Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Happy Birthday Baby Noah

To the love of Mwinga's life. Your mischievous good looks are to die for.

Pssst: Mama ate all your cake :( read this post when you are 7 years old and give her a tantrum of a life time :) :)

Happy 1st birthday love.
Kisses on your adorable face.

Thursday, October 26, 2017

Dear JC

 Dear JC, 

Aunt Tina loves you (period). But know that your aunt lives like a butterfly. She is adventurous and basically a tourist, that's why you hardly get to see her and that's why she missed being present on your birthday! 

All the excuses aside, I want you to know that your very life and presence in this world is a testimony of God's greatness. You were meant to be here to prove to the world that God is great above anything a man can think of. Your mother prayed for you even before you were conceived (even though she was not sure you will ever exist). You came to this world being such an active baby in your mama's belly and guess what - she had to take some time off from work and her very busy life so that you could grow up to be such a healthy baby. 

You are a miracle that will forever remind her of God's existence!

As you have officially been on this visible earth for 12 months now (21st October). I want to ask you for one HUGE favor, and that is to love your mother unconditionally. God first, mother second. Be her voice when she can't speak. Be her hope when she is hopeless. Be her joy when she is sad. 

Prove to her that the God that made you real, is a God that is still alive and is able to do abundantly, exceedingly above all that we can ever think of. And that He is a God that answers prayers even those which we do not utter!

Your name may not be easily pronounced by your fellow kids, but know this...God knows your name and He will be and He will provide everything you need on this earth. 

Mom and Dad love you, and your God-mothers love you too. 

Happy Birthday my God-son 



Interview: WendyWoo The Fashion Stylist


     


WendyWoo is a fashion stylist hailing from Alabama USA, she has over 25 years of experience in the fashion industry. She prides herself in her ability to put together outfits and accessories and make a fashion statement. She currently resides in Jacksonville Florida where she works in fashion retail and owns her consignment boutique labelled WendyWoo Consignment Boutique. Apart from owning a boutique and being a fashion stylist, she is also a personal shopper.

Instagram
@wendywoo_fashionstylist
@wendywoo_consignmentboutique

Facebook: WendyWoo

Video by Gemineye Production
Instagram @gemineyeproductions
www.gemineyeproduction.blogspot.com





Thursday, October 19, 2017

MOTHERHOOD by MWINGA MUNGWE

MTSB: How does it feel being a mom?
Mwinga: Amazing! Overwhelming! Exhausting!
Amazing because I wanted to be a mother since when I was about 18 years old. (I hope my father doesn’t read this). Overwhelming because now I have this whole human being who looks up to me. Depends on me not only for food but protection and support and everything else. And exhausting, well, as mentioned earlier, he depends on me, so I have to do everything to make sure he is taken care of.

MTSB: How would you describe Noah?
Mwinga: Ooh Noah is a sweet, happy, loud baby. Thank God! He loves to laugh. He must have gotten that from me. He is smart, super smart. Another quality from me, ha-ha! He is an easy baby I must say. Rarely cries. He loves the outdoors. He jumps up and runs, in his case, crawls, towards the door every time it opens because he knows he is going out. He loves getting under things. Even in spaces he can’t get under, he will lay there trying to figure out how to get under it. As much as I hate to say this, he has started throwing himself on to the floor when I don’t give in to his demands. Tantrums! Lord, help me.

MTSB: How has your life changed since being a mom?
Mwinga: Where do I begin. First, nothing fits anymore. I thought I would leave the 28pounds I had gained during pregnancy on the delivery table. LIES! I am ever exhausted. Which is totally understandable for a first time mom who is constantly on the move. I wake up at 6am, EVERYDAY, because that is when Noah decides the day has to start.  I have more leggings and yoga pants than a fitness instructor, not because I work out a lot but at this point in my life comfortability is key. I am in new club now, the mommy club, (I sometimes have to say it out loud to believe it. MOM). I have a whole new perspective of life. I know a lot more nursery rhymes. Cute huh!  I drive like an old lady, simply because I am extra careful when on the road.   

MTSB: Do you document Noah’s progress? E.g., when he first took his first step, his first word, and the like.
Mwinga: Uuum, not really. I mean I remember things like he started to roll over when he was 3 months. Started to crawl by 5-6months. He said “mama” at 6 months. Though I doubt he knew what he was saying, but il take it, and I will never forget how it felt hearing those words.  He had his first 2 teeth when he was almost 8 months. Come to think of it, I should document such things.

MTSB: If there is/was one person, other than your husband, that you would trust with your son. Who would it be?
Mwinga: My late mother. God rest her soul!


