It’s 11:00 pm central time on Wednesday night and I’m fighting off sleep to have a scheduled WhatsApp call with Moses Omondi. The time in Nairobi is 7:00 am on Thursday morning April 16th and heavy rains from the night continue to batter on the city famously known as the ‘green city under the sun’.…… Continue reading ‘Adopt a Family’ Initiative brings hope to Kenya’s biggest slum amidst COVID -19
Author: Charity Maritim
africaninthediaspora.com
Children of the diaspora: longing for home
I’m in the middle of reading a book – Behold the Dreamers – a novel by Imbolo Mbue that contrasts an immigrant family from Cameroon and their wealthy American employers living in New York around the financial crisis of 2008. The Cameroonian family is dealing with complex immigration laws, finding employment, low income whilst sending…… Continue reading Children of the diaspora: longing for home
5 things I learned from my research on HIV among immigrants
December 1st is world AIDS day – a day marked across the globe to spread awareness of HIV/AIDS. Whenever I told people about my research project while I was doing my masters, I was met with great surprise. My thesis explored HIV treatment outcomes among immigrants and refugees living with HIV here in Manitoba, Canada.…… Continue reading 5 things I learned from my research on HIV among immigrants
FREE graduate school application editing!
Update: This contest is now closed. For graduate school application consulting services, visit my business website charitymaritim.com and schedule a free consultation. Let’s work together to make your application stand out! Are you applying to graduate school in the diaspora? Do you need help with editing your graduate school application? You’re in the right place-…… Continue reading FREE graduate school application editing!
Cultural shame of speaking our languages – in Africa and the diaspora
I was recently reading a work by Ngugi wa Thiong’o – Decolonizing the Mind: the politics of language in African Literature, an account written in 1986 as part of a collection of essays. In this particular essay, Ngugi wa Thiong’o, the award winning renowned Kenyan writer and academic explored how the colonization of Kenya by…… Continue reading Cultural shame of speaking our languages – in Africa and the diaspora
Passing on freedom through mentorship
A couple weeks ago, famous black author, teacher and professor emeritus, Toni Morrison passed away at the age of 88. Fans poured out tributes celebrating her work and the legacy she left behind. As people were sharing their favourite writings, teachings and quotes, one particularly stood out for me. Toni Morrison, the first black woman…… Continue reading Passing on freedom through mentorship
When the land of milk and honey is dry for you – Discreditation of immigrants in the west
A couple years ago when I was flying to Nairobi through Amsterdam with a friend, a lady sitting close to us struck up a conversation. She wanted to know where we were from and where we were going. It was her first time going back to her hometown since she had immigrated to Canada with…… Continue reading When the land of milk and honey is dry for you – Discreditation of immigrants in the west
“Dem a bleach out dem skin” – Compassion for ‘dem’ who bleach their skin
I had the privilege of being back home (Kenya) this past Christmas holiday and one of the things I noticed is the amount of people (mostly women) who have bleached/lightened their skin. Based on all my recent trips back home, I can’t confidently say that the number of people who are bleaching their skin has…… Continue reading “Dem a bleach out dem skin” – Compassion for ‘dem’ who bleach their skin
6 Guidelines for my Kenyan “Summer Bunnies” this Holiday
December holidays are here and many diasporans take the opportunity to travel back home for the festive season. Here in Kenya, the Kenyans living or studying abroad who come to visit and vacation home are collectively known as ‘summer bunnies’. I don’t know where the term originated from but I’ve heard it a lot recently…… Continue reading 6 Guidelines for my Kenyan “Summer Bunnies” this Holiday
When Imposter Syndrome Comes Knocking
So you got that job, promotion, acceptance into a program, lead on a project or reached another milestone, then all of a sudden you’re hit with destabilizing fear. You question whether you’re capable of taking on that new challenge or whether you are deserving of that opportunity. This feeling is sometimes described as the dreaded…… Continue reading When Imposter Syndrome Comes Knocking
African in the Diaspora 