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Jina Langu ni

Your Name and what do you do?

My name is Fatma Mohamed Bakthir, a lawyer by profession and the CEO of Alwalidayn Centre.

Tell us about Al-Walidayn Centre

Alwalidayn Centre is a non-profit, family-run organisation based in a remote village in Kwale County. First established in 2016, the Centre opened its doors to the community of Kinondo, tackling different issues facing them by constructing institutions that would benefit different aspects of their lives.

It consists of a Mosque, a free Madrassa (Islamic School), a free Private Integrated Academy, a free hospital providing free medical services and medication, and a Girls Rescue Centre, accommodating orphans and Girls who’ve been through all sorts of abuse, eg., defilement, neglect and abandonment, forced marriages, trafficking etc.

What made you change career?

My desire to give back to the community and promoting human welfare made me take a detour from Law to being a full-time Humanitarian.

Not every day or every time do we get people with legal issues. Most of the human suffering is caused by poverty, natural causes etc., hence where my focus shifted and I ventured into community service/development.

If you could have only one superpower, what would it be?

To be able to help all those who come my way seeking for financial or any form of assistance.

Do you think it’s better to have one great skill you’re great at or many skills you’re a ok at and why?

I believe it’s better to have one skill you’re great at than many skills you’re okay at because when you focus your mind onto one thing and fully perfect it, you become more efficient and reap the greatest results out of it. Unlike having to do several things at the same time, it could work if you’re capable of doing so, but the results won’t be similar to that of specializing in one particular thing.

Unemployment is high in Mombasa, what advice would you give to any upcoming youth who doesn’t know what to do?

My advice would be to first take time to figure out what exactly it is they resonate to and where they see themselves fitting in well. Then they put themselves out there in the field either through volunteering or just getting an attachment in whatever it is they’ve studied for, and not to lose hope for giving their time and not get remunerated. There’s always something you’d get out of a work experience; Remuneration doesn’t necessarily have to be monetary. It could be gaining of knowledge, exposure or connections, or generally the experience.

Secondly, to be on the lookout and careful not to be exploited by employers, who’d just want to use your skills and time and not offer anything that would be of essence to your life or career.

Lastly, don’t overstay in places. If one feels like they’re getting physically and psychologically drained yet not receiving anything, feel free to walk out and look for another opportunity elsewhere and eventually you’ll land on employment.

How do you deal with failure?

I don’t believe that there’s anything like failure. I always remind myself that every situation that comes by comes for a reason. To teach me a lesson, to shape me up to be a better human being, and to remind me that there’s a divine force (God) out there looking out for me so whatever it is that I didn’t succeed in wasn’t really meant for me.

People love giving, what advice would you give someone looking into charity?

First: identify a project you’d want to support – could be a meal project for children, sanitary towels for girls, academic sponsorship for an orphan, for mothers, for elders, etc., then look for organisations working on those projects.

Before donating, get to know their background, success stories, some are merely just faking stories and are not genuinely working for the purpose of helping people. If need be, you can visit the place or be part of one of their projects so you can see how they’re working (if there’s a huge sum involved).

Lastly, give knowing that you’ve played a part in trying to make someone’s life easier and possibly alleviating their suffering, and it doesn’t end there. Give occasionally.

Charity is easier when it comes straight from the heart with the intent of pleasing God, The Almighty.

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

Well, I haven’t really thought of that since I’m enjoying living in the present, but hopefully where my heart is at peace at. I always believe in doing things that make me happy and I’m hoping 10 years from now I’ll be in that state and more.

I also pray I’ll still be doing what I love and am passionate about doing which is serving the community. I hope I’ll have managed to touch more people’s lives and impacted them positively.

Parting Shot

Always prioritise your mental and emotional well-being in whatever it is that you do. When the mind is functioning well, everything else will work well.

The Abandoned ship at Bamburi Beach

February 6, 2016

There is a small abandoned ship on the shores of Jomo Kenyatta beach that has attracted many photographers due its rusty old look. The ship has been at the beach for almost two years. Rumour has it that it was bought by a Tanzanian guy but he is out of the country, in the meantime it is being fixed until he returns.

When walk on the public beach at Bamburi, you will find it there with onlookers trying to find out why the ship has anchored there.

Mombasa: First Police Station

January 29, 2016

The Ali’s curio market was built in 1898 and was the first police station in Mombasa. Later, it became the Nazareth bar attracting a varied clientele. It later became a curio shop.

