Teachers in Namibian are calling on government to recognise the impact and importance of Life Skills teachers when reporting abuse against children.
The teachers, who responded to an article published in New Era last week on violence against children, said there are no laws that are protecting them for exposing violence against children within their school community, adding that they felt their lives are at stake.
A teacher on condition of anonymity, said “We need to do our best to always be there for our children, even those going through the most, to grow the children of this nation. As Life Skills teachers, we are not protected enough to report sensitive cases and to encourage the learners to report violence in their community. We are requesting our government to look into these with an open eye.”
Gender Equality Minister, Doreen Sioka, said last week that about 45% of men and 40% of women aged 18 to 24 experienced some form of violence during childhood.
Some teachers, who refused to be named, say they are aware of the Whistleblower Protection Act 10 of 2017 that should provide for the investigation of disclosures of improper conduct, and the protection of whistle-blowers.
However, they say the act does not entirely protect them in the community, and should be expanded.
Norah Mamene, a Life Skills teacher at the Rocky Crest High School, attended the inter-ministerial dialogue to end violence against children in Namibia last Wednesday, and explained that Life Skills teachers have taken the role of parents at work and at home.
Shd explained that the burden and strain placed on the them is unimaginable. The daily living skills cover an extensive section of the Life Skills syllabus, which they have to merge with their skills. The topics those children are shy and embarrassed of are the topics a Life Skills teacher are forced to listen to.
Mamene said more needs to be done in terms of the law, for the teachers to feel comfortable in dealing with sensitive matters.
She added that “The recognition and funding for training programmes of Life Skills teachers in public and private schools is a topic much slept on and ignored, and should be tapped into to exploit the potential it bears.”
Namibian Government Urged to Recognise Importance of Life Skills Teachers
Baobab seed oil, a recipe for hair growth
As far as natural beauty goes, finding your favorite oil is like finding the one, good natural, multitasking oil that works for your unique needs
The Origin of Baobab Seed Oil
The Baobab tree, which is better known as The Tree of Life, is found in southern and eastern Africa and is the world’s largest and longest-living tree (the oldest being 2500 years old). An iconic shape, the Baobab tree is easily recognizable as it appears to be upside-down with entangled branches 30 meters up looking very much like the roots of a plant. The giant tree itself, its leaves, fruit and seeds all serve many purposes – from significant carbon capture (absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, thus helping to prevent climate change) to storing thousands of liters of water to providing food, shelter and traditional medicine.
The Fruits which hangs from the tree is covered in a hard, woody shell with velvety hairs. Inside, it contains a dry, powdery pulp embedded by the numerous seeds – it is from the kernels of the seeds that our hero Baobab Seed Oil is obtained. The seeds are separated from the pulp and the oil is extracted by being cold-pressed. After this process has taken place, the Baobab Seed Oil is completely naturally raw, with a dense and rich consistency. Its tone ranges from pale yellow to gold in colour and has a slightly earthy, nutty aroma.
The Benefits of Baobab Seed Oil In Hair Care
Baobab is high in vitamins E, C, and B and several fatty acids including linoleic acid, oleic acid, and palmitic acid. Vitamin E provides a host of hair-healthy benefits, including improving hair shaft health, balancing your scalp’s natural sebum production, and (most notably for hair growth), stimulating your scalp circulation. The fatty acids provide ample hydration and conditioning. And the additional vitamins help protect it from free radicals and stress, both of which can lead to hair aging.
Baobab Seed Oil absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy residue, intensively nourishes and penetrates the scalp and hair at the roots, all while improving the function of the skin barrier and contributing an abundance of vitamins – A, C, D, E and F which…
Stimulate collagen production, improve skin elasticity on the scalp and help the body to build keratin (the protein our hair follicles are made up of), subsequently strengthening hair, conditioning strands and reducing breakage.
Aid the secretion of sebum (the body’s natural oil) from the sebaceous glands, keeping the scalp moisturised and hair healthy, soft and glossy.
Promote cell turnover – exfoliating and removing dead skin cells from the epidermis, healing any inflammation or scarring to the scalp and stimulating new hair growth.
Rejuvenate skin cells by replacing any lost moisture and locking it in.
Help to increase blood flow and oxygen supply, encouraging hair growth by reducing oxidative stress in the scalp.
Baobab Seed Oil also offers a good balance of Linoleic Acid (Omega 3) and Linolenic Acid (Omega 6) and Oleic Acid (Omega 9). A good balance means better absorption and a reduced likelihood of Oleic Acid being comedogenic (blocking pores).
Linoleic Acid is an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory agent which helps skin cell regeneration and skin repair. It soothes skin and is used for treatment of scalp conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. It is also a water-retention agent that seals in the moisture in hair follicles.
