London is on alert amid fears of an attack between Christmas and New Year
LONDON is on a high terror alert following fears of a jihadi terror attack on New Year’s Eve.
A “friendly” intelligence service warned of a gun or bomb attack being carried out in a crowded area of a major European city between Christmas and New Year.
The news comes as Russian authorities told citizens the “safest” way of seeing in the New Year was to stay at home.
'Friendly' intelligence has warned of a gun or bomb attack in a major European city
But Labour MP Keith Vaz has urged Britons not to let the terrorists win this New Year saying: “We should never allow the threat of terrorism to frighten us into changing our normal lives.
“We need to continue with our celebrations.
“Given the current climate, of course we should be extra vigilant and continue to be well protected but if we give into fear then they would have won.”
Naibu Waziri
wa Afya, Maendeleo ya Jamii, Jinsia, Watoto na Wazee, Dkt. Hamisi
Kigwangalla akifurahi jambo na Mganga Mfawidhi wa Hospitali ya Sokoine
ya Mkoa wa Lindi, Dkt. Evaristo Kasanga (kulia) wakati wa ziara ya
kushtukiza aliyofanya mwishoni mwa juma mkoa wa Lindi.(Picha zote na
Zainul Mzige wa Modewjiblog)
Na Mwandishi wetu, Mtwara
NAIBU
Waziri katika Wizari wa Afya, Maendeleo ya Jamii, Jinsia, Wazee na
Watoto, Dk Hamisi Kigwangalla ameagiza kubadilishwa kwa mifumo ya
utawala, malipo na uendeshaji katika katika hospitali nchini ili kuleta
ufanisi na tija.
Akizungumza
katika ziara yake ya kujifunza kuona katika hali ya kawaida huwa
zinatolewaje katika hospitali za wilaya na mikoa alisema kukosekana kwa
mifumo bora ya malipo na motisha kumedumaza utumishi.
Ziara
yake hiyo ambayo aliifanya katika hospitali ya mkoa wa Lindi ya Sokoine
na Ile ya Mtwara ya Ligula ililenga kuona masuala mbalimbali
yanayohusiana na utoaji huduma ili kuwa na nafasi ya kutengeneza hali
bora zaidi kimkakati.
Alisema
tatizo la upungufu wa dawa na hata raslimali watu linasababishwa na
kukosekana kwa mfumo waukusanyaji mapato ulio sahihi na wenye salama
ambao utawezesha pia kutoa motisha mbalimbali kwa watumishi ili
kuwavutia kufanyakazi katika mikoa ya pembezoni.
Aidha
alisema malipo yanayofanyika katika hospitali hizo yanatakiwa kuwa ya
kielektroniki kwa kuwa imethibitishwa kila kunapokuwapo na mfumo wa
malipo kielektroniki unaboresha mapato na hatimaye kuboresha ufanisi
katika uendeshaji wa hospitali pamoja na kuwapo kwa huduma bora za dawa.
Pia
ameagiza kuharakishwa kwa mfumo wa malipo kielektroniki kwa wateja wa
Bima ili mchango wao usaidie kwa haraka utoaji wa huduma ndani ya
hospitali.
Hata
hivyo Naibu Waziri huyo alisema aliridhishwa na utendaji katika
hospitali ya Sokoine na Ligula na kusema ufanisi wao unatokana na kuwapo
kwa mipango inayowezesha kazi kufanywa.
Alisema
hospitali ya Sokoine imeanzisha utaratibu wa mawasiliano ambao
unawezesha daktari mahali popote pale kuitwa huku kila mmoja akijua
kwamba daktari ameitwa eneo Fulani.
Alitaka
hospitali nyingine nchini hasa za rufaa kuangalia mfumo wa mawasiliano
ya ndani wa Hospitali ya Sokoine ili kuleta ufanisi katika utoaji wa
huduma kwa wananchi.
Pia
alipongeza utendaji wa hospitali ya Ligula na kusema kwamba kutokana na
ufanisi wao na huduma nzuri ndio maana hata wananchi wa nchi jirani
wanafika katika hospitali hiyo kupata huduma.
Alisema kama kusingelikuwa na huduma bora wananchi hao wasingelivuka kuja kutafuta huduma Ligula.
Hata
hivyo Naibu Waziri huyo alitaka kuwapo na utaratibu wa kudhibiti hali
hiyo na kusema kwamba ni matumaini yake kuwa wataalamu wataketi pamoja
na kutafuta namna ya kufanya katika mazingira hayo ya pia kuhudumia raia
wa nchi jirani.
Naye
Mganga Mkuu wa Hospitali ya Ligula ya mkoa wa Mtwara, Dkt. Shaibu
Maarifa, alisema kwamba pamoja na huduma wanazotoa wanakabiliwa na
changamoto kadha hasa wodi ya wanawake na wajawazito.
Alisema
kutokana na ongezeko la watu katika mji wa Mtwara kutokana na kuwapo
kwa fursa kubwa za uchumi wa gesi na kiwanda cha saruji cha Dangote,
wafanyakazi wamekuwa wakifika na familia zao na hivyo kwa sasa wodi hiyo
haitoshi.
Hata hivyo alisema hali ingekuwa mbaya zaidi kama kituo cha afya cha Lipombe kisingesaidiana na hospitali hiyo.
Alisema
wodi ya watoto kwa sasa inafanyiwa ukarabati na benki ya Eco na wana
mkakati mwingine wa kuomba msaada wa kuondoa ufinyu wa wodi ya wanawake.
Alisema
anashukuru Katibu Tawala wa mkoa wa Mtwara, Alfred Luwanda na Mkuu wa
mkoa wameshafika katika hospitali hiyo na wameahidi kufanya kila
linalowezekana kuhakikisha kwamba matatizo yake yanatatuliwa na kukidhi
hospitali ya rufaa.
Kuhusu
upatikanaji wa dawa alisema kwamba hospitali hiyo wa sasa ina akiba ya
kutosha baada ya serikali kuipelekea sh milioni 80 na tayari
wameshazilipa kwa Bohari ya Dawa (MSD).
Aidha
alisema dawa za bima afya zipo na kwamba hawatarajii tatizo kwa kuwa
wamekubaliana na mamlaka husika kukitokea upungufu watatumia hata fedha
za bima kwa ajili ya kupunguza upungufu wa dawa.
Hata hivyo alisema kwamba wanakabiliwa na uhaba wa madaktari bingwa kwani kwa sasa wana dakatri bingwa wa mifupa na wanawake.
