Baby tooth is out!

I had to blog on this one. Two weeks ago, my son came to me with excitements, "Mommy my tooth is shaking." I washed my hands quickly and pushed my fingers in his mouth. Immediately I started shaking it back and forth. I was sure it was going to come out within one week. A week past, and was still there. Then I started hearing that I was not supposed to shake it, but let mother nature do her work. I remember when I was a child, my father used to shake our baby teeth, and encouraged us to remove them ourselves so that we don't get other teeth growing from behind the baby teeth. My dad helped me remove my first baby tooth, and the rest I removed myself. I didn't agree about letting it come out by itself, but I decided to reduce my shaking time from twice a day to once a day, I even skipped a day. Four days ago, I noticed that the tooth was no more as shaky as it was on the first day. I talked to my nanny who has a boy the same age as B. Her son lost the first two baby teeth when he was four. She told me that it took her five days to remove her son's teeth from the day she started shaking them. She also said I must shake it otherwise another tooth might grow from behind. When I hear that, I went to see B's tooth, and I saw something that looked almost like a tooth pushing through. I was so scared. I went online, and started reading. Oh my, sometimes the info online can make you even nervious. Some parents adviced that if there is another tooth growing behind there is nothing you can do not even the dentist. Your child have to wear braces to align teeth and their position. I started talking to my self that I must remove it by Saturday because Monday is too far to wait for the nanny to do it for me or to go to the dentist. On the other hand I didn't want the nanny to be the first to do it for me for my first child. But if I was not able to, I was going to let her do it. My nanny also told me that when she removed the son's teeth, she was holding down the root, and pull it out hard. I was not sure if I was brave enough to do that. Today, early in the morning, I woke up at 7:30 this is early for me on Saturdays unless if I have an assignment to do. B was already up playing. I greeted him and asked him to sit. He was ready too because he didn't want another tooth growing from behind. I tried to pull it but he said, "ouch, it hurts." As I stood there with no much hope I started thinking about the better option. A string, I must use a string. I went to get one that we use to sew the clothes. I put it behind the tooth all the way down. Then I pulled. B said, "Ouch" I asked him is it out? he said yes. I looked in the mouth, but it was still there lol. I slightly shaked the tooth with a string, and he was right it was almost out. I just pulled a little, and it was out. Oh motherhood. That was my experience. Below is some info I found online: "A lot of parents hold out hope the baby tooth will fall out on it's own. Some children are very aggressive in wiggling their teeth. Some just let them hanging there. Remember however, that there may be more root on that baby tooth than you think, otherwise it would have come out by now. Most of the time the dentist has to get in there and get the tooth out." Follow their links to learn more You never know you might need it for your child, niece/nephew, friend or neighbor.

The book I read in three days

Last month I went to the Text Book Center looking for a book I can relate to the story I'm writing; I wanted a childhood story. After I searched for about 30 minutes, I was disappointed to learn that there was nothing similar. I was avoiding the biography, but one of the guys in the shop suggested the biography area, finally I went. Most of the books base on childhood were books on betrayal. I decided browse inside the books, maybe I might like one of the writer's style, and pick some good writing tricks. Then I picked: Don't Tell Mummy" by Toni Maguire. I read through, and yes I liked her writing style. I read the first two pages, and put it down to do something. After a week, I came back to it, and read it in three days. I could hardly put this book down because I was always curious about the next thing. This book is about a true story of Toni Maguire sharing a betrayal story. It begins showing us her early life as beautiful, and innocent which was taken away quickly by her father once he returned home for good. Outside their home they were a happy family, but inside they were hiding dark secret. This woman can writer. I would hear his father calling, "Antoniette," and I could smell the mother's baking. I feel like some of the five senses are missing in my book. The five senses are truly important to keep the book alive, and help take the reader back into their your world. I was surprised to find three pages in one chapter that I could relate to. I said to myself, "wow the person she described is my father." I almost cried. In this chapter she talked about the apartheid in South Africa, and explained the sad situation that some families were going through. They were forced to work in the diamond mines. They missed out on seeing their children make the first steps etc and on their return they were frustrated, and tried hard to reconnect with their love ones. This book is a must read, I'm looking forward to reading her next book "When Dad Comes Home." After reading this book, I think I can start reading again.