Oleic Acid balances sebum production when necessary (preventing oily hair and build-up in the scalp), helps repair damaged cells, promotes the production of antioxidants and has been shown to improve some skin conditions.
Both help protect the scalp and hair from environmental damage such as pollution and UV rays.
So with all these benefits baobab oil remains an excellent choices any day.
Major US Pipeline CEO Says Paid $4.4 Mn In Ransom To Hackers
Colonial Pipeline paid $4.4 million in ransom to hackers after a cyberattack because it was “the right thing to do for the country,” the US company’s head said, according to a Wall Street Journal report Wednesday.
Joseph Blount told the newspaper he recognized the payment was a “highly controversial decision,” but that it was a necessary action given the debilitating impact of the multi-day shutdown on the United States.
“I will admit that I wasn’t comfortable seeing money go out the door to people like this,” Blount told the publication. “But it was the right thing to do for the country.”
His remarks amount to the first public acknowledgement by the company of the ransom payment.
Colonial announced last Thursday it had restarted operations and resumed fuel deliveries to all markets after completing shutting down the line on May 7 following the cyberattack.
The pipeline’s shutdown caused panic buying in the eastern United States and a spike in gasoline prices as Washington waived clean air regulations and rules on shipping and trucking to alleviate shortages.
Unknown actors last Friday shut down the servers of Russia-based cyber-extortionist Darkside, which was behind the ransomware scam.
After making the ransom payment on the night of May 7, Colonial Pipeline received a decryption tool from the hackers. The ransom payment was made in bitcoin, the Journal reported, citing a person familiar with the matter.
While the pipeline’s flow has returned to normal, the episode will cost Colonial tens of millions of additional dollars to completely restore the operations over a matter of months, Blount told the newspaper.
Managing Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a collection of symptoms such as cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation. Most people with IBS can ease symptoms with changes in diet, medicine, and stress relief. For some people, IBS symptoms are more severe. IBS affects more women than men.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a collection of symptoms such as cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation. People with IBS have some of these symptoms — such as cramping and diarrhea or bloating and constipation — for at least 3 months.
IBS can be uncomfortable. But it does not lead to serious disease, such as cancer. It also does not permanently harm the large intestine (colon).
Most people with IBS can ease symptoms with changes in diet, medicine, and stress relief. For some people, IBS symptoms are more severe. They may get in the way of going to work or traveling, even traveling short distances.
Causes Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
The cause of IBS is not known. There is also no cure for IBS, but there are ways to treat the symptoms.
Who is susceptible to IBS
IBS is one of the most common disorders diagnosed by doctors. Up to 20% of adults in the United State have IBS symptoms.
Some people who are more likely to have IBS include, Women, People younger than 50 (IBS usually begins before age 35), People with a family member who has IBS
Symptoms of IBS
IBS is defined as abdominal pain or discomfort, along with a changed bowel habit (such as diarrhea or constipation), for 3 months or more. The symptoms may be different from person to person and it can include:
Cramps or pain in the stomach area
Constipation — infrequent stools that may be hard and dry
Feeling like you haven’t finished a bowel movement
Diarrhea — frequent loose stools
Alternating between diarrhea and constipation
Mucus in the stool
Swollen or bloated stomach area
Gas
Discomfort in the upper stomach area or feeling uncomfortably full or nauseous after eating a normal size meal
Women with IBS may have more symptoms during their menstrual periods.
Diagnosis of IBS
See your doctor if you think you may have IBS. Your doctor will ask you questions about your health, ask about your symptoms, and examine you. He or she may even perform a rectal exam. There are no tests that can show for sure that you have IBS.
Your doctor may also perform medical tests to rule out other diseases if there are have “red flag” symptoms such as:
Rectal bleeding
Weight loss
Anemia (iron deficiency)
Nighttime symptoms, like diarrhea that awakens you
Family history of colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, or celiac disease
Medical tests include a colonoscopy. The doctor looks inside the large intestine by inserting a scope with a tiny camera to spot inflamed tissue, abnormal growths, and ulcers. People over age 50 with IBS symptoms should also have a colonoscopy to screen for colorectal cancer, even if they don’t have any “red flag” symptoms.
A doctor may also perform a blood test to check for celiac disease if you have certain types of IBS. These types are IBS-D (mostly diarrhea) or IBS-M (mixed type with diarrhea and constipation). A doctor may also check for celiac disease if you have bloating or pass a lot of gas.
Lactose intolerance may also be a concern for some people, and can be checked with a breath test.