Jina Langu ni Mauko Maunde

December 16, 2015

Jina Langu ni

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Your Name and what you do?

Mauko Maunde. I’m a lot of things rolled into one. Blogger, Web developer, Poet, Band manager and a trainee civil engineer.

What’s the one thing that amazes you?

Beauty in its rawest, most innocent form. It is all around us, in the sights and people around us. That, and the capacity for humanity in people. Despite all that happens, those people that remain “good” and restore your faith in humanity never cease to amaze me.

Tell us about Artists in Mombasa, do you think they are doing enough to be recognized?

I don’t think so. Wanataka kuchezea nyumbani hapa. Most do not want to get out of their comfort zones. They are going the tried and tested way forgetting that this line of work requires one to think beyond the gamut and try out new things. Go out there into the unknown, so to speak.

You manage different artist, what is the one challenge you face the most?

Getting them gigs to perform, then getting them paid after an event. On top of that is finding producers they can work well with, but these are apparently “normal” challenges.

Tell us about Sanaa Salon?

Sanaa Salon was borne of the need for a platform for artistes and writers to showcase thier various creative endeavours and create a large community where networks can be created and as result utilised to grow both individuals and the arts industry as a whole. It is a showcase of creative works and opinions from various stakeholders, but primarily young artistes.

Our publishing and marketing division, at www.books.sanaasalon.com also seeks to offer convenient and affordable publishing for budding writers who would otherwise not afford the exhorbitant costs associated with mainstream publishers. We do this by creating ebooks in various formats and distributing the same across markets.

Blogging has not been received well in Mombasa, compared to Nairobi. Do you think this will change?

Yes. I think the tide is changing, albeit too slowly, but we are headed there. I have seen a number of blogs come up in the recent past. Pretty decent ones I must add. Coupled with the establishment of the Coast BAKE chapter, the future looks good.

What is required, I think, is an awareness by Coastal young people of the immense opportunities blogging offers, both in terms of self-development and expansion of thought spaces; not to mention the obvious financial gains that can be achieved from a well- written blog.

How do you manage time to run your blog efficiently?

I realised the best way to handle it is to ask for help. I know, most people wouldn’t want to cede control of their blogs to others, but it’s the only way to maintain an active blog with a wide variety of perspectives.

Since one of my blogs is for events, I thought it would be easier and more convenient to crowdsource its content, so I only have to edit the submitted posts.

How do you want to improve yourself in the next year?

Ah, we are making new year resolutions now, are we? Well, for one I’d like to see better performance from by blogs and other projects; perhaps even take them up as a full-time gig. I want to invest more in growing the literary space in Mombasa because I realised that makes me happy, and I’m content when I’m happy.

Can you name some of your favourite bloggers and explain why they are your favourites?

Well, you for one. I love your photos. They represent a perspective of Mombasa only those of us who live here see, a beautiful face they don’t show much elsewhere. Keep up the good work. There is Jackson Biko too, I want to conceive and nurture words in the way he does so when I let them out into the world they can hold their own, blow minds and change lives. For the better. Ah, Jacque Ndinda. I love her. Her writing I mean.

Parting shot

A while back, someone mentioned off-handedly that Mombasa was backward, and the residents too daft for their own good. I could have argued otherwise then, in their defence, but I did not. I’m glad I can do that now

Safaricom Jazz: Rhythm and Serenity

December 10, 2015

Events

The wind whistled slowly as the night crept in, the heat engulfed the air it was bound to be a beautiful night. The crowds started streaming in flocking the grounds at Butterfly pavilion for the Safaricom Jazz. The Gates opened at 6:30 in the evening and cars were directed to designated parking areas, while others were taken to the venue by various buses.

The decor at the dome was impeccably done, with the seating area, draped in white and the dome well lit, setting the mood for a lovely night of jazz. Everyone was seated by 8pm eagerly waiting for the show to start. With various vendors set up at nearby tents selling food and drinks, as well as other vendors selling African artifacts, there were enough activities to indulge in before the show started. We all love photos, and Safaricom definitely knew this, by providing a photo booth, where all in attendance got a chance to look glam while having their photos taken!

The crowd was ready for a soulful night, the ladies all dressed and the gents looking dashing as ever, this was not your everyday music concert. Finally at around 9:30pm, Edward Perseen and the Different Faces band gave a spectacular performance, including a special rendition of jazz with a Coastal feel to it, that got the whole crowd dancing and ready for the main show! They are definitely a force to reckon with, when it comes to the jazz scene in Kenya.