MTSB: Growing up in a country where a child is raised by a nuclear family and having a maid to assist with child care, compared to living in America where you have no immediate family close-by other than your husband, how is that life like?
Mwinga: Exhausting is an understatement. I cannot tell you how many times I have cried simply because I did not have the strength to go on. But then I look at this tiny, precious being, staring at me, and there is no one around me who I can call on for help, I pull myself together, sometimes with tears rolling down my face, and before I know it, its done. Strength of a woman they call it. I think. I always imagined my mother would be around to help me with my babies and after she passed, I couldn’t think of anyone else who would be able to do that for me. I used to cry every single day from the day we got back from the hospital. Everyday! Until one day I realized that crying wont change anything. I wish I could say I have stopped. So, whenever I feel like I cannot do it, I say a little prayer, I look at my baby, I think of my mom, a strong woman she was, and I power through it.

MTSB: There are so many books for first-time moms, have you read any? And how are these books of any help to new moms?
Mwinga: Books, NO! Articles or blog posts, YES! Cause I am lazy like that. Oooh, I did listen to one audio book and I recommend it to every first-time mom, it’s amazing. Its called CONFESSIONS OF A SCARY MOMMY by JILL SMOKLER. This book gave me laughs and a sense of community. It is so relatable to every mother out there.
MTSB: How do you handle Noah’s growth pains and the occasional accidents?
Mwinga: We have been lucky. So far the only accidents he has had was falling from the bed, which I was terrified the first time it happened. Almost dialed 911. But he was ok. And in another incident, he had stuck his little fingers in a drawer and ended up with a blister.


MTSB: Going back to before baby Noah was born, what do you wish you could have done differently to prepare for motherhood?
Mwinga: I wish I had someone from back home to come help me. During my pregnancy it did cross my mind a couple of times that I should probably have someone come over to assist me but I couldn’t think of anyone, so I brushed the thought off and gave myself hope that I could do it on my own. Fast forward to 2 days after coming home from the hospital, reality struck, I NEED HELP! Then I was like by the time we get through with the visa process, I would have gotten used to doing everything by myself. And I did. I made it. Here I am. The rest is history! 

MTSB: Health care in Tanzania versus USA, where would you rather have Noah grow up?
Mwinga: Obviously between the 2, USA has the best health care. When it comes to where I would want Noah to grow up, I want him to have the best and I also want him to know his roots.  It is tough, but I will do my best as a parent to make a wise decision.

MTSB: Have you started saving up for his college? If not, when do you think is the best time for you to start saving for his college fund?
Mwinga: Sadly, I haven’t. The best time is NOW.

MTSB: Between being a full-time mom and having a job, which would you prefer and why?
Mwinga: This is a tough one. I should start by saying I am super grateful that I get to take care of my baby, be with him from the minute he wakes up to the time he goes to bed. I know many mothers wish for this. It is truly a blessing. But on the other hand, it can be very depressing if all you do all day is take care of a baby, especially if you have a degree under your belt. At this point in my life I feel like no matter what I choose, being a full time mom or a have a career, I will always have feelings of guilt choosing one over the other. Guilt that am choosing a career over my child and guilt that I am simply wasting my education by not per suing a career, even though there is no such thing as a wasted education. I don’t really know how to explain it. I just pray for the wisdom and the ability to find a balance between the two.

MTSB: What do you miss most, that has changed, or you don’t have the luxury of since motherhood began?
Mwinga: SLEEP!


MTSB: How many kids do you see yourself having?
Mwinga: If it were up to ME, I would have 5.

MTSB: What advice would you give to new mothers who are not able to have close family members around to assist them with child care?
Mwinga: Brace yourself. It is not easy at all but it is doable. After all, “A mother’s strength unlike anything known to man.”


Monday, October 16, 2017

Diamond Platnumz ft Morgan Heritage - Hallelujah (Official Video)

Interview with the founder of Duniani Eco Friendly Bag

                                                           

Erica Sandberg is a Swedish-Tanzania environment activist who has designed an eco-friendly re-usable bag for grocery shopping and any other use (multi-purpose bag). By using this bag, customers will eliminate the use of plastic bags and eventually keep their environment clean. Bags are available in Sweden as well as in Tanzania. For more information contact her on instagram @_duniani or email her at duniani.se@outlook.com

Video shot and edited by gemineye productions tz
instagram @gemineyeproductions
email us at gemineyeproductionstz@gmail.com


MTSB:  Hi Erica, tell us a little bit about yourself.

Erica: I am a happy, social and driven person. I love to work with my company Duniani. I love to exercise, I love food, to travel, reading and to watch movies. I was born in Tanzania Dar es salaam. My father is Swedish and my mother is Tanzanian. Me and my father and my little sister moved to Sweden in 1999. My mother still lives in Tanzania. Today, I am 30 years old and I try to travel to Tanzania once per year. I work as a seller at H&M and I also work as a business consult at Drivhuset. Drivhuset helps young people to start and make their ideas come true. 


      MTSB: What is Duniani? And why did you give it that name?  

Erica: Duniani means “in the world”  in Swahili. I liked the word because it uses in many different countries. Arabic, Turkish and Swahili. The word is understandable in different languages.


Many countries in the world have problems with their waste. So the name is associated in many countries who have problems with the waste. Littering of the waste is a big problem in many countries. 

MTSB: What does the company do?

Erica: Duniani is selling eco-friendly reusable bags. The money goes to an environment project that I wish to build in Tanzania. The project is about creating awareness in how to sort and recycle our waste and also to use the energy from waste (when burning burnable waste to make electricity and hot water in the villages).

1.      MTSB: When did you start this project?

Erica: About 2 years ago. April 2015.

MTSB: Which projects is Duniani doing in Sweden at the moment?

Erica: At the moment, Duniani company is spreading the awareness about keeping out environment clean. Selling the bags to companies and private people. Joining different events to market Duniani products. At the moment, I am working on building my website so that I can sell the bags online and people from other countries as well as in Sweden can find and buy them. 

1.      MTBS: What do you plan to do in Tanzania?

Erica: My plan is to sell the bags in Tanzania. To make people awareness about the environment. To start my workshops in sorting and recycling. Tell people how important is to take care of our waste in a good way.

To find people who want to help to work with this project and to find a place to build a Duniani recycling station. A place to be able to sort different materials like paper, plastic, iron, food (to make bio-gas) and burnable waste. The energy from burnable waste makes electricity and hot water. 



MTSB: What kind of research have you done and how can Duniani assist in bettering the environment?

Erica: Earlier this year I was in Tanzania and I went to the biggest dump-site in Dar es Salaam (Pugu), and it was a sad site to see. 

We know that plastic bags are the main cause of littering. Plastics kill our animals on land and in the ocean. The use of plastic is a major problem and you can be sure to find plastic waste everywhere.
People have forgotten that this is our waste and we have to take care and to control it. Unfortunately, people don’t know and also don’t care about the safest way of getting rid of waste.

But we know for a fact that dumping it anywhere will not make it better. We have to act now.

Did you know that it takes 400 years for a plastic bag to decompose? If we don’t take care of our waste, there will be more plastic and other wastes In our ocean than fish in year 2050.

The dumping sites that we have today are not pro-environment or healthy. The dumping sites themselves are destroying our earth, water and the air. Animals eat in these areas and diseases are spreading. Our Children get diarrhea and fall sick from other contaminated diseases because of these dumpsites.

To my opinion, open dumping sites should not exist. if we take care and act responsibly with our own waste, we can make products then use the same waste to remake a new product. If we need to keep our world safe for the future generation, starting by using reusable bags like duniani bag will eventually lead to staying in a clean environment. 
1.      
     MTSB: How much does a Duniani bag cost in retail price?

Erica: In Sweden I have two different prices.

For  company we sell in whole sale, minimum 50 pieces of bags for 4 dollars each.  Then for retail it's 8 dollar each.

1.     MTSB: What benefits will someone get by buying these bags in bulk?  

     Erica: Apart from helping to keep the environment clean. A person or a company who buys 50 pieces for 4 dollar each 4x50= total is 200 dollars. He can sell forward for 8 dollars each. 8x50 = 400 dollar. He will return his investment of 200 dollars back and get 200 dollars in profit.
But of course you could always buy more than 50 pieces.

1.      MTSB: How can someone get hold of the Duniani bags?

Erica: Contact me on facebook, Duniani. Instagram @_duniani or email duniani.se@outlook.com
Phone: +46735051468  Webbsite duniani.se in progress. 

Friday, October 6, 2017

Meet and Mingle October 14th


Meet and Mingle is a social networking event done in a speed dating format. The event is held to promote networking for those in need to market their business to new people, those looking to find love, or perhaps you are new in town and are looking to make new friends, or you simply just want to have a fun night out with new people. 

This year, @meetnmingletz October event will be donating all its proceeds to a breast cancer foundation. We believe that life matters. Women suffering from or those who have fought and kicked #breastcancer to the curb deserve our attention. When we have life and good health, we can accomplish anything sky is the limit. We believe that given the right support, all the breast cancer foundations will be in position to reach every woman in Tanzania and provide the necessary education and procedure for breast cancer awareness, checkup and treatment. How best can you be part of this pink month than by showing up to meet n' mingle on Saturday October 14th at the watering hole_patio in Masaki (Inside Tuk Tuk Thai Restaurant) from 8:00p.m for a chance to meet with Dar's best entrepreneurs, hustlers, go-getters, self-made business men and women, to market your brand and network. 

For more information please call 0752-487-449 or 0655-368-988. You can reserve your seat by paying in advance to either of the numbers mentioned. 

You are welcome!