Hero in Africa

The slogan of the DNDinitiative must be :

“Vaccinate the poor to protect the rich. Africa vaccinated to protect the rest of the world.”

as suggested by Dr Augustine Kadima, coordinator of the HAT platform in Democratic Republic of Congo.

The DNDi was established in 2003.It focuses on developing and delivering new treatments to combat poverty related neglected diseases. 

The founders were public and private institutions such as :

• Medecins Sans Frontiers (MSF/Doctors without Borders)
• Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Brazil)
• Indian Council for Medical Research (India) 
• Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kenya) 
• Ministry of Health (Malaysia) 
• Institute Pasteur (France) 
• Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (WHO-TDR) 

Their line of duty involves :

• Development of pills to substitute injections for the patients  far from the hospitals or medical care.
• Synchronization of efforts from  biotechnological areas, ministries of health, non-governmental organisations public and private research institutions, in various countries. 
• Decentralization of roles to make work easier.
• Training local researchers while building or improving their  labs and clinics. 
• Facilitating open sharing of scientific knowledge, data and technology rights.

They have already developed six new treatments for the neglected diseases in Africa.They include:

•  2007>Malaria ASAQ- Artesunate/ Amodiaquine Combination Therapy. Has since been distributed to 32 countries. 
• 2008>  ASMQ (Artesunate/Mefloquine Combination Therapy for Malaria. 
• 2009>NECT (Nifurtimox-Eflornithine Combination Therapy for sleeping sickness. Available through World Health Organisation in all countries where the disease occurs. 
• 2010>SSG and PM (Sodium Stibogluconate and Paromomycin Combination Therapy .Is for Kala azar in East Africa and Asia.
• 2011>The Benznidazole paedriatic form was  developed by the Brazilian public pharmaceutical lab .

The grind is still spinning as DNDi aim at developing 11 to 13 new treatment by 2018.There are more than seven neglected diseases in sub Saharan Africa. The title ‘neglected’ arose from the fact that the affected are the poor, marginalized, neglected population of our society.

There is need for more countries to engage in the fight against the diseases in Africa. Dr. Bernard Pecoul, the director of DNDi, explained that out of the many neglected diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa, there are 1.2% new Chemical Entities for them but only 0.4% clinical trials.

Also,Dr. Hiiti B. Siilo, the Director General of Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority (TFDA), expressed concern over the gap in countries involved in the post market surveillance of the quality of drugs. 

“Only 10 countries are involved since only they have expressed interest world wide.”

DNDi is doing a good job,seemingly.Africa has a hero.All that's left is for our institutions to strengthen the network.

PUBLISHED:http://www.scienceafrica.co.ke/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=184:dndi-s-decade-of-research-improved-treatments&catid=87&Itemid=586

NEGLECTED DISEASES IN AFRICA

Cutenous Leishmaniasis lesions

Sleeping sickness

Also known as Human African Trypanosomiasis .It is spread by the bite of a tsetse fly and can be asymptomatic for years. When it crosses the brain it causes brain damage or even death if untreated. A painful spinal tap is done on patients to determine stage and treatment. Sadly, the oral drug for it is still in the early or late stages.

Kala azar disease,

 Also Visceral Leishmaniasis, is a parasitic disease spread by sand flies. It affects about 40000 in Asia and Africa and kills 10% of the victims annually. It causes bouts of fever, weight loss, spleen and liver swelling and anaemia. Its co-infection with HIV growing problem already existent in about 35 countries. 

The skin related form of kala azar is called Cutenous Leishmaniasis. It causes ostracism, disfiguring lesions on skin leaving grotesque scars and life long scars. The drugs were reported to be very toxic.

The Filarial parasitic worm disease 

Causes river blindness, elephantiasis and African eye-worm. It afflicts 168 million people .The first two cause long term suffering chronic disease with life long disabilities swollen limbs or swollen genitals. The eye itches severely. The preventive treatment cycle can last from 4 to 15 years and can even cause severe reaction given to people with combination of all the diseases at the same time.

The Chagas Disease 

Transmitted by the bite of a kissing bug or mother to child blood transfusion. It is more serious in children. The patients ultimately die in early adulthood. When chronic it causes heart damage or severe digestive system damage. There is need for more treatment options because the pill available is for adults which are split into 8 or 12 pieces for children. There is risk of mistake in dosage. There is also no way of telling if one is sufficiently cured.

 Paedriatic HIV 

 The causes are well known to the public.The mule-headed main issue is  drug resistance. The mothers can pass on the resistance to their babies.HIV also comes with Tuberculosis. HIV Drugs are proving to be resistant to the T.B ones. 

Dr .Tom Ellman, the Director of MSF HIV/TB projects in the South Africa’s Medical Unit criticized how ARV’s are being seen as the answer to all HIV problems. Still there are 3.4 million children infected and 230 000 of them die eventually. “This means that only 28% of them get access to treatment the rest die by the age of two,” he said.

“The problem is that finding most of the victims is hard until they are about 5-14 years old .50% of these eventually die. Some have developed resistance to the drugs which has been passed on from their mothers.”

It turns out that  the older a child gets the higher the percentage to resistance of drugs; 0-5 years 15% resistance,10-14 have 25% resistance whereas 15-19 have 36% resistance. 

