The African Story Challenge Finalist: ME

The dazzling light dimly lit across the room. I could not believe I was here. I could count my heart beats as one of the mentors of the story challenge camp cut across the room towards me with my certificate in hand. This was a first for me and a sign of great things to come. I closed my eyes tightly.

Fast rewind.
As a reformed internet junkie, I am surfing the net when I come across an advert calling for great interesting stories of agriculture from Africa. Momentarily I am carried away by the idea but quickly dismiss it all together on baseless grounds. I whisper my idea to my daughter. She likes it. I am not sure.
"They will not even read it" I tell her.
"Come on mum! You got to try and when it does not work out, at least you did"

Wait a minute. Is this kid only fourteen? Sometimes its hard to believe it. Most of the time she is my voice of reason. And so reluctantly I applied for the Agriculture cycle of the Agriculture story challenge.

One week, two, three, no feedback and so I forgot about it. Just like many more applications. Many believe August in Kenya is jinxed, I started to wonder if the jinx season turned to July. I find an email from African story challenge. "What is this?" I wonder.
So I click the email.

Dear Mildred,
Congratulations..........

I was elated beyond words. Nothing could define the feeling. I began sweating and freezing at the same time.

Being one of the story challenge finalist, was a first big step in my journalism career. A big step for Kibera and the youth of Kibera " Ghetto Wasanii" where I train journalism.

Many days to follow, sleep evaded my stingy eyes. Story camp was all I had in mind. Sometimes I would imagine I was in a deep slumber and when I wake up it would all be over. I woke up and it was still here. Here with me. I waited and waited. I was the first to reach Emarald Hotel :). Eagerness mixed with anxiousness toped up with anticipation. Being there first would give me time to read and gauge every person that walked through the lobby. Me being me. Being a not so vocal person, I love reading character and personality. And so I positioned myself to watch, observe and read as each competition swayed in the lobby. I noted interesting observations :).

I watched each and every finalist as they trooped into the hotel lobby. Each one had a unique style that defined them. The excitement and anxiety smelled like fresh blood. Armed with their back packs and pulling their suitcases everyone was in a hurry to leave. Their confidence spoke volumes.

Soon we were en route to Enashipai resort and Spa. I Push the key into the door and it flows open. I am greeted by a magnificent room. My jaw drops.

"Wooh! Breathe taking"

It had a combination of my colors. I felt invited. Went in unpacked and rushed to the conference room where we were to submit our presentations. This is funny because I had it figured out in my head well. As I lay in my bed late into the night all I would think about was my submissions and how I would present it. I was good or so I thought until "Ze phobia" took over and my words and thoughts were washed away to the sea of forgotten. There I am speechless staring far into the distance *laughing so hard*.
My goof. I remembered to name it.

The workshops began. We had all these professional experts from all fields of media take us through the crush course. It was intense and delved deep. The truth of the matter is that I loved the story clinic more than anything. I grasped a whole lot more which I plan to disseminate. Presentations from mentors  inspired me to a new level. I dared to dream.

I met lovely people and made wonderful friends. Had interesting conversations. The finalists were brilliant with promising futures. It was interesting to note that out of the 20 finalists, the females were only five. Yes Five.  Five strong women with different diversities from the same continent enchanted by a common goal: A better Africa.

Boot camp to me was an experience. One I will never forget. I thank the administrators and the panel of judges for having given me this once in a life time chance. Thank you.

Memorable times

Last hour rush. Kenya, Zambia, Liberia, Ghana, Zimbabwe.

Lake Naivasha reporting cruise. Think, Discuss, Create was more like it. The best news is that this day I overcame my phobia for water.

In remembrance, Memories are made of this. It was time to say goodbye after 5 days of intense training.

Wishing all the finalists the best in their story development. It was a pleasure meeting great and wonderful people like you.
Thank you African Challenge Story.
MiMi

Relationships Door Mats

Taking time off my busy schedule just to feel my blog once again!!

I miss you blog, In between the loads of work and the writing I missed sharing my thoughts with you and just let you know that you are still my best friend. Even Facebook could never replace you my bossom friend.

Adele inspires me to write. Rolling in the deep! This chic has an amazing story. Inspires me to the bone. people may look down upon you but the can not extract the gold that is buried deep within you. Back to Adele as her music glares full blast on my headphones. Can help nodding my head and singing on top of my bad voice. I swear I have a bad voice, A machine to piss my nosy neighbor off.

I hate relationship doormats!! those women who suck to a man who barely notices them beyond the bed or the bank. These women suck up to every word that the men unleash and have made it a mission to please them.

"I am loosing weight because Thomas said........" Relationship doormat!
"I put this hairstyle because Thomas thinks........." Relationship doormat!
"I will have to meet up with my girls later because........." Relationship doormat!!

