Category: People

They are called Housegirls or househelpers or housemaids and in kinyarwanda they are refered to Bayaya for female and Ababoyi for males.

Depending on a different home and background these househelpers are called different names.

However, there are untold stories about these chaps who manage homes both when their masters are away or at home.

They prepare food, take care of babies and clean houses and all house chores including prunning flower gardens.

Nice Kanangire of IGIHE embarked on a quick survey about housemaids;(not their true names) Uwamariya Christine, Umulisa Epihanie, Ndayishima Florence, Iradukunda Clementine and Mahirwe Amina.

Below are the excerpts of the carefully arranged conversation with five of them.

All of them didn’t manage to roll up with school due to poverty; they stopped in Primary 6 apart from Epiphanie Umulisa who stopped earlier in Primary 4.

Asked about what pushed them into doing such a work, they all gave the same answer where the major reason was poverty, a miserable life and a search for shelter because most of them found themselves homeless.

Do you experience any forms of abuse by your masters?

Christine Uwamariya: I personally don’t but my fellows do. Some of the masters consider us badly in such a way that we don’t have a convenient place to stay, some of my fellows still sleep on mats as I am telling you this.

There are masters who think they have all their rights upon their househelps, and even reach the point where they slap them and even sometimes starve them because they failed to do something, without mentioning the delay in payment.

Why do most house girls end up in prostitution?

Mahirwe Amina: Most of the girls take themselves into prostitution because they feel unloved at their workplaces and even at their own homes so they become liberal and put themselves in all kinds of situations because they don’t feel appreciated, they no longer care about anything.

However, in most cases they go into prostitution because they find the work in somebody’s house very hard to manage, money doesn’t come on time or is insufficient, having said that, the manner of the girl also contributes to all that.

What is your advise to women that Leave their children with housemaids?

Ndayishima Florence: My biggest advice would be to take them into day care if they can afford it because they never know how they are being treated once she is away from the house.

The house help might be naturally mean or mistreated by the master then in return she might want to get revenge to the master through the children by harming them.

If the mistress can’t afford day care I would advise her to take a house help who is also a woman and a mother because she knows the value of a child thus how to take care of it and educate it since she is the one the child will be staying with most of the time.

How much are you Paid?

Umulisa Epiphanie: They differ from one master to another but in general they range from Frw20,000 to Frw 50,000. Taking into account the responsibilities that we have in life that money is not enough but there is nothing we can do to it.

All we do is try our best to use it well by purchasing only the necessities and then we keep the rest in bank accounts.

Talk about Associations that support Housemaids

Iradukunda Clementine: It really helps us because in case of problems, they provide us shelter and look for another place where we can do the job. We pay Frw 5,000 annually.

Despite that, due to some house helps who were really undermined by their masters financially wise, the government ordered that no house help should be paid less than Frw 10,000.

In Blantyre Malawi, a man convicted of masturbating in front of a female German national wants the High Court to hear an appeal by him but wants legal aid or a private practise lawyer to help him pro-bono (for free service).

Patrick Ndau was convicted by Balaka Magistrates Court slapped him an eight months jail term.

Police had charged him with the offense of conducting himself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace.

Sub Inspector Mercy Chande, prosecuting, told the court that Ndau would undress himself and start stroking his genitals whenever he was close to the female German nation to give himself sexual pleasure.

Chande told the court, the conduct “happened on several occasions.”

The prosecutor said the German woman, who complained to Police, “ used to think that the convict was a mentally disturbed person.”

Magistrate Maxwell Boaz opted for a custodial sentence for Ndau, saying he shamed Malawi.

But when a local newspaper visited Ndau, he said the Magistrate was “harsh” to cage him for eight months.

“I want help so that I can appeal against the sentence, I feel it was excessive,” he said.

Ndau says he has a family to look after.

Source: Nyasa. T

Yannick Nihangaza a 23 years old student from Burundi studying in India in BSc Computer, 1st year in Lovely Professional University is another African victim of violence in India.

He was stoned, brutally beaten and left on the road in Jalandhar (India) while walking to a party on April 22nd.

He was taken to the hospital of Patiala by strangers were he has been in a coma for almost three months with no investigations of the incident being carried out.

Nestor Ntibateganya, the father to Yannick wrote two letters to the Punjab government asking for justice for his child’s case but in vain.

It is on June 25th that he wrote again to the chief minister of Punjab begging him for justice.

“I am writing to you as a father writing to another father, someone who has known and experienced love of a child”

Until the 6th of July, no investigations were done.

“I hadn’t heard of this, I didn’t get any letter and I will investigate the matter. Everyone will get justice” said the Chief Minister of Punjab Badal Parkash.

Ntibateganya said that he doesn’t know why the Indian Government took so long to respond but that it was alright since his son’s case was going to be taken care of.

