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Meftih Enterprise
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Naza Hasebenebi
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Effects of Economic Hardship on Families November 2008
As we have all come too familiar with the economic hardship of the western hemisphere, one can not help but wonder how current economic situations affect our families. In this article we will examine ways to ensure your family is protected-financially. The cost of gas, groceries and basic necessities are a good indication that families must begin making both small and big changes to ensure their families are prepared in the event of a recession. It is during these difficult times that people loss their jobs, homes and essentially their family unity. Unemployment can cause any family to go into crisis but if we are forward thinkers, we can make the process easier. Here are a few ways to keep more money in your pocket:
These suggestions are both simple and functional but most importantly, they are time and money saving tips your family will appreciate. If you have any questions or concerns, please e-mail me at freedomafrica@hotmail.com.
Celebrating Cultures By: Naza Hasebenebi Summer is by far the best season of the year, followed by spring, fall and of course winter or should I say SNOW. Summer represents so many wonderful things to both children and adults. School children, university/College and high school students have completed yet another academic year and are excited about the plans they have made with family and friends. This season makes us feel alive and refreshed after the long winter months we continually receive. It is also the opportunity and experience that comes with summer, especially when you live in a large multicultural city such as Toronto. The summer allows us to explore all the beauty and wonders of our respective cities. It also provides an opportunity to discover other cultures through the many cultural festivals Toronto displays. These free and mainly outdoor festivals give families and friends time to connect with their communities and other communities in the city. In Toronto, we are in constant anticipation of festivals that allow us to engage each other and learn more about other cultures. They also serve as communal grounds where family, friends and strangers can come together to learn about one another. This interaction is critical to the healthy development and growth of any individual, especially children. Furthermore, attending cultural festivals and celebrations foster a better understanding of people, allowing us to see our similarities rather than differences. When we embrace who we are, we embrace other cultures and the richness we add to our lives and the lives of our children and extended families. This type of exposure will help our children become well rounded, respected, patient, understanding and open minded. These types of attributes will take any person far into the future. Toronto offers many cultural festivals that can be enjoyed by both youth and adults. The list below outlines some free wonderful ideas/events that you can do with your family: Ø Annual Eritrean Soccer festival-Saturday August 02-04 at Earl Haig Park Ø Caribana parade at the Exhibition Place-Saturday August 02 from 10am-6pm. Ø Irie Music festival at Nathan Philip Square & Queens Park August 1-4 from 1pm-10pm. Ø African Dance Festival August 16 & 17 from 1pm-10pm at Dundas Square Ø Taste of the Danforth- weekend of August 16 & 17 Ø Free outdoor family movies at Downsview Park-every Friday until August 29th. For more information, call 416-952-2222. Ø South Asia Calling festival at Harbourfront-August 9-10 at the Sirius stage Ø Taiwanfest at Harbourfront-August 22-24 Ø 2nd Annual Afrivillage festival at Bloor & Ossington-August 23-24.
For further event details at harbourfront visit www.harbourfrontcentre.com Wishing you and your family a safe and happy summer. If you have any questions or suggestions, please e-mail me at freedomafrica@hotmail.com.