Naibu Waziri
wa Afya, Maendeleo ya Jamii, Jinsia, Watoto na Wazee, Dkt. Hamisi
Kigwangalla akipewa maelezo na Kaimu Muuguzi Mkuu wa Hospitali ya
Sokoine ya Mkoa wa Lindi, Damasiana Msalla alipotembelea wodi
ya wazazi na kuridhishwa na huduma za hospitalini hiyo wakati wa ziara
ya kushtukiza aliyoifanya mwishoni mwa juma mkoani Lindi.
Mganga
Mfawidhi wa Hospitali ya Sokoine ya Mkoa wa Lindi, Dkt. Evaristo
Kasanga akizungumza jambo na Eleuteri Mangi, Afisa kutoka Idara ya
Habari -MAELEZO jijini Dar es Salaam.
Hospitali ya Sokoine ya Mkoa wa Lindi imetwaa kombe la mshindi wa pili kwa utoaji wa huduma bora Tanzania kwa mwaka 2015.
Jedwali linaloonesha baadhi ya gharama za matibabu katika huduma zinazotolewa hospitali ya Sokoine ya Mkoa wa Lindi.
Ujumbe wa watoa huduma kwa wateja wanaofika kupata huduma hospitali ya Sokoine ya Mkoa wa Lindi.
Naibu Waziri
wa Afya, Maendeleo ya Jamii, Jinsia, Watoto na Wazee, Dkt. Hamisi
Kigwangalla (katikati) akiongozana na Mganga Mkuu wa Hospitali ya Ligula
ya mkoa wa Mtwara, Dkt. Shaibu Maarifa (kushoto) pamoja na Daktari wa
zamu kitengo cha dharura hospitalini hapo, Dkt. Ester Tumwanga kuelekea
wodi za wagonjwa wakati wa ziara ya kushtukiza aliyofanya mwishoni mwa
juma mkoani humo.
Naibu Waziri
wa Afya, Maendeleo ya Jamii, Jinsia, Watoto na Wazee, Dkt. Hamisi
Kigwangalla akiwa kwenye chumba cha dharura katika Hospitali ya Ligula
ya mkoa wa Mtwara. Kushoto ni Daktari wa zamu kitengo cha dharura
hospitalini hapo, Dkt. Ester Tumwanga.
Naibu Waziri
wa Afya, Maendeleo ya Jamii, Jinsia, Watoto na Wazee, Dkt. Hamisi
Kigwangalla akitoka kwenye wodi ya wazazi Hospitali ya Ligula ya mkoa wa
Mtwara wakati wa ziara ya kushtukiza aliyofanya mwishoni mwa juma
mkoani humo. Aliefuatana nae ni Mganga Mkuu wa Hospitali ya Ligula ya
mkoa wa Mtwara, Dkt. Shaibu Maarifa.
Mganga Mfawidhi Zahanati ya Kimara, Dk. Alphoncina Mbinda (kushoto) akitoa neno la shukrani kwa Benki ya NMB Plc mara baada ya kukabidhiwa mashine mbalimbali pamoja na vifaa vya kutibia wagonjwa katika Zahanati hiyo.
★Barclays Premier League
6:00 PM - Chelsea vs Sunderland
6:00 PM - Everton vs Leicester City
6:00 PM - Manchester United vs Norwich City
6:00 PM - Southampton vs Tottenham Hotspur
6:00 PM - Stoke City vs Crystal Palace
6:00 PM - West Bromwich Albion vs AFC Bournemouth
8:30 PM - Newcastle United vs Aston Villa
★Spanish Primera División
6:00 PM - Valencia vs Getafe
8:15 PM - Espanyol vs Las Palmas
10:30 PM - Real Betis vs Sevilla FC
20/12/2015
12:05 AM - Deportivo La Coruña vs Eibar
★German Bundesliga
5:30 PM - Eintracht Frankfurt vs Werder Bremen
5:30 PM - FC Cologne vs Borussia Dortmund
5:30 PM - FC Ingolstadt 04 vs Bayer Leverkusen
5:30 PM - Hamburg SV vs FC Augsburg
5:30 PM - Hannover 96 vs Bayern Munich
8:30 PM - VfB Stuttgart vs VfL Wolfsburg
★Italian Serie A
10:45 PM - Bologna vs Empoli
★French Ligue 1
7:00 PM - Caen vs Paris Saint-Germain
10:00 PM - Bastia vs Stade de Reims
10:00 PM - Guingamp vs Stade Rennes
10:00 PM - Lorient vs Nantes
10:00 PM - Toulouse vs Lille
10:00 PM - Troyes vs AS Monaco
Application Deadline: 29 Dec 2015
Key Responsibilities
•Review Sales and Debtors ledger
•Lead the Operational control and audit aspects of the CD Finance
•Maintain accurate overviews of all Customers Trade Terms and ensure
that customer finance transactions teams have appropriate accruals for
all off-invoice terms
•Support the CD team during the annual customer TTS negotiations,
providing financial support and guidance ensuring that AP commitments
are met.
•Ensure month end operations/closure is carried out smoothly and be the
lead for CD finance in ensuring the end month tasks are delivered on
time.
•Implement/Execute the CD finance lead projects i.e. Credit note automation, USD Invoicing.
•Supervise and develop WL 1 staff reporting to him/her and ensure their work is delivered on time and in full.
•Takes responsibility of own development
•Suspends, pending closure, customer accounts in the event of non-payment.
•Authorises re-opening of accounts hitherto closed for payment issues.
•Charges interests on all overdue accounts and ensures collection of
both principal amount and interest before customer account is re-opened
for trade.
•Intercepts some customer orders to protect credit extensions, e.g.
where a defaulting customer attempts to buy on cash before settling
account debt.
•Initiates legal hand-over of defaulting customers.
•Freezes upward credit limit reviews for habitually defaulting customers.
•Sets the time, in line with the month-end time-table, for system closure (SAP).
•Respond to audit issues and implement corrective measures on actions highlighted in all audit reports.
•Advise other Leadership team members on company finance issues to improve on company financial decisions.
Key Skills and Qualifications
•Minimum of 2-3 years experience in accounting job is required
•Management/Financial Accounting experience in an FMCG business.
•Experience in a multinational company will be ideal.
•Strong knowledge and practical experience in the application of Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and Word tools.
•Good knowledge/hands on of an ERP system- SAP.
•Accounting graduate & Chartered Accountant.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
To APPLY USE THE APPLY NOW BUTTON
AVOID SCAMS: NEVER pay to have your CV / Application pushed forward.
Any job vacancy requesting payment for any reason is a SCAM. If
you are requested to make a payment for any reason, please use the Report Abuse, or call +255 768 982 800 to report the scam.
Builds business by identifying and selling prospects; maintaining relationships with clients.
