Nilla Plus

  AM I TO BE BLAMED? It is time to hit the nail on the head The time to undress falsehood  The truth I hold, took years to unfold  Now I feel my audible ability  Now I speak for I am done being weak A story I will tell awakening the pits of hell Tongue against my chest, you can imagine the rest I never choose to be stripped off  Neither did I choose to be raped You played me like a toy Deliberately without care  When I'm alone your evil memories replay in me  And your cruel voice re-echoes " don't scream,  don't scream" I screamed to be aided Unfortunately no one was there to rescue me  You built confidence and continued roughly You gave a deaf ear to my screems  Just to satisfy your wicked self Leaving me in tears of sorrow and regret But deep inside me, I'm broken into pieces  Because you never respected my dignity I look up at myself, my heart pounds My finger tips and feet cold as ice Killing myself was the only option  Les...

“Oh my G-d!You were very smart. I thought you were going to be a doctor?” “Weren’t you doing PCB - Physics, Chemistry and Biology, why are you studying Economics?” Among of the hard time that many form six leavers in Tanzania always face, is the time to join universities and colleges. The academic journey is always bitter to many youths during this time.  Many dissappointments come their ways. And sometimes they can no longer have faith on what they are going to do/study. This is really "Unexpected Turns " Ms Joyce Mposi has shared her experience. Flow with her......  “How does it feel like being at Mzumbe from Cambridge?” “Oh my G-d!You were very smart. I thought you were going to be a doctor?” “Weren’t you doing PCB - Physics, Chemistry and Biology, why are you studying Economics?” Well, I couldn’t think of a better way to start my story. My name is Joyce Mpossi, I am a third year student at Mzumbe university pursuing Bachelors of Science in Economics in Population and Dev...

I was among the youths who got the chance to attend in the TANZANIA INTERNATIONAL MODEL OF UNITED NATIONS (TIMUN) in the year 2020 held in Arusha, Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology . I applied for it because I wanted to experience how TIMUN is, and absolutely to be among the youths who can participate in creating what they are particularly want through sharing different views depending on the theme of the year. Also, to be among the youth representative in expressing what youths hold in their minds, youths whom I left by streets, university and community as whole. Theme of TIMUN 2020, was “YOUTH ROLE IN CREATING THE FUTURE WE WANT”. The questions popped in my mind, what kind of future we want? Do we know what present hold for us? Can we experience the change in society depending on change in science and technology and other aspects? Are we ready for choosing what we want? Do we have power in making what we want? Is our environment conducive to accept what sugge...

  Dear Self, How have you been?! Are you okay? Hopefully you are. And here is me, writing this to appreciate, encourage and provide my compliments. Dear self, I firsty congratulate you on different achievements you've been made day by day, the way you keep parents and closed ones proud is convincing me to say congratulations. Babes, despite how tough the road is you still hold it little more, I love how you always say "hold on little more" , not only to yourself, but to many people out there. Dear self, remind you to smile back no matter how many waves life throws at you. Dear self, do you have an idea to how much I genuinely love you, or just things both material and immaterial ones I love from you. Wait, you are trying to be kind in your own ways, and that's look so good on you, despite of how evil the word is full of, you try, and that's impressive. Dear self, never mind if you didn't act good sometimes, babes, you are a human being and that's all about...

It was on Thursday, the 7th day of February 2011, early in the morning, I had already taken my breakfast, ready to go to school. I was surprised to notice that my grandfather,   Mr Sang'udi James was already awake because it was unusual for him to be an early bird! Not a deal though, I greeted him and told him that I was ready to take my morning walk to school. He looked at me with his gentle eyes, I could tell the worry on his face! _"Study hard my grandson" he finally opened his lips, giving out a weak but yet audible voice with strong and extremely powerful words echoing in the walls of my mind up to this moment.   I was in the seventh grade at Bariadi Primary School where it was mandatory to be at school compounds early enough to be given a number, to avoid confrontations with the teacher on duty. I was a running warrior, and so being at school on time was in no way to be a problem to my fast moving legs! After three sessions,   it was a lunch break and theref...

