TODAY'S STORY??...NO WORDS!!! (SIGH)

Colourmeamba took a LONG break, but hey! WE ARE BACK!!! :) 

..So much has happened this year and we are particularly thankful for Nigeria's peaceful democratic transition. 

God bless Nigeria ALWAYS!!!

So, straight to today's story.

This story taken from BBC.com may leave you astounded at the choices desperate people make. It is the ultimate decision taken by desperate Africans fleeing to Europe through horrific water waves in search of better life. 

Please read below the story of  Juan Medina, a photographer, whom for two decades, has been following migrants trying to reach Europe..

''I started taking photos of migrants because I was living in Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands working as a photographer for the local paper, and they were coming over from all over sub-Saharan Africa.

What happened on that day in 2004 was no different to what had been happening for years, and would keep happening.

The journey across the sea to Europe is taken by a lot of people in search of a better life. At any moment boats can capsize, they can run out of gas, the motor can break down - and they're vulnerable to the cold weather.

As they reached the Canary Islands, there was a Civil Guard patrol waiting to detain them. The migrants started to board the larger vessel but when they all moved to one side, their boat capsized.That day, the migrants were on a small boat, apatera, full of people. They had been on board for many hours.

Twenty-nine of them were rescued. Nine died. The people on board were all men. Many came from Mali, some from Ivory Coast and some from Ghana.

The survivors went through the usual process on their arrival - migrants are held in a detention centre for foreigners for 40 days, then they are either put on a flight to their countries of origin, or they are flown to mainland Spain.

I know what happened to two of the men on that boat - Isa and Ibrahim. I met them the day they were rescued. They are the men I photographed being pulled out of the sea.

They were sent to Spain - Isa was taken to Valencia and Ibrahim to Murcia.

They made it very clear what was going on back home in Mali. They come from large families. In Isa's case for example, they depend on crops and the harvest year by year. Work is scarce. They didn't have any opportunities. They were really living in a situation of extreme need.

Despite the risks they decided to make the journey. For them it was the only way out. They thought it would be worth it to try to help their families. Perhaps they didn't know exactly what was going to happen to them minute by minute, but they knew it was dangerous.

I went to their homes in Mali to meet their families and was greeted with open arms, with a lot of love - in the exact opposite way to how the Spanish greet migrants here. Their families told me their story so that I could understand why their sons were willing to risk their lives.

The main thing that struck me is the terrible living conditions they left behind. They risked dying at sea but they faced even greater pressures trying to survive at home. They did it because they had no other way out. It's not because they were adventure seekers.

It made their families incredibly sad - first, the pain because their children left, and second, knowing that their children could also die.

Some people who survive the journey join our society, in as much as our society allows them to - often in an unstable precarious way, without papers, without rights.

As journalists we have the opportunity to see what's happening first hand, but we should all be involved in this situation, because this is happening on our own doorstep.

In reality they are our neighbours, they could be living on the floor above you, selling you your food, or go to school with your children. If people feel they are not directly affected by this situation, they are turning a blind eye.

I think my photos are documents. These are things that are happening day after day.

Throughout history it's thanks to photographs or articles that we know what has happened - so we know that at the end of the 20th Century and the turn of the 21st Century people travelled to the gates of Europe in much the same way slaves did in the 17th Century.

Mohammed from Togo treats wounds suffered while trying to swim from Morocco to Spain.

Many of them would have drowned at sea too, squashed into makeshift boats that would sink.

And people keep dying today. It's unusual for a month to pass without a tragedy. Even after 20 years following this story, people are still drowning every week and I don't see anything changing. If there is any change at all, it's got worse. Each tragedy or shipwreck gets bigger and more painful because more people lose their lives. There is more police pressure on Europe's borders than ever before - but people are still dying''.

Migrants at their hiding place in the mountains near the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in North Africa

STILL NO WORDS. 
DO YOU HAVE WORDS? 
COMMENT BELOW..

'How I Started' - Starting SOON!!!

Hello friends and a Happy New Month of September to you.

Yesterday my elder sister, Gilda Eyang began a completely new phase in her life as she clocked 30. My best wishes are with you Ayum, and I believe God is taking you far beyond your wildest dreams. Happy Happy Birthday beloved!!!

..So, its 2nd September already and the year-end is fast approaching. Remember your resolutions at the beginning of the year? How much have you accomplished so far?

Well, its never too late to start and this is why this blog is here to encourage you. ColourmeAmba will be commencing a new series soon - #HowIStarted. The series would bring to you real stories of people like you and I who translated their ideas and dreams into big realities just by 'STARTING'.

