just sharp like a sword, that's life please stay on track
friends or enemies not one word, choose wise lest you get struck
East or west always go forward, don't stop or else you'll get stuck
like a puzzle full of heavy crossword, just hold on be it white or black
Just look up my friend then keep digging.

They came and went you are just the same, don't take it so different
some can run and walk all time at same, rushing forward without relent
From that soil though looks the same, its an ore that has a value element
You never tell if you quit as same, determination only renews the present
Heads up my friends always Keep digging.

THE SIDE KICK!!

"Hey Honey,we need to talk!" Nzoro said to the rather uninterested Lisa who had decided it was time they parted ways.
She had read him the last verdict that morning and insisted she couldn't take it any longer, besides she had gotten another man who was wealthier and willing to take her in as a second wife.
Nzoro had been demoted two months ago and his boss wanted a thorough investigation done to determine who was responsible for the lost cash at his desk.
He lost all friends because of his bad image and Lisa remained the only confidant he could count on. Sadly enough she had also decided to ditch him at his hour of need.
"Wait Lisa, after our conversation this morning I decided to look for other options darling! we can still work things out."
Lisa looked at Nzoro for a second before dropping the last shocker on him. "Max is already here to see you out, He will be the man of this house and you have to go now."
Max was Lisa's new man. she had made up her mind and throwing Nzoro out of their house wasn't a problem. He didn't have any powers. No money no power so they say.
Nzoro looked out of the window to see the silky Porsche Lexus parked out of their house. It was Max. He was here definitely and his time was up.
He looked at Lisa sympathetically and with his romantic gesture pulled her close held her tight and whispered on her left ear "I will forever love you!"
She pushed him forcefully letting off his grip.
"What if Max finds us in this position? It is over Nzoro, don't make it any harder please."
The door flung open and in came three of them. One was Max's brother, but Max was not amongst them.
"We are the police officers from Ngara and sorry Max's first wife has been murdered and Max is missing too. We only picked this note from the murder scene. It says "Lisa you made me kill the love of my life, you are responsible for everything." Their three children are now orphans.
"Kindly accompany us to the station for a statement,you have the right to remain silent. Anything you say shall and will be used against you in the court of law."
Nzoro remained shocked as he reached for his back pocket to remove the paycheque he had been given that day as compensation for the suffering he had endured for the two months that his fiancee Lisa had disappeared to Mombasa with Max.

JUST LIKE BIRDS!!!

There was a storm a few hours ago. 
The rain fell and the wind blew wildly. 
I always wonder how come even after a heavy storm, it's hard to find a bird/nestling that died as a result of the cold or a bird's nest that was blown off/destroyed in the storm. 
The nests are made of dry grass and twigs that can easily be carried away yet they always remain intact among tree branches. 
Sometimes when it's raining in the night, I often wonder where the birds sleep. Lightening strikes, the sky rumbles and the wind sways the trees where their nests are. 
The big and heavy drops of rain drenches their feathers and nests, yet the following morning they are the first to wake up and thank God with melodious chirps and songs! 
You never find any that fell off from the nest and got injured or died. 
If this ain't one of God's miracles, then I don't know what to call it...

This night as we sleep, may the God who prevents birds' nests from falling in the storm, protect us as we lie in our nests(beds). May He also teach us how to be grateful to Him even after the storms in our lives have beaten us overnight. I'm just thinking.

Inspired and composed by JANE EUNICE.

THE BLACK HORSE!!

The time was 1800 hours just about an hour to their planned meeting time. He rushed into the bathroom to take a quick one and get a roll on. He checked himself on the mirrors which seemed to be everywhere in his beautiful lonely house overlooking the Indian ocean.
Time to go, he was done in exactly 15 minutes just enough to drive to Santa Veruza the Hotel where every singles dreamed of visiting for an evening date.
Picked his car keys so fast and left in a bouncing pose whistling as he headed to Mountain View.
He wanted to be sure so he scrolled his phone and well getting her number wasn't going to be hard because she was the last on his list of calls. "Hey! deal or no deal?" He asked her on phone and with the same excitement she answered back positively. What an interesting evening this was going to be? he thought as he drove past the slow cars on his way as he listened to the beautiful Olivia featuring Fally Ipupa's song "chaise electrique" and shook his head as he snapped his fingers too.
Bevys was the daughter of the millionaire in town and she had promised to ride her horse to Veruza for their date.
He arrived first and took the best table only booked by the best.
He had discussed a lot with her that afternoon and her voice kept ringing in his head. She must be the best in town, her waist must be wasp like, she must poses the tenderest skin he ever felt. He had never seen her just the image in his mind.
So before he placed his order. The waitress informed him it was no need that table had been booked by "the horse" the most powerful lady daughter of a tycoon."No problem if you are Joe, then you must be the guest we expected.
Took his first sip of the cold cocktail and as he dropped it down on the table he saw a convoy approach from the left. Six heavily built men in black rushed towards his table and four stayed by his table while the two passed direct into the VIP guest house.
Nobody spoke and he got tensed but couldn't get his voice.
What is happening??
Then in a flash he saw her approaching one man by her side the other pushing her from behind.
"Hi Joe, I am Bevys! and this wheelchair has been my only legs. I was born limbless with only my hands.!"
He glanced at the wheelchair and saw it's brand clearly written "BLACK HORSE!"

