How to Package Your First Impression to Avoid False Impression

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‘Almost everyone will make a good first impression, but only a few will make a good lasting impression.’ (Sonya Parker, 2014)

Everyone works tirelessly to make the best first impression whether it is at a job interview, during a first date, on the first day of school, or at a job. 

Also check out: 5 Easy Ways to Make the Best First Impression

Needs, Values and Relationship Dynamics by Victory Tali

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Let me start by committing illegibility suicide.

I'm not a relationship expert. In fact, this is one of the many areas of my life I can't seem to figure out yet (one of the many or one of all, to be accurate...). By the looks of things, I'm not even sure I'm close to it, and honestly, I don't even know if I ever will.

However, over the ups and downs on this road, I believe I have noted a few things that give me

How to Understand and Manage Expectations in Relationships

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When it comes to relationships, you need to be honest with yourself. Everyone is looking for something which forms their expectations. The expectations form the basis of what you hope to get in a relationship or rather the fulfilment you hope to achieve.

When everyone is getting into a relationship, they have a checklist. For others this even this even determines who they date and how they build the relationship.

What is Self-identity and Why Is It Important?

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Identity is about the question of who am I and who do I want to become? Self- identity is about how you identify and define yourself.

People identify themselves in different ways based on relationships, experiences, abilities, traits and physical attributes. Self- identity is a process and has multiple aspects. It is closely linked to self-awareness and self-esteem.

Understanding Toxic Relationships; Definition, Causes, Signs & Solutions

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A couple of weeks ago, a group of ladies invited me to speak to them about toxic relationships. At face value, their intention was to understand toxic intimate relationships but we started off by understanding the dynamics of toxic relationships.

Defining toxic relationship?

Toxic relationships happen in different contexts and as a result of diverse reasons.

Understanding Antenatal and Postnatal Depression in Men

Did you know that between 2% and 25% of fathers experience depression during their partner's pregnancy or in the first year postpartum?

Postpartum depression is often linked to women due to the hormonal, physical, and emotional changes associated with pregnancy and childbirth. 

Understanding Severe Menstrual Cramps; Symptoms, Causes & Treatement

This article was first published on The Perspective blog.

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I am always doing constant research about menstrual cramps because of what I put up with every month. I have not been able to find the cure yet but just ways of controlling the pain. 

What has worked for me so far is, using the hot water bottle, feeding light, avoiding sugary stuff and exercise.

5 Easy Ways to Make the Best First Impression

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With the digitization of every aspect of life, most people are slowly losing their interpersonal skills. These skills have been proven to be critical for those seeking career advancement or business development.

Interpersonal skills begin from the point of first contact and hence the need to have a spectacular first impression. It is unfortunate that human beings are wired to judge you based on your first impression despite what else you have to offer.

Why I Struggled to Celebrate International Youth Day this Year?

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If you have interacted with me in person or through digital platforms you know I am an avid advocate of issues affecting adolescents, youth and women. 

Any efforts going into these cause I will cheer on with my heart and soul. This year I felt challenged or rather constrained to celebrate International Youth Day (IYD) a day I have celebrated for a decade now.

Life Threw Me Lemons; Lived on The Streets, Had Life Threatening Asthma and Degenerative Eye Problem But Now I am Having My Lemonade – Benson Kiragu

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“My life has been a roller coaster of unforeseen and unprecedented events, but I am proud of whom I have become.” Benson Kiragu outlines as he begins to narrate his story.

I was raised by my grandparents with my two siblings in Uasin Gishu county, Kenya. The year of my birth is unknown to me, but I settled for 1985 when I was applying for a birth certificate.

The year 1992 marked the beginning of a dark phase in my life. The tribal clashes associated with the general election rocked my life and that of my family. Despite us having a home my grandparents were squatters. When the clashes began our home was torched and we had to run for our lives. 

Truth About Being a Young Adolescent

I am an angry and mad teenager. I believe I have a right to be angry and annoyed. Angry at everyone in my space. This includes me. I know being a teenager is being between the ages of 13 to 18. That it is supposed to be exciting and fun at the same time. 

It is a stage of me turning into an adult where I’m expected to make mature decisions that will determine whether my future is bright or doomed. Why am I angry again? I’m angry because I have a million things crisscrossing my small mind but with a few options of who to turn to that wouldn’t judge me. The adults are supposed to understand me. My peers are supposed to love and accept me and I am expected to fully understand myself. And yet none of these people understand me. I don’t even understand me. So I’m mad!