These are two girls among the big group of girls who are in science field. How did they get where they are now?! Get to hear their stories. My names are Hellen Kidatu, a 23 year old Tanzanian. I am a botanical science graduate (botanist) from UDSM and a STEM education enthusiast. I currently work as the founder and team leader of the scienceforwomen initiative , a movement that influences young people’s engagement especially young girls to STEM fields of education and careers. Being a botanist, I love agriculture and on my journey to become an Agripreneur in horticultural field. I love writing poems, reading and singing as my hobbies. I was born in Arusha and it’s where I spent most of my time as a young girl but currently living in Dar es Salaam. Being bright and outstanding, made me encounter blows that for one reason or the other I know for sure if I was a man it couldn’t have been the same.  “How is it possible while you are just a girl”, “Ooh wow! For a girl this is really sm...

From Ihewa, My name is Ihewa Mwamini Gaula, I am 22 years old. A Tanzanian. Currently, a Medical Student 4th year. About me! I was born in Dodoma and spent most of my life here. Growing up I really loved reading, I read a lot, everything. In my spare time I would invest my time on writing stories. I had a keen interest in astronomy, so I read everything I could on the subject. I was determined to become a re-known astronomer. When I was much younger I used to collect snakes, once I went to my mother when my baby sister was sick and gave her our garden peas telling her it was medicine for my sister-  everyone was convinced I would grow up to become a doctor. I strongly opposed the idea, I hated blood or any idea associated with spending my time in a hospital! However when I was in form four I realized my strong desire to help other people, I felt a strong desire to help other people and serve God as well, at that moment I was certain a medical career was the right path for m...

George Claud, a Tanzanian boy, aged 18 years old. Currently studying Advanced level. Tell us about yourself and your movements:  "I am passionately an inspirational speaker, and I have been doing this for a year now not for a pretty long time! I have been moving with my philosophy of being a “Worthless servant”, making a difference in the society, building awareness, creating mindfulness, cultivating wisdom and participate on the media platform because I believe that this is the ground where we can touch, change and inspire lives and uplift people who have gone down, depressed, emotionally abused, especially concerning the youths on far more seeing themselves in the bigger future to come, I want we youths not to die with our music unplayed just for not daring to try. What makes you to be that kind of boy? : First and foremost I thank God, for the gift and the seed He has put in me and made me aware of who I have to be. So owning this seed I feel its duty to water and nurtu...

"I would like to tell my fellow teenagers, is to always do what they love. In this way, it brings warm happiness knowing what you do satisfies you". Jennifer Wakarura Gatheca, 16 years old Tanzanian. She is currently in Form 4 going to Form 5. She is passionate about community service and Feminism. For a long time, she always knew she was privileged compared to that one girl somewhere else, lucky to be raised in a safe environment; go to school; etc All this and understanding that some girls don't have what she has, or that are exposed to violence, keeps her motivated in her movement for change. A change where girls will be accepted for being girls and not restricted to things simply because of their gender. She March for a gender equality movement, so as both girls and boys can live in a safe environment. She got appointed to be in the Adolescent Girls Advisory Council for Global Fund for Women. What makes her to be that kind of girl? Jennifer said, "I...

She is a freelance journalist, content developer and lover of coffee. She is also a fan of literature and enjoy writing. In her spare time she writes music and poetry. She considers herself a philocalist. Joy Jenda, she is originally from Malawi. She was born in Malawi but her childhood and early teens were split between Malawi and South Africa. Joy Jenda said, "I see beauty is everything and probably should be dubbed the goddess of optimism (lol) seeing i spread it quite a bit. On a serious note however, I genuinely love encouraging people and enjoy seeing them become better at what they do". She recently completed her tertiary education with the University of Malawi. As part of my final year project, she decided to create a magazine called Black Pearl. The magazine aimed to showcase women across the African continent that are impacting their generation and blazing trails that others can follow. The whole process, from information gathering to final compi...