In life's bundle, small collections compile, At school, our minds embrace thoughts so versatile. Ambitions soar high in our youthful dreams, Where poverty cannot hinder our gleaming streams. Nightmares dare not invade our innocent heads, For ambitions are part of being human, it spreads.   But the outside world, oh, it presents a surprise, A special menu, unseen by youthful eyes.   School tasks pile up, demanding our attention, Our legs, agile as footballers, fulfill the mission. We race like rhinoceros, fueled by zest, Assuming life is an algebraic conquest. We believe the ladder to success is easy to climb, But school corridors can haunt, recalling a different time, Prompting us to reconsider our decisions, To contemplate life's complex provisions.   No gold is served on a silver platter's gleam, At school, pressure remains a distant theme. Yet, as students, we must acknowled

    By Matilda Phiri Political leaders acquire their positions through elections, exercising power by representing constituencies in democratic states. However, even in non-democratic countries, non-politicians also create and enforce laws. Politicians who fail to fulfill their campaign promises are often despised as liars, while those who fulfill their commitments are loved and respected. There are four types of political leaders: True leaders, Demagogues, Ordinary leaders, and Citizen Leaders. True leaders, or statesmen, hold themselves accountable for the commitments they make through their decisions and actions. They possess the ability to establish new states, promote peace, and rise above conflicts. They are dedicated to the survival and well-being of their nations. Their qualities, such as their forward-thinking approach and ability to inspire hope, are essential for gaining voter support. Demagogues, on the other hand, attain power by appeali

                                                                                    A Malawian model (Linly Mayenda) B Y MATILDA PHIRI Malawi is one of the countries in Africa that is not fully developed in the modeling industry. We cannot compare Malawi to South Africa, where the fashion industry is well developed. South Africa has numerous magazines, many of which feature models, unlike in Malawi. They also have a multitude of modeling agencies that groom models for fashion events, TV extras, magazines, and various advertisements. Is it because South Africa is a big and well-developed country, or is it simply because the people there have a passion for it? We see on TV how different countries have fashion weeks every year, where different celebrities attend, wearing designer clothes, and models showcase the designs on runways. However, this hardly happens here and only occurs sporadically. Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa host such events almost every year, and these countri

BY MATILDA PHIRI After Three Months of Marriage, This Happened: Addressing Issues of Intimacy Denial Dear Blogger, My wife has refused to sleep with me just three months into our marriage. This has become her habit. What could be the reasons behind this? She says she doesn’t have feelings for me? What should I do? Dear Unanimous MY ADVICE TO YOU: The journey of marriage is filled with both joyous and challenging moments. Among these challenges, one that frequently arises is the issue of intimacy between partners. In this article, we explore a common scenario where a woman denies physical intimacy to her husband, citing a lack of connection. We delve into the possible reasons behind this denial and offer advice on how couples can navigate this delicate situation. Understanding the Concerns: Intimacy is a vital aspect of any healthy marriage, fostering emotional and physical connection between partners. However, when a partner denies love making, it can lead to feelings of

  FORGIVE THAT HUMAN BEING BY MATILDA PHIRI A Human being is prone to making mistakes. To err is human and to forgive is divine. Today you can make a mistake, if you do not forgive your friend or spouse, tomorrow it will be you and you will need them to forgive you too so what will you do? I know it really hurts when somebody does us something extremely bad. You can even try to harm yourself because of the hurtful actions but it is not the end of everything. In life, anything can happen. Do not worry much, the person might say sorry to you and might want you again. Do not lose hope. If God can forgive us who are we not to forgive others? If God could not forgive us we would all end up in hell. You do not want to go to hell or be punished by God for not forgiving someone who wronged you. The bible clearly says that, we should forgive and love our enemies. Even if they wronged so many times, we should still forgive them. Do not get tired doing good things. You never know which time

By Matilda Phiri  Here are some online video content ideas I've compiled for you. You can thank me later! All the best! Skincare Routine: Create a video showcasing your skincare routine, including cleansing, moisturizing, and any additional steps or products you use to maintain healthy skin. Makeup Tutorial: Demonstrate a step-by-step makeup tutorial, focusing on a specific look or technique such as a natural everyday makeup look, a glamorous evening makeup look, or a trendy makeup style. Fashion Haul or Lookbook : Film a video where you showcase your favorite fashion pieces, discuss styling tips, or create different outfit combinations. This can be focused on a particular season, occasion, or style preference. Haircare Tips and Hairstyle Ideas: Share your haircare routine, favorite hair products, and different hairstyles you enjoy. You can demonstrate how to achieve specific hairstyles like braids, updos, or curls. Fitness and Wellness: Create workout or fitness videos that prom

      BY MATILDA PHIRI Africa has many victims who are denied equal rights in society. In some societies, girls also experience social exclusion when it comes to making important decisions. In my country, Malawian girls, street children, and albinos face numerous challenges every day. As a young writer and a woman, it is my responsibility to educate people about equality as human beings. Whatever a man can do, a woman can do as well. I focus my writing on the plight of street kids, young women, and albinos. I write short stories in newspapers about them. Additionally, I have published an award-winning novel about a young girl who was once a street child. She overcame her struggles and succeeded in life, empowering girls to love education, be independent, and contribute to the development of the country. In Malawi, we have a significant problem where some people believe that killing albinos will make them wealthy. This issue requires extensive civic education, which I also write abou

  BY MATILDA PHIRI One man can change the world, and that's what I believe. I believe that you are that person who can bring about change in your country. While I may not be aware of the specific problems you are facing, you are aware of them, and you have the power to change them. You have a purpose, so awaken and start making a difference wherever you can. Be a responsible citizen, as your country is in desperate need of you. Do not underestimate yourself. If you are from Malawi, where there are numerous cases of school dropouts, starting from primary and secondary school, then take action. For instance, many girls drop out due to early marriages and unwanted pregnancies, making them vulnerable to HIV. In Malawi, young people account for 50% of new HIV infections, with a higher prevalence among certain age groups, such as 15-17 year olds. According to the UNAIDS Data of 2017, 3.6% of young women and 2.5% of young men (aged 15-24) are living with HIV in Malawi. Urban youth t

 Dear Friend  I'm sorry to hear that your boyfriend is not forgiving you. It's important to understand that forgiveness is a personal choice and it's not something that can be forced upon someone. However, there are some steps you can take to try to make amends and repair the relationship. Apologize: It's important to apologize sincerely for whatever it is that you did wrong. Make sure your apology is genuine and that you take responsibility for your actions. Listen: Listen to your boyfriend's feelings and concerns. Try to understand why he is having difficulty forgiving you and show that you are willing to make changes to prevent the same situation from happening again in the future. Give him space: Sometimes, people need space and time to process their emotions. Respect his space and give him the time he needs to come to a decision. Be patient: Forgiveness is a process and it may take time. Be patient and give your boyfriend the time he needs to forgive you. Seek

By Matilda Phiri John and Emily had been married for six months when they decided to take a road trip across the country. As they drove through the winding roads and breathtaking landscapes, they talked about their dreams and aspirations, their fears and doubts, and the little things that made them smile. One night, as they sat under the stars by a campfire, Emily turned to John and asked, "What do you think makes a marriage last?" John thought for a moment before answering, "I think it's the little things that matter the most. The way you look at each other when you wake up in the morning, the small gestures of kindness that show you care, and the willingness to forgive and move forward when things get tough." Emily smiled and nodded, feeling grateful for the man she had married. As they cuddled together under the blanket, she knew that they had a lifetime of adventures and challenges ahead of them, but she was confident that as long as they kept loving