Letters To my Son Taji.

Its been for ever since I blogged!! Alot has transpired and all for good I must praise God for that. I gave birth to an extremely handsome man called Taji Nathaniel Ngunjiri Njuki-Imwe on the 5th March 2011. Yeah I know you must have noticed I mentioned him as a man at only five months. When my son was five days old, his Kidneys and liver shut down on him and it devastated us deeply!! within five days in hospital,he pulled through and by the help of God and the Holy Spirit who was ever present,he got better. That is the main reason I mention him as man because his faith moves mountains.

I have been writing letters to him since he was five months exact. Today he is five months and twenty four days old. I have decided to publish this letters to my son because soon he will start blogging and he needs to know that I am always there for him no matter what happens. This Letters are for you Taji. My crown. MY TIGER!! Daddy loves you!

The Budget as I see I.T

During the budget speech that Honorable Uhuru Kenyatta, I was not at a position to take notes as I used to do for the last two years. I knew this year it would have great direct positive effect within the jurisdiction of my interests on ICT for development (ICT4D) issues. As I put pen to paper I am being prompted by my thoughts to write a disclaimer before I would go on with this conversation. Here goes “It is important to note that the information written herewith is my own opinion and is not intended to attack any person or institution directly or indirectly”. Phew! I am safe now.


People perish because of lack of information but more so, because of lack of knowledge. I was excited when the C.E.O of Telkom Orange the other day presented laptops to the paliamenterians.This was a wave to entail that its high time our leaders would show by example and became computer literate and use the Internet to source for information at a click of a button. At this age and time, we are having all sorts of social networks that include Facebook, Google groups and twitter just to mention a few. It’s encouraging to see the government setting up opportunities like the 1 million laptop computers campaign countrywide to tap emerging ICT opportunites.This will raise up a generation of individuals who shall use this social networks to make money through this very interactive and informative sites.


I cannot stop to think how the ICT4D practitioners may place ourselves strategically to benefit from what our P.S Dr.Ndemo has worked hard to see equipments like the taxable goods and services to film producers, Items used in film production such as photographic film roll, video recording or reproducing apparatus get Zero rated. To my own understanding, if a Digital Village can get someone to bring in such equipment from the States, Britain or Afghanistan wherever outside the country, they can get it at cost price!! No Tax! No nothing! This shall bring sustainability to the programs we run. We shall now diversify into better broadcasting on institutions with community radio; we shall be able to meet the market demand if we are using mobile phones. Though it’s important to note that money isn’t on the mobile phone but on the airtime spent. So it’s like the government wants everyone to own a mobile phone so that all will call.


Its high time for the ICT4D practitioners approached the ICT Board with one voice to know on how best we can acquire money either as a group or individuals to carry out the community development sustainable projects that will be used to add value to inhabitants of certain clusters by using computers as a tool to foster development. Will the Fiber optic cable be of any use to those who are in ICT4D practice? Hmmmm……….I am not sure about that. At this point, my comments are with held till further notice. Allow me to mention that the physically challenged persons have not been forgotten. For once I wish I was disabled for me to benefit from the tax free income of up to 150,000 Kenya shillings per month!!Gosh! Isn’t that breath taking or what!! Take home of 150K TAX free!! YAY!!It doesn’t end there! 200 Million Interest free revolving fund established and it awaits implementation. I see about 30 Kimathi Information Centre’s planted across the country with this money (that’s what good use of government money is all about).


For a short while, it rung in my mind on how the Kenya Red Cross has gained favor with the government. Everything supplied to the organization will be Zero rated. This includes services rendered from Auditing, etc etc.My thoughts on this, We ICT4D practitioners should continually lobby for such provisions and in the next budget we should hear something like this “goods and services supplied to the ICT4D practitioners should be Zero rated”. Gosh!! I am just visualizing our 28 story skyscraper community centre changing lives in this continent. This year’s budget in my own opinion has truly favored us not forgetting the increase of the CDF kitty.

Me and My Muffin

I hear the grass is always greener on the other side the only barrier
its the two feet picket fence.

As am biting this muffin that I have just bought at Nakumatt
supermarket,my mind gets lost and flashbacks of the great days I spent
with my baby boo.I see her bite that muffin at Java juices at
Tuskies in buruburu.I cant resist taking a glimpse or two at her
glamorous lips.She sighs after swallowing the muffin.Looks at
me,places her glittering lips on the straw as she sips the strawberry
shake.Her eyes are so sexy that they take me away!

She was a jewel that I would trade places to have her.Her demise
from my life puts me at a vulnerable position not to mingle.Its now a
year.My thoughts try not to think about her.I surely try and the more
I try not to think about her is the more I think about her.