IT IS OVER, WE CAN'T BE. I HAVE TO CHASE MY DREAMS!!

She sat there silently, all attention glued on her mobile phone,
had an apple big like this, but all it's importance seemed gone,
she threw her cares all to the winds with her eyes all wet with tears,
Couldn't stop the flow of pain he had inflicted that text gave her fears,
It is over, We can't be. I have to chase my dreams!!

How now! yet he was her everything and life it seemed had hit her hard,
All the rage of a plan cut short they had their wedding to quitting was bad.
One week to this I happily broke the news and showed his photo to dad,
she got her voice and narrated her tale despite the pain that made her mad.
It is over, We can't be. I have to chase my dreams!!

This message was on her telephone screen and with pain she showed it on,
Look now what he has done to me, I doubt I will ever trust from now on,
This man, was all I ever knew, trusted him bits and my virginity is gone,
tell the driver to stop this cab, I am sad can't take it,this hurts to the bone. 
It is over, We can't be. I have to chase my dreams!!

She couldn't take it so she jumped, out of the car and let it out,
with a heart broken she gave it up and with one scream she landed out,
head first onto the tarmac, suicidal mission i never figured out,
All caused by a simple text, the pain of the trust from a heart thrown out.
It is over, We can't be. I have to chase my dreams!!

THIS GIRL LUPITA!!

She is defiant and so firmly held her persistence
her roots not a matter couldn't stop her resilience
Quite tall above her mates she stood like a peacock
Her dreams had to come nothing less from each crow of the cock
No matter where you are from your dreams are valid "Paree!"

All determined she seemed with each step she made
her background not a case she believed her future already made
Exactly bred an african queen she didn't stop to look any down
knocked them all out of the race no colour mattered or put her down
No matter where you are from your dreams are valid "Paree!"

From stage to stage she cruised keeping her head high above
from grass to grace she blazed flying so high just like a dove
Be it modelling, cat walk to acting in twelve years a slave
her dedication and resilience took her through for real she is brave
No matter where you are from your dreams are valid "Paree!"

Up and about as you go there is one thing I hope you keep
Your fruits are sweet fresh and ripe your beauty lies in your skin deep
Many have flew and got the fame but none like you ever won an oscar
that is an award from up above I use "paree!" to remind you of no scar
No matter where you are from your dreams are valid "Paree!"

.....FROM ANOTHER MOTHER!!

The exam results were out for the O level certificate and with lots of excitement after getting good grades I rushed back home to share the news with my family. On arriving I noticed everyone was gloomy and sad. We had a visitor from Western with a sad news.
Solo had died that morning and my sister was left a widow. Mixed feelings of both sadness and exams results for me. Well nobody even remembered to ask how I had faired and I didn't mind. First things first and I had to join in on the final celebration of a life that had been my in law and a friend.
So we quickly head to vihiga Western province to grieve with my sister. On arrival we find the home packed and full with each person handling his own responsibility. Then as I put my bag down and prepare to sit,he walks in.
**********
He is the elder in charge of the funeral programme. He loudly shouts at me "Peter what is this? how do we operate here now? I just ordered you not to step away from the store and to guard the slaughter area. These people are bad they can disappear with a whole bull through the fence. seems you don't understand villagers because you stay in Nakuru."
We are all surprised by this kind of remarks and he still stands there ordering me to follow his instructions.
Then he leaves in a hurry to go report to Mama Jane the old lady of the home. Meanwhile we are left whispering to each other about this elder's madness.
Moments later Mama Jane comes lamenting and quarreling in Luhya language saying things I couldn't make up, all I got was Peter this Peter that oooh Peter.
Just at this moment one woman who sat in silence all along realizes the confusion and saves the day. She uses both Luhya and Kiswahili to explain.
"I have seen him and got confused too. It's just their voices that are different but seriously this is not Peter. Actually he is a visiting mourner from our in laws "mashemeji" and has come with the others."
************