Sales Executive Job Duties:
Identifies business opportunities by identifying prospects and
evaluating their position in the industry; researching and analyzing
sales options.
Sells products by establishing contact and developing relationships with prospects; recommending solutions.
Maintains relationships with clients by providing support, information,
and guidance; researching and recommending new opportunities;
recommending profit and service improvements.
Identifies product improvements or new products by remaining current on industry trends, market activities, and competitors.
Prepares reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing information.
Maintains quality service by establishing and enforcing organization standards.
Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational
workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal
networks; benchmarking state-of-the-art practices; participating in
professional societies.
Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.
MAHAKAMA ya Hakimu Mkazi mkoa wa Mbeya imewahukumu kifungo cha miaka 20
jela raia wanne wa China na kulipa faini baada ya kukutwa na hatia kwa
makosa matatu ikiwemo uhujumu uchumi kwa kukutwa na pembe za faru.
Kabla ya kuanza kusoma hukumu Hakimu mfawidhi Michael Mteite alianza
kuwashukuru Mawakili wa Serikali na Utetezi pamoja na Mkalimani Manfred
Lyoto kwa ushirikiano waliompatia na kuimaliza mapema kesi hiyo kwa siku
23 tu ambapo ameweka historia yeye akiwa Hakimu Mfawidhi kwa kuimaliza
kesi kwa muda mfupi.
Hukumu hiyo imetolewa na Hakimu Mkazi mfawidhi wa Mahakama hiyo, Michael
Mteite aliyeanza majira ya saa tano asubuhi na kuahirishwa mara mbili
na kukamilika saa tisa na nusu alasiri ambapo alisema mahakama
imeridhika pasipo shaka kutokana na ushahidi uliotolewa na mashahidi wa
upande wa mashtaka katika makosa yaliyokuwa yakiwakabili watuhumiwa hao.
Mteite alisema Mahakama ilijikita katika kiini cha makosa yote matatu
ambayo ni kupanga kutenda kosa kinyume cha sheria la uhujumu uchumi,
kufanya shughuli za nyara za serikali kinyume cha sheria ya utunzaji ya
wanyama pori inayosomwa pamoja na sheria ya uhujumu uchumi ambapo
watuhumiwa waliingiza pembe 11 za Faru bila kibali.
Alisema kosa la tatu ni kupatikana na nyara za serikali kinyume cha
sheria chini ya sheria ya uhifadhi ya wanyamapori inayosomwa pamoja na
sheria ya uhujumu uchumi ambapo maeklezo ya washtakiwa walikamatwa
wakiwa wanamiliki nyara za serikali bila kibali cha Mkurugenzi wa
wanyama pori.
Hakimu Mkazi aliendelea kusema ingawa Washtakiwa weote kwa pamoja
walikana mashtaka lakini ushahidi upande wa Jamhuri uliuokuwa na
mashahidi tisa wate walieleza namna watuhumiwa walivyohusika na kosa
hilo.
Alisema uchambuzi wa awali uliofanywa na Mahakama washtakiwa walikubali
kwamba wamesimama mahakamani wakikabiliwa kwa makosa matatu, washtakiwa
wa pili, tatu na nne walikubali kukamatwa Kyela mjini na kurudishwa
mpakani.
Pembe za faru walizokamatwa nazo watuhumiwa hao wanne rai wa China katika mpaka wa Kasumulu Kyela
Kwa upande wake mwendesha mashtaka wa Seriakali Wankyo Simon akisaidiwa
na Archiles Mulisa walisema Washtakiwa hawana kumbukumbu ya makosa ya
nyuma ingawa makaso yao yanaonekana yalikuwa yakitendwa kwa kasi kubwa
na wanyama pori wamekuwa wakiathiriwa kiasi kwamba vizazi vijavyo
vitakosa kuona hazina ya wanyama kwa kuwa watakuwav wametoweka.
Alisema washtakiwa ni raia wa kigeni lakini walikuja nchini kwa lengo la
kufanya utalii katika Mlima Kilimanjaro lakini kumbe nyuma ya pazia
kuna jambo walikuwa wamelipanga hivy Mahakama inapaswa kutoa adhabu kali
ili iwe onyo kwa wengine wenye nia ya kufanya uovu kama huo.
Alisema Mahakama inapotoa adhabu izingatie kifungu cha 86,1,2 C (ii) cha
sheria ya Uhifadhi ya wanyama pori na kwenye kosa la tatu izingatie
kifungu cha 5 cha mwaka 2009 na kosa la kwanza kla uhujumu uchumi
izingatie sura ya 200 kwani wamevunja mkataba wa kimataifa wa kutunza
wanyama walioko hatarini kutoweka.
Alisema Mahakama pia izingatie kifungu cha 85 1(b) na (h) ya sheria ya
uhifadhi wanyama pori kwamba nyara zilizokamatwa zinakuwa mali ya
serikali ya Jamhuri ya muungano wa Tanzania sambamba na vifungu vya 111,
1(a), (e) kwamba chombo kilichotumika kinataifishwa na kuwa mali ya
Serikali sawa na kifungu cha 111(4).
Pia Wankyo Simon ameiomba Serikali kupitia Mahakama kuwapa tuzo
watumishi wa umma waliowezesha kupatikana kwa nyara hizo na kuokoa
raslimali za Taifa wakiwemo Maafisa Forodha na Askari wa Jeshi la
Polisi.
Aidha Mteite ameiambia Mahakama kuwa Gari namba T 103 DER mali ya
Mtuhumiwa wa kwanza Song Lei likabidhiwa Serikalini na simu za
watuhumiwa zitauzwa na Mahakama hiyo na nyaraka nyingine zitakabidhiwa
kwa upande wa Mashitaka.
Awali Wakili wa utetezi Ladislaus Rwekaza aliiomba mahakama kuwapunguzia
adhabu washtakiwa kwa kuwa ni mara yao ya kwanza kutenda kosa, pia ni
raia wa kigeni pia ni vijana wadogo ambao ni nguvu kazi inayotegemewa na
taifa lolote.
Hakimu Mteite alisema katika hukumu yake amezingatia maombi ya pande
zote zote mbili na kwamba hakuna ubishi kuwa wanyama wanauawa na
kuisababishia serikali inaingia gharama kubwa kuhifadhi wanyama pori ili
kunusurui wanyama kutoweka.
Alisema katika kosa la kwanza la uhujumu uchumi washtakiwa wanahukumiwa
kifungo jela miaka 15 kila mmoja, kosa la pili kwa mujibu wa kifungo
cha 83,84(1) washtakiwa wataenda jela kila mmoja miaka 3 na faini ambayo
ni gharama ya mara mbili ya mali waliokutwa nao hivyo watapaswa kulipa
Dola za kimarekani 836000.