Damn!Am back to myself.My muffin is finished.You know what?I have
cleared all six muffins just seeing her in my thoughts eating that one
muffin.Will I ever get a hot lady like her who has super boobs?Super intelligence like hers?I tell you her lips on mine feels
like heaven.Her company is worth a six Jazz band playing.I love you
baby boo.

Here I stand....

"The only way to start at the top is when you are digging a hole"
Anonymous

As the month gets to enter its second leap,I am yet to put myself together towards either deciding to make my year resolutions or just to go with the flow.I am firm believer of walking my talk and I work towards achieving what I had earlier visualised.

For the last few months,the organisation that I ran has been going through tremendous leaps and bounds.First our Internet service provider runs us out of business by giving us a raw deal and we go into a one year contract that we are trying to get out.The electricity bills seem to be doubling every month and of course that means no money to pay the workers.Well if you have mastered the art of reading between the lines you may tell what position I stand.

Yesterday was a day that I dedicated to think about if its really worth it to run the community centre that provides convenience to inhabitants living around it by using computers as a tool.I have come to realise that if you love something or someone,you can actually "trade places" to meet their need.My centre within the two years has been standing alone without help from its networks.Its been sidelined by several institutions but it has stood its ground by advocating and providing opportunities for the youth through training them on how to run their small businesses.

Imagine this,you are training or mentoring people on a certain issue but then the issue becomes the big problem you have to deal with."Physician,heal thyself" I couldn't stop from holding tears that flowed through my cheeks as if the floodgates had been open deep within me.My life had come to a stand still.The vibrant and confident Jose' that people knew became so vulnerable and couldn't find a way out.Within the two years that the centre has existed,we have been able to train more than 200 individuals on how to access funding and making their business plans attract investors and partners.here goes,we cannot bail ourselves out.The centre hasn't opened its doors since the year started.The computers are dead,bills are being incurred.way out?To be or not to be that is the question.

In search for me.....

What is your Quest?

I am in pursuit of my purpose. And what is my purpose? You may be asking. Walk with me by the time you are through reading, we’ll be in sync. I just came to discover the other day who exactly José Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri is. By the way, I am always fascinated with my name just like you are right now. I found it. It wasn’t me who gave myself the name. My sweet Mum who didn’t give up on me named me after the Catholic saint called José Maria Escriva.

http://www.josemariaescriva.info/index.php?id_cat=35&id_scat=34

JoséNjuki-Imwe Ngunjiri was born On Monday, February 25th 1980 and is an outgoing person who keeps an open mind to life, situations and likes to make friends. I find myself always in the feet of the people who straighten the paths of others to walk through. That’s why it is very important to name your children wisely.

I love putting smiles on people’s faces. I mostly do not work for money though it is important to note that money answers everything and it’s a means to an end or a situation you are facing (don’t quote me). I am a vision radiator. I pursue issues that focus in my purpose. I believe that I was created to let individuals see that you can have what you want when you want. It doesn’t matter who you know in this earth. Just know one person-Jesus-and you are through.

In me I have energy that attracts anything I want either positive or negative. With that said, I always have to think positive things that will be attracted towards me because that is who I am.

Coming and Goings

i) Accomplishment…

Of course I am grateful to God to have given me life. Without no doubt!! I mean it. Even before I was created, God knew me. That blows my head off my neck!! Really. That is an accomplishment. That is the point I go like do I really know my self? Who am I?-Lets not go back to that because it might be the Chicken and the egg scenario.

Imagine having to sit in a corporate company with the biggest brand names in the communication industry called Nokia Mobile phones. I had just completed a one-year course on Mobile Phone technician in a ….. –Please don’t push me to name my collage its not like USIU OR AGUSTANA or something close to that. -At least we were sharing the same wall with Rift Valley railways…. Next to me are these 5 guys smartly dressed, nice colognes don’t even mention the shoes! I mean the works!! José Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri my mouth full name is called. I walk in the interview room and as the usual routine I remove the original certificates from my “prestigious collage” and immediately questions start to be thrown at me. To be honest, it was like the who smatter now television show at KTN.I was like they pause a question…I go like pass, pass, pass. I decided to up the game because, I noticed out there I had 5 master students from a local telecommunication University called KCCT in Mbagathi who needed the job just like me with a certificate from the collage that has some thing in common with RVR. I told my boss give me 10 phones to repair and if I don’t get to repair one phone, I will not get the job BUT! If I repaired all, I would get the job Deal Boss! Deal! So I was given the workshop and in one and a half hours, I got to repair the phones and got the job!!! And all the master students who had it all had to go home living me as the winner.

