Big Sorry for those disappointed by my silence

Good news first; I ma back from the summer break, and that means one thing: More blogging...
On the same note i will be posting few pictures of my engagement party .
I cant promise to post my wive`s pictures as i had promised her not to do so. She is an old school kind of a person and does not trust the idea of being introduced to public domains :)
Bad news! there is tribal clashes going on in my village, it really saddens me. The strange thing is that these people are people with nothing, in other words poor people killing each other..

This was just an introduction ..see u soon with more blogs..

Jambo !

Here we go, we are back; updating the blog twice a day. I am supposed to be doing other stuff but hey a promise is a promise.
Whats happening? Yeah, its a food party in our place in Sollentuna, actually the outskirt of Sollentuna.I just woke up from my evevning nap. This is the life i really missed, waking up early, taking a walk in the beautiful parks of Sollentuna drive around and shop a bit, lunch, evening nap, chatting with my friend`s kids..midnight movies, more talks and then retire to bed....to be continued...

Back to the world! Charles Tailor gets 50 years in prison for aiding war crimes in Sierra Leone, kudos to justice. Imagine if all war criminals were taken here and faced the destiny of this monster. Bush, Blair and  former American leaders who declared war on stable countries. The sad part is the west established the so called International Justice Court with the purpose of dealing with war crimes, but the US has not agreed to this, so i hope everyone sees the irony here. This leaves a bad test in the mouth of those who think Charles tailor has been dealth with in accordance with justice..I say NO, Charles Tailor is a criminal, but the court is a joke. It is a court for the west and by the west...

The European championsship is here, scary scenes about racism is trending on the media..OH dear! where is the UEFA? well, UEFA might want to prove all those racists that we are all human, but i think this is a bad lesson fro anyone involved. They should have tried when we have  a black or an Asian  president in Europe at least, because racism is still ripe in Europe.

Back to Sweden, some morons wired up by some media groups, then sent them to mosques to get the opinion of `muslims`on women. In Sweden we had over 14000 cases of reported domestic violence against women (2003), over 40,000 cases of abortion, latest eating disorders deaths shows that there are 13 deaths in Sweden, at 7th position.US is  leading the chart with 214 deaths....
My question is, with this kind of statistics, I dont understand why people are concerned about what the imams say, don`t they instead focus on the bigger picture. As a muslim, i see this as a way to build a bad reputation against Islam.If one needs to learn about Islam, please refer to The koran!

Ok guys! (guys means both men and women in an american expresssion) ...

Good morning folks !

The sun is bright, making me struggle with the curtains to keep our the sun rays. The trees show signs of life, with their green saying branches. The birds are constantly tweeting from a tree adjacent to my window.
Life cant be better..Alhamdulillah..
Firtsly, sorry about my silence, it was all due to the sickening degree essays, which is over now. I promise to update you on at least weekly basis if not daily. With less than five days remaining untill i am off to Kenya, and 18 days remaining untill i a a married man, Believe you me, u are in for a summer full of events in this blog.
I will also be sending you pictures from Safari, Coastal beaches and of course every detail of the food and the people who cook it..

This is how the program looks like: Taking a road trip to Oslo, back on saturaday to attend a party  that is to be thrown by my friends here in Stockholm..Get back to Gevle on Sunday night and summarise the school business and also take the opportunity to bid farewell to my brothers and sisters in Gevle..
On tuesday, i defend my degree essay and comment on classmate`s essays., then take the flight on that day..

Back to my silence, apart from school, i had the opportunity to visit London, and my people there. It was a mix of pleasure and study. Someone was asking me how on earth could i combine all these stressful events, studies, wedding planning, trips e.t.c.....This is the reason: My life as a muslim facilitates easy planning, stress handling and belief in the fact that everything happens with the planning of the creator..Also, the purpose of life, which is recognising our creator worshipping him (something that many dont recognise) gives one a direction. Moreover, praying five times a day, dedicating a month to the poor, by fasting and showing empathy and being good to fellow humans combine to build me as a good person (i know i am a good person), if u dont think i am, its your fault :P

So, follow me and drop a comment if there is anything that u disagree or agree..But first enjoy these few pictures from My London trip....


Above: Taking a break from the husstles..I look like a junkie, don`t i?  Below: Posing with an olympic promoter....more to come, stay tuned :) 

Late night posts..

As much as i despise bloggers who always talk about themselves, tonight i will dedicate this post to myself..hope u wont mind ..there will be I, I and I...quite personal, but trying to make a point..its all about sharing experiences...


.........................................................................................................  ----------------------------------
It is exactly one month before i am back to Kenya. Excitement is setting in, i am almost shutting those thoughts from myinner- self. I dont want to think the thought of me reuniting with the mates, families, the beautiful environment and most importantly with the notion that i am soon done with the studies.
With opportunities knocking at my door already, the future looks brigh Alhamdulillah..Inshalah, a year from now i will be rounding up a master program then the next target if i am alive, is an arabic country.The latter raises eyebrows; you went to Kenya for ya practicals, came back with a big beard, stopped hanging around with the opposite sex and now heading to Arabland..wait a minute, is that not what extremist do before they bomb themselves in the air! ..mmm! this was a reaction of a friend..
Its sad that people have such a perception about a person like me who is changing for the better; Being a practising muslim improved every aspect of my life.. i am still improving, striving to be a better muslim and person. You aint cool with that, u dont deserve to be around me.
Already, i lost some people just because they could not handle my livestyle..they drunk and did all that are unacceptable in my faith..I am happy that i am no longer with them, i got real friends that are brothers to me Alhamdulillah..

Its 1 a.m and took a break from reading and writting. I am doing my usual reflections..i just realised that i have over 200 friends..my definition of friends is people who know your history and care about you...unlike in Sweden a person calls you a friend even when he or she barely knows you..This is putting a smile on my face..coz those who befriend with you in hurry are those who disappear in the shortest time possible..it happened to me by the way. But happy that they disapeared i must repeat..

Its the morning prayers in an hour and continue my beautiful reflection in the dreams..Then tomorrow will be a good day inshalah..meeting my supervisor and then start packing..

U see such an image in africa, waaw she is breast-feeding her child !
U see this in the Western-world, ooh thats how they give a head !


we are in a dangerous society, may Allah help us all !
Peace all !

Crazy world

Hello everyone out there who missed reading my posts; as usual i apologise for my deafening silence. As i warned you it was all about the degree project. Now it is almost over, i have some few pages remaining.
Next week will be another big week in my life; rounding up the 40 page essay; travelling to the UK for a visit to important people in my life..then 3 weeks later, a journey to Kenya. As i explained in earlier posts, i reward myself with something good whenever i achieve big things. Now that i have a degree in the bag, Few months in Kenya (Safari in the package) would be a perfect end to my long hard work in this scandinavian country...More on this will be posted on another occasion; dont worry i have all the time to post stuff this time..dont fail to follow me..i have big updates in place for you..maybe not next week but i two weeks time,...