Alisema katika kosa la tatu kifungu cha 86, 2(c) inawataka washtakiwa
kutumikia kifungo cha kuanzia miaka 20 hadi 30 lakini Mahakama
inawahukumu miaka 20 jela na kulipa faini ya fedha ambayo ni mara kumi
ya mali waliokutwa nayo ambapo watalipa dola za kimarekani 4180000.
Alihitimisha kwa kusema Washtakiwa kila mmoja atatumia adhabu zote kwa
pomoja ambayo ni miaka 20 sambamba na faini zilizoorodheshwa.
Alisema watuhumiwa wanahaki ya kukata rufaa kama wataona wameonewa katika hukumu iliyotolewa na mahakama hiyo.
Washtakiwa waliohukumiwa kifungo cha miaka ishirini ni pamoja na Song
Lei, Xiao Shaodan, Chen Jinlian na Hu Liang ambao walikamatwa Novemba 6,
mwaka huu mpakani Kasumulu Wilaya ya Kyela mkoani hapa wakitokea nchi
jirani ya Malawi.
JOSE MOURINHO has been sacked as Chelsea manager - and will be replaced by Guus Hiddink.
The
Special One was axed by Roman Abramovich with the club slumped one
point out of the relegation zone — just seven months after being
crowned Premier League champions.
Mourinho lost the support of
the dressing room after accusing them of betraying him following the
2-1 defeat at Leicester, Chelsea’s NINTH loss in the league this
season.
The
Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) is currently
inviting highly qualified graduate and undergraduate students to apply
for its 2015/16 ICT scholarships. The scholarship offers Tanzania
students the opportunity to obtain degrees in the Information and
Communication Technologies (ICT) and related areas. The Scholarship will
be awarded on the basis of academic merit and interview to be conducted
by the Scholarship Panel.
The
Scholarship covers all university direct cost (tuition fees etc) and
all student direct cost (meal, accommodation, book and stationary
allowance, field practical training, special faculty requirement etc)
for duration of the course, provided that they obtain good academic
performance.
The scholarship amount has been set based on average cost
of fees and other costs for the students in public universities. Student
may enquire scholarship amount for specific items from the Authority.
For more information click here Click here to obtain the scholarship application form
Leo (9/12/2015) siku ya kukumbuka Uhuru wa nchi yetu toka kwa mkoloni wa kingereza, niliamka mapema nikikimbizana ra ratiba na nikiwaza mambo kadhaa. Nilisikitika sana baadaye kugundua kwamba nimewapeleka watoto wangu shule bila kuwaambia kwamba leo ni siku ya uhuru wa nchi yetu.
Nimewafundisha watoto wangu mambo mengi kuhusu nchi yetu na nimezoea kuwaeleza kwa undani kuhusu historia yake, viongozi wake, rasilimali zake, vivutio vyake, na uzuri wake. Nimewafundisha kuiombea Tanzania na viongozi wake kila siku kwa sababu mafanikio ya Tanzania ni mafanikio yao ya leo na siku za mbeleni; na kwamba kwa amani na furaha ya Tanzania nao watakua na amani na furaha. Jioni tulipoketi nao kwa ajili ya chakula nililaazimika kuwaeleza nilichosahau asabuhi. Baada ya kunisikiliza, binti yangu wa miaka 7 aliniuliza ninamaanisha nini kusema “siku ya Uhuru”. Nilichukua muda kidogo kutafuta lugha nyepesi kuwaelezea dhana ya ukoloni na jinsi wazee wetu walivyopambana kutafuta kuwa huru wakiongozwa na akina Mwalimu Nyerere na wenzake.
Nilipofafanua walionesha kunielewa lakini mdogo wake wa kiume akahoji iwapi leo kulikua na gwaride la kijeshi na nikashangaa imekuwaje kwa umri wake wa miaka 6 anafahamu kwamba siku ya uhuru ni ya gwaride. Nikamwelezea kwamba mwaka huu kwa maagizo ya Rais Magufuli, tumeadhimisha siku hii kwa kufanya usafi. Kwa lugha ya kuonesha kutoridhishwa na maelezo yangu, akanijibu kwamba kama imefanyika hivyo sio “fair” maana gwaride ni zuri. Nilipofafanua sababu za usafi, akaniuliza kwa nini mwaka jana tarehe kama ya leo sikuwaambia kuhusu sherehe za siku ya Uhuru wa nchi yetu. Kabla sijamjibu vizuri, dada yake akarukia tena kukazia kwamba sio mwaka jana tu bali hata mwaka juzi sikufanya hivyo. Mke wangu alipoona nimelemewa akanisaidia kuwajibu kwamba walikua wadogo zaidi na wasingeelewa vema.
Maswali ya watoto wangu yamekua yakizunguka kichwani mwangu na nimejiuliza ni watoto wangapi wakitanzania wa shule za msingi na sekondari wanaelewa maana ya siku ya Uhuru. Watoto na vijana wetu wanaelewa Uhuru huu ni wa aina gani au ni wa kitu gani? Je, wanaelewa nani walituletea uhuru na kwa nini walifanya hivyo? Je, watoto na vijana wetu wanajua nini kilifanyika hadi tukapata uhuru? Je, wanajua majina mangapi ya babu na bibi zao waliotutafutia uhuru? Zaidi ya yote, Uhuru una maana gani kwao leo hii?
Nimejiuliza maswali haya baada ya kujitathimini mimi mwenyewe kuhusu mantiki ya siku ya Uhuru kwa zaidi ya miaka 28 tangu nilipoanza kupata uwezo wa kuelewa mambo ya kitaifa, kama sherehe za siku ya Uhuru. Ndani ya miaka yote hiyo, sikumbuki kujisikia kwamba mimi ni sehemu ya sherehe hizo. Huenda ni kosa langu kujiona hivyo lakini huenda inatokana na ukweli kwamba dhana ya sherehe za Uhuru haikuingizwa kwenye fahamu na hisia zangu kwa namna ya kunifanya nijione ni sehemu ya historia hiyo. Maadhimisho ya siku hii hayajawahi kuwa rafiki sana kwangu. Kwangu siku ya uhuru imekua ni siku ya Rais kwenda “kujisikia vizuri” kama mkuu wa nchi pale uwanja wa taifa kwa kukagua gwaride la majeshi yetu ya ulinzi na usalama na kupigiwa mizinga 21; ni siku ya Rais kusindikizwa na msafara mkubwa wa “magari ya kifahari” na pikipiki za kijeshi; ni siku ya kuona halaiki ya watoto wakionesha uwezo wao “mbele ya Rais na wageni wake wa kimataifa”; ni siku ya kuona watu wengi waliovalia sare wakipamba muonekano wa uwanja wa taifa na “kumpungia Rais kwa tabasamu”; ni siku ya kutazama ngoma na Sanaa huku wasanii “wakijitahidi kufanya Rais afurahi”; ni siku ya kuonesha silaha za kivita na kushuhudia viongozi wote wastaafu wakikutanika mahali pamoja. Nimezoea kuiona siku hii ikiisha kwa kusikia Rais amefanya hafla ya kitaifa pale Ikulu ya Magogoni kukiwa kumealikwa “waateule wenye connection” kufurahia dhima hii pamoja na mabalozi.
