There Is Value In "RUBBISH"

If someone looks at you and says you are rubbish, look at yourself and say this rubbish has value and make something good come out of it.

It was some years ago when I was training at a certain government office. It was a good place with great opportunity for growth and exposure. My fellow trainees and I faced the wrath of an HR everyday as he called us names and no-bodys. Too bad I did not know Luganda very well but some of the things they would translate to me were just too much to comprehend that it would bring tears down our eyes. One day he said, "You will never amount to anything, you guys are a bunch of useless people, you don't even deserve to be here".

Such words pained us so bad that we did not ever want to cross his path as if we had denied him something and probably that was the only way he could get back to us by threatening that he will send us away (FIRE) or refusing us to get a little stipend. We indeed reported such an issue to our Manager that eventually reached the top guns who settled the DUST and said these young men and women shouldn't be disturbed and that we should receive our allowances.

We resolved not to fear but to do our work and keep learning. One of my favorite songs at that point in life was HE's ABLE by Dettrick Haddon. I kept playing that song and singing it out aloud to my colleagues and as three months passed, it became a year and and 6 months. We started getting our little pay per week and continued learning more everyday. We chose not to look down on ourselves but to look at those who encouraged us and believed in us.

To cut the long story short, eventually a time came for me to move, as I was encouraged by the manager then, these were his words to me. Arthur, "If you want to grow more in your career, you have to leave this place". It was a hard pill to swallow because I had gotten quite comfortable but I hearkened to his words and took the challenge of applying for a job where i would have a properly recognized appointment letter and God indeed opened doors.

I learnt that I should not let the opinions of of others about me stop me from growing and rising in my life. I also learnt that such obstacles come in life but the way you maneuver them can determine how you can get through them, but be sure you will feel low and be bumped here and there. I also learnt that you don't need many people to believe in you, just one person is enough.

Fast forward, I meet this HR person somewhere in our walks of life and the person couldn't believe that the young man he once yelled at is a some body today. There were shades of guilt because he really humbled himself while talking to me... My response towards him was gracious and as we kept meeting, I kept doing good. He even encouraged me to do my MASTERS, what a mighty God we serve, this time instead of getting a point blank attitude, it was one of encouragement.

Life is hustle, the people you ignore on your way up, could be the same people you find on your way down, treat people right and value them as your own, do good to them and push them to achieve their dreams just like you were pushed to achieve yours. That's a chapter in life we have to go through to enable us grow.

Psalm 139:14 NLT Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. 15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
16 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

Some Jobs Are Not Attractive But They Are Gold Mines

While coming to work. This track was a head of me and I saw a young man sit in there. I know his job is to collect cabbage and he is paid for it by KCCA.

Every two weeks at home where my family and I stay. There is a young man with a family that used to come with a bicycle to pick rubbish. He did this for 3 families in our 6 rental units. However he would come when he has already picked rubbish from other places as well.

One day my wife and I were shocked to see a bike (boda boda) packed at our gate and we asked him whose bike it was and he said, "It is mine". This young man had upgraded from a bicycle to a motor bike and I was impressed.

From having more engagements with him. We also found out that the rubbish he collects he takes it to a place where he sells it in Butabika especially to those people who are in the business of making bricks because they use the rubbish to fill the areas that have been dug. So you can imagine. He comes picks rubbish and he is paid 2000 ugx for everyone he has picked from and then he sells what looks like rubbish to us yet to him it is a gold mine and he is paid for it. This is quite impressive.

We still found out that he rares pigs and from this story, I seem to understand that attitude towards work is key and that you and I can turn what seems to look bad into something good and we also have to be determined to grow.

I leave us with the scripture about DOING "WORKING". We need to think of GOOD even from some of these opportunities that don't present themselves with the white collar element.