Protease inhibitors  availed for children in form of syrups, are  in bulk, laden with alcohol, and dependent on refrigeration hence unfavorable. 

Efforts for change:

DNDinitiative developed a substitute Sprinkle method drug which is already in Chad and Congo .It is heat stable , palatable, affordable to many ,adapted for use at hospital level and four in one. However it is single dose that has to be mixed with food, milk or water has a bad taste due to the LPV/r plus 2NRTIs hence need for improvement.However, “Better drug being studied in South Africa for research and development as a 2014 project,”Dr. Ellman confirmed.

Collaboration with WHO which has improved standardization of the quality of products by DNDi. The Pre-market surveillance techniques offered by WHO are credible as per the 2011 Post market Surveillance report.

“Products by WHO are of good quality safe and properly assessed,”added Hiiti B. Siilo, the Director General of Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority (TFDA).

Collaboration between the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and WHO has allowed some products to go through Article 58 

Marie-Helene Pinheiro, the principal regulatory advisor of EMA, mentioned that  products of complex generic factors such as pericoital contraceptives called for additional collaboration with the National Research Agencies (NRA’s).They cannot go through  Article 58.

PUBLISHED: http://www.scienceafrica.co.ke/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=184:dndi-s-decade-of-research-improved-treatments&catid=87&Itemid=586

RESEARCH IN AFRICA

“Health research is increasing in quality and quantity in Africa.”

This was the message of hope by Dr. Mickael Maganga; the Head of the Africa office of the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnerships (EDCTP).It was during the celebration of 10 years of excellence of DNDi in June, 2013.

He went on to explain how Africa’s research and regulatory bodies are doing a commendable job. First, the ethics and Regulatory reviews bodies have increased.

Few examples include the Tropical Disease Research (TDR), the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and Department for Research Cooperation (SAREC), the European Union, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the International Clinical Epidemiology Network (INCLEN), the Fogarty International Center of the US, National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Welcome Trust. This has led to better governance and accountability for health projects. Operation is more organised.

Other initiatives:

• Courses on ethics are being offered. We have the South African Research Ethics Training Initiative (SARETI) and West African Bioethics Initiative (WAB).
• Capacity Building is through formal education projects networking long term and short term training. “The staffs are even sent abroad in some cases,” confirmed Dr. Ahmed Musa of the Gedaref State Ministry of health and DNDi.
• Online training programmes from TRREE and ERECCA project that allows people to take refresher courses on Good Clinical Practice (GCP).
• A Regulatory pathway formulated by the MARC project –AVAREF- was launched in 2006 in collaboration with WHO.
• Operations of the EDTCP Ethics activities are now in 23 countries in Africa They work at institutional and national level. The most successful response is coming from Nigeria ,Uganda and Tanzania with 33, 15 and 13 applications respectively. This can be attested to the theory that the population of an area is equally proportional to   the level of training. It is lowest in Liberia.

The sources of data include Surveys, Clinical trials, Routine check up, Pre-trial population and evaluation. The variables include Anthropometry, Spirometry, Cardiovascular, Biochemical, Age, Psychological status

“These are useful for evaluating products for optimum individual cares and preventing study teams from removing good product from the market and adding bad ones, ”said Dr. Bernhards Ogutu, the Chief research officer at KEMRI.

They are all meant to increase capacity for research in Africa. They are effective so the bodies should be trusted.

Esnart Mwape, The Director of the Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authorities added that the legal frameworks guiding the regulatory authorities are not up to date.

“The NMRA’s are also poorly funded therefore semi-functional. This leads to poor or even non-existent co-ordination”

It could be the reason why Samvel Azatyan, the Manager of the Medicines Regulatory Support Programmes, WHO, mentioned that “90% of Africa NMRA’s lack capacity to guarantee quality safety and efficacy which results in lack of medicine affordability and availability.”

This leads to financial strains since they raise funds from the resources they provide which means they give much and retain little.

More challenges include shortage of skilled human resource, poor infrastructure, poor co-ordination between ethics, and regulatory structures and donors lack of awareness of gaps and potential and inadequate collaboration.

We can only hope that in the next years, things change for the better.

MIGRATING TO AMERICA

Moving from one place to another can either be a smooth or rough sail. How you adapt can entirely be determined by your background. The lifestyle in which you were brought up moulds your level of hard work, character and reasoning. It also determines your perception of the environment around you. A shift in culture is hard on everyone. It is especially harder for anyone shifting from a third world country into America. The latter is very developed. There are many cultures .
The occasion determines what to do or say. The rules for living change because you relate to different people of different cultures every day. Misinterpreted communication or behaviors can land you in trouble. If it is your first time in America, you probably smiled all through your flight. Some things you should consider to keep you smiling past the airport in America include:

House ownership

Foreigners can buy a house with or without the intention of living in America permanently or temporarily. Hot spots such as the area near the Greater Orlando are more expensive. Housing gets cheaper as you head towards the coast of New York down to Boston. The process is every transparent however you may need and attorney review all the contracts involved just to be safe. “In real terms, property prices in the US are back to where they were around the turn of the millennium, with prices in some states 70 per cent below their 2006 peak,” says Ray Withers of Property Frontiers, a property consultancy.  Gated communities have come up .A good bargain can earn you a four-bedroom house for only £120,000 or even a three-bedroom villa with a pool for £95,000. Do not shy away from investing in a grand home in America.
Safety in America
“Most Americans are very polite, particularly outside of the big cities. However, outside of the big cities, everyone owns guns. Inside the big cities, almost everyone owns guns.”  These are the words of Japanese -Jaster Mereel -who recently toured America. According to the ATF 95 percent of the 5.5 million guns manufactured in America are sold domestically .Only 47 percent of these have registered having guns in their households according to Gallup.CNN Reports in December 2012 show that 50% of the guns on Earth are owned by Americans http://www.theatlanticwire.com/politics/2012/12/guns-in-america-statistics/60071/ You cannot take this for granted. Consider the recent mass shooting in Connecticut. President Obama is trying to prevent this from happening again. However this is a culture that has long been. Looking at it from that perspective, you cannot wait for Mr. Obama to bend an old tree. Be polite and stay out of trouble.

Matters of the stomach in America.

The biggest population of cancer victims is in America among other developed regions. Findings by the Oral Cancer Foundation state that every day 100 new individuals are diagnosed with cancer in the US alone. This has been attributed to obesity and diet. If you are a smoke and take alcohol you are more prone. They are concentrated with either fat and sugar or both. Look at the picture. Don’t you just want to have the American Burger whole at once? Slow down tiger. This contains 30 -142 grams of cholesterol. It only takes 240 grams to cause heart conditions and kidney conditions. You may have come from regions where burgers are not made .Enjoy them once in a while. However exercise adequately. Other killer combos include: http://foodmatters.tv/articles-1/the-30-worst-foods-in-america-beware

Please note though that the stomach does get idle a lot of times. To silence it we often choose to buy something for the road .Well, consider this a taboo in Canada. You do not eat on the street. No one can ask you of course but there is no point in looking misplaced and greedy. Watch your eating habits in America.

Saluting an American.

You have just spotted your long lost friend across the street. Most of us would rush and fly at them with kisses and hugs. Not to Latino Americans! Women greet with a slight nod whereas men use a firm handshake. The men are not to greet a woman unless she stretches out her hand. You can feel free to woman up during such a situation.

Fitting in and feeling at home in America may take some time. Natives of Europe will have to deal with the grammatical difference whereas Asians and African handle a cultural turn of 180 degrees. Americans embrace change and move on swiftly. This is how most industrialized countries are as they are. Knowledge is power. Now that you know, reform. In the end, all will be well.

 Paul (in blue) a native of Jamaica moved from home to work as a deejay in America. This is what he had to say:

“If you came here like me and had a job right away the transition was different but not at all easy. I had to start at the bottom as far as work and had to pretty much start over with the process of school. Coming from a 3rd world country also had its advantages. We tend to work harder and can survive on what some may describe as nothing. We were not accustomed to most of the conveniences of a first world country. We tend to be able to work our way up faster than someone who's had opportunities in abundance and do without what most here can’t.”

Read more:

http://www.englishandculture.com/blog/bid/84665/Working-in-the-U-S-13-Things-You-Should-Know-About-Americans

http://www.aplaceinthesun.com/usa.aspx

MIGRATING TO ASIA

Asia is a continent where culture is still a very vital and integral part of life. Western culture has encroached and even swallowed up most of the cultures. Asia has not been spared either.   However look at Asia as the land of tough people. They fought for the survival of their beliefs and way of life. This is why we see Muslim women wearing jeans and vests then covering up in Hijabs and Saris. In this way they have embraced the revolution but upheld their norm. It is so necessary that we understand the Asian cultural trends. Issues you should know about Asians are like:

House visits around Asia

 Guests are precious. It is for this reason that prior notification and planning has to be done. There is protocol which has to be adhered to. When entering the door do not step on the doorsill.

If you go with your husband he will sit at the head of the table. If alone, you are the one who will seat there. Either way the one who seat at the head must have their back facing the door. If for whatever reason there are many guests and you are considerably the main guest then you have to seat on the left hand side of the host. I know we all love that big comfy boisterous look of the head seat but in Asia you will have to tame your preference. Sorry.

It is okay to be ‘just passing by’ if delivering a gift like taking pies to make friends with the neighbors. These gifts are usually accepted after you insist that they accept it.Take no offence. Look at it as humility.

Gifts you cannot bring include clocks, cut flowers and umbrellas since they are associated with funerals and death. Asia is a continent of superstitious people. Fruits are good presents. If some are brought back, it means they like you.

 Eating mannerisms

Bring up bowls as close to you as you wish. Open your mouth if you like. Laugh, enjoy as you chew as well. It is acceptable here. Do not finish all the food on your plate or even worse lick it for Heaven’s sake!

 Handling the poor in Asia

Do not stare at the less fortunate. Asia is the most populated continent with 4.2 million people. http://www.prb.org/.Poverty is therefore rampant. To them missing the basic needs is almost a norm. When you show astonishment, pity, dismay, surprise, among other undesirable sentiments, it seems condescending .It is also considered a sign of humiliation and arrogance. When you are associated with this you are definitely losing friends and making none as well. Watch your way to loneliness or loneliness will watch your way to it.