Kwa kifupi, “sijawahi kujisikia mimi ni sehemu ya sherehe za Uhuru wa Tanzania” na iwapo zina maana kwangu. Sina hakika kama hali hii ni yangu mwenyewe au kuna watanzania wengine wameipitia lakini huo ndio ukweli wangu. Mara nyingi siku hii imenikuta nikiwa kazini na nisikumbuke kuna nini kinachoendelea. Mara kadhaa imenikuta mbele ya runinga kwa kuwa napenda sana mambo ya usalama na ulinzi hivyo hutumia siku hiyo “kutazama mbwembwe za wanajeshi na watu wa protokali” za viongozi. Pia, nakumbuka siku hii imenikuta mara nyingi nikiwa kwenye uchungu, maumivu, manung’uniko, na huzuni ya kutoelewa nini kinaendelea katika nchi yangu ninayoipenda sana.
Nimekua nikipitia hali hii pamoja na ukweli kwamba nimesoma shule za msingi kule kijijini ambapo tulikaa chini kwenye vumbi tukijifunza mwandiko na vibao vya chaki. Kule tulipokua hatuna madarasa wala madawati na kutulazimu kujifunzia nje na kukalia matofali iwapo yalipatikana. Enzi zile ambapo hatukua na shule ziitwazo “English Medium” na tulifundishwa Sayansi kimu, na somo la Siasa. Pamoja na hali hii, tulifanya kazi za mikono za shamba kwa muda mrefu kuliko muda wa darasani; tulikimbia mchakamchaka kila siku asubuhi wengi tukiwa hatuna viatu; tulitembea gwaride kila siku asubuhi tukiimba nyimbo za uhuru na uzalendo huku nikiwa mpiga ngoma au filimbi; tuliimba nyinyo za kumsifu Mwalimu Nyerere na kuhamasishwa ahadi za mwana TANU na kazi za ujamaa na kujitegemea.
Kama mimi niliyeyapitia haya nimekua nikijisikia mauzauza kuhusu siku ya Uhuru wetu, je watoto na vijana wa ulimwengu huu wa “fesibuku”, “wasapu”, “twita”, “intaneti” na “instagramu”, wanaelewa nini kuhusu Uhuru? Kwao una maana gani? Uhuru wa Tanzania ni nini kwao na ni Uhuru upi? Ni wangapi wa vijana na watoto wetu wanajua dhana na mantiki ya uhuru wetu kwa upana, kina, kimo na marefu yanayotakiwa? Wanajua nini kuhusu fikra zilizowasukuma wazee wetu kuijenga nchi yetu kwa gharama na uchungu mkubwa?
Rais wetu Dr. John Pombe Magufuli ameamua kilianzisha mwaka huu. Kitendo chake cha kuhamasisha shughuli za usafi nchi nzima siku ya uhuru kilimepelekea kila Mtanzania kuikumbuka na kuitafakari siku ya Uhuru wetu. Ametugusa na kutukumbusha msingi wa utaifa wetu uliojengwa katika misingi ya Uhuru wa mwaka 1961 na watu wote wamesikia. Kwenye mitaa yetu, nyumba zetu, vyombo vyetu vya habari, na kwenye mitandao ya kijamii, mjadala ulikua mmoja tu nao ni SHEREHE ZA KIPEKEE ZA UHURU WA TANZANIA. Kwa mara ya kwanza mwaka huu nimeshuhudia vyombo vikubwa vya mataifa ya Ulaya na kwingineko Afrika wakitumia muda wao kutangaza habari za SIKU YA UHURU WA TANZANIA. Uhuru umeongelewa na watanzania wa mijini na wa vijijini; wanene wa Masaki na wembamba wa Tandale; wasomi wa UDSM na wafanyabishara wa Tunduma; wafupi wabishi wa kule kwetu Lushoto na warefu wajivuni wa kule Bukoba kwa kina Tibairwagamanyuka; wakali wagomvi wa kule Mara na wapenda raha na vijembe wa kule Bagamoyo; wake kwa waume; watoto kwa wazee. Kila Mtanzania kakumbushwa dhana ya uhuru.
Mwl Mndeme
Kwa mara ya kwanza, nimejisikia sehemu ya sherehe za Uhuru wan chi yangu. Kwa mara ya kwanza nimejisikia fahari kuongelea habari za uhuru wan chi yangu mbele ya watu wa mataifa mengine. Kwa mara ya kwanza nimejivuna mbele ya watu wa mataifa mengine juu ya maamuzi na maelekezo ya rais wan chi yangu. Kwa mara ya kwanza nimeiona tarehe tisa kama siku ya umuhim mkubwa kwangu na familia yangu. Kwa mara ya kwanza nimepata sababu ya kuutafakari uhuru na utaifa wetu kwa undani na kwa mapana zaidi. Kwa mara ya kwanza nimeweka pembeni mapenzi yangu ya kutazama mbwembwe za kiusalama na ulinzi na kufurahia kuona Rais wangu akizoa taka pamoja na walinzi wake. Nimepata sababu nyingine kubwa ya kufikiri ni nini mchango wangu kwa taifa langu na ni kwa kiasi gani bado sijawajibika. Rais Dr. Magufuli katufungulia ukurasa mpya kwa hekima kubwa, busara, na uzalendo usiojengwa katika mbwembwe na vijembe vya kisiasa.
