Are you from Africa?

ARE YOU FROM AFRICA?

Most people from the African continent have been asked this question many times, especially if they are frequent travelers like myself. Often times, I answer politely with "I am from the African continent, yes :); then flinch when it is followed by "what's the capital of Africa?" or "say something to me in African"! Or worse, "I went on a missions trip or a humanitarian aid to Africa once, the people's lives were transformed." Really???? All of Africa was transformed because of you? Is that so? People don't know that Africa is a continent? That continents don't have capitals, or a common language???! What are people being taught in school these days (notice how I say this like I'm an ancient person :)...

Bottom line, if you are not sure of something... ask! Don't assume and fill in the blanks, ask and enrich your knowledge base. I ask my German and Dutch friends the most seemingly random questions sometimes, but I really want to understand both cultures well.

Ok, ranting done for the day!

Signing off... N.T

Here World :)

I've decided that it's about time I went back to using this blog for it's original purpose which is sharing funny and/or interesting stories from my journey as a Nigerian lady... STARTING NOW! :)

Two American friends and I decided to explore Kampala (the capital of Uganda) one Saturday morning; we were living in Jinja which is about an hour away and decided to live the high life and visit the big city :) so we did! We had plans to go to the Nigerian restaurant and eat our spicy, delicious food, watch a movie at the cinema, and maybe even get a *mani-pedi each :). One of the places we wanted to go to was PC World which is a big deal in the Ugandan electronics world; PC World has quality electronics and is a reliable place to buy things. 
On getting to Kampala, each of us had to take a "bodaboda" (public transportation in the form of a motor bike) and my bodaboda rider swearing profusely that he knew how to get to PC World, led the other two riders. After going around in circles for more than 30minutes when the ride should have only taken us 10-15minutes, he pulled up in front of the British High Commission and with the widest smile on his face, said "ah ha *banange, here world :)
I got off the bike in shock, looked at my friends, and could only sputter "what on earth?How?Why?What????! At some point, we all looked at each other and burst into laughter! After all, TIA- This Is Africa :) anything can happen!

*Mani-pedi- manicure and pedicure
*Banange- is an exclamation used regularly by Ugandans.

The United Kingdom

Yes, I'm in the UK and this is my first time in England. It has been quite a journey but I am well settled in now.

One of the things I want to write about is how grateful I am for is emotional wellness and stability; it is something we almost never pay attention to, and something we overlook. To be well emotionally and mentally is a blessing I will never take for granted again. As a Nigerian, there are some mental disorders, degenerative diseases, and other medical conditions I've only heard of, or seen on television; BUT actually seeing people live with those conditions is really hard for me to take in.

I saw a woman with Tourette's Syndrome three weeks ago and it broke my heart, I was also told that a dear old lady I met here might have Alzheimer's disease, and I don't know if I could take the thought of her not remembering me someday. 

I need a lot of money to pay off school debt and some other bills but I refuse to let that hold me back, and I trust that God will take care of me.

Live your life one day at a time, but live life remembering that we shouldn't put off till tomorrow what we can do today because we don't know for sure what tomorrow will bring.

Thank you!

I just want to say a big THANK YOU to everyone that donated toward our project- UNTOUCHABLE: CHILDREN OF GOD.

Our goal was to raise $50,000 in order to be able to cover the logistics, production, and travel costs and we raised more than that because of YOU! Thank you thank you thank you! For believing in us and for supporting those who can go and meet these girls, also for helping us have the chance to share their stories with the world!

Remember, human trafficking is real and happening all over the world; you might not be able to go, physically meet with the victims and help with counseling them but you can support those who are able to do so. Thereby, contributing to the cause of abolishing this evil trade and seeing that justice is served.

God bless you!!!

UNTOUCHABLE: CHILDREN OF GOD

Hello again! I can't believe how fast the year has gone by and while you're probably wanting to hear about some of my escapades over the last few weeks, I have something even more fulfilling here :). I am part of an NGO called Code Red and Code Red Films was founded by my friend Grant; our aim is Taking Risks to Tell the Truth. Our current project is called UNTOUCHABLE: CHILDREN OF GOD and it is about the injustices faced by the Badi women in Nepal; it highlights their pain, struggles and hurts, but also reveals the light at the end of the tunnel and hope.

We still need some money in order to make this project a reality; out of the outstanding $50,000 needed, we have been able to raise almost $3,000 through donations from friends like you. Please join the cause and help us today; you might not be able to go to Nepal, meet the girls and women, but you can support those who are able to go. In that way, you are joining us on the journey of hope and restoration.

Please watch the trailer below

Click the link below to go to the Indiegogo website where you can donate to this cause. Thank you for making a difference!

Nigeria

I say Nigeria with a huge sigh... It seems like every time I turn on the news, there is something awful happening back home. It has gotten to the point where at least 1 out of 5 people I meet for the first time launch into the woes of Nigeria once they find out I'm Nigerian; they ask if I'm from the North, if I'm aware of the corruption, if I will move back to Nigeria, if I'm scared of going home, and the questions go on!
As a Nigerian in diaspora, all I can do is pray, educate myself, and work hard knowing that one day, the present and future of Nigeria will be in the hands of my generation. It is a heavy burden and responsibility to carry but God will see us through.  
                                                                   
Long Live Nigeria, may your former glory be restored!

National Anthem
Arise O Compatriots
Nigeria's call obey
To serve our Fatherland
With love and strength and faith
The labour of our heroes past
Shall never be in vain
To serve with heart and might
One nation bound in freedom, peace and unity

O God of creation
Direct our noble cause
Guide thou our leaders right
Help our youth the truth to know
In love and honesty to grow
And living just and true
Great lofty heights attain
To build a nation where peace
And justice shall reign

The Pledge
I pledge to Nigeria my country
To be faithful, loyal, and honest
To serve Nigeria with all my strength
To defend her unity, and uphold her honor and glory,
So help me God.

Human Trafficking

I am currently attending a seminar on human trafficking and believe me when I say this, human trafficking is much bigger than we realize! Here are a few facts for us to ponder...

“Trafficking in persons is now the second most profitable business for organized crime.”…it is now the third largest source of profits for international organized crime, behind only drugs and guns.” UNHCR (2010)"There are more human slaves in the world today than ever before in history""There are an estimated 27 million adults and 13 million children around the world who are victims of human trafficking." Over the last two weeks, I have heard stories that made me feel as if my heart was being ripped to shreds and set on fire; stories of children assaulted by those who were charged with their well being, of mothers abandoning and hating their children, of parents selling their children into prostitution, and of children so lonely and depressed that it was only a matter of time before they fell into the preying arms of pimps and/or lover boys. I have met some of those people and heard their stories first hand, and I tell you I will never forget them. Human trafficking is real. Do your part in fighting it today! If you see something that looks suspicious, like a young girl working for a man or woman who never let her out of their sight, and when they do she is always watched; or a boy who cries everyday because he misses his parents and was forced to come and "work" in the city at such a young age but his boss is "hurting" him and making him "do" unpleasant things, please raise alarm. The world needs you, your cry for help just may save a life! 
Below is the trailer for one of the best and accurately made documentaries on human trafficking that won over 24 awards internationally... Click Nefarious to go to their website.