Well, apart from updating u on my moves..i wanted to share my frustrations with you, ...Read the following scenario and pliz send me ya reactions..i am trying to make sense of how the future...It is something i read on some websites...


An old woman is on the floor with a bag next to her. She asks the passing school girls for any amount of cash, but the girl refuses with a middle finger. Her friends clearly don’t notice the situation, let alone care about it. The helpless woman just looks at her in desperate pain and shock as the little girl just smirks at her.

This picture breaks my heart. The senile woman is on the floor in beautiful, cultural garments, but asks for a mere donation. The girl in modern school clothing gives her a thoughtless and ignorant “fuck you.”

I don’t know where this picture was taken, but it depicts what our future has become: children disrespecting elders like they were vermin killed flat on the road. I’ve seen this here in Europe. Little kids on their cell phones undermining what their parents have to say, little kids cussing like there’s no tomorrow, little kids worrying about their looks rather than their family. It’s everywhere; culture and respect are both dying. It’s because of the influences that these kids can easily access: media, drugs, adultery. Our world is losing grasp of the future, and we can only watch as the next generation become total monsters

Need for distraction..

Right now its all about me, someone told me that if i have to succed in life i have to be selfish and focus on my target::I say BULLSHIT...Thats not the way mama raised me; it is this time when i really need my people, my friends and the haters as well :)

Anyway; i am halfway the study that i was doing in my final degree project. this of course makes me glad.But, the truth is i am far away from the touch line..i am prety much distracted by the thoughts that i am wedding in less than two months inshalah. I get great dreams during the nights, which is good for my fantasy but not for the work in hand.
Am sitting by a window, enjoying a good helicopter view of architect of the Edsberg buildings..nice bungaloes, not better than the one i am sitting in tho..for ya information, i am living with a friend on my stay in stockholm..she is a very sucessful carrier woman..she is adoring, isnt she?
My dream is smashing the degree project and taking a short trip to the UK..then pack and face Kenya..this is the only way i can keep my focus..Do this, u are going home soon..haha feels like a kid being enticed to finish the food if he or she has to go out with mummy later..
Wish me good luck guys..cheers..

Oh yeah..A swedish cultural minister was pictured eating a cake that was designed as an african cirumcised woman (i mean fgm)...honestly, she is just stupi..am not hurt..i have seen worser thing than that..in between she is blond lol

cool runnings !

Hello good people!

hope all is good with all u readers out there; apart from my seldomely updated posts of course;;which i again aplogoise for..
Before going into details about how life is doing me at the moment; i will first share my experience with friends.

As i spent almost halv of my life in sclassrooms and school environments, i believe that my experience with diferent students might be worth to share with you guys. I was reflecting on the diferent schools that i went to and the people i ment in my entire life. I realised that i have made over a thousand friends, most of them met in school environments in my entire life.
In Sweden, i met few, they are good people, and i really do love them. However, how people in sweden define friendship is diferent from how its defined in Africa. In Africa, friendship means, being ready to take bullet for someone,otherwise u are not a friend. there is nothing like good or bad friend. you are either a friend or not.
Whereas, after few meetings, someone calls u a friend, few weeks pass by, the person cant even show support when u are struggling with minor crisis. This "friend" can even diss your calls and never call back. Actually, my grandpa advised me on this; he said the worst enemy is the one that poses as a friend and on the other hand he/she is not sincere in hi/her commitment to you. I wish i had listened to Grandpa, Now i am getting defensive when it comes to people around here. The fake people are getting better in their game and that makes life harder. they are taking their game to the next level; so it is all about watching your backs.

That was my friendship piece of advice to you good people out there. If u find a good friend stick to them.
BACK TO ME: I just applied for my masters in Malmö, the third biggest city in Sweden; If i get admission, it is a very big step to my dream profession; international social worker, aid worker,political analyst, social consultant..the options are many..i need ya prayers guys!
Now, i am packing my stuff, taking the train to stockholm to meet my Degree-project supervisor. It will be a good weekend inshalah..The aim is to write 10 pages over the weekend with the overall target being 40 pages..wish me good luck !
I will get back to you when i come a bit further with the writting. At the moment, my world is all about reading and writting, and of course thinking about my loved ones..

did u know that a lion gives the strongest fight in the last 15 minutes of his life! It is then a lion is in the sharpest, most agressive and focused state...yes, u can compare me to a lion hehe cheers guys ..

Squirky bum time !

This is a phrase associated with the sound that comes from the seats of nervous soccer fans at the end of matches. Sir Alex ferguson, the coach of manchester united, introduced the term to the english media in 2003 when he said, its squirky bum time !
Now, with me  and everyone who cares for me its squirky but time, am soon out to face the future if i am alive then (inshalah)..thats why u dont see my new posts these days! sory about that..

I ask for your prayers and patience untill the day am done with this shit; am taking a month out from the blog..i will try to post stuff now and then..

take care..lovee

Good evening !

Difficulty moments in the sense that the work on the degree project  is showing minimum progress. In such times, one needs to spend time with people who can make u have a lough. In this post i wanted to share the moments i had with an older friend; i mean old as in age. 

He gave me a story about a bush man who was asked the question: sugar and date, which tests sweeter, the bushman goes, do u mean the immediate test that comes into your senses as you put them in the mouth or, the test that remains later on? the questioner was puzzled as this was a question he never expected, then the bush man, figuring out that the man was lost in translation, he continued, he said; both are sweet, but sugar is just good if u only need to test and go while date is sweet if u want to experience a longer test in the mouth. He continues, sugar makes u sick after few licks but dates` sweetness lasts longer..

The moral lesson of the story!

....................have u realised that when u meet people, u like some of them on the first eye sight, others take time to click with them and others never get to ya attention at all? well, those who you like them at the first sight, be careful, they are like sugar. while those who never come to ya radar, dont wory, u are maybe lucky not to learn about them. on the other hand, those who take time to like them are always better than those u click with them on first sight; these are the dates type..

myself, i have a first hand experience with this.When we first started uni, there were some people whom i was I was attracted to as friends from the first meeting, not to realise that like sugar, i feel like vomiting after having too much dose of them.

After 3 years, those that had no place in my heart then came to be sweeter than the rest, like dates i cant get enough..I learnt that people are not what they try to be, but what they are ! take time to know the real them before u make a decision...

