By Caleb Onyango

Psychologically, the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted our emotions, our thought processes and ultimately our behaviour.

It is wise that we take time to untangle and point out exactly what we are experiencing during this period and perhaps why we are feeling, thinking and acting certain in ways. Understanding this makes us aware of when we are triggered and are therefore able to regulate ourselves.

Washing your hands with soap and running water is critical and will protect you against the dreaded Covid-19. It is also important to practice social distancing to control the spread of the virus.

Governments around the world are implementing strategies to cushion citizens from the adverse economic effects of the pandemic. All these together with many other measures are going to go a long way to getting the society back to where it was after the pandemic is over, at least in terms of physical health and economic status. And that is obviously good news.

That said, it is important to consider the effects of the pandemic on mental health too. If not checked, these effects might create a new crisis on the state of the society’s psychological wellness that could last years, or even generations, way after the pandemic is over.

We are likely to experience a range of emotions. Sense of loss, not only of lives but also of jobs and income and loss of freedom. We are also prone to depression because of that feeling of hopelessness and despair and having to process this while not having normal day to day human interactions due to the need to maintain social distance. This also makes us vulnerable to loneliness. 

The pandemic has also affected how we think – the general functions of the brain. During this time, it will be normal to experience paranoia especially about having Covid-19 symptoms. Additionally, due to being high strung all the time, it is normal for us to become forgetful and experience mental fog, impaired concentration, be indecisive and even lack creativity, generally zapping our motivation to be productive.

As a result of the above and other emotional and cognitive experiences, our behaviour also does get affected as we consciously and subconsciously try to cope with effects of the pandemic in our lives. 

One of the ways, we might want to feel in control is by hoarding. In the face of much uncertainty stocking up beyond what we need, may be a sub-conscious way of feeling in control of ‘something’ in an out of control pandemic environment. We also experience or see in others, restlessness. This is what some parts of the world term as cabin fever, whose origin was that feeling of restlessness experienced when people have been snowed in for long periods during winter. This restlessness may make us vulnerable to bingeing on food, television, social media etc.

There is also likely to be an upsurge of drug and substance abuse for various reasons such as killing boredom or trying to cope with pandemic related stress. Conflicts are also likely to be observed among family members or even towards strangers.

It is normal to experience the emotional and cognitive responses to such a time as this of coping with the Covid-19 pandemic. That said, it is important to be aware of what one is experiencing and the reason for it as well as to know when to seek help if we find ourselves adopting harmful ways of coping as aforementioned.

The great news is, there are some healthy habits we can adopt so as to minimize the effect of the stress on their lives. Some of these habits that we at Makini Schools emphasise though our pastoral care programme include: 

• Maintaining normalcy in terms of schedule as much as possible but being flexible to adjust to a ‘new normal’ such as home schooling and working from home. Working from home and home schooling will take a while to get used to. It is helpful to designate different spaces in the home for different activities. For example, it is important to delineate the working and schooling spaces that are different from that of social activities or meals to help disengage one activity from the next injecting some energy.
• Checking in as a family will also go a long way in dealing with our emotions and run-away thoughts during this time. This can be done, for example during meal times creating a safe space to discuss what is particularly tough for each to cope with, but also a daily highlight.
• Maintaining a healthy lifestyle helps reduce stress and anxiety. Eat a balanced diet – practicing portion control, stay hydrated, get enough sleep and maintain an active lifestyle.
• There is abundant evidence of the positive correlation between constructive spirituality and mental wellness. Believing in a higher being provides a sense of peace and hope. Faith also provides meaning to the pain making it bearable, for example Christians may be looking at this pandemic as a way for God to reconcile humanity with Himself. Additionally, practices such as praying, meditating, listening to uplifting spiritual music all are helpful in reducing stress and anxiety.

Employing the above strategies may help us navigate this unprecedentedly difficult times. However, the effect of the pandemic may get overwhelming for some of us even after putting in their best effort to stay afloat. In the event that happens, it is prudent to talk to a professional counsellor and book an online session.

The writer is a Counselling Psychologist at Makini Schools.

Nigerian singer Burna Boy has won the  ‘Best International Act’ award at the 2020 BET Awards.

He becomes the first artist to win the BET Best International Act award for two years in a row.

Burna Boy 'African Giant' battled out with Stormzy, Dave, both UK based, Ninho and S.Pri Noir(France), Sho Madjozi(South Africa) and Innoss’B(DRC) for the award, in that category.

The awards which honor black excellence in entertainment and sports were presented virtually from Los Angeles on Sunday, hosted by Insecure star Amanda Seales .

The focus of this year's BET Awards was black lives and culture. The theme of the event ‘Our Culture Can’t Be Canceled’ was catapulted by the death of George Floyd at the hands of the police.

Kenyan media personality has signed a book deal to co-author a book with J.J.Lanji Ouko.