So far, two people have been arrested by the Jalandhar Police though there are others missing.

Valerie Trierweiler was born on February 16th, 1965 as Valerie Massonneau in Angers ( Maine-et-loire) in France. She is a French political journalist and television host.

She is the domestic partner of the 24th President of the French Republic, Francois Hollande.

She is the fifth child of six. Her father, Jean Noel Massonneau lost a leg on landmine during World War II when she was 13, and he died at the age of 53, when she was 21. Her mother followed his death later on.

Her grandfather and great grandfather owned the bank Massonneau & Co. which was then sold to the French bank Credit de l’Ouest.

She studied history and political science and obtained a master of advanced studies in political science from the Sorbonne.

In 2005, she hosted political talk shows most of them being interviews on the Direct 8 television channel. She hosted the talk show Le Grand 8 until 2007.

In 2012, she announced that she would keep her contract as a journalist with the magazine Paris Match despite her partner being the elected French President.

Valerie Trierweiler got married twice in her life. Her first was with her childhood friend Franck with whom she got divorced with no children.

Her second marriage was to Denis Trierweiler, a sub editor at Paris Match Magazine,a writer and academic. This marriage produced three children but they got divorced in 2010 though the procedure took three years.

She met Francois Hollande in 1988 during the parliamentary elections while he was still living with Segolene Royal.

Their relationship began in 2005 when she was still a married woman and got publicly announced in October 2010 after her divorce with Denis Trierweiler was declared.

Although you know your body, there are certain things you need to know deeper and interestingly they are strange but true. Here are thirteen facts about your Body that you need to acquaint yourself with.

1. The length of your wrist to your elbow is the same as the length of your foot.

2. Your mouth produces one liter of saliva a day

3. It is impossible to lick your elbow, only few can

4. Breathing generates about 0.6 g of carbon dioxide every minute

5. If the amount of water in your body is reduced by just 1%, you will feel thirsty

6. It is impossible to sneeze and keep eyes open

7. A person remains conscious for 8 seconds after being decapitate

8. Your middle finger nail grows the fastest

9. A new born baby’s head accounts for one quarter of its weight

10. Our eyes are always the same size from birth

11. We actually don’t see with our eyes, we see with our brains. The eyes basically are the cameras of the brain.

12. Our eyes can detect sound

13. Dolphins and humans are the only animals that have sex for pleasure.

DJ Focus advises that if anyone is to succeed in their careers, they ought to keep a positive attitude so that they can achieve their goals. IGIHE held an exclusive interview with Dj Focus and below are excerpts of the interview…

DJ Focus (real names Gwiza James)

I was born in 1984 in Mombasa/Kenya. We are a family of four children 4. I have a sister and two siblings. one of my brothers, the youngest is a DJ. My father Philip Setakwe died in the liberation war.

I relocated to Kampala/Uganda where I lived with my Uncle in Kasese. I came to Rwanda in July 1994 and resumed my primary education up to 1997 at Camp Kigali.

I practically spent my childhood alone, my mother and siblings lived in Uganda but I chose to come to Rwanda because I had always wanted to live in Rwanda. Iam proud to be Rwandese and having grown in my country.

Since I was young, I developed interest in music. I joined the entertainment industry 2001 and became a DJ in 2003. I started practicing as a DJ in clubs
and bars in Kampala. In 2005, I came back to Rwanda up to date.

What really motivated you that drove you into being a Dj?

Dj Focus: My passion for music is something I was born with, I inherited it from my father.

I like the fact that every day is an experience; problems are in every profession what I do is learn from my mistakes and inconveniences and everyday becomes a better day for me.

For how long will you stay in this profession?

Dj Focus: Music plays a big role in my life, and I am not planning to do anything else outside the music industry. So yeah, I am doing this for a lifetime.

How best would describe yourself?

Dj Focus: Simple, loving and caring

As a Dj, what do you do to keep your fans enjoying?

Dj Focus: A positive attitude helps me. I interact with them and that helps me to know what they want and expect. I know most of the people who go out in Kigali and their tastes as well.

Are you making any successes in your profession?

Dj Focus: so far yes though I still have more to learn, more goals to achieve, keeping my name and dealing well with the fame.

People who want a successful career should exhibit and keep a good reputation everywhere they are, life is all about connections and hard work.

Is it true that women are attracted to Djs?

Dj Focus: People say so but I do not think it is only true for DJs. I believe that a good attitude and how good you are can make you attractive to women.

However, I can explain that Dj’s attract people’s attention by the way we work, the presence of women plays a big role in terms of fun and atmosphere in the club or party.

Do you prepare a playlist of songs in advance?

Dj Focus: I actually don’t prepare the playlist; I don’t find it comfortable and useful because crowds are different from one day to another. My playlist depends on the crowd that I have.

Where will you be in five years?

