I Miss The Days-Poetry by Beverley N N

 

I miss the days

when friendship was

an invitation to laugh

at everything

and nothing.

At shadows that danced like brooms

At spinach that got stuck between the teeth.

I miss the days when friendship

was a time to fly kites

in between bites

of hotdogs, maize and simsim balls.

A time to ride bicycles

And count the passing clouds

Creating our own musicals

On a stage made of grass.

I miss the days when friendship was

walking to church in long white socks

Whistling at flowers, throwing rocks.

Now, conversations are a patronizing

Drumming to the ears

Dreams have turned into sermons;

Invitations have turned into a trick

To join a mastermind class.

Keep your honesty aside

And enjoy the ride

Of self-help.

Business for breakfast

Lectures for lunch

Tidbits of tips for tea

And all of this, they say, is to make you grow.

And yet each time they call, you shrink.

It's another condescending call

About your commitment, or lack of it

So many people are committed these days.

Are we all lunatics?

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Three steps to becoming great again!

And yet all I want

Are the three steps to

My friend's heart again.

It's not the years that have changed us.

It's lazy to blame it on our age

It's preposterous to claim that life happened.

Our friendship wasn't a thing that just happened.

It was who we were.

..

By Beverley Nsengiyunva, April 2021

Published in 'Dress Me In Disobedience', available online at beverleynambozondotcom

....

Kampala, Uganda.

 

Zambia; My Heart

We hugged as strangers in Zambia, and left as lifelong friends.

My trip to Zambia was planned as a simple solo celebration, which, after one connection, transformed into a multiple festivity of my 50th birthday, writing, visits to iconic sites, networking, meeting of distinguished ministers and life-long bonds.

When we drove into Mrs. Mumbi's house from the airport, the white-washed walls, splashed with roses, hibiscus, and bouganvillea were a taste of my colourful week. 

With former female ministers and Mrs. Mumbi in pink

This woman's legacy began from her birth and has been riddled by turmoil and triumph. From 60, after retiring and years after she became a widow, God called her to start a school. Far from a smooth journey, this school, targeting orphans in Ng'ombe Community in Zambia, has raised many leaders within Zambia who are also impacting the globe. Speaking and celebrating at the school, with poetry, Babishai books and dancing, was such a highlight.

Meeting former female ministers who had served multiple terms in various ministries, chatting and dining with them like chums, meeting the Zambia Women Writers' members, finding a home amongst people across borders and visiting the grand home of President Kenneth Kaunda.

Hope and Faith Community School, Ng'ombe Community-Zambia

A city with minimal hills, hardly any potholes and negligible traffic interference for walks, due to hardly any motorbike riders or red dust, Lusaka was a place of repose and revitalisation. 

Walking With Gorillas, With Geniuses

 Imagine being trampled on by elephants, as a work hazard.

What an extraordinary book, based on the life of an iconic, resilient and non apologetic individual, Dr. Gladys Kalema.

Two years ago, when the team at Babishai researched on iconic Ugandan women to write about in their poetry anthology, 'Feeling,' Dr. Gladys Kalema, was amongst the first.

She is a conservationist, Uganda's first wildlife veterenarian, founder of Conservation Through Public Health, that uses a one health approach regarding health of both humans and animals for longevity, and recipient of the 2026 CNN Heroes' Award, amongst others.

Her autobiography, 'Walking With Gorillas,' is a walk with determination, faith and resolve.

With a mentor and aspiration like Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai for her work in conservation, it i no wonder that throughout the biography, we witness the many ways in which Gladys overcame, to become who she is, and the journey continues.

Starting from a wildlife club at Kibuli Secondary School, shere she studied for her A level beause her O level school was rather too rigid, she says in her own words, the spark for wildlife continued to brighten.

Being fascinated by animals at a young age and receiving an opportunity to work at Uganda Wildlife Authority as the first wildlife vet, after which she had to make split second decisions with tranquilizing animals as they are translocated, travelling with giraffes and elephants in the same carrier and gaining more knowledge with experts in the wider East Africa.

She lost a couple of friends who were trampled on by elephants, an unusual and devastating work hazard and yet there are numerous rewards from her work.

