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When life gives you lemons...
“If life gives you lemons, make lemonade, but don’t drink it all by yourself.” How many people like to take a walk on the beach on a hot summer’s day? I am a person that likes to do just this. If at any given moment I am blessed with an instant of free time, I like to accompany my family to walk along the shore and dip our toes in the Pacific to cool off. Undoubtedly, we are not the only people that like to do this when the weather gets a bit warmer than what is comfortable; even at our nearest beach to home there are hundreds of others doing the exact same thing. My entire life I have been a...
Take action! Do it now!
You have to decide it now. After 10 years from now what do you want tell yourself? Either you dream it, work for it, do it or it is just a fairy tale! If you do it, you will be proud in the crowd! Yes you will be. You will have the courage to stand against all those naysayers, all those negative preachers and the people who didn’t want you to do something big in your life. You will be bold, bold enough to shout loudly in a crowd "I did it!" It was your dream and you worked for it and you did it. On the other side, alas! If you won’t do it... If you won’t do the work now you will fail tomorrow...
Voice of the Voiceless
It is not about being louder, it is about being bolder. We all wished to change the world when we were younger. We screamed it loud in our heads. We wanted to change poverty, we wanted to change violence and inequalities. However, very few committed to the voice inside their heads and pledged a change boldly. “When I was 6 years old, everybody wanted to treat me like a little princess, showering me with love and tenderness. Meanwhile, my brother was being prepared to be tough, to handle life and to lead,” sounds like every girl’s words. I hear this all the day, all the times. My life was a...
The thing about yourself
Have you ever read “The Thing about Jellyfish” by Ali Benjamin? If not let me enlighten you. It is about a young girl, Suzy, proving that a jellyfish is the reason why her best friend passed on. But, in reality it is about grief, guilt and moving on. I truly recommend this book because of its message and themes that, I believe everyone is experiencing or will experience in their lives. It takes one moment to change or break us. One moment everything we had may disappear right before our eyes. It’s hard to take everything on by yourself. But the thing is you’re not by yourself. Always remember...
How the internet helps me make informed choices
We live in a world that is awash with information, some of which can build us and some that can destroy us in just a click of a button. Access to the Internet is increasing worldwide. Between 2000 and 2015, global Internet penetration grew seven-fold from 6.5 percent to 43 percent. Yet millions of people still lack access to quality, credible information. In some instances, this lack of information can be life-threatening; in others it constrains social and economic growth. For a couple of months through Union National des Femmes Djiboutian (UNFD) I have been part of its online Life skills...
So, you think you are safe online?
Staying safe online is an important issue for young people using the internet, with cyberbullying becoming an increasingly serious problem all over the world. It must be noted, that technology is threatening child development by disrupting the crucial learning relationship between adults and children and has exposed many children to different vices of society. The advent of smartphones and social media nevertheless mean that today’s environment is now far more complex for young people to negotiate. The digital world is reducing contact time between the generations – a development with...
Zero tolerance to FGM - how youth are making a difference
The fight against FGM in Djibouti has existed for many years. The commitment of the authorities and civil society means that today the rate of girls aged 5-9 who endure excision is 37.7% (PAPFAM 2012). A law prohibiting the practice of female genital mutilation also exists but its application remains difficult, particularly in rural areas. As young people we are in front of a practice deeply rooted in mentalities for generations, and this is where community involvement becomes crucial. It’s not our mothers fight only… Many say that the battle against female genital mutilation is a matter of...
"He for She" from Syria
“I have a younger sister. It would be ridiculous if I don’t support her and other women to reach their full potentials” Eyad Al-Khayat a Syrian “He for She” example and a young - 22-year-old - entrepreneur aspiring to make a notable impact in his community. For Eyad, like many other guys in Syria, his options were limited as the Syrian crisis emerged in 2011. He finished his high school and aspired a bright future. Things didn’t go as perfectly as he imagined them to go. Eyad said that his childhood was not different from the childhood of other kids. However, he had to determine his future...
As youths lets be the change we want to see
The fourth industrial revolution is unfolding before our eyes, forever changing the way we connect and interact in this hyper information era. At the same time, we are living in a world faced with huge social challenges for young people. As per the Human Development Report 2019, the world reached a historic milestone with 7.7 billion people, 1.8 billion of which are youth aged 10 to 24. Of this young population, 90 percent live in developing countries. This generation, the most interconnected generation ever, continues to grow rapidly, and the challenges they face are ever more daunting I am...