Re: Swahili Book on Amazon

Yambeka Children Media is happy to Announce that our Wanyama/Animals children book is available for sale on Amazon.com. Follow the link: Wanyama/Animals

Lil' B some History lessons!

Mom: B what's the capital city of USA? B: Washington Mom: What is the capital city of Kenya? B: Nairobi Mom: What's the capital city of Namibia? B: I know I know my aunt told me, its something windy. Mom: It's Windhoek Mom: What's the capital city of Ethiopia? B: Addis Mom: Who is the President of USA? B: Obama Mom: Where's Obama's dad from? B: Kenya Mom: Where's Obama's mom from? B: Namibia Mom: From the USA Mom: Who is the president of Namibia B: I don't know Mom: Hifikepunye Pohamba B: Hifi what? Mom:Hifikepunye Pohamba B: Can we just call him Pohamba?

Kenyan business women!

I'm blessed to live in a neighborhood surrounded by many Kenyan business women. Some are college graduates, and some didn't even finish high school. The most impressive thing about these women is that they find a need in their community/country, and they take action. Most of these organizations are NGOs. One of my neighbor and a friend Betty motivates me in many ways. Here is Betty's story:

"Hidden away inside one of the busy malls in Eastleigh estate is a factory many don’t even know exists.It is a factory that is touching thousands of lives in a unique way.It's the brainchild of Beatrice Muta, who grew up being told that the menstrual cycle was regarded as taboo. As a result, many school going girls dropped out while others skipped school during that period. Most simply lost their self-esteem because of the stigma attached to this natural phenomenon.

The challenges she faced then prepared her for what she calls her ‘mission in life’. She is now committed to helping those who suffer in silence by building a factory that employs 86 women who take care of the needs of thousands of less fortunate young women. It's called Saidia Dada. A venture aimed at manufacturing cheap sanitary towels. Muta is no doubt changing lives by providing a solution to the discomfort of the monthly cycle that was and is still one of the major reasons for the high rate of school drop out amongst girls. The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KBS) has certified the sanitary pads.At the cost of only 35 shillings for a pack of eight these are the cheapest pads in the market. Muta says 'Saidia Dada' makes up to 90-thousand pads a month. Muta says she feels she's making a difference in the lives of women especially among the poor and less fortunate." To learn more about Betty's organization, visit her website at:

Saidia Dada

We have been in Kenya for almost a year now!

I have to admit I miss some of the little things that I took for granted in the States for examples, if I needed any help from the librarian, I just go to the library website, start typing and within 1 minute, someone will be there to chat with me, and respond to my questions. Customer service in the States is just beyond the word fantastic (Kenyan customer service is better than Namibia though, at least in the Kenyan shops people are trying to be nice. I think this has to do with competition. What Namibia needs is more businesses new ones providing an excellent service;and then all the people will be going to these new shops. The moment old businesses start to see less people coming to their shops, I'm positive they will start with the customer service training. One day I will open up a business chain similar to Walmart in Namibia, and provide the best customer service, I bet I'll drive 80% of the people to my shops). Going for a walk is in the US is fun because I can push the kids in a stroller without worrying about the cars driving on the side walk, or without worrying about bad side walks. I can drink water from the tap, I can use electric stove without worrying about the electricity bill. I miss the fast and cheep internet, don't have to worry about the electricity going off even if I have paid my bill on time, have access to one of the world's best library, have mail delivered in front of my home, washer and dryer. The list goes on... I know not everything in the USA is good for examples I prefer the African meat, baby sitters are cheaper than $3 per day, yummy fruits all the time etc. Yes, life can be comfortable in the USA because of endless opportunities and technology that make people's life easier compared to developing countries. But I can say this, I'm very glad we came to Kenya. It's interesting how people can get comfortable easily. Me of all people spent my childhood in a refugee camp. No electricity, no tv, but when we came to Kenya last year, I found it a bit hard to adjust. This is a great experience for my entire family.