2) Challenge….

“Baba Michelle, where did all your fingers go to? Which among the ones I can see is your Big toe?” The 5-year old friend to my niece asks me with a very innocent face. First of all, I ask myself if toes grew on hands where will fingers grow on? I will tell you tomorrow…I say in a half smiling face and walked away.

When will I ever get over it? I only notice that I have no fingers when someone really stares at me. Then I think wow! He loves my watch not until it hits me that I aint complete just like everybody else out there. Oh God!! I need my fingers back……………………….

3) Hopes

God knows how badly I need a beautiful woman. I need guys to see that despite this complication I have; I will get the most beautiful lady that He will choose for me. Christopher (1980-2006), always knows my type of girls I want. He got me one but it didn’t work out. By the way Chris, as you watch down on me, my hopes are that I won’t let you down, as you walk in the gardens of heaven, let God know that I am waiting for Him to send me someone from heaven. Then I will dedicate that song to her………..”Sent from heaven”. I am counting on you…

Aftermath

Having to change your environment is important for the continuation of life. Key values that need to be taken along with everyone are; learn to tithe 10% of every dollar you earn. It doesn’t belong to you. FOR SHOUTING OUT LOUD!! Learn to share skill with your fellow earthlings it will change their destiny. Dance like no one is watching.

What is your Check List?

Human potential can happen any time! I can give you my experience and I hope they will be something you will hook up to,Knowing who you are will help you get to know what your real purpose is. Success is defined to as progressive realization of a worthy Ideal.-Any person who knows what he is doing or going, is a success.

The very common game called “following the leader” should constantly be scrutinized. Constantly check your references “leader” frequently to see if they are going wherever you want to go. That will bring you to the realization that you need to equip yourself with a check list!

A check list will lead you to places that your mind has always focused it wants to be. You need tools to get you to the point of calling yours self a success. To be in motion to a worthy principle (belief)

By the time I will be through with the steps I need to share with you, I am sure you will be on the first lane in becoming a success in your area of interest. Repeat with me this statement I CHOOSE-WITHIN MYSELF-TO HAVE A GOAL-TO MAINTAIN A POSITIVE ATTITUDE-TO PUT MY MIND TO THOUGHT-TO BE TRUTHFUL AND HONEST WITH MY PEERS-TO CONTSANTLY RESEARCH AND DEVELOP MYSELF-THUS REALIZING A WORTHY IDEAL

The Ingredients needed to achieve a successful living is when:
1) Set a GOAL-"The ultimate goal should be doing your best and enjoying it." A man without a goal is like a ship without a rador.It has no purpose in the sea. It’s like a star fish in the sea or an amoeba that attacks us when we drink untreated water.
-When I finished school I didn’t perform very well to get to University and all my peers went to hot universities that were intimidating UON, USIU, AGUSTANA, METHODIST etc.I didn’t loose focus. I set a goal that no matter what! We shall meet at the top and I started selling Milk and Bread and Newspapers door to door.
2) Have an –ATTITUDE (mind-set) –People will react to us because of our attitude. Be it positive attitude or negative attitude. Attitude is the greatest gift that every human being was God given as compared to any other animal.
-When I decided that I will approach my situation positively, and I will carefully align myself to the mindset of my target people, the atmosphere being now the people reacted to how I needed them to behave.

-My neighbors therefore gave me more options as to how I will be in constantly in motion towards my worthy ideal. They showed me opportunities on what I may implement to make my ideal a reality.
3) constantly-THINK the bible says in Proverbs 23:7, “as a man thinketh, so is he”. The highest function of a human being is to think. If you think on positive issues you will attract positive to you. Learn to always put your mind to think mode. Dreaming is a level of thinking in the realm of the subconscious. Thinking puts you a notch higher than your competitors in business and will make you progress to the level of starting off your business, school and relationship whatever your mind takes you to be it conscious or subconscious.
-The life you are living right now is the proportion to what your thoughts took you to. if you think big and have a realistic approach to it, you will walk in it.
-When I was starting off my Kimathi Information Centre, I really thought on what I wanted to see there in and most definite if not 99%, what I have there in, I put thought in it.