Vulnerability is all about being Human

Take off the mask. Put your guard down. Enough about hiding your insecurities. Today I want to talk about vulnerability. Yes! Vulnerability.

I have found that many of us look at vulnerability as a weakness and we all dread the thought of being open to people about those things we are not proud of doing or the things we are still doing that we never want people to find out about us. 

It Is Time We Practised More Self-Compassion than Compassion

“I want to be a Child Protection Champion for teenagers, Can I? Is it possible?

“Corazon that dream is way too big for you to achieve! “

“You are too weird and too ugly to fit in! You just do not qualify “

  “Your shape and form look like one of a lion. You cannot be beautiful in anything you dress in.”

“You deserved the rejection from that friend! You deserve all that is happening to you and more. That is what you get for setting your standards too high!”

‘They will laugh at your stupid ideas and opinions”

What Access to Justice Meant Growing Up as an African Child

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Today we mark the International Day of the African child. A day marked to honour ten thousand black school children who took part in the Soweto Uprising in 1976 to protest poor quality education and demanded to be taught in their own language. Hundreds were shot and hundreds killed in the protest. This day has been celebrated every year since 1991. (Wikipedia)

The theme of this year's celebration theme is Access to Child-Friendly Justice System. This theme has made me think of access to justice which starts at home; with family being the first point where children learn about justice and access justice.

Effective COVID-19 Messages For Children; Episode 2

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Kenya’s first case of Covid-19 case was reported on 12th March 2020 and the numbers have continued to rise drastically with 607 confirmed infected persons, 127 recoveries, and 29 deaths as of 7th May 2020. Many more citizens are getting tested and the numbers are still expected to rise.

Sadly children are part of the above statistics given to us by the Ministry of Health. World statistics and facts about the exact number of children infected and survivors are not known due to child protection issues.

Effective COVID-19 Messages for Children; Episode 1

World Health Organization has assessed that COVID-19 is a pandemic that is spreading across Counties and Continents across the world. As the Virus continues to spread it is governments are working hard to put prevention and control measures to ensure that their populations are safe.

Children are Global Citizens. They are key in the fight against Covid-19. The only message we are giving our children is to stay home, wash their hands and wear a mask. This is very true, but I believe more clear information on Covid-19 given to children by Parents and Caregivers will go a long way in reducing the spread of the Virus among them.

My Teacher Defiled Me at The Age of 8 Years but Now I Take My Power Back; Sofi Buwembo

April is sexual assault awareness month and I feel this is the best time for me to share with the world my experience as a young girl. 

I was sexually assaulted by my teacher when I was 8 years old. I was in P.3 at Kibuli Demonstration School, Uganda. My abuser’s name was Sheikh Serubogo and he taught I.R.E in lower primary.

My teacher took me to his house and as a lamb being led to the slaughterhouse, I went with him not knowing what would befall me. 

A Stalling Career and Broken Relationship Pushed me to Depression – Kaka Tim

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Nairobi has always been the proverbial land of greener pastures. To seek these greener pastures Kaka Tim came to Nairobi with high spirits and there is nothing he looks forward to like financial freedom. Before getting on his feet, a kind cousin offered to host him.

“My career took longer to pick up, but I remained optimistic.” Kaka Tim explains. He caught a break and got a writing engagement where the payment was based on several words. Tim worked so hard and was able to get a decent income monthly. This at the time was adequate to cater for his monthly bills.

My Difficult Childhood Unknowingly Drove me into Depression; Lily Okeyo

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“It is okay not to be okay”. This is a statement taken so casually but carries so much weight. It is estimated that 300 million people worldwide suffer from depression which is the most common type of mental disorder.  

Kenya happens to be ranked 6^th in Africa in the number of depression cases at about 2 million.  It is also estimated that 4 in 5 people who commit suicide are depressed at the time of their death. 

The most common causes of depression are biological changes experienced during pregnancy, genetic predisposition, psychological risks and social factors. (WHO, Kenya Mental Health Policy/Act 2014)

I Will Not Report

I will Not Report by Sarah Masive

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I know that a crime has been committed against me,

I know that our legal system has laws that should protect me,

I know that there are lawyers that would gladly represent me for free,

I know, but I will not report this.

Every other day we hear of such cases in court,

How the survivors get victimized again by supposed protectors,