TUDiki Magazine October Issue by TUDiki

OCTOBER 2021

Celebrating

Magazine

Down Syndrome Awareness Month

Dr Abigail Magwenzi

Celebrating the life of her son, Farai keeping his memory alive & keeping the red lipstick on, always

Suffering in Silence

The dangers of Obstetric Fistula

Chenesai Mangoma

On building a vision & present parenting

Mental Health Check

Helping you to assess your children’s mental health in mind!

Our Team Content Manager Contributors

Design

Editor in Chief Shingie Mangwiro

Makaita Mawunganidze

Dr Abigail Magwenzi Chenesai Mukora-Mangoma Dr. Anesu Chinoperekwei The Rogue Creative

theroguecreatives@gmail.com

For Advertising & Enquiries Contact Us sales@tudiki.com

+263 784 714 385 +263 718 911 752

In This Issue 04

From the Editor’s Desk

Our Cover Story

Dr. Abigail Magwenzi

Celebrating Farai’s life, keeping his memory alive & working to empower women, girls and the disabled across the country!

Mental Health Matters

Stay aware & check up on your children’s mental wellness.

Chenesai Mukora-Mangoma

Chenesai talks about her brand, building anempire & her unique parenting approach!

Obstetric Fistula

A silent condition that many young and poor Zimbabwean women battle with.

35 Health & Awareness October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Letters from Aunt Jane

Balancing emotional intelligence & the inevitable stresses of life

39 Faith in Action

Introducing your child to God!

The TUDiki Shower What to expect this year!

42 What’s Cooking

It’s Pizza month and we are shaking things up with a fun and sweet pizza treat!

30 World Teacher’s Day! 46 TUDiki Quiz 5 Awesome reasons why we appreciate these awesome super heroes!

Are you space-savvy? Take our space week quiz to ﬁnd out!

49 TUDiki Bdays! Celebrating our TUDiki stars!

From the Editor’s Desk

Dear Reader, Happy October to all our friends, our TUDiki family, and all our amazing supporters. We are so excited to be coming out with yet another issue of the TUDiki Magazine. Thank you for your continued support and guidance, the team and I really appreciate it. On our cover, this month we have Dr. Abigail Magwenzi and her late son Farai. This was an exciting story for me personally because this is a woman who I'm really inspired by. We spoke at length about how she raised a son with Down syndrome despite the limited resources in Zimbabwe, how she found her own way and made it work. Our second featured interview is with a pioneer in her ﬁeld, and a brave mama to 2 boys, Chenesai Mukora-Mangoma. We spoke about the work she does and her unique parenting style. Another topic we tackle in the issue is destigmatisation and getting rid of taboos against mental health. Despite what we may think or believe, children can also suffer from mental illnesses. Somethong that has always been important to us as a brand from the beginning was to use TUDiki as a 4

valuable resource for parents and guardians as they raise their children. . Whether it be through the annual TUDiki Shower or through this magazine, our new baby, we are always working hard to equip parents and guardians with all the tools they need to raise their children. As I’ve said time and time again, children are at the heart of what we do. My biggest wish is to demystify the parenthood journey, from pregnancy to giving birth and raising your children. And I’m so grateful to have this platform to do this and your support along the way. As always, I hope that you all enjoy this issue and thank you for your cheers and continued support. Until next month, Shingie!

! S U W FOLLO

@tudiki

@tudikishop

DOW N SYND ROME AWARENESS MONTH Down syndrome is one of the most common types of intellectual disabilities. Each October we recognize Down Syndrome Awareness Month to raise public awareness about the condition, & help spread the message of love, acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome. People with Down syndrome still face stereotypes and myths, but they’ve shown time and again that the condition is just one part of who they are and doesn’t define them or limit their abilities.

Chronicles of a mother’s love: Finding joy, love, meaning & life in every moment with

Dr. Abigail Magwenzi Author, humanitarian, teacher, sister and mother, Dr. Abigail Magwenzi is a trailblazer and a pioneer. She is the commander-in-chief of the Red Lipstick Revolution, an organization driven to empower women and the girl child. She shared her life experiences as a mother to 5 sons, one who grew up with special needs. She shared how she took each day as it came with no fear and full trust in God!

TUDiki: Mrs. Magwenzi thank you for speaking with us. We're so happy to feature the inspiring woman you are in our magazine. Dr. Magwenzi: I also want to thank you

for responding positively to our call for help. Your generous donation has had a positive impact. This is why I do what I do. The Red Lipstick Revolution is all about changing the world one person at a time.

TUDiki: We were also very sad to see that your son had passed away from COVID 19. He passed away in July and it has been a very hard journey since then. We did a lot together as mother and son, so it's been a huge adjustment for me. It's so crazy how life can just end in a moment. He had so much he was planning to do; he had just gotten engaged and was getting married soon. Farai and I were also working on a show: we had identiﬁed a producer, and we were targeting to ﬂight the show on DStv. The show was going to show the everyday lives of people living with disabilities like Autism, Cerebral Palsy, and Down syndrome, which Farai had. We're still going to go ahead with the show; we'll use it to celebrate Farai's life and legacy. He was truly a bright light in my world, and I hope to let his light continue to shine on. That's why I'm starting the Farai Magwenzi Foundation.

Dr Magwenzi receiving TUDiki’s donation to help a teen mother. TUDiki: What is life like for people living with disabilities in Zimbabwe? Resources are very lacking in our country and so is education. Usually, when somebody ﬁrst realizes that their child has disabilities, it's very hard for them, and given our culture, there are a lot of assumptions about everything. So, I feel that parents need more access to educational programs, which is why the Adjustment Centre has been a massive passion project of mine.

TUDiki: What are some resources you will bring in through the Farai Magwenzi Foundation? We’ll be introducing the Adjustment Center, a place where parents can come for a few days to adjust. What happens when you've got a child with special needs, whatever they may be, the way that the doctor delivers the diagnosis, and the way that the social worker also tries to help you with the resources that are available like your special schools or whatever, all those things are what will shape the initial relationship that the mother and father will have with their child.

exclusive interview And, as much as they get clinically correct information, we often overlook spiritual and emotional support. The Adjustment Centre is a place where parents will ﬁnd support and learn to appreciate their gift from God, their child. We will offer them emotional support, helping them move from denial to acceptance.

people and show them that he is so much more than his disability. I want to keep Farai's inspirational spirit alive.

TUDiki: What was your own process like when you found out Farai had special needs?