Kirk Whalum graced the stage with passion and fire, and his soulful performance made you reconnect with your spirit. In his first piece he started off with the Gospel according to Jazz from Chapter 1 to 5, that left everyone in the crowd in awe. His energy resonated in every song he played, as they shared the stage with Gerald Albright and Norman Brown. Many people among the crowd, weren’t familiar with Shelea Fraizer’s music, but she captivated everyone with her sultry voice and skills on the piano; she’s an upcoming artist that we should definitely look out for in the scene.

Norman Brown was the highlight of the event, his infusion of and contemporary jazz left the audience satisfied with every succulent inflected note. The crowd moved to his beats, creating a wave of bliss and emotions that swept over the entire audience. He has a way with the guitar and it was evident when he showed off his skills while strumming the guitar behind his back as the crowd looked on in amazement!

Finally, Gerald Albright came on stage, the crowd still excited and yearning for more jazz tunes. Gerald Albright has this soulful way of making everyone in the crowd, transfixed to his performance; his emotions while playing the saxophone, leaves you in a daze and it’s no wonder that when it comes to jazz, he definitely is a maestro!

The Jazz Festival was truly a breath of fresh air in Mombasa, a few lucky winners among the crowd were fortunate enough to win phones and airtime thanks to Safaricom. The jazz enthusiast and CEO of Safaricom, Bob Collymore has definitely paved the way and set high standards for jazz festivals in Nairobi and Mombasa. Safaricom outdid themselves with a well organized concert; from the decor, security, sound and not to mention the entertainment from the jazz maestros, that culminated the year well. Mombasa looks forward to many more concerts, and probably jazz musicians gracing us for the next Safaricom Jazz Festival!

This what others had to say about the event :

Maureen Bandari

This was my first time attending the Safaricom Jazz event. I didn’t know most of the performers so I was a little skeptical of going but I knew that we don’t get the pleasure of having concerts like this in Mombasa all the time so I decided to go and check it out. First of all, the security was good and there is nothing as awesome as feeling secure during times like this when terror is everywhere. I loved the organization of the event since everything was moving swiftly and the dome itself was well decorated and organized.

I loved the caliber of people that turned up and their energy. The artists were engaging with the audience and playing familiar music every once in a while. It was truly an awesome experience ,swaying to the sound of the instruments, laughing at the jokes and being in awe of the amazing voices. The artists left us wanting more by the time the event came to a close end.

On areas of improvement, this being Mombasa a dome sometimes is too confining which makes it too hot. Unless you go ahead and install fans as well, I think an open air concert is much better and more comfortable. Other than that this is an event I will definitely attend come next year’s version.

Winnie Araka

The thing I liked most about the event was the ambiance. The crowd was great and appreciative. Everyone was on their feet and there wasn’t one dull moment. The musicians were on point. It is worth noting too that the event organizers were very organised, with transport to carry attendees to and from the parking.

All in all, it was a memorable event.

Kelvyne M. John

Awesome!!

Sights and sounds from Safaricom Jazz Mombasa:


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The Beauty of Heena

November 17, 2015

Mombasa Culture

1 Comment

Every Eid and during weddings women in Mombasa adorn their hands with floral henna patterns, some with the black dye and others natural henna.

In Mombasa, there are henna artist who do the henna designs around town but the most common place is called Bin Sidiq center on Bawazir Lane. There are few salons located inside the shopping arcade that primarily do henna art. In addition, you can find a few on Facebook where you can see samples of their work before you visit them and book online.

The designs depend on status, for little girls normally a small simple design pattern suffices. For a single girl, the art goes just up to the wrist of the hand whereas for married women it is not restricted.

It is believed that a woman must always adorn her hands with henna to look beautiful for her husband so that whenever she is with him, he sees the beautiful and colourful artwork.

The price starts at 300 kshs for a smaller design i.e to the wrist and the higher the design on the hand it goes the higher the price. Bridal designs are different from the other designs because it is the bride’s first night with her husband she has to look extra beautiful.

Different cultures have specific designs; you can Indian design Mehndi or United Arab Emirates Khaleeji style, also Sudanese black dye style.

