Monday, May 27, 2024

Discussions of the week

Here we go! Another post of discussion from me. These are my thoughts on DV, culture and communication: Live your life as if it were your last. Today I touch a sensitive subject that we call domestic violence. (Sorry the quality of videos are not good because of the weather)
How can I explain the way we communicate in my country and in Africa in general... It is tough oo! Lol!! I am a good African who is learning to progressivly change. I am a very emotional person but I was taught that it was not good. I like to express my feelings but I was taught I was doing too much. I had to learn that I should be me and me only. I had to suppress in a way my emotions so my only way to express them was through writing and drawing.
Part 2
Another societal issue in West Africa. Child labor in family homes/ Violence on children. This is what I have to say about this phenomenon that keeps going. A song of Meiway and Monique Seka from Ivory Coast calling for the human side to act with love and compassion to other.
I guess, I said everything! I don't know if what I said makes sense to you but really we should to be ourselves. Free from living by what people will say or think of you? Me, I removed that weight on me I am free! Life goes on. To me, this is what I decided to do: to get back on my creative life, involve in my passions, start new projects and see what is next for me. What about you? Thank you for reading and I say see you next time!!
<

Massachusetts

And just like that many family memories came back to me after I talked about how the lady ( my host mother) treated me and my brother when we were young. Knowing how difficult it was to be away from our parents. She did not care at all...But everyday we learn from life. I have no more resentment and no anger just Love. Actually, I hope to go back there to revisit my past and I will not hesitate to go to her home, greet and hug her. I want to greet the complete family because yes, they are a part of me anyway. I already speak with one of the sons, I ask for their news often. So, yes I have moved on. God allowed them to be in the story of my life and Everything He does is good. May God give me life and money for this trip. I have been praying to go back to Cotonou. Revisiting my childhood. Revisiting this sad past...so my little Me would at last find the peace of soul. The little me is still crying I guess. I must make peace with my little Me and move on. It will be so difficult to stand in Cotonou international airport again after many years...I know that I will break into tears but I really need to do it. People will not understand only me and God can. I already imagine myself visiting all the people who played a role in my life there and the places where I lived. I will forever be connected to Benin in a way. Forever I will. This is a song that reminds me of the best times I had with my parents before all that happened. I grew up listening to African music in general, with French and British music but also American music. It was a range of talents and culture to which I was exposed. I listened to music from the 60's up to the early 90's. Now that I am back in America, I would love to visit the State of Massachussetts someday because I love that song so much. Every night my father would play it. My parents were immigrants for some period of time in America. My father went first to study and then later they came back to do some training. They left Seattle to go back to Gabon when My Mom was pregnant of me. She gave birth in Libreville in 1980. Yep! that was me. I grew up in Libreville my little capital city but my parents who had all their stuffs back from America made me discover the American culture in a way. I know she could have given birth to me in Seattle but my Mom wanted to be close to her aunt (my grand aunt) and family because it was our culture. (Maybe you read my two posts on "Remembering a Part of Me" I have the last part left that I must finish soon) I was often dancing this song with my older sister... Massachusetts of the Bee Gees
Ok! Life flies. I hope you all enjoy your week dear readers. make thebest of it. Remember to always make peace with your past Do not dwell in it. Life is a book Life is your diary in which you write all your days. Look how beautiful life is. Me, I bless God for everything that happened to me because I believe it was a part of my diary. It was a part of the book of my life.
I close this post with this beautiful song of Ben King "Stand by Me" This is for real and true Lovers. This is for you guys (and for me too lol!). "Darling, Darling stand by me... O! Stand by Me" beautiful lyrics. I will see you later. Thank you for reading and good night

Association Burkina Humanitaire //Burkina ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ซ

Hello Dear Readers, How can I introduce or start this post? Today again I am talking Humanitarian cause. This time I wanted to share the Association Burkina Humanitaire from Burkina Faso ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ซ a beautiful country in West Africa, bordered by Mali to the Northwest and Niger to the Northeast. A country once called the Haute Volta but has been changed later by our beloved young leader Thomas Sankara in the native language "More" to Burkina Faso meaning the Country of the Righteous Men. The capital city is Ouagadougou that we Africans often call Ouaga. Yes, that Thomas Sankara, the African leader of freedom and nationalism in his country. He was gone too soon... So let me first start like this with this beautiful song of Kids United. On Ecrit sur les Murs ( We Write on the Wall)
On ecrit sur les Murs, we are writing on the walls the words of peace, love. We write on the walls a better future for children, we write on the walls words of wisdom, hope and love for your neighbors and this is why I share this post with you today. If you feel like helping children someday think about the Association Burkina Humanitaire in one of the villages in Burkina Faso. An apolitical organization/Association that count 10 active members.
I first met Pascal Bouda (the founder of this association) in 2010 through a lady on Facebook and I started talking to him since then. I admire his resilience and his passion for this cause. I like humanitarian causes. I talk about it in my discussion on what I learned from my Mother. Pascal is a teacher. I didn't know it, I found out that later and quiet frankly it makes sense. He teaches kids from 6 to 12 years old of age. He saw some children living out of the city of Ouagadougou having difficulties to go to school. As a matter of fact, he went to his village to help families who could not even afford a pen to send their children to school. Families are aware that children need Education but they cannot pay their school tuitions and fees. It touched me so much to hear the reason of his passion for this cause. It does not happen often in Africa to see people to stand for others. There are not many because we have been programmed to always beg and receive. Africans, we do not know how to give to others. Therefore, an Association like that should be supported. Every children should have the chance to go to school. Parents are desperate to send them to school but they have Nothing to do it. It made me so sad to hear that. I asked to Pascal if the girls have the same possibilities to go to school like the boys in the village? If sometimes he encounters difficulties to send girls to school? He told me yes, many girls! The parents think that they should stay at home to help their mothers and they groom them for marriage so they can take care of them later. I Laetitia, am very aware that in some countries in Africa, girls do not have the same chances on purpose. Sometimes it is hidden in some religious or cultural reasons. They are more vulnerable too. My question was how does he manage to convince the parents to let them go to school? Pascal told me that he explained to them that girls going to school is even the best decision since it is about family matters. In fact, girls always come back to take care of their parents whereas boys when they succeed they tend to take care of their own little families and barely take care of their parents. This is something that i keep saying. In fact, in Africa, we women always come back to take care of our parents but Men usually are gone. They do not come back to take care of them. They focus only on their own families and that's it. So yes, we must encourage more girls going to school. Girls never forget their homes.
I had many questions about how they follow the children's school curriculum up to High school diploma because we know that once they get this diploma they can then go to public universities where the government provides help for students. They are very careful to work on this process. They want to have more children succeed through the impact of the association. Pascal also explained to me that people who want to sponsor can send every month 10 US Dollars. 10 US Dollar/per month is enough to provide for school fees, clothes and some medical needs in the village. The sponsor gets every report of the month on how the money was spent and can also communicate with the child and the family. I confirm this because I did it too. I started sponsoring a little girl around 2013 but I admit that later on I stop doing it because life keeps on going (sorry oooo ๐Ÿ˜…). I got lost in my world of struggle of life (laugh) yes, I will come back to it this year for sure. As an African I admit that we do not have the hand on our heart easily (A french expression to say we do not commit in giving. We don't know how to give to others like a sacrifice of commitment.) Few people do it and they are seen like extraordinary when in fact it should be normal. Up to now, most of the faithful sponsors he told me were Europeans families. Yes, it made me uncomfortable to hear that because we must be the first to give more for our own children in Africa. I was embarrassed honestly...I have to admit that when something is wrong, then it is wrong and we must say it☹️๐Ÿ™.
My last question to Pascal was: "As a teacher what would be your response to people who say we dont need Education today as long as I can do my basic things." Pascal thoughts on it were, he sees a huge difference between people who are at least educated a little bit are different because for instance he sees some mother who cannot read, she cannot properly take care of their children. For instance, the doctor give prescriptions how is she going to follow the medication if she cannot read? Many little things like this. By the way Pascal and the association are also working on the issue of drinking water in the village. The project is supported by an European country. Ok This is our discussion/ exchange Live on youtube below. in French for those who can understand If someday you feel like you want to support this children for clothes, education and water you can contact the group: Association Burkina Humanitaire and the founder name is Pascal Bouda. I will also share some pictures of the children below so you see it is real and thank you for reading this post. I hope more people will put their hand on the heart and give for the children from not only Burkina Faso but to also other countries in the continent. Thank you Pascal for your time as well. It was a nice discussion with our differences of time zone
Some pictures of children's activities in the village. As you can see girls are indeed going to school too. These children come from different families and religious background. This is the Africa that we want to see often. A person who stands up for a good cause. I pray someday that you Pascal, the world would see your devoted work for these children. Heros are not always wearing capes. May God bless you for what you are doing to these little angels. Giving chance to these children to go to school is the best investment for a brighter future in their lives and they will always remember that. I wish the best
Because Hope is a part of us. My thoughts yes: because Africa is a colorful continent of Joy and happiness. Because we should draw on the walls messages of Peace and big dreams for the continent. Dreaming about bigger dreams for the days to come in Africa. Because we should write on the walls, words of wisdom and Hope for a brighter future for our children, this is how I close this post on a happy note. A song Dear Mama Africa Chere Mama Africa, with two musical icones of Africa that I grew up listening to: Youssou Ndour from Senegal and Angelique Kidjo from the Republic of Benin with the Kids United . My son and I love this song very much. I hope you will love it too. Enjoy! and thank you for reading