Increasing digital access and skills to prepare Djiboutian youths for the digital economy
In its 2063 Agenda, the African Union states that one of its main aspirations is “an Africa, whose development is people-driven, relying on the potential of African people, especially its women and youth.” Over the next few decades, us young Africans will play a critical and vital role in the social and economic development of the continent. Africa is facing a demographic explosion which will see its population double to more than two billion people in the next generation. This is happening in my country Djibouti, which has less than 1 million citizens now. In the digital age that we are...
What does the CRC30 mean for children and adolescents in Djibouti?
The Government of Djibouti ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1990, its two optional protocols in 2011, as well as, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child in (2009) all without reservations. The country has thus committed to protect children’s rights and to work towards providing all children with the opportunities to fulfill their rights. Since then Djibouti has made tremendous progress in advancing children’s and women’s rights. The was established in July 1981 and this year it turns 38 years as the Convention on the Rights of Children turns 30 years...
Is development a double-bladed sword?
“Development is killing the environment” “If cities continue growing there will be no nature left” “Urban centers are suffocating us” These are strong statements that I find myself, and my peers saying often. We frequently talk about how strange it is that humanity has done so much to improve its way of living, meanwhile destroying its surroundings. This is not completely wrong to say, as half of the world’s tropical forest has been cleared, and we are losing 18.7 million acres of woodland per year which in turn leads to loss of habitat for many species of plants and animals. This is because...
My home, an uncertain future
I am uncertain Uncertain of the future of my continent, Africa Uncertain of the realities I wish were myths What a devastating reality Piercing my heart-tarnishing my actual existence Shunning and shaming one brother Spreading the blood of one blood sister One own African blood From Liberia to Namibia, from Nigeria back to South Africa All around Africa, they say it's xenophobia But I say, it's ignorance in disguise and disgust Leaving me with so much uncertainty of the place I called home A home where the future holds no peace nor place Not for adults, children, or my unborn generations Am...
Strive to unite all nations!
Globalization makes it easier to travel and live in different places around the world. People with differing traditions and customs living with each other may raise some issues. However, here is where I believe the government should take action in ensuring peace and the common good. This starts with the government implementing rules to maintain equal benefits of its citizens. If people in a particular place feel belongingness and equality, people will be happier, satisfied and will live harmoniously with others. We have heard about many life stories of discrimination and racial distinctions...
Religion, women and gender-based violence in Nigeria
I attended a women's summit recently and the topic of gender-based violence was being discussed by a panel. A panelist was asked “What will you do if a case was reported to you?” She started by saying “Uhm! I’m not ready, so bear with me but first, we’ll pray about it and find a peaceful way to resolve it.” Before I move on with this blog post let me add that she was a representative of a religious organization and it was amazing to watch some people in the audience nod in agreement to her response. I just think this shows the mentality of most women and young girls in Nigeria. I believe...
5 Lessons I Learned in My First Entrepreneurial Year
Entrepreneur - I remember the first time I heard this word I hoped that being one is not as hard as pronouncing it. When we are little angels (kids), all we dream of is growing up to be distinguished doctors, creative engineers, innovative teachers or even inspiring artists. But how many of us ever aspired to be an entrepreneur? My guess is, not many. Perhaps the reason is that we, as Arabs and especially Syrians who are residing in the Arab shell, still lack role models of successful Syrian entrepreneurs. A lack of mentors and hardship in accessing information are other reasons to build a...
So much more than this
Everyday many girls and women struggle with the thought of not being good enough. The standards that society holds up for us are so unrealistic and extremely damaging. The battle of body image starts very early on and it seems to be never ending. We need to change this. For our own sanity. For the generations to come. We need to learn to be more accepting of ourselves and more aware of what is beyond the skin.
A Week In Busan
Sunday, 10th of July, 2016 a new shift in my life has started; A journey where I was heading to reunite with a family that I have never met yet. They are my global citizenship family members from all over the world. I arrived in Busan, Korea after almost 36 hours. It was a very sunny and dry hot day when I left my country, Syria, heading to the other side of the world. The journey kicked off non-traditionally at Busan University of Foreign Studies. At such conferences, what you expect to see is an old man, white hair and a suit. Our conference in Busan for young people opened with an exciting...
I resent plastic waste so I am doing something about it
While the fight against plastic waste is gaining more resonance in Africa, the use of plastic bags is still well-rooted in custom and practice, at the expense not only of the environment but also of public health, without there being widespread awareness. That is why as a Blogger I am ringing the alarm bell! Djibouti has been facing severe environmental degradation, desertification, drought, and water scarcity. Due to the hot weather, the population of Djibouti is very close to the looming of environmental problems. Marine pollution is one of the major environmental challenges, there is a lack...