...........

This does not mean that i hate anyone, we dont hate sugar,its not edible, but it serves other purposes like tea, coffee sweetener; i mean if they cant play the right purpose, they are still human and who knows they can one day come in hand..

............DID U KNOW THAT:  A FEMALE PRAYING MANTIS CHOPS THE MALE`S HEAD OFF AFTER HAVING SEX ?

drama and emotions..

I just realised that people on facebook are so complicated, actually, it reflects the kind of society we live in. try this; when someone posts a picture, since we dont have unlike button, give a negative comment, i assure you that  this person will either delete your comment or the picture. my point is this; we live in a world of insecurity, no one is secure with his/her life even if they seem so..this makes me sick. I come from a culture where we call a spade a spade; rather calling a spade a big fork. of course, there are mean people who enjoy making others feel bad; we have them everywhere,,but, at least they dont outnumber the other nice people ..

The other problem is that i have realised that there are many of those type who wake up in the morning, and post  a status of what really goes on in their mind; so, imagine this, everybody has  problems, imagine a scenario where everyone posts about his/her innermost worries on facebook, i guess that facebook is no more a place of fun, its a place where people offload their problems; thats why i am more into twitter although, i kno that the trend is also changing there..
That was that ! lets hope for a drama free world..i have made my choice; i have no room for drama in my life..u should do as well ! it helps in building a less complicated life..

Having a quality dinner with my roommate; talking a bit of shit here and there and blending with quality mature talks..deep talks..haha
i wish u all a good night..take care of yaselves and of each other..peace !

Too much hapening?

As always, i really would love and hope that this post finds you in the best of ya health; I just wanted to write some random stuff today !
In my world; i want to welcome all optimists and hope that the pessimists  learn from their negativity.So, let me start things that are going on in my life:

I am writting the degree thesis, and the good thing with this is that i just talked to a man whom i inspired for so long. This man has just taken his PHD in social work and acording to be he is one of the most influential academician in my life. Therefore, i am driving to stockholm to morrow to have  a lunch with him. More on this will be updated on another occasion. so, basically, a big weekend is coming up..

Secondly, the visa to the UK is sorted and so is the ticket to London ! I am glad that i am finally meeting my best of all relatives: my cousins and aunt ! they are what i got in europe ..LOVE..It was my dream to spend some time with my lovely ones, work on my thesis and maybe, just maybe, get a nice surprise from one of the cusins, who last time got a united ticket for me :)
All the above happening at the moment; with my journey to Kenya nearing..and the wedding as well..i dont say too much for a short time, i say too much for a blessing ! living life Alhamdulilah(Thanks to the almighty)..
talk of a weddin, my cousin is wedding today, and i cant share the joy with him, but i promised that we go on a safari together..he knows that i love him, so, its all fine..

On the other hand there are some issue that make life a bit boring; things like wars, petty conflicts, hard exam questions, bad teachers, hopeless people in our planet name them all,,
I just heard that a very nice guy that i kno, was being murdered by a rival tribal gangs; Really sad..he got killed just because he is from a certain clan; Even when he has nothing to do with the fight..sick world indeed..


That was what is going on in my life at the moment; so, let me go back to my other random topics. I would like to end this with a bit of comical questions that i always ask myself..
I go to kenya or uganda, i am a european or american, does that make me an african expert?
a lad was telling me, his `white`friends say they go to africa to see animals, and i know of some people who went to a country in Africa, and from day 1: there facebook status read: We just landed in Africa; Am i confused or geography has changed when i came to this country? As far as i kno, africa is large and has many diferent ethnic groups. And generalising everything u see to be an african thing is so wrong!

For those who were asking me about why i let the beard grow: i think its the bauty of masculinity, check this out and dont take it personal, see it from the funny side..

Did you know that :

...the white iphone is more expensive than the black one, even when they are exactly the same model and made..LOL

The week that was !

Hello people !
As usual, the week was generally a good week. It started  with some volunteer work with the red cross, then followed by an hour of work (work as an interpretor), then came the engine nock of my car and came a fantastic news that two women were ready for my thesis interview. while celebrating the fact that i had only three remaining interviews and two sucessful ones, then came the news that the former president of Somalia Abdullahi yusuf has passed away. I dont know this guy and cant say if he was bad or good, but i surely have respect for any one who can dream of leading the chaotic failed state of Somalia let alone leaders. Please, dont get me wrong about "the failed state" phrase; it does not mean somalis are failures, as the word might sound to be hinting. Failed state means countries with no proper government, and its not as offensive as it might sound.
Back to Abdullahi Yusuf; in my eyes, he was a leader who was facing lots of challenges; when many somalis evaded the war, he was there to hussle with life and try his lack as a president. He was serving in Siad Bare`s government in the 80s, he went against the dictator and was among those who toppled him; this is a fact that i got through prominent somali politicians. So, i am in Sweden, i cant do a lot, i can only send my condoloscence to somalia and Yusufs close friends and families.
That was last week; next week will be another good one inshaalah..it will be about studying and lots of writting; and of course we hope for cool moments as well.
Then on Friday, me, together with my roommate-cum-comprade..are celebrating the week with a weekend at the city of stockholm..we are planning to hire a car and enjoy the 170 km ride..
with those few words; i wish every reader a good life and a joyous week :)
safe guys !
Did u know that :
 The male honey-bee explodes to death when it reaches climax during sex..haha

A promising morning to ya all !

The days starts brightly, and in a promising version, but dont be taken away by that. Just in a second things can change..
Woke up 5 in the morning, did my usual morning prayers, listened to some inspirational lectures about the most influential man to have ever walked on earth: Prophet Mohamed p.b.u.h..u can see that in the link below
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=RoFB4WlwYck#!

Today is another significant day: taking the bus to the swimming place for the first time, Working for the first time since june last year, meeting a potential employer over a lunch and then meeting my classmates for a dinner chat..

Patrice Muamba, the guy bolton player who collapsed on the pitch last saturday, is said to be recovering well..The news that the fella ended in the intensive care unit with life support machines on was a really shocking to football fans around the world; its a good news that the congolese born star has started joking and talking with his mates for the first time. Hope he understands that life is not as granted as we all think and get apreciative..we of course pray for him..

Have a fabolous day you readers !

another day another surprise..

Everyday comes with its challenges, opportunities and surprises;both good and bad..