Thursday, May 23, 2024

Let's Talk About Love and Relationship More

M'bolo Dear Readers! Welcome back in my blog! I am back with more. I do not write a lot anymore only when I can or when I really have time and inspired. I talk more now! (laugh) This is maybe the last post For now about my view and thoughts on Love and Relationship because i can have more later. Please do not take it personally if some things that I say offend you. This is really my personal experience. I am not looking to judge people. These are facts that I know and I lived. Before jumping right in the discussions let me open this post with a very beautiful song of Celine Dion that I love. As the saying goes:"music soothes the soul" It's life! Celine Dion "Let's Talk About Love"
Ladies let's not be insecure in our relationships. This is not healthy.
Part 2
Part 3
When I think and when i remember some of my stories I can't stop laughing. We learn from life experience.
Part 2 What I think honestly
Now that I am done with this long post, I hope you do not hate me ooo! I was just sharing my honest thoughts on Love and relationship. My walk has never been easy in that red and pink world. I am glad that I can keep doing my walk. I feel better since I have been honest with myself and free now. I am done pretending and showing to the world that I have everything together. Life is simple we make it difficult ourselves sometimes. The feeling of relieve I can't explain it really. Now, I can keep going my way until I find my right half (even if it takes more years) Let me tell you something :"It is better to be alone than being with the Wrong person." As I said earlier what is meant for you will be for you. What is meant for you will happen to you. No stress! Do not rush and I understand it today. It was the lesson of my life. My family was first disappointed about my decision (since I have a child and being a single Mom, sigh you know the story but it does not affect me at all!) . You know I come from a strong cultural background. The vision of marriage forever is what people teach you but, they understood my position later. It was the best decision I am telling you!! My Peace was non negotiable... Now, I must seat and see how my journey is going to be on earth. Thank you for reading and I close this long post tonight with a song that I love and love. Celine Dion "Miles to Go"

Wednesday, May 22, 2024

Love ❤and Relationship/ Honest Talk

Hello dear readers I really felt inspired to share with you what I have learned through the years of my life since I was young, how love and relationship๐Ÿ’–work. My observation and my conclusion. I am more and more mature so I think I have a lot to share about it. I don't write a lot for now. I just talk. It takes times to write. This are my honest thoughts and talk on Love and relationship. It is going to be long, so take a cup of tea and watch the videos when you have time. let me know what you think about it. This is what I think what a man can do when he loves you. I posted it few months
What is meant for you, is for you. No stress.. no need to run after him or her. These following ones I posted them yesterday honestly after I had a long conversation with my best friend on the phone. She was crying over her marriage...I understand her because I have been there in a way. We women must not keep fallingin the same trap and mistakes. I understand her because I also receive some messages about trouble in paradise...It is difficult and I have been there. I made a decision and I believe, it was the best decision. Don't forget that your mental health matter too. I will have more videos on that in my next post but these ones are the "what Men can do when they do not love you" or when they don't care about you๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜…๐Ÿ˜‚

Monday, May 20, 2024

Talk of the Week// About Everything

Mbolo Dear Readers! welcome back to my blog. This is the talk and discussion of the week I share with you this afternoon. Frankly, I do not feel like writing often anymore. I am lazy to write these past few weeks again so I prefer to talk. I try to be consistent in my youtube channel but...sometimes I am exhausted or busy. It takes time to film to edit really it takes time. To be honest I do not prepare what I do. I just record so please bare with me... This post is going to be a little bit long but it is just sharing some of my thoughts as usual. Let me know what you think about it. Let's Talk about books again!
part 2
My Thoughts of Motherhood/ Adoption/ Conception? Giving Birth Part 1 I started with a real life story
Part 2 What I learned from that story
Part 3 Motherhood/ Children...
School Stories (This time it is the stories about my Private school) If you read in my previou posts and videos, I talked a lot about my experience in the public school of my country. Now I share what marked me in the private school where I was going to Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Our Mysterious neighbor distracting women

Sunday, May 12, 2024

Happy Mother's❤ ๐ŸŒน Day

Happy Mother's Day!!๐ŸŒน So much love ❤ from our Mothers. I understand it even better that I am a Mother now. No, it is not easy to be a mother but it is a gratifying job๐Ÿ˜Š I must stay strong for my son the days that I am weak but I must also do my best to show him Love everyday . I mean unconditional love. This is my first Happy Mother's Day post since I am a Mother. My mother is my everything. When my Dad left this world, there was a huge emptiness in my family. It is still empty and sometimes you wish you could go back in time but it is not possible. My Mom was so sad and broken by sadness but she knew that she had to be strong for us. I saw how she was down and crying so much because a big part of her was gone wth my father. Her support , her best friend...was gone. My Mom prays for me and my siblings everyday. But she had us her children and she needed to be there for us. She really showed me how to care for people. I can never treat people anyhow because she showed me the way to respect unless you disrespect me. Compassion! We need compassion more and more in this world. If I am always moved by other people's pain and stories it is because I have a mother who has never been selfish. If I am always willing to help it is because I saw a mother who was always going to give help to people. Serving. She likes serving and giving to people. Let's not be stuck in our world, our bubble. Blessings come through serving and helping others . The love ❤ of Mothers cannot be explained. It is just everything. This is a lesson of life that I personally learned from my Mom. Happy Mother's Day!!
And IF YOU HAVE NEVER HAD A LOVE OF A MOTHER I have a thought for you too. You have been orphan from your young age. MAY GOD BE YOUR SHIELD AND YOUR COMFORTER. MAY GOD WIPE YOUR TEARS. GOD IS THE FATHER OF THE FATHERLESS. This is for you:
That was Sean Bridon a young artist from Gabon my country Thank you for reading