Apologizing to Asians

Man is to err. You do make new mistakes daily. Apology may be the food for a peaceful soul. When you find yourself in a situation which needs apology while living in Asia, just tap the person’s shoulder then tap your own forehead. Simple!

Do the Wai

This is their greeting whereby you put your hands together as though in prayer position then make a slight bow. The higher the position of your hands while bowing the greater the respect conveyed. This does not mean that you raise your hands above your head. You may also just do a slight nod and a bow.

Head coverings

Women are asked to wear long sleeved clothes and skirts reaching the ankle level when going to church. Abayas are the best since they are like a robe that comes in many colors and from neck to toe. In some areas no one may ask you for not wearing a head cover as a women. However the glares are nothing to ignore. They can be such a massacre. If this can make you uncomfortable, please cover your head.

Working in Saudi Arabia

Their week runs from Saturday to Wednesday. You are used to being behind the computer or having the secretary run around Monday through to Wednesday .Well here is a breather for you. Hard work is appreciated but working as per their norms.The ‘party’ begins on Wednesday in Saudi Arabia.

Prayers

Most of the regions are Islam culture therefore they pray 4-5 times every day. Roughly after every 3 hours. Prayer time is announced by a loud slow song done in Islam via a loud speaker. The people respond by either heading to the mosque or praying where they are. At these times business stops. Please wait for the prayers to end in about 15 minutes. Harassing the vendor to serve you as this is disrespectful to God.

Line between singles and the married

In some hotels, there is a section for single people and the married. Each has its distinct section entrance. If you are single the whole world will know. At least the ‘world’ in a hotel. Only bachelors though can go to the ‘singles’ area. This is different as from the trend in many countries where people mix and interact.

The education

Most schools teach in Arabic then English in later grades. For British curriculum there are privets expensive schools yet the pay if considered to be the smallest of all continents. The average worker can earn roughly up to 10,000 SR/month, whereas private school fees does rank from 8000 to 40 000 SR/month. If you have a big family you might want to seriously consider this. However some companies do give benefits depending on who you are in the corporate.

Be rowdy.

Feel free to yell to draw the attention of a waiter. Feel free to push in trains as well. This may feel rough .There are too many people to attend to. You might have to wait forever. Most of the places are also very crowded therefore space really not valued. Push people in trains and yell to call at a waiter.

Entertainment in Asia

You cannot place a glass upside down in a bar in Australia. It shows that you are challenging anyone to a competition. It may be a fist fight, taking of beer or others. It also shows that you are sure you will win. Recreation places are men’s haven away from home for many. Start something you can finish.

Now you know that moving to Asia is not just a case of “Pack your clothes kids we are moving to Asia.”It is more involving than moving to anywhere else in this world since most destinations in Asia still uphold their culture. It is also a land where patriarchy is followed. This means that the males are seen as the heads whereas women are inferior. You might want to think about moving to Asia as a woman. This could change how you and your children view gender roles.

Read more:

http://fromusatoksa.blogspot.com/2012/09/things-you-should-know-before-moving-to.html

http://www.china-mike.com/china-travel-tips/chinese-etiquette-tips/

MIGRATING TO EUROPE

BANPO BRIDGE

Migrating to Europe can either be a dreadful or magnificent change. This entirely depends on how prepared the cultural difference finds you. Second to America, Europe is one of the very developed destinations on Earth. You must understand that the status of development in a region is directly proportional to the class of lifestyle that the average person lives.

Note also, the most beautiful destinations in the world are found in Europe. It is also the second-least populated continent, Oceania being the last. You are bound to have fun. Hurry and adapt to the lifestyle in Europe. Basic factors that you should consider if migrating to Europe include:

EXPENSIVE LIFESTYLES

Expenses in Europe

Survival is the limit which most people are willing to reach. Adding luxuries to spice up your life in Europe is like jumping off a cliff. You may want to do the math on this list of expenses:
Mortgage £550
Gas £50
Electric £35
Water £20
Phones (mobile and landline) £50
Home insurance £20
Life insurance £20
Car insurance £120
Food £250
petrol £160
Council tax £110
You might land a job in Europe that pays an average wage of £17,000 or £5.50 per hour. You are doomed if you have children, need a pet or want to go on vacation. France, Germany, United Kingdom, Italy and London have been crowned the queens of this economical rip off.

Bad climate

Europe receives sunshine for such a short period of time. This is in line with the findings of a research done by U switch design. If you already have respiratory illnesses, be cautioned. Here people keep warm.

Non verbal cues in Europe

Moving your head back and forth means NO. Lifting your eyebrows means NO in Germany. This is contrary to the perception in many regions.

The A-okay sign of joining the thumb to the fore finger is rude .In Spain or Portugal it is offensive since it communicates that the person is nothing or zero. In Brazil it is equivalent to insulting someone an asshole. This is vulgar.

European Male –Female relations.

