As a little boy, my biggest reference for understanding “Wazungu” – (whites) -was my paternal, priest grandfather. Reverend Anaeli Macha, was fluent in Kichagga, Swahili, English and German. Articulate and funny, he not only preached in churches and hospitals, but equally wrote religious books and broadcast etiquette and morality in radios across East Africa, Addis…
Taylor Swift has said that no matter what happens to you in life, do good things to people. Doing so is the most important inheritance you will leave for the world. This wise saying by Swift, an American artist and musician, comes alive in the presence of Rotarians worldwide who give selfless service to those…
Exactly one year after assuming my international duties at the Arusha-based United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), an incident that remains permanently etched in my mind occurred. It was on the morning of 19 July 1997 that my boss, Bocar Sy, at the ICTR offices in Arusha, informed me that we would be…
I recently visited a hospital over a minor discomfort I had ignored for some time. After completing his examination, the doctor calmly explained that I was suffering from an ailment common among “old people.” Instinctively, I looked around the room searching for the elderly person he was referring to, only to realise moments later that…
Sunlight returns at Leganga forests after days of heavy rain. Delicate flowers blossom and sound of birds fill the humid air some shy others curious their colours as vivid as their names. Nearby, I spot a cute Variable Sunbird sit on a branch dive bombs anything that approaches. A few minutes later some serious drama…
One of the worst environmental crimes in Tanzania is illegal dumping of hazardous waste into rivers, oceans or public land. This crime destroys water sources, kills fish and wildlife, spreads diseases and affects communities that depend on clean water for daily life. Imagine waking up ready to prepare tea, only for the water to smell…
Welcoming our lovely readers to our weekly health diaries column where we delve into various disease-related topics simplifying complex concepts for our readers. Uterine fibroids are a common health condition affecting many women during their reproductive years. Despite how common they are, fibroids are often misunderstood and surrounded by fear and misinformation. Fibroids are non-cancerous…
In roughly a month this year, US President, Donald Trump was lectured by leaders from the West and East, on the importance and imperatives of shared values and peaceful co-existence with both the old allies and a rising challenger. King Charles lll’s address to a joint meeting of the US Congress last April, was billed…
A lively debate is taking place in the region over the proposed location of a 650,000 barrels-per-day oil refinery in East Africa, reportedly to be developed by Aliko Dangote in collaboration with East African governments. The key question is whether the refinery should be located in Tanga or Mombasa. Earlier, Kenya’s President William Ruto announced…
As people grow older, the body holds less water and the sense of thirst becomes weaker. This makes dehydration a common but often overlooked health problem in the elderly, especially after the age of 65 years. In hot climates such as Tanzania, the risk may increase further. Older people may become dehydrated simply because they…