Scripture Reference. Galatians 6:9 NLT "So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up"

Do You Have Plans - It Is Important To Commit To God, Think Through And Implement Them

Hello good people, been thinking about the different plans my family had and also some of the achievements my wife and I realized in 2016. I realized that in planning, it takes just a step of faith to begin or start whatever God has put in your heart. But until you step out you will not know that it can be done.

When we look back at some of the goals we had set out, we realized at least 50% was done. And resolution for 2017 is to keep going, keep building on the progress we had already made and to keep committing the Plans in progress and the new plans set so that God can establish them.

I have come to realize that God has given us so much potential, dominion and power and we can use these for success or failure. We are a choice away from making it or just being stagnant or failing. We forget there are lessons to learn from the mistakes made, we forget that failure is not our last name because we aren't less than what we ought to be. We have the power to choose what can come out of our lives. When the University was closed for 2 months, In that time I used the opportunity to explore UBER and I started driving clients around and I can tell you, if you have a bad attitude towards work then you will keep complaining about everything and everyone saying they don't care yet it really starts with you. That money paid our bills, that money did so much that I can't name none the less God used that opportunity to give us confidence, to open our minds to know that we can depend on him and that he can guide and give us wisdom and tell us what to do - He created us to do good works and to also work and not sit back thinking manna will fall from heaven yet actually. We continued to sell yellow york eggs made on order to our clients and these have kept us going up until now.

Some of the grit I have comes from the volunteering experience I had with FOCUS Uganda, instead of sitting home, My friend Omunyoro Damon K Wamara encouraged me to go volunteer and such experiences are humbling and they give you the right attitude in life, Am forever grateful to him.

Our plans couldn't stop because of a delay or because of a change in circumstance we had to keep looking up and only re-strategize and keep believing in God to see us through. God indeed has the final say but he works with what you have in your hand. Set Goals but don't leave them on paper.

Scripture Reference: Proverbs 16:3 NLT Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.

NB. Will be sharing some of the testimonies of God's faithfulness in due time.

But Divide Your Investments Among Many Places

BUT DIVIDE YOUR INVESTMENTS AMONG MANY PLACES,for you don't know what risks may lie ahead.

Life is full of so many ups and downs, highs and lows. Imagine yourself having no salaried job in the next days or months, some people live life fully guaranteed with job security yet tragedy can happen any time.

I don't wake up late or sleep whole day - that is total disaster to my life and to the legacy I want my children to have. I wake up and do work - work is a gift and it isn't necessarily a job (even within a job you work just that it is defined for you). I use the skills I have at hand to earn from them and God is being faithful. 

Do you know that your driving permit can take you places, Do you know that the way you teach from the different things God has taught you or done can open doors for you and you are gifted with monies you don't even expect. Do you know that your integrity can grant you favor before people and today or tomorrow your getting a call and someone says they felt like getting you this and that, but you also can't just live from miracle to miracle, remember a little sleep, a little slumber, a litter folding of the arms - poverty knocks at your door. Do you know that you get called because of recommendations from friends and family because of the wonderful example you have set and how you have lived out your life - it is all a testimony. Do you know that those many cars you have parked and aren't being used, can earn you money instead of them being wasted away to luxury or that computer that seems old but just put way in the hip at the garage or that space behind your house that can enable you plant home grown foods. Instead of worrying, get up and put to task what you have been learning everyday.

Here are few key principles from the bible that can prepare you for hard times and in such hard times you can be prosperous just like ISAAC in the bible when they were struck by famine see Genesis 26:1-22

I like vs 22 .. this is what it says

Genesis 1:22 Abandoning that one, Isaac moved on and dug another well. This time there was no dispute over it, so Isaac named the place Rehoboth (which means “open space”), for he said, “At last the Lord has created enough space for us to prosper in this land.”

In hard times, when you don't give up, you will often find that open space, but the question is what do you do?, don't sit down waiting for someone to come and dig a well for you, someone to come and wake you up to think or start something to generate income or even volunteer. God has given us many open spaces or opportunities, we just don't want to use what is in our hands. In hard times purpose is born and passion is fueled, you basically have no limits and no time to cry and say this or that.

