Here's an article worth reading. This girl sounds like she has a LOT of spunk and determination. A noteworthy role model for young students across the world.
Fatuma Omar Ismail: A scholar born into squalor
Quoted from the text:
"School is not a priority at Dadaab – girls don't have an equal chance," says Ms Wachuka. "Fatuma has triumphed in very difficult circumstances."
From the age of 12 she "had a dream" of going to a national school in her host country and wasn't going to be put off by naysayers who told her that refugee girls could not go. "It can be done," she says. "I've done it."
Her eventual aim is to study medicine and one day return to Dadaab as a doctor. "If there is peace in Somalia," she adds, she would like "to go and help people there where there are not enough qualified people."
The teenager understands that she is a role model and has a simple message for other young Somalis.
"You know education is the key to success. First go to school, work hard and choose a career. Work hard, aim higher and be nice to people."
...
She admits that her new life is not always easy. She misses her seven brothers and sisters and speaks to her mother by telephone only once a month. Her scholarship pays for boarding fees and uniforms but nothing more. There was no money to pay for the nine-hour bus ride to Dadaab during the Easter holiday, so she stayed in Nairobi.
Faced with the brightest girls in Kenya Fatuma is no longer "number one". In her first term, she lagged behind in the two national languages, English and KiSwahili.
But there is plenty of reason to think she will catch up. Remarkably, she came near the top of her class in computer education, having never seen one before; and has taught herself to swim butterfly, having never been in a pool before reaching Nairobi. But it's not enough for her.
"I don't feel good. In my school I used to be the best," she says. This is followed by a note of polite defiance that lands somewhere between a promise and a warning: "They are not brighter than me. They are just better at the moment."
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
a poem for a friend.
Brother, friend,
What’s it like there?
Maybe you can touch the horizons
And soar through the stars.
Brother, friend,
What’s it like there?
Maybe you can breathe water
And discover Atlantis for me.
Brother,
Friend.
Don’t miss us while you’re there
For in time we’ll come to visit
Perhaps together,
perhaps alone.
Brother,
Friend.
Save me a seat in your home
So when I come to join you
We can share memories of warmth and laughter,
Of friends found and sights seen,
Of lives lived and loves lost.
Friend,
Don’t miss us while you’re gone
Rest assured
That distance will not break this friendship’s bond.
Friend,
You left too soon for me.
Too soon you became a casualty
in this ongoing battle of life.
Mornings will come and go,
But I will keep you in my mind and soul.
Brother, friend,
do not forget me.
Sleep peacefully.
---
Volkan, we will all miss you so very much. Peace be with you.
What’s it like there?
Maybe you can touch the horizons
And soar through the stars.
Brother, friend,
What’s it like there?
Maybe you can breathe water
And discover Atlantis for me.
Brother,
Friend.
Don’t miss us while you’re there
For in time we’ll come to visit
Perhaps together,
perhaps alone.
Brother,
Friend.
Save me a seat in your home
So when I come to join you
We can share memories of warmth and laughter,
Of friends found and sights seen,
Of lives lived and loves lost.
Friend,
Don’t miss us while you’re gone
Rest assured
That distance will not break this friendship’s bond.
Friend,
You left too soon for me.
Too soon you became a casualty
in this ongoing battle of life.
Mornings will come and go,
But I will keep you in my mind and soul.
Brother, friend,
do not forget me.
Sleep peacefully.
---
Volkan, we will all miss you so very much. Peace be with you.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
happiness is..
- listening to the BLACKstreet album "Another Level" for the first time in a long time
- a good evening of food and drink shared with good friends and new friends
- being in love.
- a good evening of food and drink shared with good friends and new friends
- being in love.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
how funny!
Last night, while I was waiting for a friend to pick me up on the way to a 21st, I was watching the Eurovision song contest.
#06, Norway really caught my eyes and ears.
The song was quite catchy in melody and lyrical content, and I couldn't stop tapping my foot in time with the music. I probably only saw 3 or 4 songs but this was my definite favourite.
And just then, I discovered that Norway had won the competition! How fantastic!
I don't normally watch Eurovision, but this year's stage in Russia looked pretty good, and I'm going to try and source an mp3 for this song. :)
Update: Found the mp3, yay! But the Eurovision clips are fun to watch.