The process includes mixing the henna powder with water, and the designer puts the wet henna in a cone which is used to draw with. Once the henna is applied on your skin, you wait for about forty five minutes to one hour for it to dry.After that, you just peel off the dried henna and normally you are advised not to touch water for 6-8 hours so the henna can darken preferably overnight. These days henna is mixed with a thinner which speeds up the process of drying.

The Craft Market at City Mall

November 13, 2015

Every Wednesday and Thursday, City Mall Nyali dedicates part of the parking lot for the craft market which promotes local curio businesses. The market was first introduced two years ago by craft producers and was registered as Craft Market.

On display at the craft market are various items such as hanging ornaments, kitchen wares, bedding, clothing, sandals and wearable accessories. The price ranges cost as low as kshs 100 to over kshs 5000, depending on your purchase.

Most vendors also design the accessories, adding a twist to make their pieces different and unique.

Each accessory produced represents some of the craftsman’s personality, making the items exquisite in every aspect.

Looking for quality and locally made crafts? The craft market makes it easier for you to be trendy on a low budget. The items sold there are diverse in colour, texture, design and material to cater for all ages and genders. There is something for everyone.

The organization is open to curio/crafts sellers and supports all kinds of groups. Youth and women groups who would like to join to promote their work are welcome.

So next time you are at City-Mall on a Wednesday or Thursday stop by between 8am and 8pm for the beautiful souvenirs.

Below are pictures from The craft Market at City-Mall.

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Jumba la Mtwana

October 13, 2015

The full name Jumba la Mtwana means in Swahili “the large house of the slave”. Within this area four mosques, a tomb and four houses have survived in recognizable condition. These houses include the House of the Cylinder, The House of the Kitchen, The House of the Many Pools, which had three phases, and the Great Mosque. The inhabitants of this town were mainly Muslims as evidence by a number of ruined mosques.

There are no written historical records of the town but ceramic evidence showed that the town had been built in the fourteenth century but abandoned early in the fifteenth century. The dating is based on the presence of a few shreds of early blue and white porcelain with lung-chuan celadon, and the absence of any later Chinese wares.

It is most likely the site’s strategic position was selected because of the presence of fresh water, exposure to the North East and South East breezes which would keep the people cool and its safe location from external attacks by sea since it had no harbor, thus larger vessels had to anchor along way offshore, or move probably in Mtwapa creek. One can only therefore guess reasons for its eventual desertion, namely trade interruption, hostile invasion or a failure in water supply. Though there is need to pursue further research on this.
Clearance and excavation of the ruins were first carried out in 1972 by James Kirkman with a view of dating the buildings, its period of occupation and consolidating buildings which were in danger of collapse. Ten years later in 1982, Jumba la Mtwana was gazetted as a National Monument. Thus Jumba is legally protected under Antiquities and Monuments Act Chapter 215 of the Laws of Kenya.

Excerpt from National Museums of Kenya

Mombasa Instameet #wwim12_Mombasa

October 10, 2015

Events

Every few months Instagram hosts a worldwide instaMeet, basically photo enthusiasts coming together to take photos and videos and upload on instagram.

A definition as per their blog “An InstaMeet is a group of Instagrammers meeting up to take photos and videos together. That’s it! An InstaMeet can happen anywhere and be any size. They’re a great opportunity to share tips and tricks with other community members in your area, and an excuse to get out and explore someplace new!”

A group of people or an individual can plan and organize an instaMeet in their city and invite others via Instagram.

In the beginning of October 2015, Instagram called out for worldwide InstaMeet number 12. The theme was #WWIM12 is to share #todayimet portraits of the people you meet at the InstaMeet.

For Mombasa we held the Instameet at Mombasa Butterfly House, located next to Fort Jesus. The Mombasa Butterfly House has on display butterflies that have been purchased from community groups living adjacent to key coastal forests, including the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest.

Hello igers Mombasa Life In Mombasa is proud to announce that we shall be hosting #Wwim12 #instameet this Saturday 3rd October at Mombasa Butterfly House (next to Fort Jesus) at 2pm. Entrance fee is Kshs 100. Hope to see you there. For any enquiries contact me at jamila@lifeinmombasa.com #lifeinmombasa #cityofmombasa

A photo posted by @lifeinmombasa on Oct 1, 2015 at 12:23am PDT

About 20 people attended the event, we enjoyed getting know one another and capture the different species of butterflies that inhibits the gardens. We were given a tour of the garden, and a few facts on Butterflies and the House itself.

Below are scene captured from the InstaMeet

Nguuni Nature Sanctuary

September 16, 2015