Treatment of IBS
There is no known cure for IBS, but there are things you can do to feel better and may help in treatment which include:
Changing your diet
Taking medication
Counseling and stress relief
Changing your diet
Foods do not cause IBS, but eating certain food may start some symptoms of IBS. You can ease these symptoms of IBS by changing some eating habits.
Find out which foods triggers these symptoms by taking note of the following
What you eat during the day
What symptoms you have
When symptoms occur
You will want to limit or avoid these foods. Some of these foods may include:
Milk and milk products like cheese or ice cream
Caffeinated drinks like coffee
Carbonated drinks like soda, especially those that contain artificial sweeteners (like sorbitol) or high-fructose corn syrup
Alcohol
Some fruits and vegetables
Other ways to ease symptoms are:
Eating a healthy, balanced diet.
Eating more high-fiber foods such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables (especially for people with constipation). Add foods with fiber to your diet a little at a time to let your body get used to them. High-fiber diets may not help with pain or diarrhea, and may make gas and cramping worse. Check the information on foods such as cereals. You should aim to eat 20 grams of fiber per day.
Drinking 6 to 8 glasses of water a day (especially for people with diarrhea). It is unclear whether this helps IBS symptoms, but it can help treat dehydration that sometimes happens with diarrhea.
Avoiding large meals, which can cause cramping and diarrhea in people with IBS. If this happens to you, try eating 4 or 5 small meals a day. Or, eat less at each of your usual 3 meals.
Taking medication
Your doctor may give you medicine to help with symptoms:
Fiber supplements such as psyllium to help control constipation.
Anti-diarrheal medications, such as loperamide, to help control diarrhea.
Antispasmodic agents such as peppermint oil or dicyclomine to slow contractions in the bowel, which may help with diarrhea and pain.
Antidepressant medications such as a tricylcic antidepressant or a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) if symptoms include pain or depression.
IBS medication. A medication known as Lubiprostone is approved by the FDA for women with severe IBS-C (constipation).
Counseling and stress relief
Many people who seek care for IBS also have anxiety, panic, or depression. Stress is also an issue for people with IBS because it can make the symptoms worse. Research shows that psychological therapy can help ease IBS symptoms. Therapies that can help reduce feelings of stress and anxiety include:
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a short-term treatment that mixes different types of therapies and behavioral strategies. The type of CBT used to treat IBS may focus on managing life stress. Or, it may focus on changing how a person responds to anxiety about IBS symptoms.
Dynamic psychotherapy, an intensive, short-term form of talk therapy. It may focus on in-depth discussions about the link between symptoms and emotions. The therapy may also help people identify and resolve interpersonal conflicts.
Hypnotherapy, where people enter an altered state of consciousness. Visual suggestions are made to imagine pain going away, for example.
General stress relief is also important. Exercising regularly is a good way to relieve stress. It also helps the bowel function better and improves overall health.
Survivors Of 1921 US Race Massacre In Powerful Plea To Congress
Three Black centenarian survivors of one of the deadliest US race massacres appealed to Congress for justice Wednesday after a lifetime of pain triggered by a tragedy only now coming to light for many Americans.
In gripping testimony, 107-year-old Viola Fletcher, the oldest living survivor of the Tulsa, Oklahoma massacre of 1921, recalled the horrors of the attack — and how she and others were left behind by a nation she accused of burying the past and moving on.
Fletcher, who dropped out of elementary school and suffered decades of poverty, said she has “lived through the massacre every day” for the past century.
The Tulsa massacre, in which up to 300 African Americans were killed when white mobs torched a Black neighborhood, remains a sensitive issue.
Togolese Opposition Leader Jailed For Two Years
A Togo opposition leader has been imprisoned for two years after making remarks critical of President Faure Gnassingbe, his lawyer and a judicial source said on Wednesday.
president of the Front for Patriots of Democracy (FPD) party and a former communications minister, Djimon Ore, was detained last month at his home in the capital Lome.
His arrest stirred anger among opposition leaders and civil groups in Togo who said dissidents were no longer allowed to speak out under Gnassingbe who has been in power since 2005.
Rights groups have repeatedly criticised Togo since Gnassingbe came to power after his father died following 38 years ruling the country.
Martha Koome Becomes First Woman Chief Justice
President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday appointed judge Martha Karambu Koome as Kenya’s first woman chief justice, making her the first woman to head any of the three branches of government.
Koome, 61, a calm but staunch women’s rights crusader, takes over the judiciary ahead of next year’s general elections and would likely play a decisive role in adjudicating any eventual election disputes.
She inherits a Supreme Court that in September 2017 annulled the presidential election results in a historic ruling under her predecessor David Maraga that strained its relationship with the executive.
