Creative Corner

Have you written something that you want the world to read? A poem, a script, a song? Send it to thewritingcentre@alueducation.com and it might be published right here, on our website!

A Love Hunt(Crush)

Vincent Sugira

Last night I dreamt of:

Residing your DNA on my lips,

Sliding through your textile-

Wondering if I will ever get closer

To open my eyes, a melancholy melody

played in my soul about the stupidity of that hallucination.

The locker cracks open,

With a noise I can't defeat.

Should I stretch forward,

Breath life into this quest,

And make steps to your nest?

Unlike Maya Angelou,

"I am a caged bird that can't sing loud"

It is unfair:

The way you are so brutal in an unknown style

Like Medusa,

I stare into your eyes and turn to stone,

Sadly, this confession may not be mutual.

Karma is a bitch,

Perhaps your gaze is far from me,

And you can't sleep because of that person.

See, I don't feel pity for you,

I am just mad at...

And I may not ever stop.

Until you turn around and fall into my arms.

Published: 24 May 2022 ____________________________________________________________________

Show Me How Strong You Are Delight Asaph

Hello Son,

If at all you find yourself at the great

crossroads of destiny and life, it is my hope

that you read my letters, and find home in

their rusty pages.

It was always spectacular to me — seeing

people work out or lift heavyweights. I’d

marvel at how they'd grab metal bars on

which the weights hung and yank it high

above their heads in swift, stunning

movements. A more spectacular scene for

me was a wrestling match. In fits of wits

and fists, a fighter had to hold his opponent

down in full submission to emerge the

winner. The winner was known to be the

strongest of the two.

Guessing the winner before a match was so

easy for me. All I needed to do was look at

the size of their arms and place my bet on

the one with much larger arm muscles.

I saw muscles as strength then.

Growing up a little bit more, I began to see

strength as power and wealth! The elevated

man was stronger than the common man,

and the rich man was stronger than the

poor man. The bigger man says jump, and

the smaller man asks, “How high?” —This

was how I saw strength.

The problem with this was that I became

obsessed with power and wealth. I wanted

power, craved over wealth, and saw them

as the only way I could show strength and

receive respect in my community.

It was only after long reflections and studies

that I discovered what true strength was

really about.

We’ve seen a lot of people throughout

history, do crazy things for power, or to

show how strong they were. The battle for

the strongest is one humanity has been

fighting for a long time, and will keep

fighting for generations to come until we

reach the understanding that true strength

is not measured by fists or muscles, and

neither is it assessed by power or wealth.

True strength is something far abstract. It’s

something we see only when we look

carefully inwards.

My son, true strength is realizing your

uniqueness as well as that of every other

being in the universe. Show me how strong

you are by learning to accept yourself the

way you are. Show me your strength by

recognizing that everyone is different, and

cannot be like you, no matter how hard it

gets or how badly you want it.

Strength is taking risks and assuming

responsibilities for whatever outcome they

bring. So, show me your strength by taking

a step even when you don’t/can’t see the

whole stairs.

Son, strength is knowing when to end toxic

friendships, partnerships, and relationships.

Yes! Show me how strong you are by

knowing when to say, “I quit!”

Strength is drawing a fine line between

fantasy and reality, son. Show me your

strength by setting your goals and working

badly to achieve them.

True strength is understanding that every

day is a test, and that everyone has got a

different question paper. Strength is walking

away from unproductive meetings,

discussions, and arguments!

You’re strong, my son, if you can lower ego

and pride to say the words, “Please,” and

“I’m sorry,” whenever necessary.

Strength is standing up for something. Not

because it’s okay, not because it's trending,

but because it’s right!

Strength is reaching out to others, defying

the allure of self-centeredness because, in

the long run, kindness would be all that

really matters. Strength is believing in one

humanity; one devoid of racism, tribalism,

and prejudice. Son! Show me your strength

by shunning evil and injustice, and fighting

it with every fiber of your being.

Show me how strong you are by letting the

past pass. Strong people know there’s no

future in the past. Show me you are strong

by giving without remembering, and taking

without forgetting.

True strength has never meant pushing

someone down. In fact, you need only a

little strength to push down. The real

strength is shown when you can pull a

person up! So son, show me your strength

by lifting people up, rather than bringing

them down.

Show me how strong you are, my son, by

embracing change when necessary, for

change is the only constant thing.

You are stronger than me, son. For you

have my brains and a better heart. Soar,

fight, and do not be afraid to make

mistakes, for they make us wiser!

You are powerful my son, if you can rise

above obloquy and calumny. If you can

take that fear and turn it into a dare, or turn

that discrimination into veneration, then

you're a strong man, dear son.

