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. 

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. 

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

Unhabitat.org 

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.

Grace Muthoni: My Journey to Self-Discovery Made Me a Teen Mom

“Being a petite and short girl has been one of my greatest challenges. Despite struggling to accept myself, I was bullied by others for the better part of my schooling years.” Grace outlines with great emotions.

Grace Muthoni Maina is a firstborn among two and she describes her childhood as normal and simple. According to societal standards, she was described as a good girl, lovable, disciplined, and very outspoken.

Ambrose Kamya: The Love Child Of Teenagers Who Has Fought For His Silver Spoon

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“For the better part of my life, I struggled with the feeling of rejection and a sense of belonging. What has kept me going is my zeal to work hard and prove to the world that I have so much to offer for a better world.” Ambrose begins by pointing this out.

Tell us about your childhood and upbringing

I was born in 1989 to teen parents in Kayunga Village in Eastern Uganda. My father and mother were in Senior four and Senior two, aged 19 and 18 respectively. 

Wrong Cab Wrong Night; My Worst Nightmare

Courtesy: Fashion Reverie

We had just finished our Friday gig at a Five Star Hotel along Valley Road, and I was in no mood for chit-chat. It had been a long week and all I wanted was to go home and rest. Being a live musician, weekends are the buzziest and I needed to re-energize. I gave my fellow band members goodnight kisses and hit the road. 

Normally we head to town as a team but this day I was impatient. After all, it was Friday at 11.00 PM and the streets were much alive.

Parental Influence on Children Character Formation

Courtesy: giadinhnino.com

Who and how you turn out in life is your character influenced by multiple factors. Some of these factors are; parenting, environment & exposure, life experience, genetic makeup & cognitive abilities, material possession, religion, media, and socialization.

Despite there being numerous influences on character parenting plays a key role. Parents are the first contact children have in this world, their nurturing role is directly linked to character. Whatever you do as a parent, good or bad, influences your children. This equally extends to your presence, involvement, and absence in their life.