Europe is said to have some of the most beautiful women especially the Swedish ones. It could be the reason why men talking to women remove their hats in Sweden and Greece. How honorable! When dining only men open the drinks and pour the drinks. This is only a way of being gentlemen. Do not mistake it for chauvinism.

When it comes to kissing a lover, do it twice with the right cheek first.

Language

English is usually used. Their English is however defined by the strong accent. It is the most conspicuous factor about them. Generally Europeans are said to be very polite and welcoming. They accommodate other people’s culture alongside theirs. You do not have to worry about feeling left out.

The ‘not so polite’ word commonly used is bugger .It  shows surprise or a swearing .This in Europe can favorably be compare to Damn as used in America. Bugger me is therefore not a way of asking you to sodomise anyone. It is just a way of rebuking oneself for having done something really dumb.
Recreation

Flights within Europe are shorter. The majority are away from home experiencing the never ending changes in places such as Denmark, Paris. In some areas it is not allowed to take photographs of graffiti example Spain.
Drinking is allowed here even in the streets. Clubs operate round the clock.
Smoking weed is allowed in Amsterdam.

On the whole, a survey done by The Trip Advisor declared Stockholm the safest, Birmingham the most boring, unromantic city, Athens the dirtiest and Paris the place with the rudest taxi drivers. It was said to be the easiest to find your way around London. Despite the costly lifestyle, if you can afford it fly down to Europe. The beauty, finest of designer wear is not an opportunity that should pass you by. Pack your bags!! The aesthetic face of Europe awaits you!

Know more:

http://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/column_vacationing-in-europe-minus-the-expensive-hotels_1563870

http://www.mastersportal.eu/students/articles/costs-of-studying-in-europe/

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2011/sep/29/uk-worst-quality-of-life-europe


PUBLISHED: http://issuu.com/nairobiaiesec/docs/cb5

PEST CONTROL.

Eastern and Southern Africa are characterized by cultivation of Cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.var.capitata). Pests, chiefly, the Diamond black moth {DBM: Plutella xylostella (L.)}, Cabbage Aphid and Cutworm jeopardize good production.

DBM

The pests quickly develop resistance to pesticides. (Geernter and Lomer, 2000). The farmers end up increasing quantity of pesticides and spray frequency. (Varela et al., 2003). This overuse certainly has negative effects on human and environmental health. Worse still, in Africa it is reported that most of the available pesticides cannot do much to control pests.

DBM LAVA

However, in the highland areas of Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda, the DBM nightmare is almost over now!

Classical Biological control (BC), the introduction of an exotic natural enemy into a new environment, was introduced. It involves release of an appropriate BC agent which spreads on its own and is ubiquitous when successfully established. It requires no investment hence effective poor farmers. (Hajek, 2004).The method has been working well in areas such as Asia.

Consequently, a parasitoid -Diadegma semiclausum (Hellén) - was imported from Taiwan and introduced by the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (Icipe) in 2001.It was used in the chosen research areas of Central Province and Northern Province; their dry and rainy seasons. In Kenya, 634 farmers were sampled and 616 in Tanzania. The BC was used on 850 of all the farms while 400 were left without.

The findings showed that other physical and biological within the eco system needed to be controlled for the BC to be effective. (Blackwell and Pagoutlatos, 1992) For example the temperature had to be like that within an altitude of 800 and 2000m. (Macharia et al., 2005).

Also, this parasitoid is complementary. It counters the effect of DBM only. Other methods of pest management have to be incorporated so as to enhance production. This includes use of biological pesticides and spot spraying. Furthermore, other chemical pest controls have to be used properly to enhance performance of this BC. The relationship between parasitism and effectiveness of the control are directly proportional.

Production of cabbage, in the end, was US $198/ha with the BC whereas without it was US $ 99/ha in Kenya. Use of pesticides accounts for up to US $ 15/ha (Asfaw et al., 2009). Use BC, save up!

Reference

• Carpentier and Weaver, R.D 1997 damage Control productivity.
• Why econometrics matters American journal of Agricultural Economics 79(1), 47-61.

HOMOSEXUALITY is fast becoming a part of our society that we need to embrace.

Homosexuality and heterosexuality are like the same coat in two different colours. They are one and the same thing, just practiced in a different manner. The lifestyle raises eyebrows, furrows brows and even makes others cringe in embarrassment and disgust. There is another lot of Kenyans who have travelled wide and far. They know that in some regions, your sexuality is as important as your name.Formal or informal introduction in such regions go like "Hey I am James. I am gay." Or "I am Patrick. I am straight." This lot has learned to accept that people are different and just because someone does not do things the way you do, it does not mean that they are wrong. I call this lot the Educated Elite .Today, they are my heroes!

 Know the terms

Homosexuality: Attraction between people of the same sex. Can be emotional, physical, spiritual, and sexual.
Heterosexuality: Attraction towards people of the opposite sex.
Bi –sexual: Attraction to both members of your sex or the opposite regardless of the time or amount of attraction.
Asexual: Lacks desire or interested in sex.
Androgyny: Quality of having mixed up physical appearance and characteristics.
Transgender: General term for those whose gender identity is different from as it was at birth.
Cisgender: Opposite of transgender.
Transexual: Person contemplating or already undergoing a process to ‘modify’ their body.
Transvestite: One who dresses as the opposite sex would but has no plans of changing their body.

