My Brand Permits Me To...

  I had a conversation with Belinda Agnes Namutebi, now pivoting to public health. She told me, not too long ago, that certain elements in my life, may not be suitable for my brand.

I had never looked at personal brands in that way and neither had I ever fretted about them, until the time came when I was required for me to.

One of my distinct brands is to be gracious on social media, towards those who may not deserve my grace. The easy way out of course would be to reduce one's morals and dignity and respond to duplicitous individuals, in the same way that they have treated you. My brand will never permit me to do that. It is almost as if it has a mind on its own. The heart and mind operating at different levels, sort of.

I know many others whom I follow, who also have such high standards of public social media etiquette. They stand for something, and their values are clear. It is easy to notice that they belong to the noble and dignified class of people.

This is hardly about the titles you may have or the number of subscribers or followers, it is more about how you carry yourself and how, when you are seated amongst those who do not share your values, you politely and respectfully walk away without creating a scene.

Besides, there is enough drama on television, which is already well-scripted.

This photo was taken in 2009 during a family holiday to the exquisite Mihingo Lodge, Lake Mburo National Park.

I am The Sulphur That Grows Between The Rocks

 I Was A Teacher That Didn’t Teach

I am not a strong woman.

I am not a rock.

I am the sulphur flower that grows

between the rocks

and stands out 

amongst the irregular biceps and triceps

that created my missteps.

Today, I am that flower that blooms

underneath the heaviness.

The real pandemic was,

a syllabus filled with systemic sensationalism

and a curriculum that encouraged cowardice?

Each time I opened my mouth to speak,

those were only mumblings from manifestations

of a mother of 4 children who needed to eat.

And so I muttered,

Words.

Things.

And gave out faded gold stars from a faded smile.

The children scored As and Bs

and the world applauded them,

because the world likes faded gold stars

and faded smiles

that they can control.

The feisty and friendly children of the world.

International but not intentional.

Parents gawked at me.

The dwarf conifer that couldn’t grow.

I was a teacher that didn’t teach.

My mind was in its own lockdown

Long before the world locked down

And then

  The axis shifted

THE. WORLD. LOCKED. DOWN

They felt what I had felt

Movement without actually moving.

And as the world was locked,

this dwarf conifer

began to stand out amongst the rocks.

Do you see that crevice dweller,

The happy hue underneath the heaviness?

I am the happy hue

The dwarf that grew.

I am a Teacher now

And I start by teaching myself.

I learn how flowers can grow amongst the rocks

I learned how to tolerate droughts

I learned that the worst lockdown

Is when the mind is locked down

And that pandemics are internal.

I am a Teacher.

Creating a curriculum of courage

Synthesizing syllabi from dreams and destiny

Opening young and old minds

to dwell amongst the rocks.

We are not strong women

We are the sulphur flowers amongst the rocks.

                                                                            ……

Copyright:  Beverley Nambozo Nsengiyunva

'How Deep Is This Pothole?' Book Review of Dr. Ian Clarke's Book, by Beverley

 Dr. Ian Clarke's story, from one of his several books, 'How Deep Is This Pothole?' is such a well-delivered and apt description of the different facets of Uganda and Ireland, through the eyes of an Irish doctor. The story shares about Uganda's concealed troubles within its leadership, it shares the true meaning of  care and determination and also reveals how important it is to develop risk-tolerance.

While the primary plot unravels the unfailing courage of an Irish missionary doctor who travelled from Ireland to Uganda and developed a systematic healthcare programme through building hospitals, training facilities and expertise, the subplots are just as important.

Take for example, that when Ian and his wife Roberta arrived in Luwero, which is a district north of Kampala, with their young children, they were met with the changing and rather tumultuous regimes at the time, creating unprecedented risk. In the 1980s, AIDS was also a rising health challenge with untold of fear, unaccounted for deaths and severe emotional consequences amidst the lack of knowledge around its care.

In addition, Ian had a young family who, while fo rthe most part, they grasped his vision and supported him unreservedly, were still growing and had many questions about their individual lives and how Uganda fit into it.

Ian's story is full of heart and authentic grit. It is easy to tell the difference between a person truly invested into his purposeful journey and potential impact in using his skills to positively impact a place, and those just passing by. 

Reading about how he began building his health systems from Kiwoko to Kampala, is mesmerizing. Negotiations with Government agencies, contractors, health workers and facing the brunt of unscrupulous individuals, that could easil have deterred him but didn't.

In the midst of his resilience in developing a unique healthcare plan for Uganda, Ian was diagnosed with cancer, a battle he endured two times, and here we witness the unrivalled importance of a supportive and understanding partner, which he found in Robbie, his wife.

He began by creating a health plan, and transcended those borders into real estate across borders, by establishing himself in Zanzibar.

The true definition os unstoppable. I learned so much about Uganda and its systems, from Ian' story and I hold deep admiration for those who hold onto their visions  with relentless pursuit.

Published in 2010, Dr. Clarke has broadened his vision, since the books was published, even serving as member of Parliament in Makindye in subsequent years, with his family building their careers in the health industry and real estate.

The book is available on Amazon.

Review by Beverley N Nsengiyunva