Joy of Laughter
May 2008 Laughter is said to be the best medicine regardless of situation, circumstance or illness and who knows that better than the Eritrean people. We have smiled and laughed through the pain and sorrow of losing our people and nation during the malicious civil war and yet we continue to find beauty and innocence in what life has to offer. We are a people that forgive their enemy and invite them for injera/hembasha and boon. According to many researchers, laughter has great health benefits ranging from strengthening the immune system to reducing food cravings to increasing one’s threshold for pain. Humor also has several important stress relieving benefits. The list below offers additional benefits that can be easily implemented into our daily lives. Laughter provides a physical and emotional release • Laughter brings the focus away from anger, guilt, stress and negative emotions in a more beneficial way than other mere distractions. • Studies show that our response to stressful events can be altered by whether we view something as a ‘threat’ or a ‘challenge’. Humor can give us a more lighthearted perspective and help us view events as ‘challenges’, thereby making them less threatening and more positive. • Laughter connects us with others and because it is contagious, the more laughter we bring into our lives, we will more likely help others around us to laugh more, and realize these benefits as well. By elevating the mood of those around us, we can reduce their stress levels, and perhaps improve the quality of social interaction we experience with them, reducing our stress level even more! Ways to utilize Laughter Laughter is one of my all-time favorite stress management strategies because it’s free, convenient, and beneficial in so many ways. You can get more laughter in your life with the following strategies: • Going to a movie or renting a family friendly comedy is a great way to get more laughter in your life. The contagious effects of laughter may mean you’ll laugh more than you otherwise would have during the show, plus you’ll have jokes to reference at later times. Having friends over for a party or mahber is also a great setup for laughter. • Instead of complaining about life’s frustrations, try to laugh about them. If something is so frustrating or depressing it’s ridiculous, realize that you could ‘look back on it and laugh.’ Think of how it will sound as a story you could tell to your friends, and then see if you can laugh about it now. With this attitude, you may also find yourself being more lighthearted and silly, giving yourself and those around you more to laugh about. Approach life in a more joyful way and you’ll find you’re less stressed about negative events, and you will achieve the health benefits of laughter. Children think everything is silly so they laugh and giggle constantly. We as adults need to take a few pages from our youngsters’ books and learn to live life to its fullest. We should laugh at the funny things our children say and do instead of trying to figure out where they heard those words from or where they learned to do a particular thing. Children have a unique sense of humor which has never been tainted so they are genuine in the joy they express. My Eritrean people, I encourage you to continue laughing, singing and dancing for healing is a process that begins with joy and laughter of life.
Understanding Youth Mental Health April 2008
Parents provide their children with the best foods, clothes, entertainment and of course unconditional love in the hopes of raising healthy, strong and well rounded individuals. However; those factors are not the only essential components of care giving. Factors such as emotional and psychological well being are often overlooked by many parents, teachers and childcare providers. According to Children’s Mental Health of Ontario, it is estimated that 1 in 5 Ontario children under the age of 19 suffer from a severe mental, emotional or behavioural disorder that significantly affects their daily functioning at home, school or within the community. Mental health disorders in children and adolescents are caused mostly by biology and environment. Examples of biological causes are genetics, chemical imbalances in the body, or damage to the central nervous system, such as a head injury. Many environmental factors also put young people at risk for developing mental health disorders. Examples include: • Exposure to environmental toxins, such as high levels of lead; • Exposure to violence, such as witnessing or being the victim of physical or sexual abuse, drive-by shootings, muggings, or other disasters; • Stress related to chronic poverty, discrimination, or other serious hardships; and • The loss of important people through death, divorce, or broken relationships. Anxiety, Depression, Conduct Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Schizophrenia and Bi-polar (Manic Depression) are the most common mental health disorders in children and youth. Anxiety is a normal response to stressful situations that people of all ages, genders and ethnicities feel at one point or another. Your child or Adolescent may have an Anxiety Disorder if you notice that his or her anxiety cause him or her distress, prevents him or her from engaging in their usual activities in a typical way. In addition, the child or Adolescent exhibits anxiety that is not age appropriate, doesn’t go away and is excessive or out of proportion to the situation. Upon discovering the symptoms, parents and care providers must consider the following four types of anxieties that affect children and youth: Separation Anxiety Disorder (SAD): child experiences extreme fear of being away from home or from his primary caretakers. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): child experiences excessive and uncontrollable worry about things (e.g., the future, being on time for appointments, a change in routines) when there is really no problem or any realistic circumstance to cause the worry. Social Phobia (SOC): child experiences excessive fear of being negatively evaluated, rejected, humiliated or embarrassed in front of others. Panic Disorder with or without Agoraphobia (PD): child has panic attacks in certain situations or places, may be suffering from Agoraphobia if he or she has a fear of being stuck in a situation where help or escape is not available. Children and Adolescents who suffer from anxiety may be more likely to have low self-esteem, major depression in adulthood, excessive alcohol or other drug abuse and problems adjusting to situations at home, school or with friends. Children and Adolescents with anxiety may also encounter problems with academic success and attendance unless otherwise treated and monitored by professionals. Depression is another critical disorder that many children and adolescents face. Essentially, major depression is a "mood disorder" which is a significant mental health problem. Several factors may play a part in the onset of depression. These include a genetic or family history of depression, psychological or emotional vulnerability to depression, biological factors such as imbalances in brain chemistry and in the endocrine/immune systems, or a major stress in the person’s life. Depressive symptoms may be the result of another illness that shares the same symptoms, such as lupus or hypothyroidism. Depression may be a reaction to another illness, such as cancer or a heart attack. Finally, depression may be caused by an illness itself, such as a stroke, where neurological changes have occurred. A child who is depressed may pretend to be sick, refuse to go to school, cling to a parent or worry that the parent may die. Older children may sulk, get into trouble at school, be negative or grouchy, and feel misunderstood. Because normal behaviours vary from one childhood stage to another, it can be difficult to tell whether a child is just going through a temporary "phase" or has depression. The main symptoms of depression are sad, hopeless moods that are constant and last for more than two weeks and impair the person’s performance at work, at school or in social relationships. Other symptoms of depression may include: • changes in appetite and weight • sleep problems • loss of interest in work, hobbies, people or sex • withdrawal from family members and friends • feeling useless, hopeless, excessively guilty, pessimistic or low self-esteem • agitation or feeling slowed down • irritability • fatigue • trouble concentrating, remembering and making decisions • crying easily, or feeling like crying but being not able to • thoughts of suicide (which should always be taken seriously) • a loss of touch with reality, hearing voices (hallucinations) or having strange ideas (delusions). Any form of treatment strategy requires full participation from the child/adolescent and their families. Moral support gives the child/adolescent hope that their disorder can and will be overcome. About 3 to 5 children out of every 100 in Canada have a Conduct Disorder. A child with Conduct Disorder has both emotional and behavioural problems and will take dangerous risks. Many accidents in young people are the result of risks that they take because they have a Conduct Disorder. Accidents represent the number one cause of death in Canadian teens. Conduct disorders can co-occur with Depression and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). A child may have a Conduct Disorder if he or she does the following: • has difficulty following the rules and behaving in a socially acceptable way • bursts out in anger frequently • acts aggressively towards peers and adults • begins to lie, steal, destroy property, and be sexually inappropriate • takes risks and attempt to commit suicide • fails in school and has negative family and social experiences • If a child does have a Conduct Disorder, and it is not properly treated early, he or she may begin to do the following: • have difficulty learning and living in harmony with friends and family • violate the basic rights of others • act out his or her feelings in destructive ways • commit more serious destructive acts over time According to statistics Canada, ADHD occurs in 3-5% of children and youth. It typically begins before the age of seven and can continue into adulthood. Many children are inattentive, impulsive and hyperactive at various times during normal childhood development. These symptoms are more frequent and severe in a child with ADHD. A child with ADHD will have trouble in school, find it difficult to interact with other children and have trouble at home. A child may be inattentive if he or she has problems with the following: • focusing attention on any one thing • completing a task or learning something new • remembering and focusing • organizing and studying A child may be overly impulsive if he or she has an inability to do the following: • curb immediate reactions (may blurt out comments, display emotions without restraint) • think before acting (don’t think about consequences of their actions) wait for things they want or taking their turn in games A child may be hyperactive if he or she has