KWA KITENDO HIKI, DR MAGUFULI KALIANZISHA NA SISI HATUNA BUDI KULITIBUA. Ni wakati mwafaka kwa kila mtanzania kuona sababu ya kukumbuka matendo makuu ya nchi yetu likiwemo la uhuru na utaifa wetu. Ni wakati wa sisi kuwafundisha watoto na vijana wetu kuelewa kwa nini uhuru wetu ulikua ni tendo kubwa na la kihistoria. Kuwakumbusha na kuwafundisha nini wazee wetu walipitia na maisha yao yalikuwaje ikilinganishwa na sasa. Kuwasimulia habari za mashujaa na wajenzi wa kwanza wa uhuru wetu kama akina Mwalimu Nyerere, Bibi Titi Mohamed, Sir George Kahama, Mzee Kingunge Ngombari Mwiru, Oscar Kambona, Chifu Abdallah Fundikira, Abeid Amani Karume, Profesa Abdurhaman Babu, Tito Okelo, Mzee Kawawa, Bi Shariffa binti Mzee, Ali Migeyo, Sheikh Hassan bin Amir, Oseph Kasella Bantu, Ali bin Abbas, Maalim Mohamed Matar, Abdulwahid Sykes, Abdallah Shomari, Nasoro Kalumbanya, Jumbe Tambaza, Patrick Kunambi na wengine wengi mbao walifanya kazi kubwa ingawa majina yao hayakua maarufu.
Kuanzia majumbani mwetu, vijiweni na mashuleni, vijana na watoto wetu wajue utaifa wetu umetoka wapi. Wajue kwa nini sisi ni watanzania. Wajue kwa nini wanalazimika kuijenga nchi yao. Wajue dhana ya UHURU NI KAZI na inavyoongezewa uzito na ile ya HAPA NI KAZI TU. Wajue kwa nini wanalazimika kuipenda nchi yao na kwa nini wawe tayari kutumika kwa ajili ya taifa lao. Tuwakumbushe misingi ya Ahadi za mwanaTANU zilizojenga uzalendo wetu. Waelewe tuliwezaje kumpiga Nduli Iddi Amini katika hali ya umaskini na uchanga wa taifa letu. Wajue kwa nini wazee wetu walinzisha Azimio la Arusha na kwa nini haliko leo na ina maana gani katika utaifa wetu.Wajue nini kitaufanya uhuru wetu kuwa na maana na uzito na ni kwa jinsi gani wao wanakua sehemu ya tunu hii kubwa hata kama hawakuhusika wala kuwepo wakati tunaipata.
Magufuli kalianzisha na sisi lazima tulitibue ili kurudisha dhana ya utaifa na uzalendo kwa nchi yetu na wananchi wake. Kurudisha uwajibikaji, kupenda kazi, kujituma, na kujitolea kwa manufaa ya wengi. Kurudisha roho ya ufahari na kujivunia utanzania wetu na kila kinachotutambulisha nje na ndani ya mipaka yetu. Tuwasaide watoto wetu kuelewa uzito na msingi wa maadhimisho ya uhuru wetu ili wasiwe na mawazo kama ya mtoto wangu aliyepata ujasiri wa kunaimbia haikua “fair” kuadhimisha siku ya Uhuru wa nchi yetu bila gwaride la kijeshi. MAGUFULI KALIANZISHA NA SISI TULITIBUE.
Mwenyekiti wa kwanza wa Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA)
ambaye pia mwasisi wa chama hicho, Edwin Mtei, amesema kuwa uamuzi wa
Rais Magufuli wa kufuta sherehe za uhuru utakuwa umeleta tija kubwa kwa
taifa ambapo miaka mingi taifa limekuwa likichezea mabilioni ya shilingi
bila faida kwa taifa.
Mtei alimesema kuwa sherehe hizo
zilizokuwa zikifanyika kwa shamrashara ambazo zilikuwa zinagharimu fedha
za walipa kodi kwa anasa za kula, kunywa na kulewa huku watanzania
wakikosa huduma muhimu.
Aliyekuwa mwenyekiti wa Chama cha
Wananchi (CUF), Profesa Ibrahim Lipumba ameshauri kuwa sherehe hizo
zifanyeke mara moja kila baada ya miaka mitano ambapo zisihusishe
matumizi mabaya ya fedha za wananchi kama zilivyokuwa za awamu iliyopita
kwa kufanya shughuli mbalimbali za kijamii.
Naye spika wa kwanza
wa Bunge la Tanzania Pius Msekwa amesema kuwa kitendo hicho kinapaswa
kuungwa mkono kwa kila ambaye anayeitakia mema Tanzania. Sherehe hizo
zimewaunganisha waatanzania wote kwa kufanya jambo moja ambapo sherehe
hizo zilikuwa zikifanyika Dar es Salaam pekee kwa gharama kubwa lakini
sasa zimekuwa za nchi nzima na zenye maslahi na taifa.
Usiku wa kuamkia sikukuu ya uhuru utashuhudiwa na nguli wa muziki wa kikongo, Koffie Olomide kutoka DRC akiwasha moto katika ukumbi wa Escape one ambapo atashuka na kibao chake kinachoshika chati kwa nguvu kwa sasa, " SELFIE",
Usiku huo ambao umebatizwa kama wa Selfie 16 katika kupambisha shamrashamra za sherehe hizo zitakazofikia kilele siku ya kesho kwa watanzania kushiriki katika zoezi la kuweka mazingira safi kwa kufanya usafi tofauti na ilivyozoeleka hapo nyuma kwa kushuhudia gwaride la uhuru.
Koffi Olomide
kutoka Congo DRC ameshatua jijini Dar es Salaama kwa ajili ya burudani hiyo huku akiwa amembatana na wachezaji wake (Dancers) kama wanavyoonekana pichani.
Mkuu wa Operesheni wa Jeshi la Polisi Mkoani
Arusha (ACP) Edward Balele akifungua kikao kati ya Jeshi hilo na Taasisi
za ulinzi kujadili mustakabali wa usalama ndani ya mkoa huu. Kikao
hicho kilifanyika katika ukumbi wa Bwalo la Polisi Jijini hapa (Picha na
Rashid Nchimbi wa Jeshi la Polisi Arusha)
Na Rashid Nchimbi wa Jeshi la Polisi Arusha
Jeshi la Polisi mkoani hapa limeazimia kushirikiana na makapuni
binafsi ya ulinzi na taasisi za ulinzi kutoka UN-ICTR, UNMICT, kitengo
cha ulinzi cha B.O.T pamoja na Mahakama ya Afrika ya Haki za Binadamu
katika kupeana baadhi ya taarifa za uhalifu na wahalifu mara kwa mara
kwa njia mtandao wa kijamii wa “WhatsApp”.
Hayo
yalisemwa na Mkuu wa Operesheni wa Jeshi hilo mkoani hapa (ACP) Edward
Balele wakati akifungua kikao kilichofanyika katika Bwalo la Polisi
mjini hapa alipokuwa anazungumza kwa niaba ya Kamanda wa Polisi Mkoani
hapa mwishoni mwa wiki kati ya Jeshi hilo na wawakilishi wa Makampuni 31
ya Ulinzi, Benki Kuu Kanda ya Kaskazini, Mahakama ya Afrika ya Haki za
Kibinadamu,UN-ICTR na UNMICT.