This is how my paediatrician, Dr. Powell explained it to me. He said, "Imagine that We'll also show and give them alternative you have got a bowl full of matchsticks, like a few thousand of them. But among methods to handle their new roles by having them interact with other mothers them, there's only one short one. After who are raising children under the same the bowl is shaken thoroughly, you're circumstances. We'll also give them ways blindfolded and asked to pick just one matchstick. You picked the short stick." to handle familial and spousal rejection.

TUDiki: What inspired you to come up with the idea to build the centre? I myself learnt and watched Archbishop Dr. Eunor Guti who also successfully raised a child with challenges, until Christ was fully formed in him. Ezekiel Guti Jnr became a very powerful Evangelist. So the people around me inspired me but what gave me the ﬁnal push was a Mother's Day luncheon I was invited to at St. Giles. About 200 mothers who are raising kids with challenges came. One of them heard me speaking on Star FM and she came through from Murehwa. So, I asked her, "who did you leave the child with?" And she told me she just closed the door and left him alone in the house – the same thing she does when she has to go to her farm. And we had other women who carried their children, 14-year-olds on their backs. This experience really showed me that there is a gap in education for mothers. This is why I would give Farai the stage at any event I was organizing, hosting, or invited to. He used to call himself the 'Apostle of Dubai.' I would give him that platform, and he would talk, inspire

Farai had Mosaic Down syndrome. This type has absolutely nothing to do with age or genes. There is no explanation – it just happens. In my case, this was my ﬁrst child, I was in my early 20s, my husband was also two years older than me, so it didn't make sense. But what makes all the difference is what you, as parents, do with that information.

TUDiki. What sort of challenges did you face as you were raising him? We decided from an early age that we were going to treat him normally. I tried to put him through the normal school

system, but it was an uphill struggle to get him to ﬁt in because he was a slow learner. So, I got in touch with the Downs Association but that didn't really work out either. But we kept looking and we ﬁnally found a Zimcare school, St Catherine's, and that's where he really started thriving.

TUDiki. What sorts of challenges does a parent with a child with special needs face? We have a massive problem in Africa where people don't talk about these issues. And I feel like God made me the voice to bring these issues to light. This is one of the reasons why the TV show is so important. I used to travel a lot with Farai and when we travelled together I let him sit on his own in the back of the plane. I gave him the space to be independent and he would always ﬂourish. He made so many friends during his ﬂights.

TUDiki: That independence must have meant a lot to him.

I was never ashamed of my son. I always gave him a platform and a role at the Dubai conference before I spoke. And we also visited his school, St. Catherine's every year and he would speak there too. He would pray for people and then get the crowd excited before I began. He was just an amazing man. I'm writing a book about him, it's called "It's Not in the Packaging! How a Man Living with Down Syndrome Overcame Life’s Challenges and Impacted the World.” But, when I look at the man he had become, I must thank my family for all the support we gave him from home. That support and love really contributed in a big way to him being the outgoing person he was. Do you know, he's impacted about 14 countries? His impact was so strong that there's a group in the UK that wants to set up the same foundation for the UK and EU. He touched and impacted so many lives in the people he came across that they just want to help in any way they can. They want to keep spreading the joy that he did. 10

TUDiki: You mentioned that he was able to cope better in school at St. Catherine's because of what you did with him at home. Can you tell us some of the things that you did that helped him to excel? The most important thing we did was not treating him differently. And this meant that we had to ensure the people around him thought and acted in the same way. That meant that if we were invited to a birthday party and I knew some people would not treat him well, we wouldn't go. He could sense when people did not like him. You need to understand that these

children are very sensitive to these things. That’s why I always tried to make his life as normal as possible. We would go grocery shopping together; we would take him out to eat.

“We simply allowed him to be because the moment you single him out and treat him differently, he starts to think he's different.” Farai never thought he was different, he just thought that he was just like everyone else, even though he understood that he was packaged differently. He was even about to get married.

TUDiki: That must have been an exciting time for him. It really was. We even threw an engagement party for him about 2 weeks before he passed. He was practicing his wedding dance steps. And even though he was struggling quite a bit he was enjoying every moment of it. It's important for parents raising kids with special needs to create an enabling environment that allows their children to realise their full potential. I know it's hard, trust me, but try not to be too protective. Let them be their own person. And help them be as normal and as free as they can be – that's the best gift you can give to them.

TUDiki: How have you been dealing with Farai's passing? I was very shaken; I never thought Farai would ever leave me. I always thought we would play in this life game together. We were so good together. We were best friends, & we went everywhere together.

Dr. Abby with Farai and his ﬁancée at their engagement party. All the decisions I made were always in consideration of him and his needs. I got a scholarship to study for my doctorate at Michigan State University and to work as an assistant lecturer. It was a great deal with lots of perks but I thought to myself: I'm going to be taking Farai away from everything and everyone he has known. And I realised that I had to let it go because I need to be in a place where he was comfortable. Even when my husband passed away I decided that I would not get into another relationship where I would have to renegotiate my son's position in my life. I wasn't ready to start trying to negotiate the conditions of the relationship, or to manage bigoted relatives.

TUDiki: How did you deal with his illness and how supportive was the hospital?

I had second thoughts about sending him to the hospital because he would be alone. And they refused to let us see him, and I could just imagine how traumatized he must have been, surrounded by

strangers in masks. I did try to negotiate with the hospital, and the day he passed away he was supposed to come home.

funding, and whatever resources they may need.

COVID made me realize that our country as a whole is lacking in policies and protections for children and for people with challenges. But talking to friends overseas, I hear that parents are allowed to visit their children. Right now, I'm in this place where I'm thinking maybe I should have done more to help him and not left him alone in the hospital.

TUDiki: You mentioned a lack of resources for people with special needs in Zimbabwe. What resources do you think we need to better support our special needs population? Firstly, we need specialist nurses who are trained to deal with people with challenges. When Farai was in the hospital, I found that they had no clue of how to manage him. Overseas there is a lot more support whether in the hospitals or for employment, they even have sheltered homes for them. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, is extremely lacking – we've got a few Zimcare schools and a home for older people called Home Fields, but it is extremely run down. I had considered taking Farai there, but I couldn't. A lot of this is due to a lack of funding. And it's so sad because sometimes you'll get there and there's only one bag of mealie meal left. We do what we can, and we run around and make ends meet. That's why I'm so grateful for the donation that TUDiki made. Every donation counts.

TUDiki: What you do is honestly amazing and awe-inspiring. What is your mission? I aim to be a bridge, connecting people and organisations doing good to support, 12

We had a women's conference recently and one of the people that spoke was a young lady called Charlene. She grew up with a young single mum, so she started a home for teenage mothers from low-income areas. Most young girls living in low-income areas like Epworth end up becoming sex workers by the time they are 9 or 10. And by the time they are 15, they're mothers. I ﬁnd it so heart-warming that she has started a shelter for other women so that someone can have a better experience than she did growing up. That's something that I'm proud to do with the Red Lipstick Revolution. We help out small organisations like hers and we help them to source funding and support from establishments like TUDiki and also Higher Life which we have been working with for a while.

TUDiki: You spoke about the Adjustment Centre. What other work do you hope to do with the Farai Magwenzi Foundation? We are also setting up a dating service called 'Matches Made in Heaven'. We'll be

exclusive interview helping to match special people with their perfect match. We are also going to be doing something special for our girls. We're going to be running pageants. And we're already in talks with some beauty spas so we can take these girls in for a pamper day! At the end of November we will be hosting a special red carpet event called “Your Moment to Shine”. This will be a dinner for people with disabilities they will get to dress up and get dolled up for that one night. I am super excited about this and I’m really hoping to take the event across Zimbabwe.

TUDiki: Looks like you've got a lot on your plate. These next few months are going to be very exciting for us. We want to raise awareness about the lives of people living with special needs. We are going to be reaching out to churches. But everything I'm doing; I'm driven by my love for Farai and my hope to keep his memory alive. Every single thing that happens has meaning. Farai died on the 21st of July 2021. In biblical numerology, 7 is the number of completions. There are 7 days in a week, the children of Israel marched 7 times around Jericho and the walls came tumbling down. 21 is 7 times 3, July is the 7th month. 7 times 7 is 49, and the Jubilee comes in the 50th year. And if you add the numbers of the year, 2021 you get 5, the number of grace. World Down syndrome Day is on the 21st of March. I was born on the 21st of March. And when someone has down syndrome, what happens is the 21st chromosome duplicates itself. And again, we see that number 21. I need to ﬁnd meaning in the numbers and events because they help me to see what I am supposed to do next.

TUDiki: So, what are the next steps? We are going to reach out to churches, to the government, to everybody, so that we start observing the special days for our people with special needs. Last year I celebrated my birthday, which is also Down Syndrome Awareness Day, in a restaurant. And this year I've made a promise to myself that every year going forward I will be celebrating my birthday while I march in the streets wearing 2 different pairs of socks, which is how you celebrate world Down syndrome Day.

TUDiki: Awareness is so important in helping to demystify the experiences of people with disabilities. Exactly! We have been silent for too long, even I am guilty of this and I'm repenting before God. By March next year, we would have written to all the companies, all the employers, and all the churches to observe these special days. We want to celebrate these days by giving these

people a platform to talk about what it feels like to live in their skin and the discrimination they face every day. We want them to change their calendars. We want to make noise about this so that people hear, and see and understand the conditions that people with disabilities live in.

TUDiki: Among the many things you do, you still ﬁnd time to write! Yes. So, the ﬁrst book I wrote was 'Fill Up the Cracks: Reconstruct Before You Self-Destruct'. After that, I wrote 'The Red Lipstick Stays On'. I have another book called: 'Portraits from The Pit: How to paint a positive picture of your future'. This book is loosely based on the story of Joseph when he was in the pit. Even in my own life, I learned the hard way that people are people. When you are in the pit they will come, they will watch but very few are willing to lend a helping hand.

TUDiki: What is one ﬁnal piece of wisdom that you would want to leave us with? I've learnt that there are so many currencies that we can talk about in life. There's the currency of faith, then the currency of money, and lastly the currency of people. Everything that you need, God has already supplied through the people around you. We need to understand the importance of people, we need to value and treasure them. You never know how this life will turn out – that person you are looking down on today could turn out to be your boss tomorrow. God is a spirit, and he moves through the spirit, answering our prayers through the people around us. That's why it's important to always be prayerful so that your spirit is always aware of God's spirit moving and making wonders in your life.

TUDiki: What's the biggest lesson you've learnt in the past year? I've gone through a lot but still, I rise! I've learned that God will sometimes use pain to direct you to your purpose. And I am clear now more than ever of my purpose. God created me to be a bridge, to connect people in need to the resources that can help them. He gave me a big heart and pioneering spirit so that I would not tire in the work I do, inspiring and empowering women and even men. This past year has been painful, and I have been through a lot. I've seen a lot of pain; I've seen a lot of loss and grief and trauma, and I've experienced regret. I've really learned to listen to the voice of God and see where he wants me to channel my energy. 14

Contact Dr. Abigail Magwenzi

@AbieMagwenzi +263 77 288 8479

MASK UP Keep your mask on, protect your family & Zimbabwe! Available in assorted colours

+263 784 714 385

Mental Health

Matters

BY: DR. ANESU ISABEL CHINOPEREKWEI

Contrary to popular belief, children can and do suffer from mental health conditions. Most adults assume that because children don't bear the burden of providing for the family, or because children don't face the stressors that adults face in the "real world"; children have no reason to suffer from mental illness. No one needs an excuse to suffer from mental illness. Unfortunately, because of these views, most children's mental illnesses like depression and suicidal thoughts go unnoticed until it's too late.

Being aware of the reality and the existence of mental illnesses in children goes a long way in mitigating the long-term adverse effects of untreated mental illnesses. And as we observe mental health day on the 10th of October, we have created a mental health checklist speciﬁcally designed for your children and adolescents so that mental health illnesses may be attended to earlier.

Checklist for Younger Children • Changes in toileting abilities like bedwetting, soiling self with stool after a child has previously achieved continence. • Delays in toilet training beyond the expected age • Delays in speech and/or motor abilities (i.e. crawling, standing, walking) • Inability to make eye contact • Not being able to play with other children e.g. child may be part of a group but doesn’t interact with them • Hyperactivity e.g. not being able to sit still for long but constantly being all over the place • Too many silly mistakes & accidents like bumping into things, or always losing belongings at school. • Daydreaming a lot. • Temper tantrums that continue beyond the expected age • Untoward hostility to pets, & peers • Prolonged sadness • Excessive crying when parents leave the child at school or home • Frequent nightmares • Excessive fear of being left alone

Checklist for Adolescents • Sudden decline in school grades • Keeping with the “wrong crowd” at school & at home • Unusual smells in bedroom and/or on clothes • Evasiveness • Skipping school • Prolonged sadness • Irritable mood or mood swings • Persistent excessive worries • Inability to concentrate • Social isolation • Changes in sleeping habits • Significant changes in eating habits leading to weight gain/loss • Decreased interest and pleasure in previously enjoyable activities • Decreased self-care i.e. deterioration in personal hygiene & grooming • Persistent rule-breaking & defiance of authority • Suicidal utterances e.g. "life is too hard", "I just want to disappear for a long time"," I wish I could sleep forever and never wake up", “I envy Simon for dying. At least he doesn't

have to put up with this boring/ painful life anymore", “living feels like a chore”. • Suicidal attempts. Children experience a wide range of emotions and behaviours as part of growing up, so any of the signs we have indicated above is not necessarily a cause for concern when it occurs in isolation. These checklists should be used as a guide only, but the more signs your child is showing and the more distressed they seem, the more imperative it is for you to seek some advice from a professional.

falling within the expected growth and behavioural patterns of his/her peers, this should not really cause panic. Explore whether there have been any changes in their environment or if there are any recent stressors that can help explain the behaviour. Parental anger can also trigger stress in children. So it's really on you as the parent or guardian to create a healthy peaceful environment for the children.