Rise from your slumber for opportunity

knocks. It finds you wherever you are,

whether you live in a castle on the hill, or in

a shabby, bushy cottage by the valley. Get

up now, go to it and welcome it warmly, for

it is not a regular visitor.

I’ll leave with you, my son, a piece from Sir.

Rudyard Kipling, which says:

“If you can keep your head when all about

you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt

you

But make allowance for their doubting too;

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

Or, being lied about, don’t deal in lies,

Or, being hated, don’t give way to hating,

And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream — and not make dreams

your master;

If you can think — and not make thoughts

your aim;

If you can meet with triumph and disaster

And treat those two impostors just the same;

If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve

spoken

Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to

broken,

And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out

tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings

And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings

And never breathe a word about your loss;

If you can force your heart and nerve and

sinew

To serve your turn long after they are gone,

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on”;

If you can talk with crowds and keep your

virtue,

Or walk with kings — nor lose the common

touch;

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;

If all men count with you, but none too much;

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run —

Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,

And — which is more — you’ll be a Man, my

son!”

Till we meet again son, at tables meant for

kings and strong men,

- Your dear father.

Published: 20 June 2022 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How to Stay Hopeful Amidst Hopelessness

Fese Mbile

What does it mean to be hopeful? Well, according to the Dictionary of Oxford languages, hopeful means feeling or having optimism about a future event.

A hopeful person would be described as one who feels optimistic and inspired about future events, even those of which they are uncertain of.

Such a person can also be described as 'Dreamy' in today’s society. A society which is increasingly beginning to market depression and suicide, as if it were fun and games. A hellish-like state, many suffer through.

Anyway, this article is to help anyone struggling with hopelessness. We’ll discuss how you can remain hopeful, not just through keeping the right mindsets but the physical steps you can take to maintain a hopeful attitude.

As children, we are the most hopeful we could ever be. The older we get; different life experiences snatch away the bits of hope we have. Until we reflect and realize that we are nothing but walking vessels of hopelessness and negativity.

Obviously, you can’t remain in a child-like state forever. But it’s extremely important that even as adults, we hold steadfast to the hope we had as Children.

1. Get the help that you need:

Wonderful, you’ve already identified the fact that you indeed need help; and that you aren’t living up to your fullest potential. The next step would be to seek for help. Whatever that may mean to you. If it means nothing; or you have no clue, here’s an inspirational guide.

Consider confiding in a close friend or relative concerning your issues or whatever you are going through. It helps a lot, because sometimes we may feel we’re all alone in our struggles whereas it couldn’t be the exact opposite. Confiding in others not only allows you to gain different perspectives acquiring knowledge on how to change your current state, but it gives us company and keeps us reminded of the fact; we are not alone.

2. Focus on the good things that life has to offer:

Sometimes we are too focused on the negative experiences we go through in our lives that we forget to give equally, or even more attention to the positives we experience on a day to day basis.

In other words, it’s almost like re-learning how to be grateful. Counting your blessings and naming them one by one. Even the successes you deem little, are exponential components adding immeasurable value to your life.

It will do you greater good if you just re-wired your brain to not allow negative circumstances consume you, and get the best out of you. A couple of ways to do so would be:

a. Journaling: Sometimes writing down our accomplishments makes them appear much more real; giving us less room to disregard them.

b. Planning: Writing down tasks for the day before hand and ticking them off as each is being completed will not just help in boosting your confidence, but it helps to center the mind, reminding you of the fact that you’re a living, well-functioning, capable human being. Capable of altering any circumstance in your life you feel stuck in.

c. Praying: Praying always works. To be honest, sometimes you may feel discouraged to do so; or feel as though there’s no use. But it’s important to always keep in mind, our thoughts and feelings are not facts. What you think are just words; are much more. And the God of the bible listens for every word.

3. Let tomorrow worry about its problems.

In the Bible, it is written; Worrying doesn’t extend your lifespan so what use does it have? What else does worrying do to you other than cause a headache, and potentially lead to depression? A wise guy once told me, if the issue at hand is solvable; solve it. If not, don’t worry about it; find a solution. If you’re unable to, let it go. In life, we must understand that some things are out of our control.

Whatever you’re feeling hopeless about, can it be solved? What are the plausible solutions? Have you tried them all? Is trying to solve it stressing you out more?

Let it go.

Not everything within our reach is meant to be obtained. Sometimes you have to struggle and let things go. It doesn’t mean that you are turning hopeless, it just means accepting your shortcomings. You’ve tried and you've tried.

That in itself, is alright.