'How I Started' promises to be very insightful as it would bring you stories from all corners of the world - even areas and people closest to you. 

There's a lot to learn so keep an eye on the blog..

Looking forward to engaging your minds this same time next week!!!

Enjoy your Tuesday!!! :)

  

Laila Indira Alva - The 10-year-Old who offered to help her country

When your country faces a certain downturn, what do you do to help?

Below is the story of a little Indian girl who sized-up her economy and offered a little help. Please read:

In September 2013, when the Indian government was struggling to control the rupee's massive slide against the dollar, a worried 10-year-old girl, Laila Indira Alva sent a $20 bill to the country's Central Bank offering to help the economy.

Read the story here - (Source: BBC News) 

Raghuram Rajan took over as the governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 4 September 2013 - the following day Laila Indira Alva sent him a letter.

"I have heard about the crisis our economy is facing on the news. I have also heard about the fall of the rupee with respect to the dollar," she wrote.

Laila, who lives in Gurgaon, an affluent Delhi suburb, is not someone who usually spends time worrying about the economy - like most 10-year-olds, she likes playing with friends and other activities such as reading, singing, playing the guitar, swimming and athletics.

But last summer, bad news about the economy made the headlines every day - the manufacturing sector had slowed down, the rupee was continuously sliding against the dollar and India's current account deficit was growing wider by the day.

As her parents take several daily newspapers, Laila saw all these stories of impending doom and grew alarmed.

"I knew the economy was weak because of inflation and corruption. I read about it in the newspapers and I heard my parents talk about it at dinner and I heard about it on the news. That's the only thing everyone was talking about."

Laila was worried that "people won't have enough money to make a living and everyone will suffer and everyone will become poor," she says.

Her mother Pria Somaiah Alva says she and her husband often talk to Laila and her 13-year-old brother about what's in the news.

"Last September, we were sitting around the table, my husband and I were discussing the dollar rate. And Mr Rajan was in the news, he was going to take over as the bank's governor so somewhere how the bank controls the economy came up," she says.

The next day, after returning from school, Laila asked her mother if she could write a letter to the RBI governor because "maybe he can help the economy".

"I said 'go ahead, you're a kid, you can do what you want'," Pria says.

"Dr Raghuram Rajan, please bring in some new ideas that will improve our economy. I want people to come to India and not to think that it's corrupt and a dump!" Laila wrote in the letter which has recently been published in her school magazine.

She also decided to include a $20 bill her parents had given her during a family holiday in Israel a year ago because she thought "the country needs it more than I do".

"Many people say it starts with little and then it becomes big, so I thought that my $20 would be a little. But I thought if people had the right thought in their minds, then they could make it big. I thought that everyone will contribute a little bit to help our economy and India will progress," says Laila.

About 10 days later, an official looking envelope arrived, addressed to Laila. She was shocked to discover that it was from the bank governor himself.

"I am deeply touched by your kind gesture," he wrote. "I am aware this is a challenging time for the country and I have no doubt the economy will emerge stronger."

The envelope also carried the $20 bill she had sent.

"I am returning the $20 note you had sent with the assurance that we have adequate foreign exchange reserves in RBI to manage the situation," Rajan wrote and invited her to visit him next time she was in Mumbai.

Laila says she was "really surprised" by the response.

"I thought it was common to write a letter to the RBI governor, I thought he won't really read it and he'll just ask someone else to write back."

Laila was not happy to get her money back though and thought that "it was mean of him not to take it," she says. But her parents explained that "there are different ways in which one can help one's country".


In November, when Laila's father went to Mumbai on business, she went along with him to meet Rajan..

"She was very happy, very impressed with the RBI building. She visited the coin museum and returned laden with comics which simplify money, even for adults. But her first reaction was - Mama, he's very tall," says Pria.

"He is very tall," insists Laila. "There's a picture of both of us and he's extremely tall, he's like a giant."

At her meeting with Rajan, she asked him questions like "why can't the RBI print more money for everyone so that people aren't poor? He told me that it will lead to inflation and then he explained the whole concept".

On the wall behind his desk, there were pictures of past RBI governors, but "there was no lady governor so I was shocked and I asked him why? He said maybe you can become one some day".

So is that what she wants to do when she grows up? "Maybe, but I want to be a photographer first and then an author and then a singer, maybe someday work to become the governor of the RBI," she says.