Dj Focus: I will still be Focus, still in Music but at another level-both local and international levels. Here I mean music and video production. In future, I look to investment in music, clubs and events. I will also start planning to make a family.

Besides K club, where else do you scratch the discs?

Dj Focus: I worked in many different places. I have had stints at parties, clubs and weddings both in Kigali and in Kampala. I worked at Papyrus (2009), in legacy (Mille Collines) then currently at K-Club where for long I have remained because it is exceptional and I dream to keep it going here.

What are your tastes of music?

Dj Focus: I love soul and RnB, though most of my crowds do not really enjoy it (laughs). My favorite soul/RnB artist is Anthony Hamilton.

I practically do not miss any of his songs and albums and he is ever on my playlist.

What do you do in your free time?

Dj Focus: I am a soccer fan. I know it is very rare to see a Dj loving soccer but I really enjoy playing it and I am an Arsenal fan. I also love travelling the World.

Igihe: what is your status?

Dj Focus: I am in a long distance relationship

What is your advice to the youth on their careers?

Dj Focus: They should not take any job or career for granted. Positive attitudes in their careers are the only things to get them where they want to be.

There are many Dj across the country, how do you deal with competition?
Dj Focus: My love for music is not for competition but for entertainment. Competition would give it another meaning.

As a famous person and role model to some, what is your message to your fans?

Dj Focus: I love them; they inspire me for the better. I will keep it coming as long as I am alive. I will keep entertaining them.

The Kigali Global Shapers (KGS) Hub was launched Saturday, under its first initiative called Twumve, Twumve aimed at empowering Rwandan youth through the spread of ideas, engaging in dialogue and cross mentoring with Rwandan leaders.

Twumve, Twumve is based on the premise of youth listening to role models, and being listened to in return, and can be loosely translated as ‘we hear you, hear us too.”

Launched at Ishyo Arts Centre, the Twumve, Twumve event was themed “Rwanda 50+” and included speakers Senator Tito Rutaremara, Acting RDB CEO Clare Akamanzi and Diane Umutoni, a young girl from the Girl Hub’s Ni Nyampinga project.

The Kigali Global Shapers is part of the Global Shapers Community, an offshoot of the World Economic Forum. The Global Shapers Community is a network of hubs founded and led by young people who are exceptional in their potential, their achievements and their drive to make a contribution to their communities.

Speakers engaged with young members reflecting on Rwanda 50 years ago and envisaging where Rwanda should be in 50 years to come.

In his remarks, Senator Rutaremara gave a historical account of Rwanda from pre-colonial days todate, with detailed narrative of the RPF struggle and the impact of its leadership on events leading to present-day Rwanda.

Clare Akamanzi spoke of present and journey of resilience, saying that “18 years ago, it was impossible to think we would be where we are today. This is a result of determination and resilience.”

She encouraged members that when faced with a challenge, “to feel the fear and do it anyway.” Akamanzi was recently named as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum.

Umutoni gave an account of her personal growth from the Ni Nyampinga project, stating that her vision of Rwanda in 50 years “is one full of confident Rwandans who have the idea that anything is achievable if one’s mind is put to it.”

The Kigali Global Shapers Hub has the vision of “Creating a platform that engages with youth in Rwanda to inspire innovation and change.” Its mission is to “Empower Youth through the Spread of Ideas and Dialogue.”

Of its ten global shapers, all of them have been selected based on their leadership capacities that have impacted on and are benefitting communities around the country.

According to Founding Curator Diana Mpyisi, some of the Hub’s outcomes are the creation of networks between youth involved in the Twumve, Twumve initiative, as well as the creation of an emerging and positive narrative of Rwanda by its youth.

Are you a man in a relationship with a lady? Do you know the things that a man does that women find annoying and irritating?

Here is a list of some things that men do that women find annoying.

Being Emotionally Unavailable

People who are emotionally unavailable are people who create barriers between themselves and other people they are with to avoid emotional intimacy.

Women find men who are emotionally unavailable annoying because womenfind it hard to create a connection or build a relationship with a guy who isn’t available emotionally.

Focusing Too much on Sex

Most women know that most guys have sex on their minds.Women find it annoying when a guy focuses too much on sex when she is trying to get to know him.

Some women say that it’s difficult trying to figure out if a guy she is interested in is really into her or if he just wants to have sex with her.

Looking at other Women

Women know that men are always going to look but it still annoys them when guys do that. Some women in serious relationships will actually get upset if their man is looking at another woman.

Giving her everything she wants

This might seem like women would like this but they don’t.There is a type of guy that gives a woman everything she wants. He’s called thenice guy.

Women actually get annoyed when you give them everything they want because they want a little bit of a challenge in their relationships.

Women also want something to complain about to their friends. So if a woman gets everything she wants from a man then he is robbing her of precious complaining time with her friends.

