Moving With The Changing Times!

By Mabi Azefor Fominyen,

I'd like to start my second year of blogging by introducing what I'd love to call Mabi's Pick!

Could be an image, a podcast or a video: that depicts or portrays certain aspects of daily life in a community.

Here comes the first of such!

BARACK OBAMA - exercise books now on sale in Senegal.

Mabi's World Turns One !

By Mabi Azefor Fominyen

It has been a year since I launched Mabi’s World and posted my first blog.
I simply can’t believe how time flies.

What started timidly, especially given my little interest in ICT’s (at the time), has grown bigger than I ever imagined.

I have had some great experiences during this first year.

Mabi’s World has made me become IT Savvy; pushing me to improve my skills to the point of helping others start up blogs.

Interacting with fellow bloggers has been terrific! Reading about Mabi’s World from other blogs has been so heart-warming.

Mabi’s World has helped me speak about my passions: leadership, parenting, family, gender issues, arts & craft, my designs (De MABS DESIGN) etc. Sometimes I cooked on the blog; qt other times I celebrated the lives of people and mourned beloved ones.

This is different from writing journalistic reports & presenting on TV. It is multi-media: taking pictures, editing photos, uploading images, videos, podcasts and more.

Many of you have been to Mabi’s World, some have left comments and very worthy additions to issues posted on the blog. Others, follow my blog regularly.
I am deeply indebted to all of you! You all make part of Mabi’s World. Thanks immensely !

Let’s all see what lies ahead on Mabi’s World.

Mom & Daughter Home-made Cookies!

By Mabi Azefor Fominyen,

My first attempt to bake cookies at home turned out to be a pleasant one. Everyone at home enjoyed the cookies. Thereafter, I planned to bake more cookies but never really found the time to do so plus I had to buy cookie cutters to facilitate the cutting and shaping of the dough.


Luckily my daughter kept reminding me to do so. At last I bought the cookie cutters. She was over-joyed. "Mama you finally bought the cookie cutters ...thank you so much, I can't wait to see us using them!'' And so it was just time to make some more cookies!

My daughter and I used the same recipe I had used when I first made cookies at home. See AKWE'S CUISINE for the recipe. NB:: I added a zest of orange to enhance the flavour this time around.

Cutting out the different shapes and sizes was just lovely! Thanks to our cutters see how much cookies we made!


Enjoy our mom & daughter home-made cookies! We are using this 'candy-cookie-like container' to store our cookies so they stay longer and remain crunchy.

Honour Your Grandparents! Now and Always.

By Mabi Azefor Fominyen,

Grandparents' Day 2009 will be celebrated on September 13.

Our Grandparents are our pride, our heritage and key members of our families and communities. Little wonder therefore that a special day is set aside to honour and celebrate their lives. Their love and dedication to their grandchildren is beyond measure even though this is sometimes taken for granted.

In September last year(2008) I wrote an article on my blog on the role our Grandparents play in our homes/communities. On the occasion, I had one thing at the back of my mind -hence the title of the post "Don't You Think Grandma and Grandpa need a Break?"(Click here for the piece).

We may never be able to pay back Grandma or Grandpa for all she/he has done and has been to us, but we can make her/him know how much she/he is loved and thought of at all times and especially on GRANDPARENTS' DAY.


Here are some ideas on how to celebrate with long-distance Grandparents.


What's your idea?

(Images courtesy of http://www.clipartguide.com/)

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!

Introducing DeMabs Hat Collection 2009

My Hat story - DeMabs Hat Collection 2009
Uploaded by esungeft. - Explore lifestyle, fashion, and DIY videos.

Why Did You Leave Me?

By Mabi Azefor Fominyen

I woke up this morning thinking of someone I loved so dearly.
I loved him so much and I always wanted him by me so dearly.

But he left me.
Indeed he left me!

Time has passed but the love I had for him has stayed on.
If I could turn back the hands of time, I would, just to have him stay by me!

Thirteen years have gone past yet it feels like yesterday!
Thirteen indeed, for he left on August 6, 1996
And today is August 6, 2009.
And I am wondering:

How time passes!
How I still think of you dearly!
How I still miss you dearly!

How wonderful such moments were, with you loving, caring, teaching and guiding!
How you made me grow through life rather than go through it, aiming high!
How you lastly told me to “Be Careful in all you do”.

You gave me life and a sense of direction.
You taught me never to forget what you defined as
“The basic needs of life- God, Education, Food/Water, Shelter & Medication”.
You often walked the talk.

Yours was an exemplary life, a life worth emulating Dad!
I thank God for you papa!

But you left me too soon Dad! You left us too soon Papa!

Sometimes I wonder if I ever told you I loved you dearly!
Would you have stayed longer if I did? RIP dad!