Mkuu huyo wa Operesheni alisema
kwamba imefika wakati sasa kwa taasisi hizo kuzidi kuimarisha mahusiano
kwa ukaribu huku njia za kisasa za mawasiliano zikitumika katika kupeana
taarifa za uhalifu na pia kubadililishana uzoefu katika masuala ya
ulinzi na usalama.
Alisema awali taarifa juu ya matukio
mbalimbali sio kwamba zilikuwa hazipatikani bali zilikuwa zinawafikia
walengwa kwa mtindo wa ujumbe mfupi yaani SMS lakini kwa kutumia mfumo
wa kikundi cha “WhatsApp” ambacho kitapewa jina maalum, taasisi hizo
zitakuwa zinapata na kutoa taarifa kwa pamoja na kila mhusika atakuwa
anachangia mawazo yake huku wanachama wengine wa kikundi hicho wakiwa
wanaona ushauri wa kila mchangiaji.
Aidha mbali na uundaji wa
kundi hilo litakalotumia mtandao huo wa kijamii mbao umeshika kasi
katika mawasiliano pia aliyaomba Makampuni hayo kutoa ushirikiano zaidi
hasa kwa kutoa rasilimali vifaa pamoja na askari katika kuelekea mwisho
wa mwaka kwa nia ya kufanya doria ya pamoja hivyo kudhibiti vitendo vya
uhalifu ndani ya Mkoa wa Arusha.
Kwa upande wake Mkuu wa
Upelelezi wa Makosa ya Jinai Mkoa wa Arusha (SSP) Muliro Jumanne Muliro
alisema kwamba Jeshi la Polisi na Makampuni hayo kila chombo kikiwa
kinawajibika ipasavyo katika nafasi yake mafanikio ya kudhibiti vitendo
vya uhalifu yatakuwa makubwa.
Alisema anathamini mchango mkubwa
unaotolewa na Makapuni hayo ya Ulinzi kwani matukio mengi ya uvunjaji wa
Maghala ya viwanda, Ofisi mbalimbali na Makampuni yamepungua
ukilinganisha na miaka ya nyuma kabla Makapuni hayo ya Ulinzi kukubaliwa
kisheria.
Mkuu huyo wa Upelelezi alisema kwamba wakati wa uajiri
wa askari hao wanatakiwa waangalie mambo mablimbali ikiwemo akili ya
kuweza kugundua kitu kinachoashiria uhalifu, kuwa mwaminifu, kuwa
mtulivu na kuwa mvumilivu na kusema kwamba huwa anafadhaishwa sana pale
anapopata shauri linalomhusisha askari yoyote katika uhalifu hali ambayo
inatia doa na aibu kwa taasisi zote za Ulinzi.
Naye Mkuu wa
Kitengo cha Polisi Jamii Mkoa wa Arusha Mrakibu Mwandamizi wa Jeshi la
Polisi (SSP) Mary Lugola ambaye alizungumzia juu ya huduma bora kwa
Mteja ambapo aliwataka Wawakilishi wa Makampuni hayo kuwaelekeza askari
wao kuwa, wawe na lugha nzuri kwa wateja wao jambo ambalo pengine
litakuwa linazidi kuwavutia wengine na hatimaye kupata malindo mengi
ambayo yatawaongezea kipato, mbali na hilo pia aliwataka kutotumia nguvu
kupita kiasi katika ukamataji ili kupunguza madhara makubwa yanayoweza
kutokea.
Kwa upande wake Mkuu wa kikosi cha kutuliza ghasia
(FFU) Mkoa wa Arusha (SSP) Ramadhani Giro yeye aliyataka makampuni hayo
kufanya mazoezi ya mara kwa mara na alisema baadhi ya Makampuni ya
Ulinzi huwa yanapata mafunzo mbalimbali kama vile matumizi sahihi ya
silaha, ukakamavu na mbinu mbalimbali za kuweza kubaini uhalifu na
wahalifu toka kwa askari waliopo katika kikosi hicho na kutoa wito kwa
askari wa makapuni mengine kujitokeza ili waweze kupata mafunzo hayo na
kupunguza madhara yanayoweza kutokea huko mbeleni.
Wakichangia
katika kikao hicho baadhi ya wawakilishi wa Makampuni ya Ulinzi,
Mwakilishi toka Kampuni ya KK Security ambaye pia ni Meneja Mkuu wa
mikoa ya Kanda ya Kaskazini Bw. Claude Herssens alilisifu Jeshi la
Polisi mkoani hapa kwa kuitikia wito kwa haraka pindi wanapoomba msaada
na kuongeza kwamba mtandao huo utawasaidia sana na hivyo kuwafanya wajue
tukio ambalo wanatakiwa kwenda kutoa msaada nje ya mipaka yao ya kazi
na tukio ambalo litakuwa linawahusu Polisi pekee.
Naye Katibu wa
Chama Cha waajiriwa wa Makampuni Binafsi Kanda ya Kaskazini (TUPSE)
Aisha Masoud alizidi kusisitiza kwamba bado baadhi ya Kampuni hizo
zinachangamoto hasa katika suala zima la mishahara ya wafanyakazi wao
japokuwa serikali toka mwaka 2013 mwezi Agosti ilishatangaza mishahara
mipya lakini baadhi yao hawajatekeleza hilo na kuwataka wafanye hivyo
pamoja na kuwaingiza katika mifuko ya Jamii.
Mara kwa mara Jeshi
la Polisi Mkoani hapa limekuwa likifanya vikao na Makapuni ya Ulinzi
lengo likiwa ni kukumbushana majukumu ya utendaji wa kazi za kila siku
hali ambayo inasababisha kuimarika kwa hali ya usalama.
Meneja
Mkuu wa Kampuni ya Ulinzi ya KK kanda ya Kaskazini Claude Herssens
akichangia mada katika kikao kilichoandaliwa na Jeshi la Polisi Mkoani
hapa na kuziusisha taasisi mbalimbali za ulinzi (Picha na Rashid Nchimbi
wa Jeshi la Polisi Arusha)
Baadhi
ya washiriki wa Taasisi za Ulinzi wakiwa wanasikiliza moja ya mada kwa
umakini ili baadae waweze kutekeleza kwa vitendo. (Picha na Rashid
Nchimbi wa Jeshi la Polisi Arusha
Katibu
wa TUPSE kanda ya Kaskazini Aisha Masoud akielezea umuhimu wa mikataba
baina ya waajiri na waajiriwa wa Makampuni ya Ulinzi. (Picha na Rashid
Nchimbi wa Jeshi la Polisi Arusha)
Mkuu
wa Upelelezi ya Makosa Jinai Mkoa wa Arusha (SSP) Muliro Jumanne Muliro
akielezea athari za kuwa na waajiriwa ambao hawana sifa kwenye kazi za
ulinzi. (Picha na Rashid Nchimbi wa Jeshi la Polisi.