The book documents the voices of survivors of rape, observers, family members, activists, nurses, lawyers and many others, who offer a glimpse of the different perceptions of violence.

Adelle Onyango, a survivor of rape herself, has gained international recognition for her efforts to empower African women and youth.

She has been celebrated as one of Facebook's 2019 Icons of Change; Africa Youth Awards 100 Most Influential Young Africans for 2019; and BBC's 100 inspirational and innovative women in the world for 2017

She’s also the founder of the Adelle Onyango Initiative that creates awareness on Gender Based Violence and runs a free group therapy program for survivors of rape.

J.J. Lanji Ouko is a seasoned author, lawyer & gender justice consultant. She is also the founder of Crevit Mulier & Co. a legal bureau, transforming Africa’s contemporary issues focused on gender justice policy reform\& intervention in the fields of Criminal Law, Employment Law, Family Law & Land Law; through their institute of training, research center & their boutique publishing firm since 2015.

Speaking on the book Adelle Onyango said:

“This book is very dear to me as a human being, as an African woman and as a survivor of rape as it amplifies voices of survivors in a way that have never been done before and it also shows that over decades rape hasn’t been ended because we as a people have blamed everyone but the rapists''

Adding ''It’s also such an honour to work with Lanji & Crevit Mulier as a whole because they share the passion to reform the criminal justice system so that we can see justice served for survivors. The more rapists aren’t held accountable by the justice system, the more rape cases we will continue to have”

The rape statistics in Kenya are quite alarming. 1 in 3 women have experienced some form of sexual violence in their lifetime. Furthermore, during the first three weeks of the COVID-19 caused curfew, reported cases of sexual violence had tripled.

Speaking on the book & partnership J.J.Lanji said:

“As a company, our interest is on the law, policies & reform in relation to gender justice and the loopholes of access to justice. So my fight to secure justice for survivors and build a criminal justice system that fights for justice is my motivation''

''We chose to work with Adelle Onyango as she is an exemplary, inspiring woman, who has fought tirelessly for the rights of women & survivors not only in Kenya, but throughout the continent. A revolutionary Pan-Africanist whose voice I believe is of prime importance in the proverbial 'fight" against sexual violence.” she added

The book is set to hit stands by mid-November after which the Adelle Onyango Initiative & Crevit Mulier & Co. will embark on various strategic plans towards sustainable reform within a broken socio-legal system. This book will break the silence, to break the cycle of stigma & injustice

Former Taita Taveta County Woman Representative Joyce Lay seems to have found a new career, musician.

Lay who also vied for the Taita Taveta county senate seat in the last general election (2017) but lost to Jones Mwaruma has launched her new career as a gospel artiste by releasing her first song 'Najua'.

"As I celebrate my birthday on tomorrow, there is no better gift of me to the world than revealing my purpose and the will of God for my life ..TO MINISTER TO THE NATIONS THROUGH WORSHIP MUSIC. I present to you my first single worship song '' NAJUA WEWE NI BWANA'' And this is my big reveal'' she posted on instagram.

Adding '' This song was revealed in my heart in October 2017. Alot was happening then. I wasn't sure what the future had in store for me. There was so much confusion and anxiety yet in the middle of all the spirit of God was busy working something in me, I wasn't keen enough to understand it, So i recorded the song in my phone and forgot about it"

She went ahead to reveal ''I took the decision to record music in April this year. This is after getting a clear message that the songs are not for me to keep but for God’s glory to be revealed in the World. It’s amazing because it wasn’t only one song but a second song and a third, fourth, fifth up-to 32 songs were dropped into my heart through the Spirit of God. I would wake up in the middle of the night with a new song and just start singing. At some point I couldn’t get much sleep because of the fire burning inside my belly. Most nights were spent in my prayer room...worship and fellowship with God. Sometimes I would sing the whole night.I spent time to seek God’s direction on this and I know that this is truly for His glory and not for entertainment. He will pour out His Spirit in a way that we have never experienced before.He is God. He doesn’t not lie!"

She has been teasing the song on social media waiting the official release tomorrow (Monday).

WCB talent manager Hamisi Taletale, popularly known as Babu Tale is mourning the lose of his wife and mother to his three kids Shamsa Kombo, Shammy.

According to reports the deceased died early Sunday morning at a local hospital in Daresalaam where she had been admitted..

Babu Tale is also Diamond Platnumz's official manager

“Mke na mama wa watoto wa meneja wa lebo ya WCB, Hamis Taletale, Shammy amefariki dunia mapema alfajili ya leo. Wasafi Media tunatoa pole kwa familia ya ndugu yetu Hamis Taletale katika kipindi hiki kigumu, na kumuombea kwa Mungu ampe nguvu na ahueni. Innalilah wainailaihi Rajiuun,” reads a message from Wasafi media.

According to a statement from the family, the deceased will be laid to rest tomorrow in Morogoro next to Babu Tale's late father grave.