Not too long ago, women in Saudi Arabia were not allowed to drive cars, own property even have a bank account. This imposed a lifetime career on them as housekeepers. God created man and women to be equal but for some cultural justification the capability of the woman has been overlooked. It is painful to know that you are being discriminated against for something you have no control over; being a woman. This is exactly what the Gay and Lesbian community is being put through; discrimination for being born as they are. A good number of us are open about their sexuality and ready to explore. This is different. I am talking about that percentage of us who were born gay. When most of us spot a gay person the remark that follows is usually close to ‘Nilimwangalia nikajua kuna shida.’ Homosexuality is illegal in Kenya. Fine! We need not legalize it just decriminalize it. Let us walk a mile in their shoes.

*Mutula was born and raised in Kitui, Musyiani Area. While at Musyiani Primary School, "Seeing boys on stage dressed in female apparel and wearing make-up just turned me on." He says .He was an active member of Drama club. At the time he was shy and did not understand the desire. We all experience feelings. Comprehensible ones and sometimes complicated ones. The meaning of the feelings may never be clear to you until you meet someone who has felt that way before. They help you decode your feelings. *Mutula lacked this someone. Moreover, Kitui is one of the most remote parts of Kenya. The residents lack the simplicity of having shoes and innerwear. How do you start discovering and embracing being gay? The people have enough problems to deal with. At secondary level, he liked the boys whose physical maturity gave them female features. I am talking big thighs, fleshy boobs and apple-shaped bottoms. 

*Mutula was incredibly smart hence an alumnus of Alliance Boys High School, Nairobi. "The feeling did really just come naturally." He claimed. He had his first taste of the fruit sometime in 2010.An encounter which he says was ‘strange but nice’.

The wrath of society has caught up with him one too many times but he maintains that he is gay and proud. One time he was leaving a club in Nairobi with a partner who had previously got into a row at the club.

Coming out: the process where an individual realizes that they are not heterosexual then embraces the change and begins to tell people about their sexuality.

LGBIT: General term for the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Intersex and Transsexual community.
WsW: Women who have sex with Women.
MsM: Men who have sex with Men.
Active partner: The top.
Passive partner: The bottom.
Versatile partner: Either top or bottom.
Cross dresser: An occasional transvestite.
Drag Queen/King: Transvestite people who intend to advertise their sexuality but not pass as a woman (D. King) or a man (D. Queen.)
Curative/Hate Rape: Practice where men sexually assault lesbians in a bid to change or ‘correct’ their sexual orientation.
Pride: Social gatherings held by the LGBIT to celebrate their sexuality or protest against homophobic acts. In South Africa they may be witness around September.

 Little did they know that they had thrown a stone at a beehive full of bees. These creatures are unforgiving .They chase and sting you to repentance if not death. The enemies from the club followed the inebriated friends. The male counterpart managed to escape leaving *Mutula to be raped and beaten up badly. In this world when it comes to money and problems it is every man for himself; truly. The ordeal was hurtful, heart wrenching and even a dimmed his ego. He dared not go to the police and file a report. "I feared mockery." In some cases, the police have been reported to assault you again. The young man sought for medical attention at the Sex Workers Outreach Programme (SWOP) Clinic in AJS Building along Keekorok Road, Nairobi. Here, according to the programme’s clinical director-Dr. Joshua Kimani-the gay, lesbians and commercial sex workers are given free medical services plus sex education.

Sexuality has been heteronormatized in Africa. Society views ‘normal’ to be sexual relations between opposite sexes. It is for this reason that *Mutula has had girlfriends since primary school and would not want his family to know that he is gay. Living a double life is distressful. The parents definitely ask when he will bring a wife home and all he has are endless lies to soothe the ear. To have to lie to your own family an aspect about yourself that you cannot change .I liken it to the life of an Al Shabaab militia man yet you cannot even harm a fly. We have locked them in a shell because we refuse to accept who they are. How selfish. It is like choosing friends .We all want to invest in friendships where there is an adventure, happiness, contentment, appreciation and love. How we are attracted to a friendship or relationship is how a man gets attracted to another man or a woman does so to a fellow woman. The same laws apply.

RELIGION IS NOT AN EXCUSE

In February 2005, there was a film shown in cinemas across South Africa. It was called Trembling before God. This explained how God gave man the liberty to choose who and what he wanted to have as a partner. God checked His creation and felt that everything was perfect except that Adam was alone .God then created Eve to keep Adam company. One Jewish myth argues that there was another woman- Lilith. She was Adam’s first wife who he later rejected for Eve for refusing to be submissive to Adam. Up to this point it is clear that firstly, God had animals live with Adam but created human company for him, then had him choose whomever he wanted to be with-between Eve and Lilith. Was there an option of Steve? He was not given an option of Steve now was he? Had there been a Steve, maybe he would have chosen to be with him, or both him and Eve or neither of them. In fact, Bestiality is the crime here not Homosexuality. Everyone’s’ sexuality is shaped by our experiences and environment we live in. Therefore the assumption that God created Adam for Eve not Steve is biased. You might want to make that: God created Adam for Eve not Sheep. In addition neither the Bible nor the Qur’an condemns lesbianism.