About the $20 bill, Laila admits that at one point she thought about changing it into rupees and spending it, but now she has changed her mind.

Such Empathy. 

Please stay tuned to more exceptional stories on the blog every Tuesday. 

Until next week, Stay Happy, be at peace with yourself, your Country and with God.

Bye :)

  

Source: http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-27388104

Create every day, No matter your skills - Javier Pérez Estrella

Hello Everyone,
A great Tuesday to you. 

Visiting Facebook a few days back, I came across some art work which exposed my mind further to the awesome power of imagination. 

Ecuador-based  graphic designer / Audiovisual producer, Javier  Pérez Estrella, the man behind these art works turns everyday objects into whimsical illustrations. He mixes simple ideas with everyday objects creating line drawings, balloons out of grapes, light bulbs out of balloons  and porcupine quills out of nails.

For him, his work is 'simple and minimal'. For me, such creativity goes beyond just simplicity. 

Let me know what you think..

...So, create everyday, No matter your skills - Javier Pérez Estrella

Sources
http://javierperez.ws/bio/
http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2013/10/instagram-experiments-javier-perez/

Here is my Testimony!!!

My Testimony is simple.

I was born into a family of six. My father though very loving was a strict disciplinarian- He sure knew how to draw that line. My mum nonetheless was stern yet soft. Sometimes, she was the mediator to daddy and other times she was ‘the soldier’.  We were the average Lagos-based family; Not ‘rich’, certainly not poor. We could afford bread daily from the bakery nearby, clothes at Christmas and our fees though mostly delayed, were eventually paid. We walked to school, had one or two toys and were content.

My father was so much of a giver and many relations saw him as a hero. Even where we had nothing, he would give something. I remember his hearty laughter, his scold-look and the times he would call us one by one after dinner time to ask if we had eaten to satisfaction. Our responses often didn’t matter because he would still request that bread and milk be bought. Daddy ensured there was always food and that the necessary things we needed had to be met.  He sure taught us not to beg and to be content until the next month-end.

In 1999, our father retired from the civil service after 35 years and relocated to the village.  For my sisters and I, this was a cultural shock we had to adjust to. The village which was oftentimes a Christmas holiday ‘adventure’ became our permanent home. Like regular villagers, we walked to the stream every morning to fetch water, journeyed to the farm and back, dried our father’s cocoa when the sun was out and with our lanterns ignited at night, we endured lack of electricity. We got used to these. When our secondary school in Calabar closed for the holidays, we travelled home to Etomi village, where daddy and mummy were.

Daddy died of a heart attack in 2006 and we were devastated. We feared, “How do we begin?” “Where do we turn to?” “Who will provide for us?” And every time we asked ourselves these questions, we realized there were no feasible answers. Our bread-winner was gone and we could find no other source. Having been totally dependent on daddy, we realized we had lost him sooner that we would have expected. We wept, but in all our mourning, one thing we never stopped doing was to encourage ourselves. Indeed, this was a time we identified with bible scriptures expounding on God’s promises and ability to take us through troubling times. As we did this, we gradually turned to Him as our source and the peace we had never encountered before suddenly enveloped us. Then we continually pronounced, “It is well”.

Friends, in a few minutes 2013 would be over and my mum, sisters and I can confidently pronounce, “IT HAS BEEN WELL!!!” In the past years we have had no cause to beg, borrow or live in lack. We have held firm to the power of God’s word and seen it work in our lives. Through the years, God has kept us healthy, we have recorded no accidents or death, we have all completed school, and have good shelter above our heads. We all have our independent testimonies but here are a few things God has done for me.

·         I have NEVER slept on a hospital bed (Psalm 92:10)

·         I have never encountered an accident (Psalm 92:11)

·         I am alive and well; my family is safe (Psalm 92: 16)

·         I have never been homeless (Psalm 91:1)

·         I have never lacked food (Isaiah 58:11)

·         The peace of God has always stayed with me (Psalm 127:2)

·         God has gifted me with skills and established the work of my Hands (Psalm 90:17)

·         God guided me in a strange land from 2011 to 2012 (Psalm 32:8)

·         He made me what I am today (redeemed, favoured, blessed) (Psalm 5:12)

·         In all, He has been a Father, Source and Friend

Early this morning, as I did my early morning workout, I walked pass a lady sitting on the side of the road. She was of small statue and seemed to be in her late 40s. I had noticed her the previous day covered up in a wrapper and laying on the same spot. My first thought was that she probably was an insane woman. As I briskly walked by today, I noticed a small New-Testament bible by her side. It was dusty, opened at the middle with many bent pages. I walked past with thoughts and questions brewing-up in my mind.