Several celebrities and artists have since taken to social media to mourn the death and condole with Babu Tale.

''Inaliallah waina Illahi Rajiun, Pole Boss Babu Tale'' posted Aslay.

''Daah shemeji yangu SHAMMY umetuweza sana, Nimeishiwa maneno kabisa pole sana mdogo wangu Bbau Tale Jipe Moyo na Mungu akawe mfariji wenu" posted Professor Jay.

On his part fellow manager and politician Mkubwa Fella posted '' Da Shemela wake mwenyewe ndio tulivyo itana week iliopita tumeongea mengi du leo umetangulia najua njia yetu moja na Inshallah nakuombea dua ameen lakini pia nakuombea mwenyezi mungu mpe nguvu mdogo wangu hamisi Babu Tale kipindi ichi kigumu INNALLILLAH wainnaillah rajuun. Pole sana mwanangu Tale".

Makini Schools this week launched phase two of a newly designed and more engaging high-quality e-learning offer that covers revision, life skills, assessments and new engaging content to keep the over 2,500 enrolled learners on track with their educational journeys.

The e-learning offer, which is available to all Preschool, Primary and High School learners, has been put together to ensure we maintain our ethos of educating the whole child and continuing to provide excellence in academics. The offer incorporates:

• Pastoral care, physical education and clubs with six-week lesson overviews
• Live online sessions, video and voice tutorials, presentations, offline projects and assignment
• The ability to access the teacher when 1-2-1 support is required
• Engaging activities and clear outcomes that the learners will find interactive, achievable and fun-filled to maximize on their educational productivity.

Commenting on the upgraded e-learning offer, Education Director Angelica Ouya, said “Makini Schools has always been ahead of the curve in preparing our learners for the skills required to thrive in the 21^st century. We are now in the new normal and we foresee blended learning, incorporating both contact and e-learning, as the future of education. Other important skills acquired at such challenging times is grit and resilience where the learner has to really take charge of their learning. We make sure to support our learners through our virtual Pastoral Care programme. This is no less important than academics.”

Adding “Other than the discounted e-learning charges, the school is going the extra mile to support our families who have been directly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic by offering support and looking into the challenges in access to devices because we wish to see each and every learner onboard,”

We believe that our collective success as an educational institution depends on our ability to deliver the best practices in pedagogy and make our offer as accessible as possible to more learners in the country.

Moelogo has released his eagerly anticipated fourth EP titled ‘ME’, a perfect blend of Afrobeat, R&B and Palmwine sounds (June 26^th 2020).

The British-Nigerian singer-songwriter is regarded as one of the most unique and talented artists in the buzzing Afrobeat and the UK music scene.

The 5-track EP including up-tempo tracks, such as “For You”, “Koshi” and a fusion of R&B sounds in “I Wonder”, “Sango & Oya” and the down-tempo piano ballad “Ugly Part of Love”, is a masterpiece.

Moelogo best describes ‘ME’ as “feel good music – the kind that you listen to while in any mood and it leaves you feeling better.” It demonstrates his versatility as an artist, with rich distinct vocals coupled with his compelling storytelling abilities.

Stream ME EP: http://platoon.lnk.to/MeTheEp

Moelogo presents his vulnerability first hand in the new record.

He explains, “The EP is titled ‘ME’ as it is an exploration of the versatile yet real Moelogo. For a while I always put other people before myself but this EP is all about me,”.

Adding “People usually expect melancholic music from me but this time I want my fans to feel my vulnerability, appreciation, happiness, freeness and relief.”

Inspired by the ups and downs of relationships, life and love, ‘ME’ is written by Moelogo and produced by Nigerian and UK-based producers: Priime Beats, Happi Music and Sess The Prblm and mastered by Turkish.

Completing his latest record ‘ME’ was tasking but an experience to grow with his fans, admitted Moelogo, revealing, “I normally don’t sing about my most intimate experiences so I was reluctant to release these songs but in the end I am comfortable in showing myself while creating magic and enjoying putting my thoughts together in beats.”

Moelogo’s latest release is part of a 3-part series titled ME #III, which will explore several aspects that make up Moelego as an expressive storyteller.

He is set to drop two other EPs, “filled with good vibes, some sad songs but most importantly, relatable music”— in his own words.

Moelogo’s new project is preceded by the music videos for “On Me” and “Magic” off his 2019 “Magic” EP.

His expansive discography has earned him recognition for his 2017 smash collaboration “We Could Go Back” with British DJ and producer Jonas Blue, amassing over 44 million streams on Spotify.

Over the years Moelogo has been consistent, backed by a strong following and successful EPs including “Magic” (2019), “Shine Your Light” (2016) and “Moe Is My Name, Music Is My Logo” (2013).

On Me video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JuI5FV4veQ

Magic video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsCgXUkGJwM