Media People

I stumbled on this , on Facebook courtesy of Franklin Sone Bayern. It is the first edition of  Media People , newly published in Cameroon.

Myself (featured -top left) and many others featured herein, share one thing in common; we  graduated from the Journalism and Mass Communication Department  of the University of Buea (UB), Cameroon.  In 20 years of its existence , Media people notes that 'UB has made top journalists.' 

Impressive!

Dakar- It's Getting Cooler !

Mabi Azefor Fominyen

A few weeks ago in Dakar it seemed like one was baking in the heat! Stepping out of the house was a real pain but there wasn't much one could do about the weather.

Sometimes I felt like going to the beach to enjoy a bit of fresh air. Crazy though , but I actually felt like moving houses to live closer to the beach. Then I figured out the hassle that often comes with moving houses- for sure I wasn't ready to face that as well.

At other times, choosing what to put on was a real problem. This was true for my entire household. Funny! But I watched my kids turn almost every single item that come in handy into a "fanning object". Name it, a book, a cd,a paper , etc.

Now the weather is changing. The heat is fast giving way to a relatively cooler and fresher weather! It feels better! I Pray it last longer this time around!

The weather pattern changes ever so often that one never knows what to expect. My daughter tells her cousins all the time that in" Senegal we sometimes experience four different seasons in one day! Extreme heat and sunshine, windy /dusty sometimes light showers/cold and before you know it you are back to extreme heat".

The Teacher! I Appreciate You!

By Mabi Azefor Fominyen

It's another time of the year when individuals show appreciation to some of the most important and perhaps influential people in their lives; THE TEACHER.

Oh yes! It is the Teachers' Appreciation Week. It is celebrated in schools around the world from May 2 to May 6. A great moment for students to recognise the role teachers play in their lives. Parents equally show their appreciation to teachers for all the efforts they put in each day to educate their children .

I thought I could revisit an article I once posted on my blog titled; Celebrating The Teacher , An Exemplary Leader. (click on link to see the article).

Poor Boy!

By Mabi Azefor Fominyen

My nanny showed up for work this morning but a few minutes later she told me her son couldn't sleep last night. When I asked why, she went on to explain that the boy had been attacked in school by a group of friends while they were playing and forced a stick of match into his ear. The pain was unbearable and the little boy couldn't help but cry all night while she watched helplessly.

I was touched! Deeply touched.

Poor boy!

Consequently, I advised her to take some time off work to enable her take the boy to the hospital and to look after him till he gets better

As she left I sat back thinking. How on earth do kids get to plan and carry out such acts against one of theirs? What actually happened? Could it have been an accident? Just how could such an act and other related incidents that often occur in some schools be curbed? Who takes the blame?

I began to ask myself many questions about some of the things that happen each day in some schools without the knowlegde of the teachers nor the parents.

Oh ! How can I ever forget the big guys back in my primary school days who used to bully the very young and perhaps-chicken hearted schoolmates. They used to seize their snacks and lunch boxes and eat everything! These bullies used to beat up others on their way from school for refusing to help them out with their class work. Academically, they were the very weak ones but they had a lot of physical strength which they often used to their advantage.

In most cases very few pupils had the courage to oppose to the demands of the bullies. They were feared by many. As such, acts of violence and related cases hardly ever got to the knowlegde of the headmaster nor to the parents except for extreme cases.

As a parent, I tell my children to keep off the "bad guys" and "bad girls" in school ( referring to the bullies, the hot -tempered friend and the "lazy girls/boys" of the class). I equally encourage them to stay away from any" trouble spot" but above all; to speak up and report any threats plus any form of abuse or violence.

In the morning!

By Mabi Azefor Fominyen,

A gentle breeze blows in the morning
It's 6 o'clock in the morning.

Another day is here.....Mama!
Another moment of bonding is here....Mama!

So, I jump out of bed !
Sometimes, I am a little tired and sleepy but I am thankful.
Yes, thankful indeed!

Thankful for my children and my entire family.
Thankful for God's grace, His blessings, His love and protection.
Thankful for the peace and joy!

Happy New Year!

By Mabi Azefor Fominyen

Huraaaaaah! Another year begins!

It's 2010!

It's a moment to extend my best wishes to all of you who visit Mabi's World.

May it be a wonderful year for you and yours!

What a moment with the kids at the Klub!

By Mabi Azefor Fominyen
It's been two weeks of fun with the kids at the Mabs' English Kids' Klub(MEKK). Eleven kids between the ages of 2-10 have taken part in our holiday programme.

0h my! I have been playing games & jumping around with the kids like never before, singing some of those favourite kids' songs(if you are happy and you know it clap your hands...)
drawing, painting, colouring as well as carrying out art and craft projects,

telling stories, teaching them the art of reading and public speaking, encouraging them to read as many books as possible, building team spirit among kids, testing their leadership abilities..... and all of these made me so proud, just like the other facilitators who gave me a big hand.

The kids have had a great time interacting with each other, doing the ABC soup, using tissue tubes to make pencil holders, making necklaces, designing paper shirts and ties, decorating the map of Africa, making party hats , crowns and many other items.

At the end of the programme, the kids showcased some of things they have learnt and designed while at the Klub and their parents were so thrilled. Like the kids, the parents all wished the programme could go on for a few more weeks.

This is another dream of mine that is gradually turning into reality:MABS ENGLISH KIDS' KLUB(MEKK). I sure would want to see this project grow, thus, giving a chance to many more kids to join in, share knowledge, gather new skills as well as put their talents into use and their imaginations to test.

(Kids building a puzzle)

I am most grateful to the parents, kids , facilitators and all who took part in the activites!