Author Deborah Tannen describes this as “Troubles Talk”in which people complain or talk about their troubles to create social bonds.

Not helping around the House

Some women don’t mind doing housework but they find it annoying when their man won’t offer to help.

Being Submissive

Women find it annoying when men are submissive because deep down the woman wants to be the submissive one even if she wont admit it. A woman likes a man that knows how to take charge

Being Indecisive

Women like when a man knows how to make a decision and comeup with a decision quickly. If she is out on a date and the guy can’t decide what restaurant to take her to she is going to start to get annoyed.

Leaving the Toilet seat up

I don’t think I need to explain this one.

“Making her” feel insecure

Yes. Women actually do get annoyed at men even for things that aren’t their fault or have no control over. Women get annoyed when they feel like a man doesn’t find them to be the best thing.

If a woman feels like you don’t think she is special or that she is the most beautiful woman in the world she will be very annoyed and blame it on you for not complimenting her enough.

A Canadian man 31, who lost his legs as a child has pulled himself up to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro -Africa’s highest mountain, disproving doctors who said he would never be a functioning member of society.”

Spencer West lost his legs after a genetic disorder — sacral agenesis — paralyzed the lower half of his body.

However, he didn’t let that stop him from climbing to the top of Kilimanjaro.

West is from Toronto Canada.He arrived at the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, some 6,000 meters (19,700 feet) above sea level, on Tuesday, calling it an incredible personal feat.

“Reaching the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro was the most mentally and physically challenging thing I have ever done, but in doing so, it reinforced the powerful message of believing in yourself, and believing in others,” West said.

“Physically, it was challenging because I climbed the majority of the mountain on my hands, which put a lot of stress on my shoulders and arms,” he said, estimating he hoisted himself up 80% of the way.

West was accompanied on the trek by his two best friends, David Johnson and Alex Meers.

His goal was to raise money for Free the Children, an organization that supplies drinking water to hundreds of people in Kenya, which in 2011 experienced its worst drought in 60 years.

Circumcision of males in Rwanda has of recent gained momentum. Its voluntary and has major health advantages especially in reducing the risk of acquring HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

In an exclusive interview with Dr. Vincent Mutabazi (photo above), IGIHE posed various Questions aimed at seiving through the whole idea and process of circumcision.

Dr. Mutabazi is in charge of new circumcision system (PrePex)in Rwanda. Below are excerpts of the detailed original interview.

What is the major purpose of circumision?

Significantly reducing the lifetime risk of acquiring HIV among males via circumcision.

What is the level of awareness of the new circumcision method (PrePex)?

The device is mostly known in regions where a PrePex campaign took place and in which the device is used on a regular basis – Kigali, Nyamata and Gicumbi district.

So far approximately 2300 PrePex circumcision procedures have been performed in Rwanda.

Some people resist circumcision saying it is expensive yet painful. Whats the truth?

Those claims are true for surgical circumcision however, when circumcising is done with the PrePex device there is only minor discomfort and pain is significantly lower than with a surgical procedure (this fact was verified during a clinical study comparing PrePex circumcision with surgical circumcision).

As for the cost for now the procedure is free of charge.

Regardless all of the above, the health benefits of male circumcision outweigh all such objections

Ministry of health (RHCC) has a plan of making all men circumcised. What is the current level of progress on circumcision?

The Ministry is now working to implement the first phase of voluntary male circumcision scale up using PrePex device. The 1st phase will involve 10000 circumcisions in three hospitals in Kigali region.

In Rwanda, the following men have been circumcised so far in Rwanda,
40,000 – surgically circumcised
2300 – Circumcised using PrePex device

What are your plans of introducing this method in other health centers?

The procedure can be executed anywhere by certified health workers (Nurses) who took part and successfully completed official training course at Rwanda Military Hospital.

We have just completed a campaign at Byumba District Hospital and are preparing for a campaign under Army week in Cyangugu district in 3 hospitals.

The future plan is to have teams working out of health centers and not only hospitals.

Our main plan is to spread the device throughout the country over the upcoming months. The Ministry of Health is constantly working to achieve this aim.

The procedure has been adopted in Kigali, Nyamata, Gicumbi and in two weeks it will initiate at Cyangugu.

PrePex is still a Rwandan product. Will other countries adopt it?

For clarification, PrePex was developed by Circ MedTech. Rwanda is the first country to clinically study and adopt the device.

We also are the first country to receive WHO recommendation to begin scale up with this device following elaborate scientific validation of the safety, superiority over surgery and simplicity in the hands of nurses.

The PrePex Center of Excellence was established here in Rwanda and we will be training the region on the use of the device.

Rwanda was followed by Zimbabwe who is now completing the clinical evaluation of the device under WHO guidelines.We trained their teams here in Rwanda as well as locally in Zimbabwe.

We are also hosting delegations from the region and the world who are interested in learning more about this innovation.