I woke up, took a refreshing shower after my usual baked beans breakfast; then drove the car from the garage.
Everything started like a normal day; not knowing that i will be stranded on the highway between my town and the capital; Stockholm. 15 minutes from my destination, the engine knocked !
Then the surprise; a friend of mine was driving by us when he recognised that the person who was calling was actually me; He could not believe that he saw my name on the phone screen at the same time as he sees me on the road; What a coincidence!
To cut a long story short, the polo volkswagen i had for the last three years is dumbed at the junk yard in Uppsala:::now it feels weird having no car at the garage,,
That was my dramatic day ..now back to my study progress---I feel that i seriously need to get the interview persons for my thesis..
Finally i apologise that i have no comment on the usual global issues i normaly reflect on, this is because of the fact that i had no time for the news lately--
did u know that : there are around 20,000 somalis in Sweden..

Sunny and beautiful day

Hello people ! Hope that its sunny for everyone who experience the harsh winter that made life hell for many, and i hope that its a bit colder for those readers in africa where its summer all year round.
today i just wanted to prove that am alive and kicking ! I know that i have been out for so long and u guys deserve to get a bit of reading from my side.
To be honest with you, I have never enjoyed life as i do, I mean we african-muslims always do enjoy life anyway,.i dont say that all non muslims are living a pathetic life,,i mean that our way of phylosofying life is a bit easier than non-muslims do..the Hakuna-matata-kind of aproach...
Anyway, my point was that things are going the way i wanted it..the school on course, healthy, happy and surrounded by good people..
The week will be perfect if only i get a positive reply from kenyan and british embassy concerning my visa application..i miss my cousins and aunt so much..so i hope that i get an answer as soon as people..
meanwhile, i am going to örebro, a town thats 3 hours drive away from my town, there we will be doing an official duty, i will be back with more updates later..
I wish u all a joyful day and a happy life ! :)

Good friday !

A calm day indeed ! Just came back from the swimming pool; after chilling with a good friend in the steam house..
This post is about sending a shout out to all the people out there who have against all odds achieved their goals..especially the immigrants in Sweden where as a foreign one gets to deal with many foreign things..culture, language, religion, social cords e.t.c

My friend and I came to Sweden 8 years ago, got the residence permit after after 3 years of waiting. My friend just joined one of the best universities in sweden and started his degree in medicine..while on the other hand, i am now finalising my degree in International social work.we went through hardship in coming where we are now..In sweden, there is big prejudice surrounding immigrants and success..but as my friend always reminds me, one should focus on what he/she is doing..We both did that and thanks to GOD we can today say that we are living our dreams..
I know a muslim girl who struggled through prejudice to achieve her dreams..She was asked why she had scarf, they asked her if she was forced by men to wear them, she was asked if she was sweating even if it was winter..But this girl did her thing and finished her studies well and passed with flying colours..
The moral lesson from the above stories is; Haters are always there..difficult conditions are always there..its just about how you handle them..FOCUS!

If u are an immigrant and u are in a tussle with the natives; with all the respect for the natives..remember you have an edge over them; why? Because your psyche is naturally stronger..Unlike them, u dont cry when being called fat or ugly..you are strong !

PEACE GUYS !

Response to konyi

This lady is making a point that has always been the point of departure for my way of thinking..The film is good, and everything sounds good, but there are things that they really missed out on...

see this video..

                          http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=KLVY5jBnD-E#!

Good evening !

Just wanted to continue with my earlier post regarding Kony..I was thinking about the film and i was discussing with many who were really convinced that the film had no other aims other than to save the children of Uganda.
This is my conclusion:
The film was really well-prepared thanks to whoever was the director to it; this director made sure that people get so emotional from the film. He knew that people will be moved by anything that involve children. therefore, he made sure his cute kid took part in the film. He made sure that the main victims are children. I mean who wont react to it...
The other point is, how on earth can it be so easy to get that much connected..Direct mail from Barack, an interview with Okambo, and the child getting to US--a freelance reporter cant handle all this alone..the foreign office must be in a way or the other be involved..I urge u all there to read between the line...be smart..
cheers..

Asalamu Aleykum ! peace be upon you

I am fine; Hope you are fine too !

Yet another day, and another posting..to remind you who take life for granted..every breath is a blessing, be thankful and be accountable for ya actions !

Today i wanted to express my reaction on the so called KONY 2012. For those who never heard of this guy before, dont worry no one has ever heard about him before, and thats why i am curious and in a way critical about this film..
My first reaction was WHY JUST KONY? WHY JUST UGANDA? i mean there is Ehtiopia and the famous Melez, there is Somalia and the famous warloads,..Is this just another way to sell american troops into East africa? Is this just some kinda PR?  I really apreciate that there is an organisation that calls itself invisible children that cares for children in Africa, but HEY ! more children die in the goldmines of many african countries, leave alone those who die by the gun. So, why choose just this lesser and minor evil compared to the other thousands?
To be honest with you, If it was a non american behind this film, i would have less questions than i do now.
I am almost sure that the children that died and got hurt under the hands of Kony won`t outnumber those who died and still dying under the hands of american troops in middle East, Chagozian island and other parts of the world. I tried to google the guys and am not getting them mentioning the weakness of american foreign policy anywhere on their site..there is something fishy about the whole thing.
So please, before you get emotional and spread the message of Kony; just think logic and ask yourself why..

DID U KNOW THAT:  Americans own 200 million firearms, and 35 percent of homes contain at least one gun. 

Sunshine is back so do i :)

As u can see, i am getting integrated in the swedish society where the weather decides the mood of the person.
For me integration is about adapting to the lifestyle of  a certain society; For instance, i feel integrated at the moment, as i get  happy and social when its sunny and get gloomy and boring when the weather is dark and cold.
I feel integrated because these days another word is taking my catchword of Hakuna Matata; the word is " I am so stressed"...jag e så stressad meaning i am so stressed in swedish, is a common phrase among the swedes. Since i use this phrase so often, i finally feel integrated into the swedish society..

I was wondering why i used to read a book of John Kariamiti  a day in africa and struggle to finish a page in sweden; well, today, i read few chapters and sent in a few hand-ins..i think its all down to the weather..see! i am integrated..everything is about the weather,,
I could hear 2 blonds having an arguament few minutes ago; they were talking about guys and sex and one of the blonds says "..i only have sex during the winter"..and the other blond asks why--she goes " because, thats the only thing that i can come up with after uni..EXCUSE ME !  this just justifies my prejudice that blonds are dumb...

Anyway, i decided to post this after 3 hours of writting...i sat in the uni library since 11...and got some work done, i think i should come down here more often...

Ok guys..time to resume to the reading..cheers !
DID U KNO THAT:::  OCTOPUS HAVE THEIR TESTICLES ON THEIR HEADS ? haha a real dick-head..

Hello guys !