4. Open yourself up to new experiences.

Being cooped up and stuck in our ways can sometimes be the reason for our lack of hope. Sometimes all you need to do is allow your mind some fresh new air.

If you can afford to, travel to a new country, a new city, town or village.

Go visit some far-away friends.

Text your crush.

Visit a pet shop, donate to an orphanage.

Remind yourself that you’re human and placed on this earth not to exist, but to live; not to enjoy every moment, but to experience, to love, to laugh, to cry, to pray, to build relationships and most importantly to worship our Creator; Elohim.

Shop online, buy that dress or book you’ve been meaning to.

Don’t forget to rest too, because as an adult, your brain not just needs but craves it.

For many Africans, it can seem especially daunting to think being hopeful is the best way to lead your life - mentally I mean. We are constantly surrounded by reminders of failures and short-comings; it gets tough to think positively.

However, I think it’s important for Africans to remember that we are humans too. Our mindsets affect our lives. The way we move, live, communicate with one another. Little by little, as long as we continue to hope for the change we crave; it won't even be a little while longer, and the change shall be seen.

Praise the Lord!

Published: 20 June 2022

____________________________________________________________________I

A message to the youth

Manzi Mugisha Prince.

In today's world, the bad has become the new good, if that makes any sense. Put it this

way; you are a young teenage boy who receives two different invitations to go to two places.

One, a group of friends are coming together and joining an evening session of prayer and

worship at the local church. They want you to go with them. The following invitation is

from your other group of friends, who have rented an apartment, and want to get wild all

night, play games, drink and do all the crazy stuff you can think of.

Without further questioning, you are going for the latter; I mean to play and enjoy yourself

all night or sit three-four hours singing and praising pretty slim chances. But let's look at

the bigger picture. You will go to that party, drink with your friends, play video games,

then what? What productive activity have you gotten out of that? Just think about it. We

usually do not work towards doing the stuff that adds value to our life. That money you

spent renting that apartment or buying those drinks could have been used in other things

and can be invested. And mind you, money spent can't be gained. If you got that same

money and paid for a visit to the museum and a month to go to the local swimming pool,

these are productive in their different ways. Yes, you have spent money, but you have

earned a skill, swimming, which is beneficial. How about visiting the museum? You have

got to see where the first president lived; for instance, you have a hint of ancient Rwanda,

that kind of thing. Isn't that useful?

I am not trying to be the protagonist here; it is not that every money I earn is used for

something productive. I am adopting the mindset as well. Please think of this as the first

step, becoming aware of it. And it is said that most times, it is always the first step that

matters the most.

Now, back to where it all started, you will benefit in several ways if you choose to go to the

church. You are strengthening your relationship with God; who knows, you might meet

new people who share the same interest as you, and together, grow and follow the good

path. The kind of people you keep around you indeed determine who you are or who you

are going to become. 

We hang around certain people for several reasons, one of which is that you share the same

interest. Please take a moment to evaluate those around you; what do you have that they

have in common. You will discover that there are a lot of qualities you share. Now, are

those qualities ones to be proud of? If not, then? Published: 13 July 2022 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It's Life Jenipher Onoka Life lessons come the hard way,

Often with a force that is indomitable.

Blessings also come unexpected,

They are always waiting to be picked,

Often at odd junctures,

The junctures where they abode are at the blind corners on the road of life.

They are blurred by indecisiveness,

Like,

I will pick it up when I pass here again anyway!

The secret is,

Life has no reverse gear,

It is ever front excelled,

Propelled by the rhythm of on-goingness.

When it crushes,

Repair it with parts picked along the path of life,

If you have not picked some the other day,

At least be reminded to start bending to pick and harbor as much as you can.

The store is on the throne of the judge who,

Will count righteousness with zeal and love for a good job done.

It is a matter of time

Just a matter of time

Before the world becomes timeless

Before the ticking stops

Before the countdown is over

Just a matter of time

The breathing will become breathless

The living will turn to carcasses

The pumping heart to become still

For the oxygen to be deoxygenated

Just a matter of time

For the rich not to become richer

For the poor to move into poverty

For the angry to become hungry

For the wealthy to become unhealthy

It is just a matter of time

One day

My gray hair will remind me of my age

As my cold body yearns for the grave

Whilst counting my teeth

My wild heart will live for younger days

Then I will know that I am old

One day

I will count my treasures with a smile

And number from my children to great-grandchildren

Then

I will realize that my generation is no more

Whilst recalling memories,

My wild heart will live for younger days

One day

I will leave this world behind

so

I will live a life that I will remember

He lives and always wills to hold your and my hand.

Stretch it for the golden hold,

for the Golden finish.

Published: 18 July 2022 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------