Some of my friends think that am a cold bitch but I think am a just  realist, Why cant I make my hair for me and feel pretty, Must he complement me for me to know I look good? Cant I just loose weight because I need to fit in that black velvety dress because I have a date with my girlfriend, Cant I just cancel on him because he asked me for dinner late  and I had already scheduled with my friend?  Why cant I say no to him??  Because you are a relationship door mat.

Some women make  me wonder. He will never cancel a football match to be with her nor an XBox game with the boys. He never even mentions you to his friend while you cant even have an earnest conversation with your girlfriends without the "Me and My guy shit"
Its about time you quit being relationship doormats.

• Be your own person, people have real high opinion for such people. 
• Never cancel a date with your girlfriends for a dude, remember men are seasonal, girlfriend are forever.
• Know when to out and let go.
• Dont hang on to a relationship that is long dead. 

The Bitter Option?? Sufferingcom

 It doesn't cost anything to keep a customer happy. A happy customer brings in good returns but that is just the opposite with Safaricom Kenya Ltd. I have tried to be patient hoping but this situation is spiraling out of control. Maybe most of you don't have a problem or are least bit concerned but I am. Communication is key to the growth of any institution and when Safaricom are denying their customers just that????? what is there to be said? Safaricom being with the largest number of mobile subscribers and one of the most successful companies getting billions in profit, I don't understand how such a company can keep a customer on hold for three hours claiming all their agentts are currently busy. That is the least bit of our concerns. I want to speak to a customer care I get one. If they are not enough then hire more. Maybe most of you are not bothered by this, but I am. I speak for that woman and amn in the village who has no other form of media to get help from the customer care desk when they rightly need it. I think we deserve to be treated with a little more respect from the customer care agents who put clients on hold.

I have never been patient enough to hold on when the automative voice suggests that because I am that impatient but today I decided that I would hold no matter what. So I held the call. i put it on loud speaker and began to play a blocked on my cell. After some time I realize I have been holding for a while now. I ignore that fact and keep holding. I dial 234 and I am told the same thing. "All the customer care agents are currently busy" I keep swapping the calls to see which one would be picked but none is. I am bothered by Safaricom's lack of courtesy. I was put on hold for three hours and it would have been more if I had not decided to end the call and write this blog. I think this is unethical and uncalled of. Switch subscribers if you are disgruntled *Bobby Collimore* is probably thinking. But the question is what if we all migrate? I am not the only disgruntled customer in this side of the sahara. Thre are so many of them out there without a platform to vent their anger and frustrations for the uncaring customer care agents of Sufferingcom. We undergo such sufferings while they are busy in some of their best social media sites chatting empty nothings with the people they have just met on the social media and no nothing about at the expense of a vital and critical customer who pays their salary.  Here some of the rules when it comes customer care service that sufferingcom hasn't taught its agents :-

• Sha

1. Accessibility

Your organization should be easy to approach. This goes from excellent customer service by phone to providing enough parking spots and flexible opening hours.

2. Reliability

Reliability means that the customer can count on the product or service and the effectiveness of your actions. The product or service should be perfect from the first time and promises must be kept.

3. Proactivity

The customer expects the salesperson to take the initiative and react as quickly as possible. Time counts!

4. Courtesy

Politeness and courtesy have everything to do with respect for the customer, good manners and consideration.

5. Competence

A.k.a. the required skills and knowledge. This counts for every person involved in the project (salesperson, project manager, administrative staff,…).

6. Communication

Smooth communication means that you should not only listen to the customer, but also speak their language. Different customers have different backgrounds, different styles. Some situations will be more formal than others, it’s important to be able to distinguish between both.

7. Credibility

A good reputation, positive image and personal approach will give the customer the feeling that you always have their best interest at heart.

8. Presentation

Looks count, this is no different for business. Make sure you are well-groomed and pay attention to image and design, whether it’s in your advertising or letterheads.

9. Security

The customer has nothing to fear. You handle money and data with care.

10. Understanding

Your organization should take the effort to truly understand your customer’s situation and needs. This asks for empathy. No standard products or services, but personalized solutions.

Empty threats!! Some of them may say but we are the power and we are the people.  MOBILIZATION!

Friends Till The End, Even in Death.

I am sitting at the balcony of my room staring deep out of the window. The day is rather calm and peaceful, the atmosphere serene and the sun lay loosely on the clouds. I glance once again at the news paper lying on my bed. I cant help the tear that trickled down my cheeks.It is barely less than two Km from where dark June 10. 2012 took place. I realize its been a sad week for Kenya. My mind wanders momentarily from Saitoti to Ojode. Wonderful Kenyan Citizens that we have been robbed of at the prime of their careers. My mind is full of questions even as I bid them farewell. there is so much unsaid in my heart! So many questions! so many what If's! My my condolences rest with the families. Rest in Peace Hon. George Saitoti. Rest In Peace Hon. Orwa Ojode. Even when the media forgets you after this week, in the hearts of those you touched you shall live forever. you made a difference in the lives of thousands. You changed the story of many and you are admired by most. Even when your constituents elect new leaders, in some way they will never fit your shoes! The people of Ndhiwa and Kajiado North have lost great men and I join them in mourning as they are being laid to rest this weekend. I admired your blissful relationship Hon Saitoti and Hon Ojode. I wish all this Ministers and Mp's learn something from you.There was no tribal factor and party politics and party affiliations between you and this is what leadership constitutes.

