Community – the Conversations 256

08 Dec

THE IMPOSSIBLE RISE: DR. ROBERT KALYESUBULA

C256 Member0 CommentsCareer Profiles, Life, Pockets of Peace, Pockets of Wisdom

From a Grade 3 Dropout in Nakaseke to the Halls of the Royal College of Physicians of London On a warm afternoon in Nakaseke, a Ugandan village once haunted by the shadows of the Luwero war, a barefoot six-year-old boy stood in a silence far too heavy for childhood. His father had been claimed by the conflict. His mother vanished soon after. His vocabulary was too small to name what he was feeling, but loss is a language the heart speaks fluently, even at six. That boy, Robert Kalyesubula, would one day walk beneath the gilded ceilings of the Royal College…

27 Nov

Dear Self, Science and God.

C256 Member0 CommentsLetters To Self

Dear Self, Looking back on my life, science was what defined me. It was at the very core of what I did, how I thought, how I viewed the world and what I believed. I was raised in a religious household. Both my parents ministered in the church and most weekly evenings found us gathered at a friend’s home, praising and worshipping. I had a very strict religious upbringing but by the time I reached University, I was an atheist, believing in nothing and no one. I saw the universe without God; God was not needed in my understanding. I…

10 Nov

Dear Self, LOVE YOURSELF… FIERCELY!

C256 Member0 CommentsLetters To Self

Dear Self, LOVE YOURSELF... FIERCELY! This topic gets me really emotional and has been the centre of most of my bad decisions, narrow perspective and wrong moves growing up. For some reason I thought outside validation meant easy self-acceptance. That if society approves of you then you, my sister are on the right track to loving yourself the right way. I was wrong! Slow Down…Just A Bit? There were some tough moments in high school and university - not only was I fighting for my grades but there is a whole battle within where I was at war to…

16 Oct

Dear Self…You Will Find Home.

C256 Member0 CommentsLetters To Self, Living

Dear self, You are young, And people just see you as someone who is there to depend on them. Some don't even have hope that you will amount to anything in this world. They treat you as they like. You clean their house while their kids look on, When visitors come you are never introduced as their own You are never even seen in public at all. Your role is to carry out the heavy activities around the house because that is all they see you as; a house help. And all you see is a house not a home!…

03 May

Dear Self…Life Is Beyond Us.

C256 Member0 CommentsLetters To Self

Dear self: First and foremost, nothing is set in stone. Whatever the situation, you can change it. Don't take it so hard on yourself. If there's one thing you ought to know, life is short. Take that trip, buy those nice shoes (that’s if you like them) and eat that ice cream when the craving hits. Do the things you love. It doesn't matter if a million people think you can't do it. All you need is that one "YES" from God. I once listened to a wise woman that said, Do the best you can until you…

27 Sep

Dear Self…Please! Stay In School.

C256 Member0 CommentsLetters To Self

Dear self, You grew up in a small village and sometimes you had less, But God blessed you with two powerful angels that are mom and dad. Both would go hungry to see you have food on the table, both would stay up all night just to watch you sleep. The introduction to education was the best part of your childhood. With knowledge you gained power and with power your sad past life started to fade... Today you continue to rise not because of what you do but because of what you know A famous writer said in the current…

22 Sep

Dear Beautiful Dark skinned Queen…

C256 Member0 CommentsLetters To Self

Dear 15 year old Portia, Beautiful Dark skinned Queen, I purposefully use those words; beautiful and dark skinned, because I know you think that those two could never be used together. But they can. I know you don’t believe that at the moment, because in the world you’re in, dark skin hasn’t yet become a like-able trend... Comments like... “...being dark skinned is for boys...” “Wow...You’re pretty for a dark girl” “Imagine how more stunning you’d be if you were lighter...” ...are all you hear. You never see women with your skin tone being celebrated. You don’t see dark…

09 Sep

Dear Self…You will find your light.

C256 Member0 CommentsLetters To Self, Living

Dear Self, This world we live in is not a walk on the red carpet. It isn’t always roses and sunshine but as dark as it gets sometimes, you will make a way. Despite that darkness you will find the path that gets you to your place of light. Be careful with who you surround yourself with. People are funny. People are superficial. Learn to rely on yourself. Listen to your gut, trust your instincts. But above all, put God first. With him, nothing ever fails. There is no greater power in quitting. The process may be slow but…

29 Jul

Dear Self, You Can Overcome Self Hatred.

C256 Member0 CommentsLetters To Self, Living

Dear Self, A letter as I walk down memory lane. Before I grew up in a family of strong believers; my parents did not just talk the talk, they walked the walk. Church became my second home. Everyone encouraged each other and uplifted each other. Home was my safety net. Church was my comfort zone. But whenever I stepped out of those two settings; I did not feel at home. In fact I did not feel safe… with my self. I did not feel at home in my own skin. I was obese, over weight. When I was…

13 Jun

Mental Health Awareness Month: A List Of Numbers To Call

Brand Contributor0 CommentsLife, Living

“Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire.” ― Thomas Keneally, Free Telephone Hotlines in Uganda Mental Health, Suicide, Crisis Mental Health Uganda 0800 21 21 21 Mental Health Uganda (MHU) is an indigenous, NGO assisting people with and survivors of mental Illness. Professional Psychometric (256) 774997364 Professional Psychometric and Psychological Services (PPPS) is a mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) organization that specializes in providing clinical and protection services inclusive of educational and, rehabilitative services KCCA Ambulances (0-800) 111044 This is a 24-hour hotline for all medical emergencies Uganda Police Emergency 999112 This is a 24-hour hotline for all…

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