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Particulates in the atmosphere are increasing. What can we do about it?
Atmospheric particulate matter (APM), also referred to as particulate matter or particulates, is the sum of all particles, liquids and solids suspended in the air. To refer to the mixture of particulates and air, the term aerosol is used. An example of these particulates includes gaseous contaminants, smoke, smog, dust, pollen, mould spores, viruses and bacteria. PARTICULATES IN KENYA'S ATMOSPHERE A study performed by J. Karue, A.M. Kinyua and L. Njau in 1990-1991 in conjunction with University of Nairobi, the Centre for Nuclear Science Techniques, the Kenya Medical Research Institute and the...
How to talk about mental health when the topic is considered a taboo
Human dignity and freedom in a multi-cultural, multi-religious world
The current world population stands at approximately seven billion and a half billion, with more than 5000 different ethnic groups and 4200 different religions. Suffice it to say that human population is very diverse. Some call it a "melting pot", others a "cultural mosaic", "salad bowl", and even "kaleidoscope". However, many people fight over their differences in culture and religion instead of celebrating these differences, and culture and religion are often used in nefarious ways to drive forward white supremacy, sexism/misogyny, and terrorism, amongst others. Historically, in most...
Living with an invisible illness: PCOS awareness
Puberty. For me, that was when things took a very wrong turn. Not that things had ever been right, but they became worse when puberty hit. At first, I didn't think that anything was wrong. After all, puberty affects different folks differently. And when I did notice that something was wrong, doctors waved me off because acne, weight gain, bodily hair and irregular periods (they do take a while to become regular) are classic signs of puberty. When I was around 16, I went to sleep one day and woke up the next with an almost bald patch at the back of my head. My hair was thinning, and my hairline...
I don’t have to remember this…I can find that online
Happy leap year and leap day
Every 4 years brings about a leap year. This is an extra day to the year making it 366days. Since this is an extra day in our life that comes once in 4 years, why don't we celebrate this day with kindness and joy. Happy Leap Day
Dear Women of #GenerationEquality
A letter to all girls and women. This is for women who inspire. This is for women who have had a heartbreaking past but get up everyday to conquer their dreams. This is for women who have been through all kinds of Gender based violence, be it physical or emotional, but smile with stardust in their eyes, this is for women who deserve better. This is for women who were rejected, shamed, and disrespected by the society. This is for women who love deeply, who hold on tight to people they love and their children, this is for women who have been through hell, but have shown immense courage. This is...
Fast Fashion: The Fad that Failed
Technology has played the largest role in the rise of fast fashion. Social media rules the fashion industry- with the youth turning to the likes of Snapchat and Instagram models for clothing tips, advice and inspiration. This means that now, clothing choices are more versatile than ever- instead of waiting for Vogue’s seasonal magazine debating new trends, one negative post from a social media star is enough to completely turn the tides against a company. The Ellen Macarthur foundation has estimated that the amount of clothes produced has doubled over the last 15 years. It is important to...
International Women's Day 2020: What empowerment should actually mean
You may shoot me with your words, You may cut me with your eyes, You may kill me with your hatefulness, But still, like air, I’ll rise. ~ Maya Angelou (Still I rise) Yes! You can rise above everything, and fulfill your goals, especially if you are a woman! In a society that’s mostly hegemonized by men, a woman’s true potential is often underemphasized, at times to the extent of looking down upon it. The need for her education and enlightenment was considered outlandish until about six decades ago, and is regretfully so in many places around the world even till now. However, despite all the...
Powerful or powerless? A girl's success is inevitable
Disability is not Inability
Growing up with eco-anxiety
What do children and teenagers worry about? A lot of things, really: homework, peer pressure, body image, career, problems at school, family tensions, not to mention their own mental health. But recently, another stress factor has crept on this already long list of concerns, and its influence can be just as major: eco-anxiety. Eco-anxiety is not an old term and it’s definitely not something that previous generations have experienced. The term was barely coined in 2017, when the American Psychological Association first defined it as “a chronic fear of environmental doom.” According to the U.N...
What I Learned About Myself When I Created My Own News Outlet For Young People
For much of my life, two words defined me: painfully shy. And, perhaps, socially anxious. I had trouble talking to people, even close friends. My heart would pound ahead of social interaction, and I often lay awake at night over an upcoming social event. Years would go by when I would hardly see my friends outside of school for fear of that simple social interaction. But those weren’t the only words that defined me. I was also incredibly passionate about the world. I desperately wanted to help people, a desire that only grew as I got older and learned more about the issues facing society. I...
The Surprising Ways That Poverty Impacts Your Health
Poverty is a huge issue around most of the planet. While there are a few countries that are often cited as having incredibly low poverty rates compared to the rest of the world, they still have to contend with poverty and the problems that come with it as well. The simple truth of the matter is that wherever you go, there will be some level of poverty either on full display or hidden behind the scenes. In either case, poverty can have serious impacts on health that many fail to consider as they are not immediately obvious. Things Most Take For Granted When healthcare comes to mind, people...
Girls in ICT: Don't be afraid to pursue technical courses
Where do I belong?
The Real Cost of Fashion
The term “fast fashion” has recently become a popular turn of phrase used to represent cheap, trendy clothing from retailers such as H&M and Zara. On the surface, fast fashion may seem like a technological innovation - the constant designing and manufacturing of new styles for such low prices seems almost revolutionary. Hidden behind these low prices, however, are high environmental and ethical costs that may make you rethink your next clothing purchase. Environmental Impact The havoc fast fashion has wreaked on the environment has been extensive. In terms of clothing production, fast fashion...
I would
“I would” If you had the power to change something, what would it be? Walking in a cold night, looking at the incredible moon as white as a jasmine flower, I was thinking about this deep question, but suddenly a red Chevrolet distracted me, it was a Malibu 1981 identical to my grandfather's. It passed quickly on the narrow street, flashbacks started passing through my mind, followed by a smile. I 've heard quite a lot of people that tell me: "I would definitely change poverty" and someone else tells me, “I would definitely change injustice," and another person tells me "I would totally change...
Child labour: Children who are meant to be seen and not heard
Child labour is any work that harms a child mentally, physically and socially; it is a common malpractice in several countries. One widespread form of child labour is the domestic child labour which is invisible to people. There are numerous harmful consequences associated with child labour, such as health problems or absenteeism at school. Recently, I came across the article "Harvest is in my blood" which gives an insight on how children are being deprived from their fundamental rights in Indonesia: the right to education. The tobacco industry is one of the largest industry in Indonesia and...