Some common mental health conditions which occur in children include: i. Depression ii. Anxiety iii. ADHD iv. Conduct disorder v. Autism

Common stressors 1.

Stressors

It's important to remember that every child is different and develops differently from the next. Therefore, if a child is not 18

Recent parental divorce or separation 2. Witnessing a violent or traumatic event. It is important to note that whilst some events may not be traumatic to older people, young children may find the events to be quite traumatic. Make sure to take into account the nature of the event, and the child's level of understanding. Traumatic events can include hearing or witnessing a suicide or parental partner abuse. Trauma can also come from experiencing abuse in any form physical, emotional, verbal, or sexual. 4. The death of a loved one can also be very traumatic for children they grieve too, though it may not

mental health matters 5. 6. 7.

be in the same way as adults. Moving or relocating to a new neighborhood Changing schools or change from lower grade school to High school or university Hormonal shifts accompanied by adolescence. These hormonal shifts may impact the mental health of the child negatively. Bullying at school.

manner possible. Check-in with your child, and ﬁnd out how they are coping. This mental health first aid kit will help you to manage the crisis periods: + Maintain regular sleep patterns. + Create and maintain a regular exercise regimen. + Eat healthy foods at regular intervals. + Reduce screen time on the television and electronic gadgets. + Create time for meditation and relaxation. + Create a safe space for the child to express themselves without judgment, & provide a listening ear.

What to do when there is no improvement? Take note of the duration of any worrisome symptoms, and if these persist despite interventions at home, then you should probably seek professional help. When mental health challenges require professional help, Mental health first aid there will usually be a disruption. You may ﬁnd your child will experience Once a parent has managed to identify disruptions at school, social life, family the stressors, it is important to try to address them in the best and most gentle life, and the activities of daily living.

Dr. Anesu is a Psychiatrist based in Harare. She runs Serenity Mind Center, an outpatient mental health facility. She is passionate about mental health & is working towards making a difference in untangling stigma, discrimination, myths & fears on the mental health in Zimbabwe. She is married, & a mother to 3 children. Contact Dr Anesu at Serenity Mind Center 19 Divine Road, Milton Park, Harare 0712252245 serenemindcenter@gmail.com

Chenesai

Mukora-Mangoma Living in intentionality & being present to every moment.

exclusive interview Q. What circumstances and situations in your life have brought you to this moment? I have told my story and my history so many times that I could get lost in it. But, what has led me to this platform, and into the spaces I exist are the voices of so many women that have not had a chance to tell their story. Women like my grandmother, and many other women who are cross-border traders, and informal sector traders. There are so many voices that are in my head from the time I get out. This is my strength, this is who I am: I love meeting people and I love engaging with them. I show up! I get so ﬁred up when I meet women and I hear their stories, which is why I knew I could never work in an ofﬁce.

Q. How was Chenesai Africa born?

From my grandmother’s voice, my mother’s mother. This voice has always been the loudest in my head and this voice led me to start everything I have now.

Q. What is your biggest motivator? We are living in the digital age. Women are forced to show up perfect and polished. As such it appears that the only acceptable story is about proﬁt and prosperity. But I sense that this is not how the story always goes and we are leaving out the voice of the majority. My wish is to create systems that allow those voices to be their true authentic selves; to tell their stories as they are because no story is the same. I guess it would be important for us to realize that there are women working hard, whose stories are not making the front pages. These women are doing the most: supporting their children through school, sustaining their families and in that story, sometimes there is no glitz and glam. That’s what I would love every woman and every girl growing up in this contemporary world to know and understand. It’s important for them to undrstand both narratives, the glitz, the glam and the non-fabulous.

She was a creative industries trader – she used to do a lot, she used to crotchet, knit jerseys and we grew up wearing her products. We never really spoke about passing on the baton of inter-generational business with my grandmother. We never discussed who would carry on the knowledge that she had accumulated during her 60 years of trading in the Sub-Sahara Africa region. As such, my grandmother’s business never lived beyond her life; her network, her connections, and all her trade secrets and skills died with her. I also remember my grandmother as a uniﬁer, she loved unity. She brought people together; she made it her purpose to go to everyone’s house - bothering my mother and her sisters to take her around to do that.

Q. It seems like everything you did before you started Chenesai Africa kind of prepped you for the industry that you operate in now. Coincidentally that’s actually true. I had the opportunity to work in corporate banking and this taught me how money works. I worked in law firms and this taught me how the law works. I also had the opportunity to work in a University and this taught me the importance of research in developing sustainable solutions. I'm not going to lie, it's been a tough journey but I think this is what I was built for, this is what I am here to fulfill. And many thanks to my support system, because it hasn’t always been clear. They have somehow supported me through the journey. Special thanks to my husband and best friend for his unwavering and silent support. If it wasn’t for him I would be stuck somewhere in a law firm.

My grandmother's voice has been a huge inﬂuence on the trajectory of my life and my business. Throughout these experiences the voices have led me to ask: “What are you doing for the micro & informal traders in creative industries?” 22

“

we want to remember, recover and reveal that which has sustained African women for centuries. Q. So how did the journey begin? It began with my insatiable apetitie to learn and my relentless quest to change, to see things different, and to support women like Mama Vincent (pictured) from a village in Kenya. When I started off in this creative industry sector, it was not a mistake that that I started by making clothes under the Chenesai brand banner. But, at that point, it was called NoNo’s Couture, my ﬁrst name is Noreen. In later years, we rebranded to Chenesai. The rebrand was driven by a period of enlightment that I went through. I got woke and I started to appreciate the beauty in my name, Chenesai. Our thriving statement at Chenesai Studio is: ‘we want to remember, recover and reveal that which has sustained the African woman for centuries.' And so, from the beginning, we knew that our journey would start from the fabric, and the designs we made, to illuminate the bigger story of trade and women in Africa. The garments weave the stories in a very colourful way. The garments are at the core of it all.

exclusive interview Q. What does Chenesai Africa do and is there's a distinction between your fashion arm and your trade arm? Chenesai Africa is a 3-part entity encompassing the fashion studio, the trade consultancy and the media house.

celebrated for years. It’s interesting to note that at independence in 1980, women and men in Zimbabwe were at equal pay. We’ve had a really good frame of legislation to support women in Zimbabwe since independence. Women for the longest time were allowed to drive; there were no limits in general on what a women could do. But what did limit us was social and cultural norms and beliefs. It’s also important to note that until the mid to late 90’s there was no maternity leave. This was a huge reason why a lot of women operated in the informal sector back then.

Q. Let's start with the Chenesai Brand. Fashion designing must be a fun creative outlet for you. Yes, clothes are a form of expression. Clothes tell you a lot about a person: who they are, what they believe and what they aspire to be. So for example, our freedom collection is made up of pieces that are versatile paying homage to the versatile women of Zimbabwe, the most versatile women I know. Of course I’m biased, I ﬁnd Zimbabwean women to be beyond versatile. Zimbabwean women are just so colorful, eloquent and humble. Beyond just creating sassy fashion at Chenesai Studio, we use fashion as a medium to express the freedoms that the women of Zimbabwe have

The freedoms we have as women who enjoy emancipation outside social and cultural limitations have given us opportunity and responsibility to create platforms that help bridge the gaps because there are still harmful social and cultural practices that limit women from reaching their full potential. And for me personally, I create platforms for the women I meet; and the voices I hear.

Q. And what about the Trade Consultancy? Our trade protfolio is where we house our creative industries research projects, community engagement projects and our outreach projects. Into the next few years we will be focusing more on research especially the role of women in creative industries. Our hope is to investigate the contribution of women creatives in the African space, understanding how their income ﬁts their lifestyles and how it is important to bringing sustainable social change into the communities. We'll also be looking closely at the African Continental Free Trade Agreement and how it will open up opportunities for creatives across the continent.

We've already started with a chat series, it's currently virtual. We have conversations with leading creative industries practitioners across Africa. To date, we have covered 30 African countries. And we've just brought in a new intern whose ﬁrst mandate is to run the media house and to cover the rest of the African map.

Q. Do you have any other projects you are working on? We are expanding our trade and consultancy portfolio into the agricultural sector. I am currently running operations for a farm. In this position, as Chenesai Africa, we are focused on community building: increasing output by strengthening the community servicing the farm. It’s been an exciting portfolio to work in, we are learning how the agricultural sector works and we look forward to engaging with other farming communities as we expand our portfolio.

Q. We talked a little bit about Social Media before, what impact do you think it has had? I think social media is good because it has introduced us to the global village. But at the same time, I think that it has such a profound psychological impact on young minds, and we must be weary and cautious about the impression that it makes on our girls.

Q. And the Media house, how do you go from fashion and research to media? I love the camera, I love being on screen, I love sharing and most importantly I love conversation. So instead of having these conversations in isolation, I started a media house. As with the other entities, I am allowing it to grow into whatever it grows into. 24

When you’re young, you are still trying to understand what life is all about, still trying to find your path, and in this digital age we are living in that could be very difficult. So, as the older generation we have an obligation as we post, to realise that everything that we post has the potential to influences someone’s life: what they become and what they aspire to become.

exclusive interview Q. And how do you apply this way of thinking to your parenting? My husband and I have been extremely careful about everything. And sometimes I’ve been told that I overthink things. But for us, everything we say and do as parents is so fundamental to the type of human beings we are raising and the work they are going to do in the world.

But for us these are the most important elements when it comes to evaluating a school.

We always say we are raising children that will be self-employed. And we hope our boys will build narratives that will impact the lives of others. To do that we have had to be hands-on and extremely present in their lives. We hope we are constantly planting seeds and shaping their mindset to be limitless. This nuanced parenting style extends to the schools we chose for our kids. My husband has been very clear that we choose schools that serve our children and not the other way around. I am lucky to be learning from him in this regard.

Q. Schooling in Zimbabwe is a hot topic. Yes it is, and that’s because every parent is just looking to do what is best for their child. There is an ongoing debate about private and public schools which is really difﬁcult because the years have seen our public school system deteriorate while our private schools have been maintained. But above and beyond that there are some really good black-owned schools that are coming up. At the core of it, I'm just a young mother, trying to get our sons into very good schools that offer world-class education but still manage to help and enable them to develop emotionally, culturally, spiritually and physically. We understand that there is no formula that dictates which school is the best.

The other day I read something that really resonated with me; “are you preparing your child for the path or preparing the path for the child?” I genuinely would want to prepare my child for the path because I do not know what path they will be on. As such, it becomes absolutely vital for us as parents that our children be clear on their identity. And this identity will be built from living in our home, from the schools they attend, from their extended family and from living as global citizens. At the end of the day it all boils down to choice, we need to make concious decisions about the inﬂuences and inﬂuencers that our children come into

contact with at every stage in their development. There is no wrong decision; everything boils down to a choice.

Q. And how does culture play a role in your parenting? For me, culture and identity are synonymous. And culture is not static, it evolves. The evolutuion of culture will also evolve your identity in different spaces at different times. So we have to learn to be present in each moment so that we can understand the great elements of our culture that are inportant to instill in our children. And at the same time we should learn to discern cultural practices that will not serve to enrich our children’s lives. We are Shona people, my husband and I are both Shona. So the Shona culture is what we are teaching our children because that is part of what will inﬂuence who and what they identify as in the world.

culture, which makes up their identiy, be they Ghanaian, Nigerian, Eithiopian, or South African. Looking back I realise that I haven’t been always as clear about my identiy so I envied people like that. And I hope that is something that I can gift to my children the ability to show up in the world as Shona boys from Zimbabwe. I hope one day they can be better that I was.

Q. From your social media, you can really see the impact of your intentional attitude towards parenting your kids. We've seen how well they speak Shona and how involved they are in the day-to-day activities on the farm. What are your thoughts on how Zimbabweans perceive elitism and how most people believe that their kids will be better suited for society if they're in private schools?

