no rest for the curious..

also known as journalists! I particularly enjoyed working on a humanitarian report today on Zanzibari refugees living in Mogadishu of all places! I came across that story some time ago but didn't get a chance to pursue it until today. There's about 85 of them who live in the building where the previous department of water used to be based. They're political refugees who fled their country after being pursued for holding anti government demonstrations just after elections took place in Zanzibar in 2000 where the head of state was re-elected. The irony is that these people had fled their country and Kenya in fear for their lives and have chosen Somalia over them, which is completely unstable and in a state of anarchy but ironically they do not fear for their lives there. Instead they suffer from lack of food and ill-health especially since most of them are children and elders. Most of the men have already integrated into the city and have married Somali women. They have been living there for 8 years now but surprisingly are considered secondary residents by local and international charities and therefore do not receive any assistance since the charities can barely assist the primary residents; the Somalis. I was moved by their plight given the fact that they are affected by the constant fighting in the city but have no source of income whatsoever, no members of the Zanzibari diaspora reaching out for them and no government providing any support. In fact the government is likely to jail them if they decide to return home.

I also enjoyed working on my Diaspora program due to air later on today. It looks at the experiences of Somali students who are currently studying at American universities and those who have graduated. I was especially happy to hear the out of class life skills they felt they attained such as meeting deadlines, building social networks, researching and on a more personal note paying bills on time and doing their own cooking and cleaning! This will inevitably help them progress through their careers and lives.

I've started working on another 5 part series for Africa News Tonight on VOA's English to Africa, this time looking at issues in the horn of Africa. Ethiopia will be on the forefront since elections are coming up next year but I'm trying to not focus too much on the political issues in the region though this is somewhat unavoidable. Instead I'm looking to highlight issues that are of concern to the region but that the three countries also have in common. One area I'm looking to explore is the war on terror saga led by the US. I want to pay attention to how this war is interpreted by the three countries and the actions each of them is taking that they consider to be a fight to eliminate terrorism from the region. Anyone with any bright ideas that can be helpful is encouraged to hit me up.

Life outside of VOA is just as busy, I've started my production training for Fairfax public access to start hosting a radio show there, which will take up all my weekends from now until end of October but it is highly exciting. At the end I'll get to prepare, produce, edit and host a weekly 1hour show where I'll be focusing on affairs and social issues concerning East Africa. Details of this will be blasted all over facebook, twitter etc so look out for it in the near future.

So I guess it's fair to say I'm back to having no life but I'll spare my blog from complaining and hold out for when I'm swamped and in desperate need of a serious virtual rant! Hopefully that won't be anytime soon as I get to escape to Vegas for a long weekend in November with my gal Goly. Looking forward to a good old catch-up and a serious hair let-down !
P.S. if anyone has been to Vegas and can recommend a few places to hit, do drop me a line...

floating across the streets of DC again

Yes I am back safe and sound though somewhat sad. My holiday was way too short but I had the best of times and more importantly a much needed rest. I didn't realise how much I had missed British TV till I switched it on and ended up being glued to it ever since lol!

Ramadan went past by ever so quick and Eid came and went but it was a good time for family gatherings and spiritual reflections. I was glad to be around for that. My sisters and I went shopping for most of the morning and then we had a massive family get-together at my grandma's where I got a chance to catch up with many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, some of them I hadn't seen for years! The second day we all went bowling and then round my aunt's who by the way cooks the best Somali food anyone has ever tasted, hands down! Leading up to Eid there've been family invites and dinner invitations galore to the point where I was having second dinners and lunches lol but a blast nevertheless.

In between family catch ups I managed to squeeze in a few interviews for a long report I am doing on the UK prison system and their Somali inhabitants. I also caught up with a great up and coming Somali entertainer by the name of Que. In short I didn't totally zoom out of work mode! The funny thing is, I discovered how much I had missed the trains and the tubes in London, particularly the Vic line! They are extremely efficient and convenient especially when you have DC's public transport to compare it to (constant delays, accidents, you name it DC is suffering from it!).

As I hopped on one tube after another I kept on getting flashbacks taking me down memory lane of the good old days. Days when public transport was the most reliable form of transport for everywhere one wanted to go. I actually went past Farringdon where I used to get off when I was working for the Guardian. For a minute silly me, I thought of getting off and taking pictures but then realised how naff that sounded (oh well). I need to get a life or better yet start driving!

So I am back in the midst of all things international, political, radical etc but looking forward to squeezing in time to put together the prison report.

greetings from my beloved

Yes I am back in the land of fish and chips and miserable weather but goodness it feel real good to be back surrounded by familiarity. I'm in the midst of family, good food, people practicing their faith during the blessed month of ramadan. I cannot be any happier, it's surreal. Don't know how I stayed away for so long and even more to the point I don't know how I'll go back!!

The flight took forever though, it was 8 hours in real time but it seemed like it was in the air forever. The girl next to me fainted for half an hour or so. The stewardesses had to get their first aid kit out and get her breathing back to normal. Of course when the girl was back to normal folks wouldn't stop asking how she's doing and how she fainted yadiyadiya etc. Basically it took a long time to fall asleep or watch a movie or do anything afterwards. But the journey was smooth and train ride was lovely. I got to see the countryside and smell the emergence of autumn.

I spent most of the weekend recuperating as my bodyclock was five hours behind and thus in a state of confusion but have also had time to play footie with my siblings and cook iftar and dinner with my mum. So far I'm having a marvelous time. We're cooking lots of food to share with our neighbours and local mosque. I'm trying to get some work material recorded but so far I'm not getting past the livingroom! will keep you posted!

a quick update

Unfortunately I do not have any 'groundbreaking' news as such although Al-Shabab has expanded its verbal attack base as far as Somaliland calling them herdsmen for Ethiopia! But I'm exceptionally excited about going back home! September tenth to be precise for 13 days coming back on the 23d. I get to spend the last week or so of Ramadan as well as Eid with the family, which should be time well spent indeed.
I'm looking to gather some audio for a piece I want to put together on the prison system in the UK and the young Somali inmates held there. I'll probably end up collecting material for Diaspora as well. Anyone with any bright ideas, they're most welcome!