4) Be TRUTHFUL-First to yourself then to others.-“The high minded man must care more for the truth than for what people think." Setting your foundation on truth keeps you ten steps ahead of your competition.
5) Purpose to continually -Research and Develop Your future depends on constantly looking for new ideas, concepts, opportunities and mending ribbons.
-How much resource you pump back in yourself will sustain your future.
Never conform to the big group. Love them serve them. This will help you to never loose individuality thus creating a sense of purpose and focusing towards your ideal course.
Get skilled aligned to your life. Having more knowledge in you will make you more stable and also above the rest by not following the leader without constantly checking on them. Get with the flow.Learn how ICT can change your cource, increase revenue, reduce workload, link you up with networks far from your rich, save you a lot of resources etc.The list is endless….
If it’s a product you are selling, what best ways can you increase more knowledge with what you have? Attend trade shows, seminars, workshops have mentors to guide you through
Setting Goals

Choosing to set goals is placing yourself towards realizing your true potential.

Follow the below steps;

1) Put a date on it-This shows commitment to a worthy ideal.
2) List Down Obstacles to Overcome-I call it the S.W.O.T analysis. S-trengths,W-eaknesses,O-pportunities an T-hreats.In my line, I listed most of them down and that made me to be constantly aware of where I am headed to. It gave me a clear direction. Like having radar on a ship.
3) Identify Networks- This is a survival mechanism as you are either a start-up business or a scale-up business; Getting to talk well with your suppliers, future customers, and also potential funders is very important. This will help you in your good and bad times.
-I remember one month ago, I was infected by a bad virus. I did not have any money; Internet at my business was bad! I had paid but I wasn’t being supplied. All my computers Crashed and it needed me to have 65,000Kenya shillings and I had only 150 Kenya Shillings in my pocket. I had to talk with my supplier to service them for me and I signed a service contract with him on how I will be paying him some cash every month before I get back on my feet.

4) Spell out a Plan of action- “The starting point of all achievement is desire. Keep this constantly in mind. Weak desire brings weak results, Just as a small amount of fire makes a small amount of heat.”
How do you map yourself to see your ideal self get there? Put it in an A-B-C kind of format. What is your starting point? How will you quantify your growth? What indicators shall be used to guide you through the process in helping you know when you get there?
5 Set a time limit-Having a deadline will make you start off with your vision and make you have a mission to work through. Above all things never see you standing.Walk! Constantly walk with guided steps.
6) Identify all benefits-Why am I doing what I am doing? What shall be the aftermath after I lay down everything in place? What is in for me? What business am I in? Look at an all rounded approach focusing on what notch you have above the rest. That will be your benefit.

Japan!!
1950-It lost all the youthful aged people because of Hiroshima. The leaders said that they will be Number 1 textile producer. In 1959, they achieved it.

1960-The leaders went back and said they will be the number one Steel producer in the world. Owing that they do not have no coal nor iron ore. They reached their objective in 1968

1970-They set another goal and said they will be the number one automobile producer in the world. In 1979, they did it yet again!!

1980-They didn’t limit themselves. They said they will be the number one Computer and Electronic producer and in 1988, they did it yet again.

Why is Japan succeeding? They know the formula.
3*3=9
what about;
124679054637*98765346789=?????
If I get you a pen and a paper you will figure it all out why? because you know the formula!

Do not hesitate do it now!!

Goals create activity which therefore creates excitement
Logic will not change an emotion but action will.

ICT4D Evangelists....

Kimathi Information Centre lies in the marginalized part of the urban estates in Nairobi Kenya Eastlands.How time flies!we have just hit our two years anniversary last month.What reminded me was my yahoo alert! I guess what has made me not remember are the challenges this venture has been facing.Our Internet service providers-(Names withheld) pulled down our efforts towards reaching our goal for approximately one year and 9 months we have been experiencing crazy downtime's until we got a solution sometime ago.This though has not killed our passion to reach out to the whole community by providing a conducive environment towards bridging the digital divide.(That why we call ourselves ICT4D Evangelists)-ICT4D stands for-(Information Communication and Technology For Development)

Our drive comes through after we see what we do on the grgrassroots.We have individuals who have never gotten an opportunity to touch a computer leave alone getting to understand the jargon's involved in sending an email or writing a text on a document.I cannot forget to mention my young folks who scram the centre during the weekends to play games and relax after having been closed in their houses doing school work and house chores.

Kimathi Information centre in its two year existence has brought enormous change by bringing convenience to its neighbors.Now neighbors can surf at the comfort of their homes.We have even gone further to involve the youth towards training them on how best they would write business plans and proposals then hooking them up with mentors and financial institutions who guide them through the process of acquiring start up loans.

We are looking ahead focusing on our vision to reach out to the marginalized communities in our Country.We purpose to give an opportunity to all individuals who want to change.We shall always preach ICT4D towards eliminating poverty in Africa and in particular my community.My beloved community through Kimathi Information Centre.