On my way back exhausted, I decided to pause and engage with her for a bit. “Madam, na here you sleep?” Smiling, she responded, “Yes”. I approached her and pried further, asking what the problem was. She lamented on how she sells pure water in the market and is usually being chased by the Task force, leading to her losses and hence her decision to give up and stay on the road. She spoke well, seemed sane and explained her helpless state. I asked her how she planned to fend for herself by sitting here and she responded pointing to her bible, “See my bible, I don dey pray. One day, God go answer me”.

She was confident in her speech and the acknowledgment of God’s true word. I admitted, “Na true you talk o, but you know say if God wan send you help, the person fit no find you for here.” As the conversation went on, I offered her some advice to take up a cleaning or washing job in the banks or shops nearby. We opened Psalm 90:17 with her bible and she read it out loud, seeing that God could establish her handwork. With a bit of change on me, I encouraged her to step out and dare God to bless her handwork just as His Word says.

I cannot blame this lady. I act like this sometimes and I guess some of us do too. Despite all that God has done, sometimes we go through the day feeling forgotten, seemingly trusting in the Word, and yet lamenting and recounting all our present challenges and needs. Nevertheless, after all the discouraging thoughts I recall how far God has brought me. I know I’m not where I want to be, but I’m certainly not where I was before. Many times, I have stepped out and seen God’s hand at work, shaming my fear and discontent.

Now 2014 is here. After the ‘Cross-over’ merriment today, the enemy resumes full-time tomorrow to steal our joy and remind us of how rough and tough the month of January is. The choice will be ours. Would we remember what God did in the past and declare His promises for the future or will we reason with the devil?

As for me, my testimony will always remain my confession - “IT IS WELL!!!”

I wish you all a very pleasant New Year!!!

ColourmeAmba J

Colouring Juliana Haruna Olu!!!

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

The Harmattan is finally here and we approach the end of the year - a time most people reflect, appreciate and of course prepare for the coming year. Resolutions are made too.. some for keeps and others dropped along the way. 

Dear Friends, this Christmas we colour a guest on the Blog who shares the story of a transformation that went beyond a mere New year's resolution. For her, a physical and emotional change has indeed become a lifelong resolution. 

Please meet Juliana Haruna Olu - A daughter, wife, mother, sister and friend. She is a goal-getter, an overcomer, and achiever. Having undergone a long, progressive weightloss journey, Juliana has become a huge motivation to friends and relatives in the last three years.  We asked her for a story and with excitement, Juliana willingly agreed to share her ordeal (and pictures) for the first time to the public to encourage someone. Please read on... 

Hello Friends,

I’m here to share my weight loss story and will try not to take much of your time. 

In 2010, after I had my second baby I added so much weight till I became about 120Kg. I was 28 years old. It was really bad for me as I couldn't wear the dresses I wanted, I suffered depression and often fell ill.

In 2011, March precisely, I looked at the mirror while standing naked and said to myself, “I can be slim, yes I can”. The next day without any form of procrastination I started taking brisk walks from Gwarimpa road in Abuja to Wuse 2, and sometimes from Garki 2 to Wuse 2. People laughed at me, calling me names like Chicken, Mr. Biggs, Fatimwa. But I didn't care because I was determined.

It was very tedious. I became a little bit discouraged when I was exercising for almost four months without seeing any visible changes in my body. It made me lose morale. I couldn't see the changes, but I was actually losing weight!!! I then proceeded to jogging, skipping, doing aerobics and carrying weights and dumbbells to train my muscles. I also took supplements, especially vitamin C 1000mg to help maintain my skin and did facial massages to keep my face muscles contoured.

Friends, determination paid!!!

Gradually, my body evolved and here's where I am today...(Apologies for the pictures' resolution).

At 81kg, I'm still determined to do more. I have 6kg more to hit my target of 75kg and intend to maintain my weight for life. My weightlessness has lifted my spirit. It has also affected my relationship positively, I have got my looks back, I'm happy, joyful and look slimmer and better than the way I looked before having kids. This has boosted my self esteem and confidence emotionally and psychologically. 

I absolutely appreciate my Husband and my dad, who encouraged me throughout the entire journey. I also appreciate my wonderful trainer, Isaac Onoja for his help and support.