#06, Norway really caught my eyes and ears.
The song was quite catchy in melody and lyrical content, and I couldn't stop tapping my foot in time with the music. I probably only saw 3 or 4 songs but this was my definite favourite.
And just then, I discovered that Norway had won the competition! How fantastic!
I don't normally watch Eurovision, but this year's stage in Russia looked pretty good, and I'm going to try and source an mp3 for this song. :)
Update: Found the mp3, yay! But the Eurovision clips are fun to watch.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
just before midnight.
Tired because I've been trying to do my tax assignment for most of the day. Just before I hit the metaphorical hay, I thought I had better post my angel card divinations from the last two days at work:
Thursday
- Emerging
- Daniel: "I am the Angel of Marriage, and I am assisting you right now."
- Aeracura: Blossoming. "You are just getting started, so have patience with yourself and the process, and do not give up."
- Positive Expectations
Well I'm not getting married anytime soon, but I did find out the next day that a couple we know got engaged on Tuesday.. so maybe I was tapping into that somehow. The other cards I took as positive signs for the weekend ahead, as I've been stressed about the tax assignment and its completion.
Friday
- Azure: "Your desired outcome will occur in the very near future. Have patience and faith, and don't try to force it to happen."
- Athena: Inner Wisdom. "You know what to do. Trust your inner wisdom, and take appropriate action without delay."
- Friendship
- Make Music
Oddly enough I haven't made any music yet - unless you count the rapping I've been doing the last couple of nights. I've been trying to learn the rap parts from two favourite songs of mine - Turn Your Lights Down Low by Lauryn Hill feat. Bob Marley and Got Til Its Gone by Janet Jackson feat. Q-Tip - and I also discovered that I know almost all of the rap to another favourite song (I thought I only knew a couple of lines), Rock the House by Gorillaz, once I heard the song playing on iTunes.
Anyways, time for some sleep so I can finish off my tax assignment tomorrow. Can't wait until it's all done!
Thursday
- Emerging
- Daniel: "I am the Angel of Marriage, and I am assisting you right now."
- Aeracura: Blossoming. "You are just getting started, so have patience with yourself and the process, and do not give up."
- Positive Expectations
Well I'm not getting married anytime soon, but I did find out the next day that a couple we know got engaged on Tuesday.. so maybe I was tapping into that somehow. The other cards I took as positive signs for the weekend ahead, as I've been stressed about the tax assignment and its completion.
Friday
- Azure: "Your desired outcome will occur in the very near future. Have patience and faith, and don't try to force it to happen."
- Athena: Inner Wisdom. "You know what to do. Trust your inner wisdom, and take appropriate action without delay."
- Friendship
- Make Music
Oddly enough I haven't made any music yet - unless you count the rapping I've been doing the last couple of nights. I've been trying to learn the rap parts from two favourite songs of mine - Turn Your Lights Down Low by Lauryn Hill feat. Bob Marley and Got Til Its Gone by Janet Jackson feat. Q-Tip - and I also discovered that I know almost all of the rap to another favourite song (I thought I only knew a couple of lines), Rock the House by Gorillaz, once I heard the song playing on iTunes.
Anyways, time for some sleep so I can finish off my tax assignment tomorrow. Can't wait until it's all done!
Friday, May 8, 2009
tired musings
Writing because I can't be bothered starting my tax assignment tonight. I'll get some rest, try not to get any more sick than I am (otherwise that will make me actually sick, not almost-sick), and start it in the morning.
---
The funny thing?
The reason for which I dislike a handful of girls I know, actually exists within me too. Funny how you can hate somebody or have less respect for somebody because of what they do, even though you've been there yourself. I tolerate them because I'm no better than they are, and I know the kind of mindset they have; and one of the key reasons I can restrain myself is because I'm sick of fucking up my life. I really am.
Anyway.
I'm actually not depressed!
I had a wonderful day today actually. Really productive day at work, despite all the distractions, which were also a lot of fun.
Had a lovely lunch with my boyfriend at a restaurant/cafe called Rosebud. We had a sharing platter which was quite tasty, and I had an Egyptian tea with rose water and actual mint leaves in the glass. Easily the best thing I've tasted all year.
I'd like to live in Balmain. The whole area seems peaceful and friendly; there are lots of dogs being walked all the time; it's near the city but not bustling like the city; it's near the water; and it feels a little like a quiet semi-busy street in Melbourne but with better weather.
Bought a box of Belle Fleur chocolates for Mum as an early Mother's Day gift, and bought a couple for myself as a small treat. I felt that 2 chocolates was enough self-indulgence, so I shared the other 2 with my boyfriend.
The weather was also fantastic - radiant blue skies in the day, glowing full moon in clear skies at night.
What a wonderful day :)
TBTTHTMT: Egyptian mint tea with rose water. Incredible.
---
The funny thing?
The reason for which I dislike a handful of girls I know, actually exists within me too. Funny how you can hate somebody or have less respect for somebody because of what they do, even though you've been there yourself. I tolerate them because I'm no better than they are, and I know the kind of mindset they have; and one of the key reasons I can restrain myself is because I'm sick of fucking up my life. I really am.
Anyway.
I'm actually not depressed!
I had a wonderful day today actually. Really productive day at work, despite all the distractions, which were also a lot of fun.
Had a lovely lunch with my boyfriend at a restaurant/cafe called Rosebud. We had a sharing platter which was quite tasty, and I had an Egyptian tea with rose water and actual mint leaves in the glass. Easily the best thing I've tasted all year.
I'd like to live in Balmain. The whole area seems peaceful and friendly; there are lots of dogs being walked all the time; it's near the city but not bustling like the city; it's near the water; and it feels a little like a quiet semi-busy street in Melbourne but with better weather.
Bought a box of Belle Fleur chocolates for Mum as an early Mother's Day gift, and bought a couple for myself as a small treat. I felt that 2 chocolates was enough self-indulgence, so I shared the other 2 with my boyfriend.
The weather was also fantastic - radiant blue skies in the day, glowing full moon in clear skies at night.
What a wonderful day :)
TBTTHTMT: Egyptian mint tea with rose water. Incredible.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
a bit of procrastinatory blogging.
I bought two Twix bars today and won another two free bars from their wrappers. Talk about lucky!
Maybe I was 'rewarded' for my good naturedness - my friend Melody forgot her wallet and had no money to buy lunch during our break for French, so I lent her some money and she bought a snack to tide her over.
I then decided on impulse that I would satisfy my chocolate craving with some Twix, as I love the stuff but haven't had it in a while.
On a tangent, I really enjoy my French classes. I'm not great at the speaking component, but my grammar's not too bad. And our class is good fun.
---
I'm currently reading a book that is just over 200 pages, and I'm flying through it - I have less than half to go and it's only been a couple of days. Although any book would feel quick after the 800-page monster that was Anna Karenina (Leo Tolstoy). It might be a while before I try to attempt A Suitable Boy (Vikram Seth). I think that book's even bigger. It's one of the books in a set of 5 that I received for my birthday - all 5 books are travel-related in some way, and they cover India, France (x2), Spain and Asia (I can't remember which country). The book I'm reading now is called True Pleasures: A Memoir of Women in Paris, by Lucinda Holdforth. I like the Aussie flavour it has, because the author is a Sydneysider and she mentions USyd and Surry Hills, etc.
Maybe I was 'rewarded' for my good naturedness - my friend Melody forgot her wallet and had no money to buy lunch during our break for French, so I lent her some money and she bought a snack to tide her over.
I then decided on impulse that I would satisfy my chocolate craving with some Twix, as I love the stuff but haven't had it in a while.
On a tangent, I really enjoy my French classes. I'm not great at the speaking component, but my grammar's not too bad. And our class is good fun.
---
I'm currently reading a book that is just over 200 pages, and I'm flying through it - I have less than half to go and it's only been a couple of days. Although any book would feel quick after the 800-page monster that was Anna Karenina (Leo Tolstoy). It might be a while before I try to attempt A Suitable Boy (Vikram Seth). I think that book's even bigger. It's one of the books in a set of 5 that I received for my birthday - all 5 books are travel-related in some way, and they cover India, France (x2), Spain and Asia (I can't remember which country). The book I'm reading now is called True Pleasures: A Memoir of Women in Paris, by Lucinda Holdforth. I like the Aussie flavour it has, because the author is a Sydneysider and she mentions USyd and Surry Hills, etc.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)