I think it's such a delicate subject, but like I said before it really all boils down to I am a global citizen myself and I’ve come personal conviction and choice. I guess to appreciate that some of the vibrant at the core of it, we have to be really people I’ve met are so rooted in their careful about following herd mentality. At some point we’ve got to go with our gut as we make choices about raising our children. In any system we need to grow our options. We have a lot of good private schools in Zimbabwe, that’s fact but it’s also good to acknowledge that we also have awesome, up-and-coming schools that are black-owned. Which is something we should be celebrating. And then in terms of 26

exclusive interview elitism, the word itself is very relative. The deﬁnition of elite is: ‘a select group that is superior in terms of abilities or qualities to the rest of the group or society’. So as a Shona people we can be collectively elite in the world. I feel that the issue arises in the limited deﬁnition of eliticism we use which is normally centered around proximity to whiteness. To me, my boys will be elite if they can be global citizens that ideify as Shona boys raisied in rural Zimbabwe and understand what that means.

Q. So what path are you preparing your children for?

they will learn many other languages, Shona will always be their mother tongue. This is something that I have learnt from my colleagues and friends from Nigeria, Ghana, China, Ethiopia living in different parts of the world. The importance or the role of culture in one’s upbringing was cemented in my mind during the time I lived in South Africa. My Zulu friends, my Pedi friends, they were so proud to speak their mother tongues, whether they went to private school or public school.

We don’t know what path our children will go on but what we do know for sure is, that we are working hard to teach them to be the best global citizens they can be. We are careful not to limit our children by limiting their affiliation, association and chances through our voices. We really just want our children to grow up knowing that they are growing up in a Zimbabwe that is at the height of economic collapse and possible social decay - we just want them to know that. If they don’t know that its not ok, then how will they fix it? My sons insist that we speak Shona at home and that is something that fills me with such pride. It shows that we have managed to impress on their minds that we are Shona people and even though

Q. Tell us about the Pants Brothers. The Pants Brothers is a journey to teach the children about ownership and how money works. I wanted to get the children invloved in the business while they were young and more importantly, I wanted them to learn to make what they eat and to make what they wear. I wanted to remove them from buying

culture because you can’t save money when you have to buy everything. At some point I also became part of this buying culture so I know how damaging it can be. The boys are involved in all aspects. They help pick the fabrics and the styles. And eventually, as they grow older they can take what they make to different trade fairs or their schools. The added bonus is I've spent so little on my children's clothes because the only thing that I have bought over the years is t-shirts.

Q. What's the greatest wisdom you have learnt in life and want to pass on to your kids? ‘Dzidza kudzidza mazuva ese ehupenyu hwako." Learn to learn every day of your life. This is a statement that I put up on our family wall. I want them to learn that no matter where they go or what they do in life, the greatest opportunity would be to learn. The second is, "Mhuri inoshandira pamwe" family works together. It’s important to put family ﬁrst and to work together collectively for the greater good. You don’t know where life takes you, you don’t know where the path you are on will lead, but if you are committed to learning, you will always land on your feet.

“ 28

Be present in your life. Learn to learn every single day and learn to take it in and listen. What is your life trying to tell you? What direction is it trying to steer you?

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Celebrating

Teachers’ Day October 5th Teachers are integral to every community in every setting. The 5th of October is the day we celebrate teachers from all over the world and the invaluable and often underappreciated gift they give us – the gift of an educated future. To all the teachers reading this, we love you, we appreciate you, and we thank you for the work you do!

5 Reasons why teachers are important! 1. They have the most important role in the world Every teacher in every community has an equally heroic role; the future of the world is literally in their hands. They work alongside parents to shape the way children see the world and guide the next generation. They have the most important job in the world as the foundation on which our future communities and societies are built. 2.They educate us You can read, you can write and you can do mental maths. And all of these skills (and more) are thanks to your teachers! The basic skills that we use without a second thought in our everyday lives are a result of teachers that helped guide us in our early years 3. They help underachievers to ﬂy Teachers are like the shepherd that leaves no lamb behind. They understand that every child has their own strengths and their own unique talents. And for some students, it takes a little more time, attention, and dedication to bring out their full potential. 4. They help us reveal our skills Most people have a good teacher that encouraged them to pursue their dreams and helped to bring out their innate skills. Even Oprah Winfrey remembers her fourth-grade teacher as someone who helped inspire her to dream bigger. 5. Teachers make the mundane extraordinary There is a level of creativity required to be a good teacher. We all have good memories from our school days of teachers making learning fun. Whether it was baking cakes to explain plant cell structure or using the chunks of a chocolate bar to represent fractions, teachers are constantly inventing ingenious ways to make complex problems easy and boring subjects exciting. It’s what makes teaching one of the most creative careers in the world!

Obstetric Fistula A silent pandemic Until recently, the dangers associated with pregnancy and giving birth were private battles that women struggled with alone. But, with the rise of social media, and a lot of demystifying, a lot more women are opening up about the changes that their bodies go through after birth, and the trauma that childbirth can sometimes cause on their bodies. Obstetric Fistula is a condition that a lot of Zimbabwean women from low-income homes are suffering from and Amnesty International is one of the many organisations helping to bring light to this condition so that more women 32

learn that it is not normal and there is a cure for them. What is Obstetric Fistula? Obstetric Fistula is an abnormal connection between the vagina, rectum, and/or bladder which may develop after prolonged and obstructed labour. This condition may lead to continuous urinary or faecal incontinence, a condition that affects about 1 in 3 mothers. A vesicovaginal ﬁstula is a hole between the urinary bladder and the vagina whereas a hole between the rectum and the vagina is known as a

rectovaginal fistula. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), obstetric fistula can be prevented. This is a condition that affects young mothers disproportionately. If we were to reduce early and unplanned pregnancies, by ending harmful practices, such as child marriage, and ensuring access to quality emergency obstetric care, especially caesarean section, then we would begin to see a decline in the number of women affected by the condition. More than 2 million women in low-income countries like Zimbabwe are living with this condition even though it has been almost entirely eradicated in high-income countries where there is access to quality obstetric care. The UNFPA estimates “50,000 to 100,000 new cases develop each year.” While Zimbabwe’s maternal mortality rate (MMR) has dropped significantly in the past few years, we still have one of the highest rates of MMR in the world. And, with little to no access to health information and services, women with obstetric fistula are left to suffer in silence. Amnesty International conducted a report of the effects of the condition on the lives of Zimbabwean women. This condition affects more than a woman's physical well-being. As a result, some women suffer from poor mental health due to hopelessness. And socially many of these women tend to live in isolation, embarrassed by the condition. As a result, the disease forces them further into poverty as they are not able to work. For many women and girls with obstetric fistula in Zimbabwe, their injuries lead to stigmatisation and ill-treatment from