Mkuu
wa Kitengo cha Polisi Jamii Mkoa wa Arusha (SSP) Mary Lugola akitoa
elimu ya Huduma bora kwa mteja kwa Makampuni ya Ulinzi (Picha na Rashid
Nchimbi wa Jeshi la Polisi Arusha
Happy family: Ross and Jodi with two-year-old Cooper
Jodi Stones was just weeks away from giving birth to her first child when her world was turned upside down.
At 33 weeks pregnant
, the nursery nurse started getting bad stomach pains and collapsed at
her home in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland, while her husband Ross
was on night shift.
Jodi, now 31, managed to scramble to the phone and called her sister Sarah-Jayne who came straight to her aid, Belfast Live reported .
She was blue-lighted to the Causeway Hospital in Coleraine when everything took a turn for the worst.
Doctors discovered Jodi's uterus had ruptured and she was
bleeding internally - but in another shocking twist surgeons later
discovered the reason her uterus had ruptured was because she had TWO.
It was a race against time to save Jodi's life after safely delivering her premature son Cooper, who weighed just 3lb 7oz.
Medical staff feared the worst and told her husband and sister to be prepared they may lose Jodi that night.
But thanks to blood donors across Northern Ireland, Jodi is now fighting fit and a doting mum to her now two-year-old son.
Speaking
to Belfast Live, Jodi said: "When I got to Coleraine his heartbeat
started to dip and one of the other doctors came in and she realised
that my uterus had ruptured and I was bleeding internally so they
whisked me off to theatre.
"When they got me into theatre, the
doctors told me they do not know how I survived it. It was only the
surgeon had been called in for a previous section and was there. I had
lost that much blood, if they had had to page somebody and I had waited
another 10 minutes I would have been dead."
But then, in another dramatic twist, as surgeons worked to
save Jodi's life, they discovered the reason her uterus had ruptured was
because she had two. This is a very rare condition called Uterus
Didelphys.
"That's why it ruptured that night, he had outgrown the uterus he was in," said Jodi.
"I
had been in hospital from 20 weeks with these pains and feeling unwell
and had been scanned from head to toe and had eight baby scans and other
scans, but no one had picked it up that I had two uterus, this rare
condition.
"I had lost nearly three litres of blood I think and
they had come out and told my husband and sister. He [Ross] had come and
they were going to deliver baby, he had no idea what was going on, and
they came out and said they had delivered a wee boy and he was alive but
said prepare yourself, we don't think your wife is going to make it.
"I
had lost that much blood and they could not stop the ruptures, as fast
as they were repairing one another was coming. I had a lot of blood
transfusions that night, I think after 45 minutes they managed to stop
the bleeding but I had a lot of blood transfusions.
"If it was not for those blood transfusions I would not be here today to be a mummy to my wee boy."
Jodi
spent three days in intensive care while baby Cooper was transferred to
Antrim Area Hospital to be cared for in a special maternity unit.
"He was such a fighter, they said it was a miracle I survived it and that he is so well," she said.
Now, almost three years after the terrifying ordeal on
January 9, 2013, Jodi is back on her feet and little Cooper is looking
forward to celebrating his third birthday with his parents in the new
year.
Jodi said she wanted to share her experience to encourage others to donate blood.
"I
had never given much thought to it, you think things like that won't
happen to you and you go about your daily life but they really do and if
it wasn't for those people who donated their blood I would not be here
today. I am just so grateful to them," she said.
Jodi added: "If I could encourage just one person to donate then it has been worthwhile."
As the festive season approaches, Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service is asking you to 'Give the Gift of Life'.
During
December more than 2,000 patients in Northern Ireland will need blood
and/or blood products. A patient receiving your gift of life could be a
child with leukaemia, a mother during childbirth, a father with cancer
or someone in a critical condition following an accident. Also, there
are many people throughout Northern Ireland whose lives depend on
receiving regular blood donations to help them cope with a variety of
other conditions.
NIBTS is appealing for people to come forward
over the coming weeks as blood donation can drop because of Christmas
shopping, seasonal colds and flu, weather conditions and other
activities in the run up to festive period.
Paul McElkerney, a
spokesman for the service, said: “We do depend very much on our regular
blood donors and would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank
you to all of them but if you have never considered giving blood, now
would be a great time to start.
“You may never know that person whose life you will have saved but they and their families will be so grateful to you.”
For more information on donating, visit their website by clicking here.
Every the last Saturday of the month. "Muganda" is an ancient
custom and the word denotes it's origins when each member of a community
would contribute one tree to the building of a house for someone. It
has been revitalized by the President of Rwanda for the purpose of
restoring unity to the peoples of the country and for helping with
community projects. As you know, the fabric of the Rwandan society was
torn by the Genocide, which took place in 1994. This was not an isolated
event, as smaller atrocities occurred from 1959 on. This stemmed from
the way the Belgian colonists divided the tribes, using the minority
Tutsis to govern the majority Hutus (85%). (This reminded me how the
Polish aristocracy used the Jews as the tax collectors, earning them the
status of a despised minority.)
Morning shot of Volcanoes
We hauled volcanic rocks out of a stream bed and carried to a road in
need of repair. We were accompanied by Pastor Gerrard, who tore some
palm fronds off a tree and made them into a protective head covering so
we could carry them on our heads. The young children were drawn to us,
carrying small stone in their hands, and holding one of our hands as we
walked. We walked back and forth with very large stones on our heads
about five times, in line with perhaps 150 other Rwandans.
Community Service Work - gathering rocks
Fixing Potholes
Yo with his kid helpers
Once the job was done, a local meeting was called and these residents
gathered to hear their local leaders, who mostly harangued them about
individuals drinking too much at the end of the year, wife beaters and
child abusers, and criminal activities in the area. People spoke out
about solving problems, speaking openly about not repeating solutions
that didn't work last year and such.
Community Meeting
Two young people, a brother and sister, attached themselves to us and
did some translating and discussing with us. The young woman took a turn
to speak as the leader of the local young people. Her focus is on
exposing domestic abuse.
Young Woman Leader speaking about exposing Domestic Abuse
At the end, the local leader asked them to introduce us. Joanie spoke
about our work in Rwanda and the Pastor told everyone we were
Israelites. All this brought out a great deal of applause and smiles.