"Where is Peter?" this is the question I had in mind all through the drama.
We sat close to my sister listening to her sad narration of the tragic demise of our beloved brother in law. Just then a mourner came into the homestead wailing and screaming in a Maragoli dialect. Every one of our hosts left the room wailing and rushing out to welcome the newcomer.
Smoke filled the whole place from the "mahengere" mix of beans and maize that was being boiled and the beef and "ugali" that marked a big event or funeral.
From a distance we heard the local "musalaba" church playing their drums and jumping up and down as they sang;
"Luwereee Luwere! Luwere! Luwere khulangwa Kuche Luwere! Luwere! Nyasaye akhulinde...aleluhya"
This is a song that never misses in any Luhya funeral meaning "you will leave everything and go back to God as you came bare handed and wishing your soul well and peaceful rest."
As the band sorry the church choir sang, the locals made a train like formation behind them and everyone was dancing with their shoulders and kicking their legs backwards. I almost forgot I was in a funeral.
Just then I noticed a young man shaking and singing along as he clapped too. He was at the far end of the choir with the other hosts. Then my brother Willy who was standing next to me tapped me and said mmh well I don't know what is going on but for sure that is you.
I stood still looking at "the me" and he also having spotted me stopped.
He came over to say hello and to our surprise almost everyone stopped their activities to look at the two strange twins. That was me and Peter my brother from another mother.

..................................................End.........................................
NB: Photo by Western Kenya bullfighters.

NEVER A GAP!! DON'T GIVE UP!!

The rope is going round&round. The kids holding the ends are winding it even faster. The one in the middle is jumping happily in rhythm with the song they're singing. Cheers&laughter rent the air as the rope goes round&round. They're really enjoying the game... Suddenly the kid holding one end stops&drops the rope saying she's tired. She begins to walk away. The other two plead with her to come back in vain. As they're still watching in confussion, I step foward&pick the rope. We begin winding it&the game picks again, complete with cheers&laughter... Have you been left when you least expected it? By a lover/spouse maybe after you started a happy family/relationshp? Or your business partner, after you started a project that kicked off so well then he withdrew? Don't beg soo much for them to return. If they ain't willing to come back, let them go. God will replace them with someone better and your happiness will be renewed! There's someone worthier for you... I'm just thinking.

INSPIRED BY JANE EUNICE.

BEYOND A CHILD'S HEART.

SO AMAZING WHAT GOES ON
IN THE SECRET ABISS OF A CHILD'S MIND
CRYING AND SMILING SOMETIMES THEY LAUGH
BUT SERIOUSLY WHAT GOES ON BEYOND A CHILD'S HEART.

WISDOM QUOTE!

Make peace nobody knows what tomorrow holds. Apologize when you are wrong, tell the ones you love that you do, ask what you want, accept everything life brings your way, change the things you can and live with those you can't. Be happy and pray for God's guidance. Many have regretted such missed chances.

WELL DONE LONA

Cocks crow in unison and birds sing
Wake up child its time to rise and taste the string.
We've come from far with a lot of pain and feeling
It's unwise to keep warm in bed spread your wings
You are mine for keeps well done Lona.

The sweet scent of fresh earth reminds me of my roots
From her hut sends an aroma of what she cooks
That delicate roast of unpeeled potato roots
Sensational chef for a love of African foods
Nobody else cooks like you well done Lona.

Hey my husband it is all ready close in and spread the mat
Calabash of smile filled with a tasteful mix from the heart
Take a sip of sorghum and a mix of finger millet
So early but grandmother has filled my belly and quenched my thirst.
No lady cares for a man like you well done Lona.

Take a hoe leave with me keep me near learn my ways
This is my field till with care spread the seeds grow your days.
Water it daily check your steps learn my says
This world is a garden toil to reap and choose your ways
No lady taught me right well done Lona. 

Set your pace but remember God
Get your space and always respect the old
This life is full with every experience some untold
Watch your steps and jump always be firm and bold
No teacher beats you well done Lona.

