Let Go Graciously

 Last week, a good friend of mine came and asked me to help her write a resignation letter. Her employers were taking her on a roller-coaster ride, they were disingenuous and extremely unbearable. On looking at her conract, I advised her to give at least 3 to 6 months' notice.

Being taken on a roller-coaster ride is not a problem at all, if the rewards are worth it, like a fully paid fellowship, study course, fully paid two-week holiday overseas etc. In this case, it was not worth it at all.

At every place I have worked, whether on permanent basis or contract, I have given at least 3 to 6 months notice. No matter the situation, it is important to write an official and polite resignation and keep your copy as evidence. 

I have not worked for many employers because for the most part, I have been self-employed and yet I am grateful that this strategy kept me from any underhanded behaviour from my employers. I have never had to worry about that, except one who refused to give me a good reference, because they were unhappy to see me leave. That is their prerogative. I now have referees whom I know are genuine and keen to see me grow and succeed.

What is your experience? If you would like a template of a resignation letter, I am more than happy to help.

Bless!

Bev

This map of Africa

I have received so many questions about this map of Africa on my head and if I wear it to official functions. Thanks.

It was in December last year, that I lost my second earring from this set of Africa. I was not going to lose them both, which is why I innovated and started to wear it across my forehead. From December 2024, I have worn it to every physical and virtual event-each and every day-even on our long road trip over Christmas.

I have not travelled outside Kampala or Uganda this year as yet, except virtually through my public speaking training sessions.

I wear  this Africa when I am emceeing, when I am being interviewed by researchers. If you see me without it, or another earrin, then that photo or video was taken before December of 2024.

Because I own my style and I am deeply respectful of  various protocols, for example, when I am training participants across different faiths and cultures, I respect their protocol. If I am in a place that is strict on particular formal dresscode, I will adhere to that. I just leave the earring on and because I always deliver with aplomb, it works well.

Kindly note-many people have met me and have said they would like to try it and I encourage them. Certain styles go along with specific personalities though-kindly take note. I know that when we delve into our personal fashion preferences, we will find that additional touch, which suits us perfectly.

Bless!

Bev

The Poet, Where Every Rhyme Means Death, by Michael Connelly

I bought this book at a second hand book store, where, if you are a book lover like me, you will find the most incredible deals. 

The author,  Michael Connelly, is well known for his crime fiction and the title jumped right at me.

'The Poet, Where Every Rhyme Means Death.' With a plot intertwined with the rising number of 'cop suicides,' and a trail that leads a crime reporter to unprecedented twists as he investigates, starting with his own brother's suicide.

With the elements that make great crime; unexpected twists, poorly hidden romance, fruitless pursuits and close calls. As always, it is the person you least expect, the one you have been trying to solve the crime with, the one whom you shared the most valuable details of the mystery, giving them a headstart without knowing.

This gripping from start to finish and is good for long road trips, plane rides, boring meetings and when you just want to stay at home and read a good book.

ROPE-the play with all the right modern buttons

 ROPE is the play that hit the National Theatre Stage in Kampala, with al the right modern buttons. Written by Lloyd Lutara and directed by Kaya Kagimu, this play gave me the feel of exactly what we have been doing for the last five years; speaking into our phone cameras and confessing to deeds which are best left to the ears of a man or woman ordained to receive that level of sorrow and iniquity.

Beverley, Kaya Kagimu and Brenda Ibarah (cast member)

Kaya Kagimu is honoured the 'Feeling,' the poetry anthology celebrating iconic Ugandan women.

ROPE is a tale of how people have been dealing with their self-loathing, their dark deeds and their burdensome identity crises. Through unsolicited advice or confessions on phone cameras. They then post on social media to real and perceived audiences. 

In this modern story of well-written monologues, it is one we have heard many times and yet it feels fresh. A wife and husband are faced with moral dilemmas, unsatisfied sexual desires, in-law interruptions and so they seek for help in unconventional and often questionable places. 

The results of this are as bizarre as they are pitiful, scarred by emotional and physical abuse, wretchedness, unspeakable betrayal and helplessness.

What Lloyd Lutara ahs done is masterful and thanks to the support of a wonderful director, production team and cast, ROPE was definitely worth watching.

The play is still on sale at National Theatre in Kampala, along with his other publications.

Review by Beverley N Nsengiyunva

Toastmasters Was Endless Fun!

The Toastmasters Weekend oozed with so much verve.

We hosted a conference in Kampala, comprising over 20 membership clubs from Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi. The conference programme was lit, curated by a dynamic team, and filled with public speaking contests, networking, guest speakers, partying and lots of synergy.

Receiving my gift for serving as contest chair

Serving as contest chair always gives me so much pleasure and any opportunity to speak, dance and perform poetry, just makes me want to reach the clouds and squeeze them until they also feel the tangible joy of doing what you love, especially before people who already get it and if they don't, they're ready to.

                                           Courtesy photo: Dancing with the Acoli troupe.

Gifting the Guest speaker Tony Otoa, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer of Uganda National Oil Company

Co-hosting the awards ceremony-what is not to love! Dancing with the winners and audience members-you can' put a price to that, can you?

It all came together. I joined Toastmasters in 2016 and for seven highly impactful years, started new clubs, served as Public Relations Manager of East Africa and earned my Distinguished Toastmaster Award. Since then, I have exercised those skills in regional and global platforms while continuing with my poetry and writing.

If you are interested in joining Toastmasters, contact our Division Director of Uganda, on +256 741 033260. You may also follow Toastmasters.org.

When I was a Teenager, I made sense of Life Through Poetry

 When I was a teenager and I needed something to make sense, I wrote it down in a poem.

In 1994, during the Rwanda genocide, I was in school and wrote a story and poem about it, and read it to the class.

When I couldn't stand the behaviour of certain girls in my dormitory, I wrote about them in poetry and some even cried.

When I tried to battle with adolescence, puberty and libidos, I wrote it down in poetry.

When I travelled to a new place as an adult, I wrote about the border, the airport security checks and any new words, I learned in that language.

Poetry, while it used to just about me, and how I felt, until I realised that such potency will never remain in a vacuum.

Poetry is stateless and does not conform. It travels where it wants and settles where it wants.

Bless!

Bev.

What Skills For Our Children? Housework vs. The Rest

 A few weeks ago, a journalist from The New Vision newspaper approached me and asked my opinion on the many private boarding schools where students are not required to do housework.

I believe housework is important and instills a level of self-efficiency. Environmental hygiene can also never be over estimated.

Having said that, we should have a balance. What is the goal and vision of the school? Is that goal shared amongst parents and students alike?

While housework and time management are crucial, students should also apply soft skills like empathy, public speaking, leadership and etiquette and have practical guidance on financial management, business ethics, global news.

Without these, many students are raised to become well-behaved wives who clean and cook with extremely low self-esteem and no idea how to run a business.

Bev