Fare thee well till we meet again. As I grew up I realized that one common denominator that we have is death. its inevitable and only God gets to determine. You can control birth but not death. rest in Peace.

Myldongo Press: JUST GOT MY MOJO BACK

JUST GOT MY MOJO BACK

 A wonderful day for me indeed! But who the hell gets late for their graduation ceremony???? I did. and its a long story so let me leave the sleeping dog to rest.

I reach Kamkunji grounds in Kibera way after the graduation ceremony had began. I swear bad traffic was to blame for most of it. Thika road was unbearable as we tried to maneuver the busy Pangani once roundabout. I don't know what to call it now because its neither a roundabout or any other thing that can be defined. It is a Saturday I wondered where all this people were headed to. someone would have thought that the president was coming this way but he rarely does! Has he ever seen the super highway??I ponder and ask myself. I wonder in which year this is going to end. Ipride myself to being one of the luckiest pioneers of this mighty wonder to ever be seen in the history of Kenya: THE SUPER HIGHWAY!  We reach the city center and we are forced to use Langata Road to get to Kibera. What is happening today? There seems to be traffic everywhere!Hell Yah! Its a festive month and also a pay weekend. Those who had parked their cars in the parking lot had it all out including our :) Wer had like a day or two to floss with it before the high petrol prices caught up with our reality.
I am happy to see my classmates again. I had not seen them in ages. They haven't changed much,I note. The school too. Today i was getting awarded for that very dream I had when I was a kid! It was reality transforming itself right in front of my face...... Time flies! It seems like just yesterday when I joined the film school. But here I am done. This is just the beginning of a million steps. It all starts with that one crucial step and I made past it.
This blog particularly I write to thank a few people who have made it possible for me to achieve this day.

First and foremost I want to thank my God, my heavenly father for giving me life,health and opportunity that made it possible for me to see this day. Without you I would never make it, Without you I am alone thank you for being by my side even in this crucial day.

Second I want to thank my dad, James Odongo, My earthly father, Papa thanks for your humility that can be compared to none other than God himself. I have made wrong choices in my life but your humility and love for me has always enabled you to pick me up,dust me and put me on the road again. I love you papa. I don't know who or where I would be without you. I owe you one :)

Thirdly, Nathan Collett. Thank you for giving me that chance and opportunity. You belived in me a total stranger and gave me that golden opportunity and a second chance in life. Before you everything had just been a fantasy but you turned it to reality. Forever I will be grateful to you. Thanks for handing me something very precious, REALITY T)O ACCOMPLISH.

Fourth but that doesn't mean you are only lesser ;) My Friend Kevin Machimbo. All the skills you taught me. For all the sleepless nights you sacrificed and taught me how to edit. Do you recall the day you taught me how to achieve the Luma effect in final cut and I just couldn't get it and you refused me to even wink until I get it right? You evil Friend :) Do you remember all the assumptions people made? All that time they talked you polished my skill. Taught me how to use every equipment and every application. I appreciate every moment of it all. You are just awesome,Simply the best among them all :) Don't be flattered!

Finally my classmates especially my desk mates Naftali Wmbugu and Berry Muga. Remember when we first met total stranger sitting next to each other? But now we leave best of friends. At no point did we ever have any conflicts, yet we worked together most of the time. We always found a common ground and a working formula. You guys rock! Hope we work on more projects together again.

Finally but not least, Hotsun foundation and Kibera Film School.Thanks for being my home for all that while. I lived here! Dwelling here! Thanks. Josephat Keya you are appreciated. even after the crossroads,I always find it in my heart to honour those who touched my life. You have done a lot for me and you Know it. Thanks! EVEN AFTER THE STORM I WILL ALWAYS LOOK BACK!  The great Lectures, thanks for your time and humility and the input that you shared with us. You gave s so much for so little. Our best oes out to you. Pamela, Mercy thanks for everything. As the trustees,you made sure we got. Mercy, it has been great. You the coolest. You understand :) Any other friends I have not mentioned, I love you and it was great meeting you. Life is made out of relationships and I hope we shall be meeting again in this small industry. It was a great experience! All my foes and adversaries, Thanks for making me better and stronger!!

And I finally got that long awaited Certificate. My speech sucked. I am not so good in impomptu speeches. I never honored some people I walked this terrain with but here we are today. Thanks for making that difference. KIBERA FILM SCHOOL rocks!! This is where you go and come back together with life skills attached to your certificate. If the clock was to turn back I wouldn't want to be anywhere else other than here. I love you Hotsun Foundation and everywhere I go In my heart is where I hold you. No matter What!!