In your teenage years you'll find crows
Some sincere while others so bad with flaws
One smile two knives they'll crack your jaws
Use your heart but judge each that ever grows
No lesson well put well done Lona

My grandson girls are more yet marriage makes them few
Like your dad I see your fore let baggage not dry your dew
Choose them wisely but always tell which is new
Coz not all that glitters will prove sweet as stew
Tell me more well done Lona

In courtship I met your grandfather
So tall and cool I agreed to take it further
In this with wisdom to be sure I sired your father
Till that time he brought home your dear mother
This family is one well done Lona.

Before you bring any girl home be sure to know her ways
They come in numbers some with scars of aborted days
Their virginity broken and no trust abounds their bays
Natural beauty gone bleached with oil they are faded always
Thanks granny for your wisdom well done Lona. 

Am done with you so go ahead
Call your sister so I can fill her head
With wisdom and knowledge on life ahead
She needs it more to bring us cattle herds
Teach her right she's young well done Lona

Granddaughter listen take heed beware of men
With tongues of wealth and promises like ten
They'll sway you cheat you and make you give in
While they laugh celebrate and let you remain
Keep her words little sis Well done Lona

Men will make you lame and deceived
At times you complain for pregnancy conceived
They remain unchanged as you carry a weight received
In a few minutes you'll blame it on innocence perceived
It will be late take heed well done Lona

With all her teachings passion and care
She was old and bent coz life's unfair
She died old at peace soundly forced to bid fare
Sadly I wasn't around to hug my granny so unfair
You were a special woman well done Lona.

IT IS OURS!.

To balance workers in an organization at times bosses tend to give other departmental heads the priority to bring in their relatives and friends to fill in positions whenever a vacancy comes up.
When this happens, we see hatred, competition and tribal fights involved.
Now I remember being so fresh from high school and faced with the challenge of hustling for a job. So after the long desperate search I luckily get this family friend with the good news.
"Young man! Prepare your CV for tomorrow and make sure you look smart for an interview."
The truth is with only an O level certificate and with just a year out, this was the best opportunity for a young man and luck couldn't be better.
Early morning I prepared myself for my first day and with a tie from my dad's wardrobe and black shoes I excitedly picked my envelope with one page description of how I was a barber, a mtumba clothes seller and a good Christian whose hobbies included swimming, playing rugby and fishing. Well I lied just to look classy, didn't know my surprise job was waiting immediately after my interview.

 Now my interview didn't take long because my host was confident so he knocked on the director’s office door and he signaled us inside. My host who was the sales manager in the company started by briefing the director on his last days report and finally he said pointing at me;

"As per our discussion yesterday, this is the boy I brought you Sir!"
So the director looked at me and said “hallo! what's your name young man? You look very smart in that tie!”
I said all my four names without blinking and of course I had gained confidence because my host, the sales manager, was here too.
So with a satisfactory nod the director who was Indian muhindi said;

"OK bwana manager go handle your sales let's hand him over to the factory foreman to fix him somewhere in the production department".
Thanks God I had seen the light and this was my best opportunity. So we head together with the foreman to the factory, and he says this is pipe producer one this is two both are for electric conduit pipes then that's three and four you simply change the nozzles and it produces big waste pipes and irrigation pipes. Now we have a plan to bring in a new machine for bigger pipes and it will be planted here. He said here while pointing down on the hard concrete floor that looked like tarmac road.
We therefore need a tunnel dug along this line from here to here.
I was learning fast and quickly as I bounced inside the factory getting orientation for my new job. Then he stopped and asked;

 "Who brought you? What is your name? Which tribe are you? "
I gave him quick answers as I adjusted my neck tie...”I was brought here by the sales manager and yes I am from his tribe too".
He changed from the initial gentle man and said "that's good my friend, rush there to stores and get a chisel and a round hammer. Make sure the tunnel for the new machine is dug by you on that floor. Make sure you dig it as deep as possible."
I felt tears rolling down my eyes I asked him if I could change my clothes and get a dust coat at least but he said no we have no dust coats today.
I removed my neck tie, rolled up my white shirt sleeves and sat down on the floor and started digging.

My first job full of hopes was now gone.

I had to kill my spirit, dig deep, bruise my tender palms to get a few shillings which was the minimum daily wage and paid in the evening.
Ruined by tribe and hated for being different. I later learned it would only change if IT IS OURS.

…………………………………………………………….THE END………………………………