problems with the following: • sitting still (squirm and fidget in their seats or roam around the room) • a need to constantly talk • a difficulty with sitting still About 1 out of every 1000 children in Canada has Schizophrenia, which is a disease that affects the brain. A child can first develop Schizophrenia at an early phase of his or her development and it can lead to a child being severely disabled. Young people with Schizophrenia will find it hard to control what they think and the way they act. A young person will begin to act differently if he or she develops Schizophrenia. For example, a child who used to enjoy being around other people may become shy and seem in his or her own world. A child may suffer from Schizophrenia if he or she does some of the following: • confuses television with reality • has problems making and keeping friends • is extremely moody • laughs at a sad event • has trouble telling the difference between dreams and reality • thinks that people are out to get him or her or can read his or her mind Bipolar Disorder (manic-depressive illness) typically develops in late adolescence or early adulthood but it can occur in teenagers and even rarely in young children (.1%). Everyone goes through normal periods of ups and downs but Bipolar Disorder causes dramatic mood swings - from overly high and/or irritable (Mania) to sad and hopeless (Depression). A young person can experience either Depression or Mania for anywhere from several days to several months. A child could have Mania if you notice some or more of the following things about how he or she acts: • severe changes in mood - either unusually happy or silly, or very irritable, angry, agitated or aggressive • unrealistic highs in self-esteem (e.g., a teenager who feels all powerful or like a superhero with special powers) • surges in energy and the ability to go with little or no sleep for days without feeling tired • unfocused talking patterns (e.g., the adolescent talks too much, too fast, changes topics too quickly, and cannot be interrupted) • distractibility (e.g., the teen’s attention moves constantly from one thing to the next) • a pattern of repeated high risk-taking behavior such as abusing alcohol and drugs, reckless driving, or sexual promiscuity Upon reading this material, it is crucial that you contact a Mental Health professional if you suspect your child has a mental health issue. Although it is taboo in Eritrean culture to discuss mental health, it is also essential that we educate ourselves on this serious matter and find ways to help and guide our youth so they can live happy and peaceful lives. I was saddened to learn about many Eritrean youth who attempted suicide and those who succeeded. We must come together to learn and empower our community on this topic and find ways to engage our youth before they resort to acts of violence or suicide. It is our moral obligation to protect the future of our children and we can not do so by hiding the problem and casting blame. Let us be the responsible community that challenges mental health problems and continue to enlighten one another about this subject matter. This edition of the article was compiled from various resources as an educational tool for youth and adults alike. The statistics outlined derived from Children’s Mental Health of Ontario, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and statistics Canada. If you require further details on this matter, please visit the World Wide Web (Internet) or look up local support agencies in your area or contact your public health office. I can be reached at freedomafrica@hotmail.com.
Nutrition for a Child’s Brain March 2008
Indulge if you will for a moment into your childhood and your favorite foods-candy, cookies, pastries and dirt of course, for the young ones who had an acquired taste for it. Now look at your life in the western hemisphere and assess your desired food and eating habits-what do you see? What eating habits do your children see? Food is the fuel for the body and, as such, not only keeps the body running smoothly during the day but will also determine the overall health of the body, now and in the future. By feeding your children a variety of healthy natural foods you will not only give them the best possible start in life but will also teach them how to feed themselves for optimum health in the future. A simple way to ensure your children will be healthy is to eat dinner with them. Furthermore, the government of Canada is working diligently to encourage families to eat healthier foods and exercise regularly as childhood obesity continues to increase at an alarming rate. It is estimated that 1 out of every 3 children aged 7-13 is considered either overweight or obese (Tremblay, 2000). In addition, only 14% of children between the ages of 9-12 are consuming four or more of the recommended 5-10 servings of fruits and vegetables a day (Heart and Stroke Foundation, 2002). The list below outlines the benefits of various foods that will help to build strong and health children: Fruits and Vegetables Children should receive at least 5 servings of fruits and/or vegetables each day. 1 serving is equal to 1 small piece of fruit, 1 cup of unsweetened juice or ½ -1 cup of prepared vegetables (depending upon the size of the pieces) Fruits and vegetables that are red, orange or yellow are good sources of vitamins A and C. These vitamins have been shown to be important for the immune system. While children should be encouraged to consume at least one of these products year round, in the winter months when the "flu/cold bugs" are around, keeping a close tab on the consumption of these products may prove to be beneficial to both you and your child. All fruits and vegetables should be well washed before consumption with a food cleanser or simply using water with a little bit of salt. Dark green leafy vegetables, such as broccoli, lettuce, spinach, collards and kale are some of the best providers of vitamins and minerals (iron, calcium). Encourage your child to eat at least one serving of these vegetables each day. One trick is to blend the greens into sauces including spaghetti sauce. Grain Products Whole grain products will give your child a steady supply of energy as the food is digested and the nutrients absorbed. A child should have at least 5 servings of grain products each day. Common grains include wheat, rye, rice and oats which are then made into a variety of breads, pastries, pasta, cereals and other baked goods. There are also a variety of other grains such as spelt, teff-injera, quinoa, and amaranth that are less common but can be used as a nutritious alternative. When choosing a grain product, your child’s health will greatly benefit from whole grain products rather than those that use white flour. When wheat is processed to make white flour it undergoes a variety of procedures, including bleaching, which leave the final product with significantly lower levels of naturally occurring vitamins, minerals, Essential Fatty Acids and fiber. Meat, Fish and Alternatives 2-3 servings of high protein foods a day are important as they supply the body with the raw materials to carry out a number of functions including growth and repair to damaged cells. Try not to feed children cured meats too often, ham, salami, sausages and hot dogs, as these usually include high levels of chemical additives. Fish, particularly oily fish, is an excellent source of protein, omega 3, and omega 6 fatty acids, as well as other nutrients for children. Good choices include salmon, halibut, mackerel, herring and sardines. Not all protein products come from animals. Products such as tofu, tempeh and other soy foods are highly nutritious source of protein, which are easily digested by children. Other protein sources include beans, shuro, and tumtumo. It is understandable that our society does not allow much time for family and eating together however; we must make a great effort to change our poor eating habits so that our children can benefit and live healthier lives. The list above offers a great deal of information and ideas to help your family achieve its nutritional goals. In conclusion, nutrition is a large component of each person’s life that helps to determine how successful they will be at school, sports and career. Poor diet equals poor results. For more details, visit the www.gov.on.ca under ministry of health as they have a more comprehensive and culturally sensitive food guide. If you have any questions or comments, please e-mail me freedomafrica@hotmail.com.
Educating Children on African History February 1st 2008
“A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.”-Marcus Garvey. Nelson Mandela, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Marcus Garvey and Rosa Parks are just some of the great leaders we have been blessed with as Africans and members of the human race as a whole. Now let us engage into the many influential Africans that may not be known to the public. Individuals such as John Ware, a former slave from the United States who migrated to Canada gained the reputable name of Canada’s Legendary Cowboy for his renowned skills, hard work, honesty and loving relationship with his children. Mr. Ware persevered over the difficult working conditions and his place in history has not been forgotten nor has it been diluted. Kwame Nkrumah
became the first prime and later president of Ghana. Mr. Nkrumah helped
organize the Pan-African Congress in 1945. The above information is only a brief look at a few leaders as the list is much bigger and justice would not be served in this short article. We are people of great magnitude with endless possibilities to create and achieve GREATNESS. It is the responsibility of every African to seek knowledge and understanding about his history and his people continually. Having said that, it is imperative that we educate our children on their ancestors and their achievements. Let the children see and know the length of their lineage by reading books, showing documentaries, engaging in family discussions and community affairs. It is essential that every African child grow and learn with confidence in their abilities regardless of their socio-economic status because they have been blessed with a rich history that will inspire and motivate our children to excel. Parents, teachers, families and community leaders bare the accountability for ensuring that children know the Truth about who they are and where they have come from so they may have a clear path of their destination.
The above list merely outlines some of the past African inventors who have paved the way for many more inventions by Africans. For more detailed readings on these inventors and leaders alike, you can surf the net, visit your local library or visit African owned bookstores such as A Different Book List, Burke’s Bookstore, Knowledge Bookstore, and Uprising Bookstore, Tinbuktu and Nile Valley Bookstore. This February, celebrate our history and people by visiting some of the events taking place in Toronto. Let us share and recite the prominence of our past leaders and build on a stronger and united African community.