THEIR MEANS OF PLEASURE IS NOT AN EXCUSE
A survey was done by the Durex Sexual Wellbeing on about 26,028 participants. The findings recorded that 11% of heterosexual males and females have given and received, respectively, anal sex. Heterosexuals, let you not play sanctimonious here. You do it as well.
Walking in someone’s shoes does not mean that you have to practice homosexuality. It only means that you understand them and treat them while considering their feelings. It is a common notion that there are no outright signs that reveal ones sexuality. *Mutula argues that some members of LGBIT are not that evident. Scholars such as Jerome Espinosa and Matthew Kayser however tell parent that there is a way to know if your spouse or child is gay or lesbian. For the children, the kind of creative activities and the role they take in playing and acting can expresses the how the young one prefers to express their sexuality. As for the spouse it can be as simple as too much sensitivity on minute issues or hang out joints. The LGBIT community in Kenya chooses their venues where they try to be free and entertain each other. If the revelers and management act homely, they spread the word. It becomes their entertainment haven. The areas include Club Envy along Tom Mboya Street, Club Gypsy’s along Woodvale Grove (Westlands) and Art Caffé in Westgate Mall (Westlands Area) and Rekemarie along Accra Road. Club Tacos recently I-Club, used to be their den. "The management got hostile so we moved," said Musau.

There is a parade of people who are already walking in the shoes of the LGBIT. We have institutions like GALCK (Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya) in Nairobi, PEMA (Persons Marginalized and Aggrieved) in Mombasa and KIPE (Kisumu Initiative for Positive Empowerment) in Kisumu. Reverend Alan Boesak who asked the society to welcome the gays and lesbians into the church, appoint them as clergy and even allow performance of same sex marriages in 1986 and 2004 in South Africa. Thumbs up to them!
Being an agent of change involves much more than a shift in mind set. Action is essential, my people!

Up to 10% of people in every community are lesbian or gay. Sexual Behavior in the Human Male, Alfred Kinsey (1948)

Sex education is the best weapon against ignorance. This can be offered to schools via counselors, provision of reading materials such as Gay Man Eats Crocodile or Fixing sex; intersex, medical authority and lived experience by Duke University Press Karkazis K.A 2008.
Advocate for human rights and anti-discrimination against the LGBIT. Cultures vary across regions. You may be victim of discrimination for reason beyond your control.
Ban Conversion therapy or Reparative therapy. This is usually done to swerve homosexuals or bisexuals into heterosexuals.
Break the ideology of heteronormatized society. This is what leads to Patriarchy whereby the male is expected to be the head of the home as the women remain the dependants. This is not only degrading to LGBIT but to the women in our society as well. Let us stop assigning gender roles and let individuals define themselves through their achievements.
Preach against homoprejudice, transphobia and homophobia. Homosexuality is not a disease. It is not infectious. Some people want diversity in their sexual identity. It is their right. Hostility or irrational fear towards them does not change them. For example: Curative Rape. Some female victims said that they never got cured women when interviewed by the Forum of the empowerment of Women in South Africa.
Avoid derogatory terms for example Homosexuals, Faggot (American term), Moffie (Afrikaans term), Dyke, Stabane or Sebatane (IsiZulu term).Use gay or lesbian since they are seen as empowering terms. Also, use the term Intersex People to define people
with both male and female sets of reproductive organs. Avoid the word Hermaphrodite as this is for snails and earthworms.

Media has a role in our society as agenda setters. This involves telling people what to think about and what to discuss. The practitioners should therefore provide information which is impartial to any sexuality. If media is homophobic then the people will be too.

Disregard myths and misconceptions about the LGBIT Community. These include notions such as: People choose to be part of the LGBIT society. Sexuality is determined by genes and other influences. Who would choose something that would leave them forlorn? Disowned by family or even sent to jail? Another myth is that bisexuality is just a phase. As long as we live, we continue to define our sexuality. Therefore it may be a transitional step or a long time identity.

Dr. Joshua Kimani, the GALCK, PEMA and KIPE fraternity, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, other peer educators, support groups, youth groups, and community builders are heroes. We cannot leave the duty to them solely. The change starts with each one of us as an individual. The seven disciples were just fishermen not doctors or reverends but change started with them.
　
　
　

PERSONALITY PROFILE: AVRIL kenya

Avril is in control, strong but humble, affectionate and motherly as well

Judith Nyambura Mwangi, popularly known as Avril was born and raised in Shabaab Area, Nakuru Town. This region is basically dominated by industries and garages. A fellow native of Nakuru described it as the Eastlands of Nairobi, with few mansions here and there. It is amazing how glamorous life has turned out to be for her.

 Life on stage began in Lion’s Primary School, Nakuru. Here, she was an active Drama Club member .This basically involved singing, acting and being the Master of Ceremonies. Confidence before large crowds at this age is rare .Well, for Avril, she had staunch support from her parents.

Maureen Healy, the founder of Growing Happy Kids confirms that when parents listen to their children’s dreams they nurture confidence and self-trust in the child. Encouragement and courage made her who she is today. Psychological immaturity may mould pride and gradual concentration –shift from education to amusement of fame. This was never Avril.