husbands, family, and community members. Many women with the condition are living in isolation. Many women who had experienced obstetric fistula told Amnesty International they want to help other women and girls, by sharing information on safer delivery and letting others with the condition know they are not alone, and that treatment is available. What causes Obstetric Fistula? Obstetric Fistula is a condition that develops as a result of long and traumatic labour. And in most cases, these women were forced to give birth at home without skilled birth attendants to help them. The Amnesty International report highlighted five 5 key factors that may influence these conditions: cultural preferences, religious beliefs, economic constraints, lack of decision-making power, and fears of poor care from the formal health system. And although all factors may seem valid to the decision-makers what ends up happening is abuse. Some of the girls are abused during birth deliberately by people who have had kids themselves, probably in the same conditions. These young women’s worries are not taken seriously and they do not receive

appropriate care, which results in long and difficult labour. Most of the people dealing with these young women have had no training to deal with a birth let alone complications. In one case, a young woman had to spend 3 months in hospital after her pelvic bones were crushed during her long and obstructed labour. In another case, a 16-year old girl, Chenai was living with her 26-year old boyfriend and his family after getting pregnant. From the moment she moved in, her mother-in-law had treated her poorly and when she went into labour, her mother-in-law did not offer her any help and left this young girl, at just 16 years old to deal with her labour alone. After 2 days, her Mother-in-Law finally realised that something was wrong, so she called members of her religious group to help. They made her push but soon realised the baby was dead. Chenai explained that her mother-in-law “took out the baby”. Soon after Chenai began leaking urine but spent two weeks at home before receiving any medical care. She only went to the hospital after her female neighbours encouraged her to go. As horrifying as both these cases are, these situations happen more often than we realise. Last month we spoke about child marriage and how it is still rampant in Zimbabwe. Most women who suffer from obstetric Fistula are young girls whose bodies are not fully developed and able to handle prolonged labour. Many obstetric fistula patients are “as young as 13 or 14 years”. When we eradicate 34

harmful practices like child marriage and teen pregnancies we can reduce the cases of Obstetric Fistula. We hope that with more information, and more awareness, more people can seek the help they need.

Sourced & with excerpts from:

“I never thought I would get healed from this.” BARRIERS TO TREATMENT AND HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS WITH OBSTETRIC FISTULA IN ZIMBABWE

info@amnesty.org.zw

@AmnestyZW

+263 772 163 544-6

@amnesty_zim

Every October, people all over the world show their support for people affected by breast cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, when breast cancer is detected early, and is in the localized stage, the 5-year relative survival rate is 99%. Early detection includes doing monthly breast self-exams, and scheduling regular clinical breast exams and mammograms.

The best time to do a monthly self-breast exam is about 3 to 5 days after your period starts. Do it at the same time every month. Your breasts are not as tender or lumpy at this time in your monthly cycle. If you have gone through menopause, do your exam on the same day every month. Begin by lying on your back. It is easier to examine all breast tissue if you are lying down. 1. Place your right hand behind your head. 2. With the middle ﬁngers of your left hand, gently yet ﬁrmly press down using small motions to examine the entire breast. 3. Move from side to side, up and down and in circular motions.

Next, sit or stand. 1. Feel your armpit, because breast tissue goes into that area. 2. Gently squeeze the nipple, checking for discharge. 3. Repeat the process on the other breast.

If you notice any irregularities contact your doctor. Or contact: The Cancer Association of Zimbabwe 60 Livingstone Ave, Hre education@cancer.co.zw 707444 / 705522

Letters from

Aunt Jane

Dear Mum & Dad Hey, hey! How has the journey to emotional intelligence been like for you? I hope by now you are much better equipped to navigate safely through moodville, angry alley, and fear farm into the garden of gratitude and empathy. If you're still hobbling along, that's also perfectly ﬁne because parenting is a profession where every day is a lesson. There is never an ending to learning. So yes, parenting does mean being stressed at some points. That is why in this letter to you, mum and dad we will be discussing different ways to cope with stress. Firstly, you need to understand that stress is not abnormal as a parent, In 36

Jane Jambaya is the emotional intelligence officer! She is a registered social worker with a passion for people and helping them to realize their full potential.

fact, one of the known She is also a business triggers of owner, and a mother to stress is an amazing 3 year old. adapting to new conditions and what is parenting if not adapting to new conditions every day. When your child is enrolled in boarding school, that's a new condition. When you now have ﬁve children, that's a new condition. When you become a mother or father for the ﬁrst time or the umpteenth time, that's a new condition. When your child becomes a prefect at school or when they get bullied, that's a new condition. So basically, each experience with your child means adapting to new conditions. Stress is inevitable.

If there's one word of advice I can equip you with, Mum and Dad, it's that you should expect showers of stress here and there. And when you do experience these showers of stress, it does not mean that you are a bad parent or that you are parenting the wrong way. It shows that you are gaining experience as a parent. You are becoming a professional parent if a term like that existed. And if you were wondering when you should start thinking about your child's emotional intelligence, the answer is, when you meet your child for the ﬁrst time. Decades of research show that a child is in search of love, warmth, and safety right from the time they are born. If your child is within a warm and empathetic setting they will feel protected. So when you are feeling down, your child needs to be comforted. This will give them the tools they need to navigate through life situations. We are never taught how to regulate our feelings even though we go through emotions all the days of our lives. We need to learn to see emotions as chemical reactions that will pass or change. Emotions are messages from our bodies and problems arise when we try to block out our emotions. So, mum and dad, it is you who has to remind your child that emotions are temporary. Your job is to help your child to view their emotions from curiosity rather than judgement. Stress is inevitable, like falling on the ground, but do we stop walking because we might fall? Just as we keep walking, you need to teach your child to keep walking through emotional support. The beauty of giving your child emotional support is that your child becomes emotionally and mentally empowered for life situations. By doing so, your child will not become a broken adult that

would need ﬁxing one day. You are probably thinking, but Aunt Jane, I am a broken adult, I did not get that emotional and mental support growing up. I am here to reassure you that parenting is a profession, a skill that can be learnt. Once you set your mind to it, you will surely move from being a broken adult into being an emotionally intelligent parent. So, let's talk solutions. How best do you achieve this? Give your child a warm and steady presence. Yes, even in your stress, be warm to your children. Research shows that children need warmth, and when you show them warmth you ensure that they feel the love and care you have for them. So mum and dad, enjoy your child: play with them, talk to them, cuddle them, listen

to them, support them, understand them, take walks with them, work with them and most importantly pay attention to how they feel and act. Remember the very ﬁrst teacher for your child is you. At school, they will learn about maths and history but about emotions, are your role. This means you need to also allow yourself to be vulnerable in front of your children. In those moments of stress, when you are feeling low or in pain or when you are sad, be honest about what you are feeling. And make sure not to express the pain or sadness as an overwhelming or frightening feeling. Calm down and try your best to handle the stress. Emotional intelligence does not mean that you will feel calm, relaxed, and happy all the days of your life, it means you will be able to feel the right emotions at the right time whilst keeping your feelings under control. There will be days when parenting becomes scary, and it will feel as though you are not doing it right. You will have moments where you feel like lashing out, and that's alright- it's normal. Just make sure that you have a good support system to help you through the waves.