Take these lessons from Ecclesiastes 11

1 Send your grain across the seas,

and in time, profits will flow back to you.[a]

ENGAGE IN TRADE - You can always EARN through selling and buying (it could be a service, product, skill etc)

2 But divide your investments among many places,[b]

for you do not know what risks might lie ahead.

MAKE INVESTMENTS - investing itself is a risk but there is nothing that is so clear in life, you have to have faith, even starting a business is a risk but you have to spread your investment not just in one place but in many. The parable of the TALENTS explains this as well.

3 When clouds are heavy, the rains come down.

Whether a tree falls north or south, it stays where it falls.

IT CAN RAIN any moment - how prepared are you.

4 Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant.

If they watch every cloud, they never harvest.

NEVER WAIT FOR PERFECT CONDITIONS, JUST IMPROVE YOURSELF IN THE HARD MOMENTS

5 Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in its mother’s womb,[c] so you cannot understand the activity of God, who does all things.

EVENTUALLY GOD DOES ALL THINGS - remember commit your plans (Whatever they are ) to the Lord he has the final say at-least give him what to work with not just an empty hand and mind.

6 Plant your seed in the morning and keep busy all afternoon, for you don’t know if profit will come from one activity or another—or maybe both.

PLANT, KEEP BUSY, PROFIT CAN COME FROM ANY ACTIVITY OR ALL.

You Don't Have To Be Old To Own A House

There is no greater story I have encountered today like the story of this young man called Nicholas Luwuge from Kalangala. The daily monitor of today has published a story of how he has built a two-roomed house see this link for more http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/HomesandProperty/13-year-old-constructs-house-from-savings/689858-3437056-item-00-wl8vhe/index.html. If there is any story of great inspiration today, it is from this young man. There is so much we can learn. 

We often look for INSPIRATION from very far, yet we have some of it just around us, The story of this young man should challenge all of us, A 13 Year OLD building a 2 roomed house, it might not be to the standard many of us want but the mere fact he did it through Hard Work, Desire to Change his mother situation and Saving money to make sure that he meets his goal of a house, this should be great inspiration for one to take in and sit back and think about all the resources they have and what it can do, you could be having more and you don't know what to do with it, let this young man's story push you to BELIEVE. To add on, this man pays his own school fees and feeds his family.

Recently while listening to Richard Senkwale, he made a very strong statement and he said that, “A good Saver must save 25% and above”. He also mentioned and said that a PLAN compels us to work harder and that if we aren’t disciplined, there is no way we can save. I want to believe that this young man embodied these principles and applied them and put them to work.

The things that seem so hard in life were done by men and women who sat back and told themselves that I will do this and that. I will achieve my dream no matter what. Often such people turn a deaf ear to impossibilities and believe without a doubt that it is possible to rise above the challenge. There is nothing that can’t be done, you just have to put your mind to it and keep trying without giving up.

Scripture reference:

Luke 14:28 "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won't you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?

Proverbs 21:5 Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.

Proverbs 10:5 
Poor is he who works with a negligent hand, But the hand of the diligent makes rich

Why It Is Important To Gain Skills Or Skill Yourself

Studying For A Job Vs Studying To Create Jobs

There are many opportunities but very few people with Skills to take them on. I have read in the papers through the years how the point of skilling University students is very important. Many have even been encouraged to go to Technical and Vocational Schools but somehow we have been trained to go to school, get a degree and then get a job but times have changed and the job or economic Market is not just after people with degrees but after people who can use their skills to improve their lives and those of others, create more jobs and be Entrepreneurs etc.

When You Realize You Are Skilled - Stand Out

I have seen and been convinced that when you are skillful and you choose to standout, there are great rewards that come with it. We can tell of people like Michael Jordan who was looked down by his coaches earlier but that did not stop him from believing himself and his abilities. What he did in the NBA is very historical, every child born even in this time knows the name Michael Jordan. Many other great athletes like Lebron James, Kobe Bryant say, that they wanted to be like Mike because he set a standard and inspired them.