In fact, “Looking back it feels like being on stage had already been planned for me.”Avril said. “It felt so normal, it’s like I was not doing something before a crowd.” This only means that it did not feel like much of a big deal, enough to make her pompous. Away from stage, she was and still is the reserved, quiet type.

The Mwangis then moved to Saint Mary’s Area, Nakuru. She was 13 years old .This is still home sweet home for sweet Avril. No pun intended. “I get really caught up in work but I try to be home every two to three months.” Her parents live the modern ways so they do not keep cows that she can milk once in a while. “When I’m home I just sleep. Rest.”

Moving to Uganda

The change was good. Avril needed it. When she entered secondary school her parents asked her to set aside performing arts. They felt it was time she concentrated on her studies. Fully concentrate! Moreover, Moi Forces Academy, Lanet was a catholic school. The curriculum was strictly working hard. All work no play makes Judy a dull one. Uganda meant freedom and chance to explore her dreams. Also, she had a passion for Makerere University. The country loved her. “I was made president of so many clubs. At some point I was even a head girl.”All these experiences mould her flamboyant personality.

 Career shaped

She made her first debut in 2006.Till now she has done Kitu Kimoja, Mama, Chokoza (featuring Marya) and Najivunia (featuring Trapee).She has also won several awards which include Chaguo La Teeniez Best Female Artiste 2011 and 2012, Nzumari Awards Best Female Artiste 2011 and Kisima Awards Boomba Artist of the year 2012.Notice, it took about five years to secure a place in the music industry.

 Look at Camp Mulla.(Though recently apart). They are much younger but their reign over the music industry, unlike Avril, was instant. Well, she attributes this to two things: Revolution of technology, Merging of entrepreneurship with music. These privileges were amiss during her generation of artistes.

Besides, “I was never really serious about my music career till 2010.”All the same, she is proud of the Camp Mulla generation. “I am ecstatic, because their work shows that the industry is growing.”

Growth is the most valuable asset of artistes, as a family. The current change in the comedy industry in Kenya is a perfect embodiment of growth.

In 2010, she was nominated for the Channel O Music Video Awards. She did not win but felt entirely proud that she got there. “Being nominated alongside big shots in the industry is already a win.” The award placed Avril in the ring to wrestle Nameless, Wyre, Shaa Khan (Tanzanian) and Obita (South African). The young lady is sure that her time will come but until then, she will continue to emulate her icons. Beyonce does it for Avril when it comes to music and character. This is apropos to what an article done by Ghafla Kenya claimed; likened her to Rihanna.

 “My style…yes…may be a bit of Rihanna but Beyonce gets a full pass.” It is because the latter is powerful, in control, strong, independent but humble, affectionate and motherly as well. The former, on the other hand, is “Needy and lonely. Being someone who needs love is not a good thing especially for a woman.”

Icon number two is Oprah Winfrey who inspires her to helping the youth. Other icons include Tyra Banks, Chris Kirubi and Richard Branson. Avril is reading Losing My Virginity by R.B which talks about how to blend business and fun.

In five years, she aspires to have done collaborations with the likes of Beyonce. Avril intends to venture other genres of music too. She hopes to open an art school and develop it to a spectacular level. She is also working on something to flip the state of fashion in Nakuru. Charity does begin at home.

Matters of the heart


“Love is care, honesty, trust, security.” She can only settle for a man who gives 100 percent of these. Marrying a man with an incompatible chart is acceptable for her only if there are things to learn from each other and talk about as well.

During this interview there were rumours about Jalang'o dating her . She smiled and said, “…he is hardworking, very talented, protective…gives 80 percent…”This statement adorned by the shy smile and evasive eye contact she had, spoke a lot more though.

She adores cooking. Dhania is the one ingredient that never misses in most of her dishes. “I am Kikuyu, you know.”

The Law of Attraction is her basic principle in life. Positive attracts Positive. This is why she likes optimists who, even more, add value to her life. It explains why she monitors her crowd on social media, notices the pessimistic, abusive ones then blocks them.

Celebrities should know how to distinguish true love from vague love, from their fans. Some people are out to just smash them to nothingness. When Avril was fresh in the industry, insults or condescending comments from her audience made her cry. The sex scandal, however, turned out to be her blessing in disguise. “It made me strong…so strong.” Her advice to fellow public figures barbed in such scandals is to simply keep positive company and keep their head up. They should also refuse to hurdle up in a corner complaining about life, pitying themselves. Learn and move on.

 Being a designer, she automatically loves colours. Avril, nevertheless, dislikes Yellow. “It is mafuta-ish” (Like oil).In her point of view, it is an unhealthy colour.

On the whole, her family is her world whereas her home is her haven. These own the biggest part of her noble but warm heart. This is why no one enters her home except her very close friends and family. Wallace Ngige, a production manager, D. j and presenter in 87.6 radio of Kigali, Rwanda, has worked with Avril. He describes her as intelligent, big hearted, funny and caring. Interestingly, you even do not have to be closely acquainted to realize that Avril is down to earth, charismatic and very supportive and never looks down upon anyone. Arnold Muthama, a fan, commented.