My name is Juliana Haruna Olu. I have been a motivator to so many people. Some have made it through, but some are still battling. Jennifer Hudson's transformation motivated me. I encourage you to know that if I could make it, you can do better. Just try not to miss breakfast, eat little, take a lot of fruits, and as from 7pm, try to have some green tea. 

For me, the basic principle remains Exercise for life, health and wealth.

Thank you so much for reading!!! :)

I have picked a number of lessons from Juliana's story - The determination, strong will and commitment to attain her goal - a transformation which took two years. She tarried, pushed and here she is, more beautiful than before. The most impressive thing for me in her story is the simplicity of methods used, Juliana didn't need sophisticated gym equipment or a diet coach. Instead she used the traditional, inexpensive and consistent way to lose weight and built a healthy lifestyle. 

Her story drives me to the thoughts which engineered iDARE.NOTDREAD.
Here is someone who dared to do. She disliked her situation  and dared to pursue a goal. Today, she can happily tell her story.  If like Juliana, we could put zeal to any goal we want to achieve, its just a matter of time and with God on our side, we shall conquer the paths others dare to tread. I hope by reading this you have resolved to do something new and progressive. Not just for the year 2014, but for a lifetime. 

We would really like to thank Juliana for sharing her story on the Blog today. 
If you are struggling with weight issues and need some encouragement or support, Juliana could be reached by email at julianaolu@yahoo.com. A number she could be reached on is - 08055980263.

We really appreciate your clicking by today. 
For further info and enquiries on the Blog or updates on our posts, stories and upcoming events, please feel free to send an email to colourmeamba@gmail.com. You could also follow on twitter @colourmeamba.


Till we meet here again 12 Noon next Tuesday, do have yourself a splendid Holiday!!! ;)

OlamideDIY PENCIL'S IT!!!

Hello Everyone!!!

Its another wonderful Tuesday and a great opportunity to meet with you again and present what's new on the blog. I'm very much excited about this post because it highlights creativity at its very core. Today, we colour someone who leaves you stunned at what his fingers readily produce and the passion he exudes in original presentation of art. He is young, intelligent and of great talent. His name is Olamide Samuel, popularly referred to as OlamideDIY.

Words will always be words no doubt, but art I dare say speaks louder and deeper. People say a picture says a thousand words but Olamide's work speaks beyond as he brings art alive in drawing very life-like portraits of ordinary people and celebrities using pencil, paint and charcoal.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Meet OlamideDIY's fingers:

 

Raised in Abuja-Nigeria, the 21-year-old artist says he fell in love with pencil art at a very young age. This skill he has been able to harness through the years, beating the imagination of many. In a week, he creates an average of four pieces, never compromising the need to practice newer techniques and reinvent himself.  He admits he is passionate about creating art. He particularly chooses to work with celebrities because the audience can easily relate to them and see how accurately he is able to reproduce 'real' on paper to the very last detail.

With the launch of his new website - www.olamidediy.net his portraits can be commissioned for prices starting at USD 300 and some portraits have sold for as high as USD 2,000 a piece. Some notable clients of his include:

Barr. Jimoh Ibrahim (Nigerian Multi-billionaire); Mrs. Nike Okundaye (World renowned Batik designer); Pastor E.A Adeboye (General Overseer RCCG); Mr. Emmanuel Jegede (MD/CEO Nicon Insurance Corporation); Mr. C.K Ayo (Vice Chancellor, Covenant University Nigeria), Femi Kuti (World renowned Afro-beat Musician); David Adeleke - Davido (Music Artiste); Tolu -Toolz- Oniru (On-Air Personality); Ayo Balogun - Wizkid (Music Artiste); Damini Ogulu - Burnaboy (Music Artiste).

A graduate of Babcock University in Nigeria, 2013, Olamide studied International Law and Diplomacy and is currently underway to pursuing an MA in Security, intelligence and diplomacy at the Buckingham University, United Kingdom. His aspirations leave much to be expected in the near years. Certainly, this is some huge potential waiting to erupt.

More of Olamide's art could be viewed on YouTube. You could also follow him on Twitter and Instagram @olamideDIY to view regularly updated pencil drawings and paintings. 

Olamide could be reached through email at olamidediy@gmail.com. Please also feel free to add a comment or two about this work and subscribe for further posts. 

For updates on the blog  please follow @colourmeamba. If you wish to contact or seek information, please email colourmeamba@gmail.com.

It was really nice hanging out with you all today. A big Thank you for stopping by and of course to OlamideDIY for allowing us the opportunity to colour him on the blog today!

I hope to see you all here again same time next week!!! Bye :)