Hoping that all is well with the readers of this blog; i wanted to start with sending my innermost regards to you and hope that by reading my blog, you in one way or the other benefit from it. I of course encourage all of you not to hesitate writting to me in case theres something you want be to focus on...

I am busy in writting my final degree  project, therefore i beg for your patience in this moment when time is my biggest enemy as far as updating the blog is concerned..

After watching a great game of footbal where the scousers have lost to the gunners, i am sitting in my balcony waiting for a friend to show up. This friend is offering a lift to stockholm where i will be staying untill monday evening. The mission is to spend some quality time with the loved ones and hand in  my application for visa to Uk and Kenya respectively. the first free time i get by the end of this month will be dedicated to going to uk inshaallah..then preparation for my big day will be starting after the UK visit..more about Kenya`s trip will be posted on a later date inshalah,,
Meanwhile; i will be concentrating on my school work which is my  priority at the moment..
¨
I was wondering if i am over-reacting to the UK`s somali interest; I am forseeing a disaster here..why would the british help somalis after 20 years of silence..its not a coincidence that Uk is breaking the silence after Somalis oil was explored..in any case; my prayers are with Somalis..
Did u Know that...
                         Somalia will be producing oil worth 2 trillion us dollars a year?

Yet another morning ! every breath is a blessing!

Its hard to be a young,somali,muslim and gifted at the same time. I realised that life in the west is not easy for us actually. Every move you take, you have to motivate why you do so, i am filling in a visa application and they are asking me if i was once involved in military work; come on! what does this has to do with me going to UK..
I am not posting anything special today; i just wanted to give you readers what to read since i am so often silent lately.
I will be starting a new heading in my blog; the name of the heading will be ;Did u know that...
HERE WE GO NOW..
                         

Did u know that : ..Balotell said this.."...Liverpool won the carling cup; yh, its like being single for six years and then coming home with sussan boyle ..." for those who donno , sussan boyle  is an old lady who won britain got talent...

Have a great day guys!

This gives hope..

See how this kid transformed from being a skeleton to a living normal baby ! all this happened in less than 6 month. When ever u start believing that your charity to the poor is not that important, take a break and take a look at this picture..

This picture really gives me hope !

A hope for a better humanity !

generosity is the way forward...

The sun is back ! good feeling indeed...

As usual am back after 2 weeks of silence; reasons: school, hibernation from the cold and i went out of creativity..
I dont want to be one of those bloggers who dedicate their blogs to their daily life activties: i woke up, went to toilet, found out that i had to pee, then instead came big shit, surprise ! come on !!!.. i mean, who wants to read that kind of stuff unless one is so stupid to think thats interesting..

Without calling a spade a big fork; i just wanted to update you guys of the kind of world we are living in:
2011 was a year with the most natural catastrophies; Japan, haiti, Droughts in africa e..t.c...we also experienced significant nervy moments; you remember the miners who were trapped in the mining cave; by the way i hear one of them has converted to Islam..If thats true , am happy for him.


then comes 2012....so far so shitty ! look at Syria, N korea is threatening a war against its neighbours, U.S is still the same old dickhead it has always been..Hopelesness in Palestina and  they say there is finally a light at the end of the tunnel for Somalia, well, i say..maybe its a train coming from the other side BOOM..
I was hopeful in the begining of the peace process, then realised that the british were involved , thats where my hope died down..i mean who will trust british people..see what they have done in the world; ok, that might be history but show me anywhere where they sucessfully stabilised a situation..If you see british, its only because there is an interest. In this case, britain is after the 3 trillion dollar oil that was recently found. I am not speculating, its a fact..
Prayers are with the syrians who are struggling for peaceful open society.
prayers are with the palestinians who are refugees in their own country..
prayers are with the somalis whose country has been called failed state ..
Prayers are with those who are held at Guatanamo...

Hoping and praying for a better world !

Good thursday to u all

Just woke up, good weather, just above 0 degrees celcius. getting up from bed has been hard lately; due to the harsh weather, the fatigue from hustles of life and of course our late night champions league games are partly the reasons for this.
Today, after my 3 hour lecture, i am heading to the capital city of sweden:Stockholm. There, since thats where i origionally moved from before i ended up in this small town: Gevle, i have many things to loook forward to.
Stockholm is where my life literally started, many old classmates, friends, old workmates, close relatives e.t.c..
Apart from that, i am also going for a fresh cut; and if possible get few swag on:i mean clothes here..if time allows me, i will pay a short visit to my old school " stadsmissionens folkhögskola.." after 2 years now.
This visit will be a very short and intense one, i am planning to be back by saturday.

Meanwhile, i will be giving much thoughts to how i will get started for my Degree desertation paper: its now decided that i will be writting about the effects of khat on somali families,,
I also got request from the red cross in helping them with working with refugee issues..this will be a voluntary work though..i am really proud to be able to help out others in the name of humanity..

Finally, as my grandpa always said about friends: " Its not what they say that matters, its what and how they do it.." i lately had issues with friends..being a student of social work, u get to know analysing people, this is of course not a very good thing , but this came in hand now..after my analyse, i realise that this friend says one thing and does another in practical..my grandpa was right about this..it does feel wrong and uncomfortable hanging out with such people..my response is; just be myself: that means that reset my loyalty to the level of that when we first met the first time..if this friend proves him/herself, then there is always a second chance..this are the complications that are going on in my social life...but am not concerned whatsoever..
guys..time for breakfast..have a great time out there...

Jambo !

What a crazy day; i was awaken by the beautiful rays of the sunshine this morning, 3 hours later, its snowing !
the unpredictability of the swedish weather.

Again, in case u are wondering why  i was silent; its partly because of the hectic school work and the lack of new happenings in my life.
In fact, the only issue that i can imagine sharing with you is that i am a bit disapointed with one of my friends; i know that disapointments never end, but i did not see this one coming. This friend keep on booking time with me, only to cancel our apointments just hours prior to our meeting. Actually, the problem does not lie with the meetings and the cancelation, its about the other friends that are being victimised. Weekends are our only time together; then when i tell them that i will be meeting other people and i get released this always results in ugly feelings. And complications are not my thing..i am now drawing a line that would ensure that future frustrations doesn`t arise...

Another new update that i almost forgot is that i decided to voluntarily work with somali refugees in the Red Cross..my aim with this is to try help the somalis in need, and of course get the experience of working with such issues.

I am actually bored, no lust att read and sleeping is the only option in hand. Therefore, i wish all of u out there a happy end to the weekend :)
peace

yet another thursday morning..

As a reminder, dont forget that every breath is a bless ! we take everything for a grant..lets change that attitude..
                                   
                               ......................................................................
I only wanted to remind you guys that i am back to sweden and am back and running after books again. This means that those who were attracted to my blog might feel a bit bored with my posts; here, there are barely things to write about..everything is as flat as the whether symbolises it all..

I hope u will be patient with me untill june when i get back to Kenya..there i have big plans for my blog readers..i will be publishing pictures on daily basis..pics from safari adventures and as well as private events..
meanwhile, i will be updating u on local issues happening in my boring sweden ..

right now, no plans so far..am getting prepared for reading mode..then hit the swimming pool..then back home..help some kids with homework..then wait for the united game..

Meanwhile; i wish u all the best..take care and remember me in your thoughts and prayers..peace !

Hello people !

Hoping that all is well with u guys; i just wanted to say hi and try to update this blog....

Yesterday was valentine day ! this is a day thats so popular in the western world. As an african, i am of course a bit sceptical..my first reaction is: why only this day? i mean love and apreciation to fellow human being should not be just limited to some days in the calender..thats what my concious tells me by the way ! and then while searching for an answer, a female friend tells me, just follow the wave dude, if it was not today, what would we otherwise be doing? she tells me that the days are divided in such a way that there are events every time of the year; cookies day, hugging day, valentine day, easter, satan day..e.t.c...all these are there to create holidays for people..how deseperate is that..
And then my friend tells me that i am bitter just like all the lonely guys out there who have no one to express love to..LOL..correction!! i have close friends around me, i have a future wife, 10 sibblings and parents at the end of my phone calls..so suck on that...
In any case, if u need valentine to express love to people; i say go on; one day is better than no day..and i honestly wish u all the best in the valentine day...
For my part; every day is valentine; i luv all thos who care about me..and all human beings that need love and i express my luv on daily basis..i aint need no valentine day..

What is going on with my life...this blog is always dedicated to close friends and families and anyone who wants to follow my proceedings..therefore, i will briefly explain things in my life..

1. Final year in uni: am now writing on the degree Essay, will try to investigate the social effects of khat on somali families in a small town in gevle..at the moment, i am focused on this..
2. searching for job: i have 3 projects on the hanging..they all wanna employ me, i will go for the one that fits my scheme, its as cool as it sounds..i need money anyway..remember am wedding this summer..so money is vital :)
3. Sealing deals: at this stage, its important to tie contacts-very important. The coming 3 years is about fixing contacts..i will be needing this when i finally end up in the market searching for bread winning ways..

Will be back with any more updates..cheers

better world ..

My last post was based on an individual way of living..i want to take on a more difficulty issues: global level thinking..
The United Nations says that although the famine in  Somalia is officially over, a third of the population still need urgent feeding...i was thinking how many people can be in the risk zone; say aproximately  5-8 million people. In sweden lives like 50,000 somalis; imagine them paying 100 kronors each. that will be 5 million swedish kronors. who needs any other person.
And add that to the number of the other generous  non-somalis who would be happy to contribute to somalia...and what the interbational body needs to do is just invets on long-term interventions like, keeping the area peaceful..


GENEROSITY IS THE KEY....remember this

HI

As always, i apologise for my long absence from this blog. I was so busy with school work, life`s hustle and of course hibernation from the swedish harsh winter.
I hope that this post finds you in your best of health.

Firstly, i should warn you that in the future i might be limited to rarely update the blog since i have my degree project  coming up hence going to get filled up with work.

Today, i just wanted to send a shout-out to all genuine friends and genuine people in general. It has unfortunately become a survival tactic for some people to be fake. I personally think that this comes with bad parental upraisal right from when one was a child. I might reason like a social worker here, but the fact is that i am a social worker and this is the way we should aproach to people. This does not mean that i am justifying fakers, i rather mean that FAKERS do exist and we should try to live with that. Having a bad background and being hated for being fake can have a tragic effect on these people. everyone needs  love; so lets try to accomodate them while we know that they are fake.
You propably are thinking why i go about talking about fake people on this sunday people. The reason is that I was dealing with close friends who were getting harassed by fake friends; and this post is a reaction to the week that just ended.
Fake people come in many ways and here i will discuss those that i came contact with:

The selfish-type: They act that they are good friends and when you succeed in a project, you call them and find out that they switched their phones off. you meet them at the mall few days later when the celebrations and all the hype has settled.They come with the excuse that they were sick, or not in town. Here, the real reason was that they were enclosed in their rooms and were mourning your celebrations. remember, these people might sound or act like your best friends. many people might be shocked of your break up.
The secretive-type: This type is so real with you, but is so fake when it comes to sharing things. Real friends share stories, ups and downs..fake friends dont. These type might not cause big harm. If you dont like drama and surprises, you are in for a big shock.
The hater-faker type: this type is a nightmare. They act like good friends, but they are in competition with you. no one wants to be in competition with his/her best friend. If you want to test if your friend comes under this category, carry out the following tests: Crack a good joke or tell a good story, and while u are telling the story, observe the face of the person, you will realise that the person looks not interested; this is because he/she is unhappy with people loughing with you. After the story or the joke; the fake-hater might immediately start a joke or story in order to over-shine yours, smart people might understand the scenario, but if you are a loyal friend you might not suspect anything and be the last one to get the whole idea.

Summary : tolerate who dont hurt you, abandon those that might cause you harm; its simple. i normally tolerate the secretive type; shun the selfish type and allow the hater-faker to hang around me and make a fool of him/herselfself. Once a hater-faker realises that you are aware of his/her game, he just disappears from your life. If you have problem with your self-esteem, i advice you not to hang out with a hater -faker because he/she might try to overshine you with their stupid moves.


Hoping that the post comes in hand in your daily life, i wish u all the best in your lives..cheers 

Thoughts about the future is exciting !

Hoping that all you readers are in as a good mood as mine, i would like to take the opportunity to thanks u all.
I met many readers out there who apreciate my blog, but the problem is that my blog has swedish setting and its hard for non-swedish speakers to contribute to the blog. Therefore, i request for help in changing the settings of the blog since i tried several times but to no avail.
Whichever the case, i will keep posting things that i think is interesting and in case anyone has a querry, then dont hesitate pliz.
I will be posting stuff even if  many people might not be following it because i really like expressing my feelings in writting rather than speaking :)
To start with, i actuall want to say that i lately got tired with people who get emotional on facebook, therefore, i am trying to get more involved in twitter and blogging...in connection to this i just bought a new samsung galaxy in such a way that it will be easy for me to tweet around from anywhere.
Since i am alone i Sweden, its really hard to get people who cheer me up when i do good job or criticise me if i commit a stupid mistake in my daily life. So, after being so good in the past year, i bought myself a new phone, this is one of the ways i reward myself. So far, this has worked. 2009, i bought myself a laptop, 2010, i bought myself a car, and this phone was a delayed reward for 2011..
I am planning to write my bachelor Essay on Khat`s effects on somali families, if this goes well, i will reward myself with a fine wedding on this summer, i know this sounds misogynistic, but i actually put women as the utmost highest level. And if one marries, according to me, thats the highest level one can be at. 
i am planning to start my master at the university of Gotenburg, the programm of human rights..
at the end of the masters, i finish my tenth year in Sweden this makes me the most proud man in planet earth.
When i came to this country, i set up some goals, that i will be having my first degree before i finish ten years in sweden,,so finishing tenth year with a master is really a success !
Todays progress:
.....woke up around 10, ate breakfast,..trained..ate lunch..handed in assignments..updateing my blog now..taking a nap and then going to meet friends..
Thursday:  will be in Stockholm the whole day and be back by evening,,then prepare for the lectures on friday..will get back to u as soon as i get something important to post ,


take care guys..peace

Hi

Hoping that all is well with u, i just wanna take this oppportunity to update you about the going !

Today is like those days when you get a bad news and you dont know how to react to it. you have other things in life to attend to, but then you have a bad news you really struggle to handle. I am dedicating this post to a good friend and a relative who became a dad today ! congrats bruv! I am not mentioning names in respect to the privacy of this great family.
 We were struck by the news that the doctors have done the mistake of delaying those pre-natal check ups (am not sure if this means those check ups before delievery)..in any case, the doctors were forced to react to an abnormal swollen thing in the brain of the pregnant lady (my cousin`s wife who is also a close relative)..the doctors decided to prematurely operate her and get the child to safety, they also simultaneously operated the brain and to everyones`relief both opeartions went well. The baby is healthy and the swelling on the brain proved to be an infection which they later treated.
So with this good news, i can relax for the weekend.
Thats how close things can turn upside down; thats why we should always remember our weaknesses as human beings..
Have a great weekend and a blessed night...night

Good evening ! its only the good memories thats keeping me warm !

Its so cold in sweden. sitting at the edge of my bed, considering having my socks on while sleeping or just remiving it..When its so cold, the brain is almost dysfunctional hence making one struggle with such a petty decision making moment..
After a short trip to the university, i acme home past 3 oclock..since then, i have been home surfing. Its one of those days the head goes blank. Am actually relieved that its bed time.
Am also struggling with the idea of going to stockholm, but again the brain is so slow in the decision making front..

Time to hit the bed now; hope u guys have good time out there..night ..take care all

the nomadic somali community in Kenya

We met Abdiya Mohammoud Osman, 74, at the designated shop where she was redeeming the Ksh 2000 (US $20) voucher she received as part of the support we are offering to 450 older people affected by the recent horn of Africa drought.
Abdiya is one of the 200 older people who will receive the voucher for the next three months in Hasabitto/Morotheley. At the time of my visit all the beneficiaries had collected their September ration while some had just begun redeeming for October.

Abdiya is a mother of seven and a grandmother to nine children. She had already calculated what she was going to take so she easily started asking Ismael, the shopkeeper to give her the food she wanted. She asked for various quantities of rice, sugar, tea leaves, maize flour, pastas and salt.
For her eight grandchildren, between the ages of 9 and 17, she said this food will be enough for 10-14 days. She was accompanied by her daughter who came with her young child to help carry the food.
We wanted to talk to her further, so we were taken to a backyard where a small number of goats and sheep were kept in an enclosed place where they are being fed as there is nothing out there to graze. No wonder they all looked healthy!
A system and community based on trust
Abdiya said her two sons, whose children she is looking after, have been away for more than seven months across the river to Malkamari near Ethiopia where they have gone to get water for their animals. She is now the sole provider for the children, four of which go to school.
While talking to us, a phone rings and Abdiya pulls it out from under her arm and walked away to answer the phone. Dagane, my colleague from Rural Agency for Community Development and Assistance(RACIDA), HelpAge's partner organisation that is implementing the voucher programme, overheard and told me that she talked about the weather and about a lamb that was eaten by a dog.
After all everyone is talking about the clouds in anticipation of the rain which had started to drizzle. Abdiya and many others like her are hoping that this will be the time they will be reunited with their children whose absence may end if they are guaranteed of water and pasture for their animals. Her grandchildren will also have their fathers back.
After she finished the conversation she rejoined us. She said it was one of her sons calling from Malkamari to ask her to borrow money as they are expected to pay for the watering of animals by the communities.
In anticipation of rain
When I asked her where she will borrow the money from Abdiya said: “I will go to one of the shopkeepers and borrow. If it rains my sons will come back and sell some of their animals to raise the money to pay the loan, so I will borrow from the shops around”. I asked if they will sign papers to prove the loan. I was told that no paper work is involved. It is all about trust.
Dagane who is a Kenyan Somali said: “In our community there is a lot of trust no one can deny having borrowed and if at all anything like this happens the elders will resolve it”.
Mohammed Hassen Sheikh who is the community mobiliser and supports RACIDA’s activities in Morothelye/Ashabitto as a volunteer, whose father’s shop we were sitting in, pointed at something wrapped in a paper bag hanging from the roof.
He said that his father who was silently sitting throughout our conversation with Abdiya had received a weighing scale and Ksh 10,000 (US $100) which he kept for someone for 11 years. Hassen said the owner never came back to claim the property and his father has hanged it to show that he has a responsibility to keep it until the owner comes. The Ksh 10,000 is also kept safely. He did not use it at all because if he did he needed to calculate interest and pay whenever the owner comes. He concluded saying that “this is included in my father’s will and we will honour it even after his death”.
It was so fascinating to see the level of trust and honesty the older man displayed and one wonders how much of this is upheld by the younger generation.
“You are our visitor and you do not pay"
The rain indeed started and we had to hurriedly say good bye to Abdiya. The rain which has come after more than two years will bring respite to the many families who will be reunited with their sons that have been away with their animals and who knows how much money that has been borrowed will be paid back this time.
I left remembering what Ismael the shopkeeper said that since the voucher was introduced, the rate of borrowing has gone down, a clear indication that many survived through borrowing.
Not only was I able to observe the progress of the project, I learnt a lot about the strong values and principles of the Somali community whose hospitality, warmth and friendship I was touched by. Even in the villages we were always offered tea and when I offered to pay, I was told: “You are our visitor and you do not pay."

A picture of the drought situation in East-Afrika

Omer is 67 and used to own businesses in Harar, Ethiopia before he came to Hagadera camp in 2006. He now lives here in a makeshift shelter made of shrubs and sticks with a plastic sheet roof. 

He is one of the 12,000 older refugees living in the three camps within Dadaab refugee camp in northern Kenya. 10,000 new arrivals reach the camp each week, as desperate people affected by the drought in East Africa seek help. 

We visited the Dadaab camp a few weeks ago to assess the situation for older people there. We found them isolated, neglected, traumatised and suffering from poor health, insufficient and inappropriate food, and a lack of shelter.

Before moving to this shelter, donated by a fellow Ethiopian who left for the US, Omer had been sheltering in a mosque for two years. He complains of pain in his left ear (which limits his hearing) and suffers from kidney problems.

"I live like a beggar and eat the same food as donkeys"

When asked about his family, he said:  “I have lost contact with my family.”  He added that his son 17, had also arrived in Kenya, but left Dadaab camp on seeing the difficult conditions here and has not been heard of since.  

“I have no one here and I live like a beggar. I rely on my neighbours from Ethiopia who help collect the food rations and give me food when I run out of my own. 

"The food I receive here is for horses and donkeys.  Since I moved here I received one blanket, one mattress but I have not been given any utensils, not even a cup to drink water with.  

“My main problem is not getting enough food that I like and my poor health. Although I get medicines for temporary relief, I am sick again as soon as I run out of drugs.”

"Life in Somalia was better than here"

Unwilling to be photographed, we also met Daher Ali, 70, in the hospital run by Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF).  He has lived in the camp for the last 10 months without a family as his wife and three children remained in Somalia. 

“My poor health is the main reason I came here. I have ulcers and suffer from incontinence.  I was a farmer and pastoralist but because of drought all my animals died and was left with nothing.

"For those with animals and family, life in Somalia was better than what we have here, despite the conflict.”

Dadaab camp is currently overflowing with a population of more than four times the capacity it was designed for living in three camps.

During our June visit, the population was estimated to be 360,000. Of this, more than 12,000 are estimated to be older people.

Drought is pushing more refugees to flee the country, further congesting the camp. An estimated 10,000 people are arriving in the camp every month, according to UNHCR.

June alone saw more than 30,000 new arrivals, three times that of previous months. 

Older people face multiple hardships

Our visit highlighted several key problems that older people candidly spoke of, and which the larger aid agencies working the camps confirmed.

For example poor mobility and disability affect 13,000 people across the three camps. Of these, 2,380 are older people (17% of the overall population of people with disabilities).

According to Handicap International, visual impairment stands out as the most common form of disability. Other common health problems include physical disability, hearing, speech and mental health - caused by lack of immunisation and gun-related violence.  

Hawo Yusuf Hussein, 68 lost her leg after being shot by warring groups. She moved to the camp after travelling for four months where she lives with her son and grandson. 

She says: “Life is very difficult here we cannot access any help. If there is any priority, I would have said food is the main one. My disability affects me. I cannot sleep. I am in constant pain and I do not get any treatment.

"While I was in Somalia I was active. Since I lost my husband 20 years ago, I earned a living by making mats to sell.

"I had nine children. Five died in Somalia and two are still there."

Sensing the danger she has putting herself and her children in, Hawo left for northern Kenya on her own. However, two of her children followed her and they now live together in the camp. 

"In Somalia I had a relative who used to send me money from abroad but have since lost his contact. I am now entirely depend on food rations given by the camp."

Mobility aids such as wheelchairs and walking sticks are unavailable for the majority who need them. And in any case, the sandy ground in the camp means wheelchairs, walking frames and other mobility aids are very difficult to operate.

Lack of suitable help for older people 

Overall invisibility:  Older people have no voice. They do not get the opportunity to air their views because agencies place no specific emphasis on this age group. 

When new arrivals come, larger agencies rapidly identify victims of gender violence, malnutrition, unaccompanied children, and undertake general registration.

Older people are lumped with the rest of the arrivals, despite their poor health, frailty and weak physical and mental health.   

Distribution centres have no special lines for older people and do not prioritise them. Arrival centres are crowded and chaotic, with a lot of pushing and shoving.

Insufficient food:  Older people told us they did not have enough decent quality food. With the increased influx of refugees, food rations are continually reduced. 

Moreover, the food that is distributed mainly includes maize, beans and wheat flour, with very small quantity of cooking oil and salt. This is not suitable nor palatable for the majority of older people. 

As a result a number of older people are malnourished and this is confirmed by various agencies. Although the International Rescue Commitee has a targeted children’s supplementary feeding programme, no such programme exists for older people.

Shelter:  Large numbers of older people are living in poor shelter because they are unable to make bricks and erect a shelter. Some live in makeshift structures made of wooden sticks with no plaster whatsoever, exposing them to adverse weather conditions. 

New arrivals are forced to remain on the outskirts of the camps with no appropriate shelter, often sharing cramped spaces with other relatives.

Poor health and limited access to healthcare:  None of the camps' health facilities have special reception areas or prioritisation for older people. Many older people have chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes, but are not on drugs for managing these conditions.

The lack of ambulances means frail, weak and those with disabilities cannot reach the health facilities. There are trained community health workers among the refugees but they do not have any specific skill to visit and advise older people. The emphasis is on identifying malnourished children.

Inaccessibility of sanitation facilities: The areas in which the camps are set up are prone to flooding so toilets seats have been raised. Older people told us they cannot climb these raised seats and thus many have resorted to using plastic containers.

Isolation and loneliness: There are a number of unaccompanied older people who depend on the support of others who collect their food rations and help with cooking.  These older people live in the most appalling situations, with inadequate shelter, bedding and personal hygiene facilities. 

Protection:  Some older people have reported verbal, physical, sexual abuse in the camps.

Older men acknowledged that wife beating is common and rape also happens, to a lesser degree on older women as well. Some even said that rape of older women is not reported and even if it is, no action is taken.

Some older people commented they are no longer respected and valued by their families and communities.

What older people in Dadaab camp need

More, better quality food: Older people need improved food rations. Corn Soya Bean fortified with oil and sugar would provide better nutrition for older people. We will ask the major agencies to start a supplementary feeding programme specifically for older people.

Less isolation: Linking lonely older people with foster families can also help improve their emotional and physical needs.

Shelter and bedding: Materials to erect suitable shelters, blankets and mattresses.

Access to healthcare: Older people need outreach services for the bedridden and those with poor mobility. Eye screening and treatment of preventable blindness is also crucial.

Community-owned donkey carts (or donkey ambulances) would help older people to get around the camp, particularly to get to health clinics or hospitals.

Sanitation:  Accessible toilets with ramps and raised seats can go a long way in providing older people with more dignity.