Gladys was also in the U.S at the time of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, and thankfully survived.

Observing how human health directly impacts animal health, especially those of gorillas, chimpanzees which bear strong DNA as humans, this led her to enormous discoveries.

The main advocacy and lesson that we learn is that advocacy with the communities is a far better approach to achieving animal conservation goals. The community leaders, health practitioners and dwellers are integral to any work that involves their home.

Bwindi is no exception and most of the success registered through Gladys' work and those of the other rangers and conservation experts, was because they worked alongside the community leaders, building trust that took months, years and whose impact is felt even decades later.

That is a poignant thread throughout the book, which is available in major bookshops around the world and whose audible version is also available.

Enjoy reading!

Bless!

Bev

Launch of Dr. Gladys Kalema's audible book-'Walking With Gorillas'

 There are some people whose work transcends excellence. After decades of tireless dedication to their journey, fulfilling massive obligations to shape communities, environments and lead people all over the globe towards change, it seems effortless.

And yet, it isn't.

Last night, (20 August), I had the distinct pleasure of attending the launch of the audible version of the book, 'Walking With Gorillas,' written by the indefatigable Dr. Gladys Kalema.

She embodies brilliance, elegance and steadfastness, as a champion of conservation, animal protection, safe communities and so much more.

Gladys is that person who keeps going. Tragically losing her father in a deeply horrific way when she was barely a toddler, she was raised by Rhoda Kalema, another figure of fortitude and leadership in Uganda, and in secondary school, Gladys started the wildlife club. Attending Veterinary school abroad, she returned to make a difference in the landscape of primarily animal conservation in Uganda, especially with mountain gorillas. 

Her work has landed her in coveted places all over the world and more recently, earning a well-deserved spot as the 2026 CNN Hero of the year for her lifelong work in protecting the endangered mountain gorillas. Purposeful life will lead you to places without you looking for it. Gladys' focus is highly admirable. She deserves the accolades.

I am glad that she invited me to her book launch and I'm digging into the audible as I type.

Bless!

Bev

50 is the age of peace and abundance

 Talking about 50, the age of peace and abundance.

I have been orearing for this since 47. Mentally setting the pace for this magnificent age and walking in strides towards it.

Taking myself for a personal retreat, where the trees touch the skies, I made my way into a golden space with contentment and gratitude.

Uganda National Oil Company-They are that club

 Dressed in black and and white, which are colours I often reserve for when I am called to speak at corporate events, I left home at 3pm for the installation ceremony of theUganda National Oil Company Toastmasters Club executive committee 2026-2027.

Thursdays are good days for me. I set them aside for swimming, hair, or meetings. The day was ideal. The organising committee left no prisoners with the lavish and classy decorations, well set up buffet and exraordinary cake. 

Guest after guest arrived and I was left in awe as the session began. Given the background  of this club, which survived its fledgling years and has thriven to an over 30 member club with impressive and notable leadership, this was an event not  to be missed.

As keynote speaker, I focused on turning a milestone age and the journey and changes in the spiritual, emotional and physical space and how intentionality becomes a normal part of my process.

The chief guest was aspirational and moving, calculating the strides towards effective communication and the camaraderie and recognitions were a powerful conclusion to the ceremony.

I do not recall installations as memorable and it was quite the honour to be invited to deliver the keynote address.

Congratultions to the new and poutgoing exco and appreciation to the organising team for arranging a warm vibrant and intellectually stimulating evening.

Photo credit: UNOC and Penda

Mad props to the World Cup commentators

 "The world is opening up to the Spanish cohort."

"Look at those wild eyes."

"Mbaaaapay!"

"Pedro Porooowwww!"

Internet photo

The real entertainment lay in the commentary. Huge props to them.

Our two eldest daughters stayed up late to support Spain and they went to bed elated. I knew about the score from the Spanish flags on interne highlights. Congratulations, L'Espana. I decided to watch highlights and the team spirit from Spain was magnificent. Truly incredible and they held tremendous control of the game.

Huge congratulations to France as well, for holding their own. They are a team that remains unflappable.