My experience registering a business in Kenya

I have never registered a business in Africa thus I don't have any African country to compare with; however, I'll share a bit of the experience I had while registering in the US. My husband and I took one day only, we registered downtown Columbus, and within three days, we received all the papers we needed via the mail. That's how easy it is to do it in Ohio. I'm not trying to compare Kenya to the US, and just sharing my experience. Here is my experience in Kenya. Once a Kenyan business lady asked me to pay her so that she register my business in her name. She warned me that the process is long and frustrating especially that I'm a foreigner they might give me a hard time. I said no, because I won't have all the rights to my business. Then the day came when I decided to register my business in Kenya. First I asked one of the taxi driver if he knew the place I needed to go to register the business. He told me that his friend registered one; thus he was going to call him for me. Imediatly, he called him, and told him that I needed to provide three names for name search, and pay Ksh100 for each name search, and then he warned me that it was not an easy process. The taxi driver drove me to the place called Sherea house, and I was to call him once I was done. When I entered inside, I was just confused, didn't know were to go; the place was scattered with people in lines, some pushing through, and some just standing like they were trying to decide what to do next. The interesting things was that most of the people in lines were men in suits, and ties, but the majority of the people behind the windows were ladies dressed in casuals. There was no one to direct me. On the windows where the people were heading to there were no signs like registrations etc, but numbers. As I stood there wondering what to do next, a middle age man smiled at me, and asked me if I needed help. Immediately I smiled at him and he directed me to the window for the name search. I was to write with my hand or type the business names, and the business info. Luckily I carried a booklet and a pen; thus I wrote the info with a pen. The line for the name search was the quickest. I payed Ksh300 and in exchange I gave my name search paper with the three potential business names. The lady behind the window told me to return in three days. Even though she didn't smile, I left smiling, thinking that this was not as difficult as the people told me. On my way out, I saw an information desk, which was surrounded by people; no wonder I didn't see it when I entered. After three days, I returned, and my papers were there waiting for me. Unfortunately, they denied my first choice. Even though they approved the second choice, I decided to investigate about who registered my name. I was curious to know who registered my unique name. I called my husband to tell him that someone registered my business name. He told me to find out who registered it. I went to the information desk, and asked if there was a way to find out who registered the name. They told me to go to the same window I registered for the name search, and pay Ksh200, and they should be able to provide me with the copy of the owner's profile. I went back and paid the Kh200, and requested for the profile. After she handed me the receipt, she told me to ask the security to guide me to a gentlen inside the office. The security refused, and sent me back to the same lady at the window. The lady at the window sent me back to the security. I went to the info desk, and they told me to go see someone else, I went inside, and this guy checked in the system and told me that no one has registered that name. Furthermore he told me that they might have refused to register my name for many other reasons, at this point I was fruastrated. I wish they have stated on the document that my name was refused for abc and d, then I wouldn't have spend my Ksh200. I went back to the lady at the window asking for explanation, and she sent me back to the same security guy, the security guy sent me back to the window, this time, I was tired, and frustrated, I went to the window and told the lady that she needed to stop making me running around for nothing. I demanded my Ksh200 back, which she refused to pay back. I was really loud when I asked for my money, but I didn't care. I went back to beg the guy who told me that my name was still available to help me call the person who can help me. He refused, when I came out, there was a new security standing next to the security that I have spoke to. I went to the new security who was a lady, greeted her her with the most pleasing voice, and asked her to call the gentlemen the lady at the window asked me to go to. She was nice, she took my papers, and handed them to the gentlemen inside. Within 10 minutes, the guy went at the widow were the lady who registered the name search was, and she was told to tell me what the issue was. I went there, and she told me that they don't deal with children. I asked her why they didn't state that on the paper, and then asked her to tell me about the place that deals with children. She sent me to another building that was in the same area. When I went there, they told me that they don't register business, only books. Thus, I was to go back to the same building and maybe change my business name, and then register it. This time I decided to go home, and returned the next day. When I returned, I decided to search for three different names. After three days I returned, and the same lady didn't even search for my papers, she just told me to come back the next day. I didn't argue with her, I just decided to return after 5 days. When I returned, they have approved my new name, and I went to the next window were I was told to return after 10 days. After 10 days I returned, and I was told to return after 5 days. I returned after a week and I was told to return again. I decided to wait for two more weeks, and when I returned I was given my business certificate. I'm curious to know how the process work in Namibia. Mem this was an experience. This should not be hard at all. I have heard that some people do it within two days because they pay someone inside. This was really an experience. But it's doable.