The University of London-trained appeals court judge was seen as an unlikely candidate in a list of 10 including the lawyer who represented Kenyatta in the 2017 case.
Kenyatta gazetted her appointment hours after parliament okayed her nomination, setting the stage for her to be sworn in in the next few days.
Koome made a name for herself during the autocratic regime of the late president Daniel arap Moi when she represented political detainees including opposition veteran Raila Odinga.
She joined the judiciary in 2003 after practising as a lawyer for over a decade and in eight years rose to the Court of Appeal following stints at the environmental and family division courts.
In 2019, Koome was part of a five-judge bench that dismissed an appeal seeking to block the registration of an organisation to defend gay rights.
Koome argued that no one should be told whom to love, regardless of their sexual orientation.
As a chairwoman of a special taskforce on children, Koome helped review the East African country’s Children’s Act.
All eyes will be on the soft-spoken judge as she assumes office days after a High Court ruled that Kenyatta’s planned constitutional reforms, popularly known as the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), were illegal.
The government has said it will appeal the decision, if need be, all the way to the Supreme Court.
During her vetting, Koome promised to rid the judiciary of corruption and safeguard its independence.
“I am a judge who looks at society and Kenyans will feel safe with me,” she said.
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© Agence France-Presse
China To Launch Rocket Carrying Space Station Supplies
China is preparing to launch a rocket carrying supplies for its new space station just days after landing a rover on Mars, as it hustles ahead with its extraterrestrial ambitions.
Beijing has pumped billions into its space programme in a bid to make up ground on pioneers Russia and the United States, with ambitious projects in Earth orbit and the landing of uncrewed craft on the Moon and Mars.
The space station named Tiangong, meaning “heavenly palace” — will need around 10 missions in total to complete assembly in orbit.
The rover is expected to soon start studying Martian geology, spending around three months taking photos and harvesting data from a vast northern lava plain.
Professional Development Initiative: Plateau SUBEB Partners ULS To Train Teachers, Government Officials
Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and Universal Learning Solutions, a not-for-profit organization, have trained a total of 2,625 teachers and 50 government officials in Plateau State, under the Teacher Professional Development initiative.
The three-day training, held recently at six centres across the state, reaching teachers from 17 local government areas (LGAs), witnessed the training of teachers in specialist literacy teaching practices termed ‘Jolly Phonics’.
They were equipped with the expertise and tools required to enable them to transform learning processes of ECCD, primary one, two and three pupils in public schools across the state.
Jolly Phonics is a fun and interactive teaching tool that uses the synthetic phonics literacy teaching methodology. Synthetic phonics is mandated or recommended by governments around the world because of the way it quickly provides children with the skills needed to read and write.
The Chief Executive Officer, ULS, Gary Foxcroft said: “The Plateau State Jolly Phonics is a fantastic opportunity for all children in the state to benefit from the opportunity to learn to read and write. The project will therefore help increase equity and equal opportunities for all children in Plateau State.”
He commended the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) for its continued support for the adoption of Jolly Phonics in government schools across Nigeria, saying, “UBEC has really recognised the tremendous impact that Jolly Phonics has been having on literacy levels in Nigeria’s government schools and has taken it on as one of its flagship programmes. This has helped us to initiate new projects across the country. Jolly Phonics is now being taught in all 36 states and FCT. This is truly amazing and will help to improve the reading and writing abilities of millions of children in the years ahead.”
The Country Director at Universal Learning Solutions Initiative, Patrick Uzu, highlighted the exceptional support and partnership offered by PSUBEB, which he said has being instrumental in the success of the project.
2021 UTME: Senate Urges JAMB, NIMC TO Review NIN policy for Examination
The Senate has directed the Federal Ministry of Education, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, and the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, to as matter of urgency, review implementation of the National Identity Number, policy.
According to the Senate, this is with a view to extending the UTME registration deadline and requirements until there is a seamless and well-organised process for obtaining NIN.
The Senate also urged the Federal Government to review the implementation of its policy making National Identity Number, NIN, a prerequisite for the 2021 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.
Candidates and their parents were full of gratitude to the Senate for its intervention, recalling the unpleasant experiences they had gone through in efforts to register for the examination.
Recall that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, had insisted that the National Identity Number, NIN, was mandatory for the 2021 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.
The Senate also urged the Federal Ministry of Education and NIMC to introduce and streamline a simple and decentralised NIN registration process where students will be able to obtain NIN in accredited school premises.
Meanwhile, candidates have lamented that the NIN requirement had added to their registration predicament as many said they were forced to go through difficulties in the form of extortion, long queues under inclement weather, and other unwholesome practices to enable them register.