See The Gap, Don't Talk Too Much, Just Work At It

When I was at work last year, I saw a gap that needed to be addressed and I knew that to address that gap, I need to gain some skills in using PHOTOSHOP, you know the process of learning is never easy. 

When you start out something, have a plan, be determined and don't let your focus down.

I started on the journey by looking at YouTube videos for beginners, checking out how to do simple designs and hence input my ART skills and see what comes out. Like a baby I took it one crawl and step at a time.

I have improved a bit as am still learning and the skills are really coming in handy.

It is important for us to gain skills especially if we  want to venture into something that can help us in the long run. Sometimes you might not have the money to take you to a training but you have an Internet resource at your disposal, why not use it and enhance your skills. One day you could be talking and saying you can do this and that and it will be a great door opening for you. Learn a new skill and try and master it so that you can become good at it.

Your Surroundings, Friends etc can be a source of Inspiration

If you also have the money to take you for training, please invest in yourself, the best investment any one can do is to themselves is to self educate. My good friends Andrew Odoch Umahtete, Edward Hire Yosia, Luwum Daniel have been great examples of acquiring knowledge of the different ventures they have gotten into. 

 "Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune" - Jim Rohn

I have learnt a number of things from them and what stands out is their drive to educate themselves on a subject they are interested in or passionate about. If you want to be a leadership coach or Gym Trainer, do whatever it takes to learn about that trade. There should be no room for excuses, knowledge is out there, it is only laziness that is costing us. 

The bible says this in 1 Peter 2:5 (NIV) For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge.

We need knowledge, this has been said a thousand times, knowledge is important as it gives you the keys of what seemed unknown but is now known.

Proverbs 18:16 (KJV) says A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

Your skill can become your gift. 

So gain SKILLS and lets skill Uganda and many other people.

Then when you have gained a skill don't be afraid to share and teach others, in teaching you are causing a ripple effect and your are taking yourself higher as people will begin to refer many to you and it can become a great source of income and networks as well.

Today, I post a video that I tried out using Photoshop premier CS6 to develop, It is not the best, but I thought I could learn a few things with video editing, I took this video from my laptop and used the Photoshop at my disposal
#Enjoy 

#Impact #Empower #Transform

Clara Lawoko With The Enterprizing Rafikiz Products Like Juice, Body Soaps & Creams

#BOOMINGBUSINESS

There is a young Christian Lady called Clara Lawoko wife to Lawoko Apollo WalkerShe is the co-founder of Rafikiz Group . Whatever they are doing is MIND BLOWING and more so they are young and innovative and out of passion for what they love, a budding enterprenuership company opened up to bridge the gap and offer high end Rafikiz Juice which serves fresh Juice, Smoothies and vegetarian snacks. They have a great slogan that says It's is all about helping you make the best nutritional choices for you, your friends and family.

They also offer Rafikiz Body supplies a range of shea butter based products like creams and soaps. Shea butter is well known for its ability to restore and protect skin and hair.

We live in a time where people are choosing to go natural in almost everything they partake of, you know organic unprocessed stuff is what they give you and you wouldn't want to miss, THIS IS A MOVEMENT that you wouldn't want to miss out on. We import a lot of body soaps and creams from out, yet we have the natural solutions that are probably in your backyard but more so Uganda is blessed with many of these nice things. Take a look at their Page to find out more using this linkhttps://www.facebook.com/rafikizgroup/

Visit their website to also find out more on what they offer http://www.rafikiz.co.ug/

I tried out their JUICE and hey, you want to know what I felt, Just give them a call on +256 706 016 107

Check out this comment from one of the customers 

"Jeanne Kabera Tried & tasted personally......rafikiz juice is top notch natural & totally healthy, it's juice in it's purest& healthiest form... ..."