Your name and what do you do?
My name is Salma Abdulatif. I am an author, a civic leader and a student. I have authored the quote book “Painted Inspiration from the palm-fringed beaches”; I have founded my own community based organization, MTY and I am currently the vice president of Enactus Moi. I am also a fourth year student in Moi University, Main campus pursuing Maritime Business Management and a graduate/alumni of the Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI ), a program initiated by the former president of the United States, Barrack Obama.
Tell us about your book?
The painted inspiration from the palm-fringed beaches is a collection of inspirational and life-changing quotes that I have compiled in a simple yet compelling way. The book takes you step by step to things that affect you, things that mean the world, how to handle success and friendship and how to look up to the stars when it’s calm and how to wait earnestly when it’s stormy and hard. This book is for everyone out there seeking for help, seeking to be uplifted, and seeking joy and love and a peace of mind. Painted Inspiration is for every flower on this earth and the flowers are each of you!
What made you want to write?
I am the grand-daughter of the famously known Ali Alamin Mazrui. At first, I thought I could write because I had inherited his traits, lol but as I went on, I realized that it is something within me and there was so much that I wanted to share with the world and I could only do that through my pen. One of my dreams was to see people get inspired with my work and start writing their own pieces and probably even identify their own niches. Alhamdulillah, after I started my Instagram page ‘expressing_through_salummy’, I realized that my work was loved and I received numerous commendable comments from my fans and readers and it gave me the hope to never stop.
You are a blogger as well, how do you deal with Writer’s block?
Unfortunately, writers block is inevitable sometimes but I guess it all goes back to our mindset. I consistently deal with writers block through reading books, watching TED talks and even reading a piece of an article from brain pickings every day. The more you feed your mind with knowledge, the more inspiration you get to keep writing. Please check out my blog at www.salummy.co.ke.
Do you have any special quotes or sayings that you keep visible in your work environment to help inspire, motivate, and encourage you?
Oh yes, this is my best quote from my collection (you can find others on my Instagram page @expressing_through_salummy). “Some days will be sunny and some days will be stormy. There are days that you will never want to look at the sky and there are days when the peace of the stars is all that you will want. Remember, these days shall come and they shall go. You should however carry your own weather day in and day out”
To get a publisher is tough, what advice would you give to someone who wants to get their work published?
I would say, do your work and get it done. It might seem hard but it is not impossible. For now, work on your piece and give it your best shot and you shall find yourself sorted when the draft is done. I am always ready to help budding writers and it will be a pleasure to see more writers get their work published in Mombasa.
Tell us something about Enactus?
Enactus is an international non-profit making organization that is committed to using entrepreneurial spirit to create innovative outreach projects to impact communities. I am currently the vice president of Enactus Moi. Last year, with my team, we clinched top position and we represented Kenya for the Enactus World Cup in Toronto, Canada and this year, our innovative waste management project also won the National Championship and we will be going to London, England for the finals In Shaa Allah.
How do you give back to society through Motivational Talks for Youth, MTY?
I realized that I find my happiness in uplifting others. It gives me fulfilment and it is what I live for. I came up with this initiative which had directly impacted more than 500 youth in Mombasa so as to change the mindset of my community and ensure that we transform Africa for the better. MTY conducts motivational speaking forums in schools, 3-month extensive training on leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship and talent nurturing followed by a graduation and guidance on how to apply for the Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI) and also involves largely on the wider community work. To be part of us, kindly contact 0702281909 and follow our Instagram page @mty_organization/ Facebook page @mty_organization .
How can people get your book?
The book is available online https://www.amazon.com/Painted-Inspiration-Palm-Fringed-Beaches-Inspirational/dp/1546363831 and https://www.createspace.com/7129115.
For the people in Kenya, you can get your autographed and signed copies by contacting 0705586076 at an affordable price.
Parting shot
I would love to end by saying that your dreams are valid and no one should stop you from reaching the skies; not even society and its’ made-up rules. I would also want to tell you all that the secret to a fulfilling and successful life is to love and wish for others what we wish for ourselves. The main problem with our communities is that we cannot support and raise each other up and we think that it is cool, but that will never allow us to prosper. We need to smile more genuinely, judge less and stop hating, just appreciating. Thank you.