Teaching Children the Beauty of Giving January 2008 By Naza Hasebenebi As I look out my window, there is no doubt in my mind that the holiday season is clearly before us. Families gathering around discussing gift ideas for one another, children nibbling on chocolates, cookies and panatoni while music playing in the background. What a wonderful time of year this is but unfortunately; not for all. Toronto has the largest percent of poverty level (over 20%) in the country which means this is not the best time of the year for those families living under the poverty line. According to National and local Food Banks, the holiday season is a very difficult time for many families and individuals. People do not have adequate food to eat; lack of shelter and lack of gifts for young children make it the worst time of year for those affected. This is a great tragedy for Canada and its citizens so, what can be done to make these families lives easier, at least during the giving season. There are many ways that we can help and the list below outlines some options: • Supporting local organizations who are collecting food, gifts or clothing • taking non-perishable goods to your local food banks which can be found in the phone book and on the internet • Dropping off children’s toys at your local malls for Toy Mountain • Talk to your child(ren) about the purpose of caring and giving • Allow your child to choose a child’s gift that will be donated to a children’s organization • Show your child(ren) how fortunate they are to have life, health, family, food, shelter and hope • Volunteer with your child(ren) at your local Soup dinner over the holidays • Donate money to local organizations that support poverty striven families • Eliminate buying gifts for your family and friends and instead donate the funds to support local charities The list above is merely an idea of what can be done but please do not limit yourself; if you are in a position to do more then do so and take comfort in knowing that you helped someone find a glimpse of hope and you have taught your child(ren) a life long lesson of giving. It is those who give that receive in abundance. Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones. May 2008 be filled with joy, laughter and prosperity. Ruhus Awdaahmet!
Alternative Children's Health By Naza Hasebenebi Children are by far the most incredible blessing one can have and therefore caregivers work diligently to ensure their safety and well- being. A majority of parents take this challenge on without any reservation and will go to any measure to facilitate a life full of love and longevity. A child’s health is very important to parents, siblings, teachers, friends and extended family. To guarantee a healthy child, parents must make a conscious effort to introduce foods high in vitamins and minerals. A proper diet rich in wholesome grains will help to facilitate a strong and confident child however; when environmental factors take their toll and attack the immune system, caregivers need safe and effective remedies. In western society, remedies usually mean a visit to the doctor and prescription for DRUGS that will address the symptoms. Is this the only solution? No. For generations, parents from across the globe have been using simple ingredients such as garlic, honey and onions which were commonly found in their homes to cure colds, asthma, allergies and the flu. As a child, I recall my mother giving me raw red onions to eat so I can fight off a strong Influenza bug. On another memory, I recollect my grandmother eating an Aloe Vera plant to cleanse her blood. So what has changed? The pharmaceutical industry is a multi-billion dollar business which thrives on illness. Its mandate is to produce and sell as many DRUGS as possible by building partnerships with health practitioners who in turn pass the DRUGS on to their patients. Although we are encouraged to visit and fill the prescription given by the doctor, we are not educated on the options of alternative medicine such as natural foods and herbs. We know and understand how delicate children are and therefore; parents/caregivers must consider the option of safe treatment when their child is not well. DRUGS prescribed by doctors are sometimes more harmful than useful where as natural remedies are easily broken down by the digestive system with no side effects. Children need a proper diet and activity to prevent illness but in the event that your child gets sick, take comfort in knowing that you have a safe and natural alternative. It is recommended that you visit or talk with a Naturopathic doctor for more in depth information. For more readings, you can find “Herbs for Kids”- A Guide For Parents and Back To Eden by Jethro Kloss at your local health food store. If you have any questions or comments, please e-mail me at freedomafrica@hotmail.com
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Meftih Enterprise 260 Adelaide St. E P.O.Box 192 Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5A 1N1 Tel: 416-824-8124 Fax: 416-531-9659 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