deep breath, and envision the life you desire. Write down the plans you have for your child, read, watch shows you enjoy, go for walks, listen to motivational speeches, affirm the positive things you wish to attract for yourself and in your child. Acknowledge the emotions that make you feel stressed. Remind yourself that you will be ok. So instead of saying "I am sick", positively affirm good health by saying "I am healthy". And instead of saying "I am worried" say "I’ve got this.” These are basic tips you can use to take care of not only yourselves as parents but your children too. When your child sees the hope you have over any situation they will master that as well. By watching you they will become emotionally and mentally empowered. They will learn that it is good to allow emotions to flow through us and not be blocked. And yes, continue to research more on emotional intelligence, and cheers to being emotionally intelligent.

Here is a technique to use when you are feeling overwhelmed. When you are feeling down: close your eyes, take a 38

Yours with love, Aunt Jane (MissSocialWorker)

jjcoachingminds@gmail.com

Introducing your child to God “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6

As Christians, it is important for us to teach our children about God and his teachings. This will help to put them on the best path in life, which is not only righteous and truthful but also faithful. Here are some ways you can teach your children about God and help them to gain a good relationship of their own with God.

Read the bible to them and allow them to “catch” you reading it. Remember that kids learn more from what you do and not what you say. When you read your bible and they watch you doing so, you are showing them just how important your faith is in your life. And at the same time, you are teaching them how they should walk in their own faith as they grow.

your faith Learn as a family Together you are stronger. When you learn about God and practice your faith, together as a family you are teaching your children unity. You are also showing them that your faith is a fundamental part of all your relationships. You can do this by having daily prayers before bed and as you wake up in the morning. You can even pray during the school run. Use every moment you are together as a family to practice your faith.

Attend Church regularly With COVID19 this may not be as easy as it used to be, but if there is a live stream you can join, make sure to do so. This shows your children that community is also important in their lives as Christians.

Make it fun

Read or tell them bible stories in ways that are exciting and you know they’ll enjoy. Sing to them and teach them worship songs; sing together as often as possible. Singing is also another form of prayer they may enjoy. And always keep lines of communication open; allow and encourage your kids to ask about God.

These are just some of the ways that you can lead your children to God. Try different things and continue the things that work. It’s important to remember that all children are different. Allow them to be! 40

It’s that time of the year again! As always we have something exciting in store for you all. So, make sure to keep up with us on our social media platforms for updates!

@tudiki

@tudikishop

w w w. t h e t u d i k i s h o w e r. c o m

Pizza Kitchen Month For the longest time, we've been told that Pizza is junk food... But, this delicious, cheesy meal actually has many great health benefits! Obviously, we shouldn't indulge in it every day balance is important in life. But, if you're looking for a snack to treat the family with every once in a while; then Pizza should be your go-to! 1. Pizza is a great source of protein Protein keeps you moving, energized, and strong. Even if you have a vegetarian pizza, cheese is also a great source of protein! 2. Tomatoes are good for you The base of your pizza is usually covered with a thick tomato sauce. And tomatoes are full of antioxidants like lycopene, which helps lower the risks of heart disease. 3. It's Great for Social Behavior Socializing is an important part of your physical and mental health. And pizza is usually shared with friends and family. Therefore, pizza promotes healthy social behaviors and bonding. 4. Helps you to eat your veggies Obviously pizza can't replace fresh fruits and vegetables, but it still has a great balance and can give you some of the nutrients you need.

Pizza isn’t necessarily junk food, it has a lot of health beneﬁts, so if you’re looking for a snack to spoil your family with, maybe try pizza! We have also prepared a super fun, easy and funky desert pizza recipe to enjoy with the family!

Ingredients FOR THE COOKIES

23/4 cups plain flour 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda AND 1/2 tsp baking powder 11/2 cups sugar 1 cup softened butter

1tsp vanilla extract

1 egg

DIY Cookie Sweet Pizza 1. 2. 3.

4. 5. 6.

7. 8.

Preheat oven to 190°C. In a small bowl, mix flour, bicarb. soda, & baking powder & set aside. In a large bowl, cream butter & sugar until smooth. (Make sure the butter is soft before starting.) Beat in egg and vanilla. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients. When the mixture is completely combined roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls, and place onto ungreased baking tray. Bake 8-10 mins in the preheated oven, or until golden. Let stand on baking tray for 2mins before removing to cool on wire racks.

+ Serve pizzas with sauce: chocolate spread whipped cream, jam, honey or icing + Add toppings of your choice: chocolate chips, sweets, sprinkles, marshmallows, fresh fruit & nuts. Cookie recipe from: allrecipes.com

Space Week 4 - 10 OCTOBER

Space Week has been celebrated since 1999. The purpose of the week is to celebrate the impact that space exploration and studies have had on science and technology, & how they ultimately contribute to the betterment of the human condition. How well do you know Space? Take the quiz to find out! (Answers on page 47)

How many rings does Saturn have?

What is the name of our galaxy?

What planet is farthest from the Sun?

Which planets do not have a solid surface?

How many Earths can fit in the sun?

2. 3.

What planet is closest to the Sun?

What was the first animal to travel to space?

What colour is the sunset on Mars

How long is a day on Venus?

10.

What is the largest planet in our solar system?

BIRTHDAYS Help us celebrate you! Send us a message with your picture, your name, your birthday and your age! And tell us what you want to be when you grow up! Each month we will be celebrating the birthdays of all the people in that month so make sure to send us your details!

+263 784 714 385

STARS Thelma “Happy 4th birthday Thelma our little star. We love you so much!”

Camille “Happy birthday Camille Tadiswa Madzima. We love you so much!”

Anashe “Happy Birthday Anashe Machingauta!”

ANSWERS 1.

Mercury is the planet closest to the sun.

Saturn has seven rings!

Our galaxy is called the Milky Way.

Neptune is the planet farthest from the sun.

Jupiter & Saturn are primarily made of gas. Uranus & Neptune are primarily made of ice!

10.

Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system.

3. 6.

Laika, the dog was the first animal in space!

The sunset on Mars is blue!

A Venus day is 116days & 18hours on earth!

1.3 Million earths can fit in the sun!

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a parent never forgets

October is Pregnancy & infant loss

Awareness Month