Miss World SS Manuela Modong Campaigns to Minimize School Dropouts

Lately we have not heard much good news in our beloved country. Well, Manuela Modong Miss World South Sudan takes a stand and changes that by campaigning to make sure we are all getting educated. 

In Manuela’s words “Education is important, it only makes sense that we minimize school dropout”. Well I agree, minimizing school dropouts is not only an advantage for the long run but also the short run. There are many street children, youth who if in school would not have much time to roam around the streets. Not to mention the future of this country relies on the youth of this country, we must take a stand to help them build this nation and that is possible through the books.

I love how Manuela is passionate about her cause, recently on facebook she also posted “You kill an educated person, you kill two things; the Education and the person. Peace Education in South Sudan a.k.a Minimizing School Drop-out and Girl Education” as she also calls out for the public to contribute to the cause through this status “We're thinking of organizing a campaign launch party of performances and creative acts, how can you contribute? inbox me your ideas or acts for "Minimize school dropouts"… Well how can you contribute? Check out  the poster below and let Manuela know.

Unnecessary Voices: South Sudan Crisis

It’s one thing to have an opinion and another to incite violence and I’m starting to think some of us are confusing the two. Over the past 4 weeks South Sudan has been under crisis, crisis that killed many, injured many, displaced many, oppressed many and depressed many. One way or another we have all been affected by the ongoing crisis, and I completely understand that we are all under very stressful days that we might say one or two things out of anger about the ongoing crisis. I also understand that social networks are almost a therapy session for most of us as it is a way to able to air out your feelings and many in the same situation would understand, comfort you and make you feel better. And I can also say that I understand some of us felt the need to put out an opinion to be discussed or maybe feelings to be relieved, I also understand that. What I do not understand is someone who has less experience with the ongoing crisis (meaning someone who wasn’t / isn’t even present during the crisis) inciting violence and war over social networks, I keep asking myself whether its because they are not in South Sudan right now and their lives are not at stake? Or maybe because they did not experience that fear when we in Juba were hearing gunshots, bombs and heavy fighting for continuous 3 days? Maybe its because they aren’t at the frontlines in Bor / Bentiu / Malakal trying to flee for their lives? I just can’t find the reason why someone would promote violence and war in a place they’re not even present within, even worse… some place they’re supposed to call home.

No, we are all not happy about the lives lost, No we are not alright with the injured, no we are not okay with the children made orphans, no we are not at all ignoring the matter at hand but yes, we do know better than to be inciting violence or war, why? Oh I’m guessing you weren’t there either, because we’ve experienced war, we know what its capable of, violence was never the answer, we’ve been there before we know its not the answer.

Shame on you for promoting war instead of peace, shame on you for asking a brother to hurt another, for asking your family to turn on one another, SHAME ON YOU. Be a better person than that, stop promoting war and if you can’t stop… For the sake of humanity, I ask you to remain silent. 

Uganda's Aamito is Africa's very 1st Next Top Model

Yes as predicted, the best won. The proud Ugandan that couldn’t hold her tears when she saw her country’s flag took the title home. What did she win? A one year modeling contract in New York, as announced on the show by ELLE’s editor Jackie Burger an editorial on ELLE Magazine, and of course the $50,000 cash price.  Its been a very emotional journey for the contestants but even more emotional for the last three standing, including Angola’s Michaela, Nigeria’s Opeyemi and of course the winner herself Uganda’s Aamito.

Aamito may have won the competition but this is only the beginning, we want to see you everywhere girl… On ELLE, VOGUE, Marie Claire, Chanel runways, Versace runways and yes… Victoria’s Secret runways too. Congratulations.

Swim or Sink Shoot

(The Last Three Standing)

Opeyemi - Nigeria

Micheala - Angola

Aamito - Uganda

The Moment Of Truth

Aamito is Africa's Next Top Model

In Other News, South Sudan's Grace Bol poses for Sleek Magazine!

Grace is a New York based South Sudanese Model, Magazines are not new to her as we've already seen her on Elle, Vogue and many more. This time around going for the calm and scenic route for Sleek Magazine‘s Spring/Summer 2013 issue. Photographed by Marcus Pritzi

Check it out. 

Skin Bleaching in Juba

Since I was young, my parents taught me everything I know today about skin care without realizing. I was born in a household where you use regular products that you are aware of its ingredients and that are not harmful for your skin or your health. My parents taught me life lessons by either reason or experience, they will inform you that the fire is hot and if you touch it you will get burnt (reason) but if you still insist they will allow you touch the fire so will you learn to never touch it again (experience). With that being said I am a proud 21 year old dark skinned lady, in my younger years I had my insecurities about my skin but I was blessed with fantastic parents whom never failed to acknowledge how smooth, shiny and special my skin was, I don’t know if they were trying to avoid me from skin bleaching or they were just being the good parents they are but either way it worked, I never skin bleached; my mind was set on that my skin tone is beautiful the way it was because my parents don’t lie.  I learned about skin bleaching very early because it was like a disease, everyone was using skin bleaching products to lighten their skin, they were so hypnotized by the idea of “lighter skin” that they didn’t even pay attention to the side effects that everyone could see but them.

Skin Bleaching is basically where people use chemical products to lighten their skin for whatever reasons they may have. Let me make it clear that I am not shedding light on this obvious issue to judge but I am pointing it out to educate. Since I came back to Juba skin bleachers have certainly developed in number, even worse the side effects of ugly scars and skin damage are all over people’s faces and bodies. Although some skin bleaching products are very good for getting rid of dark spots or skin discoloration, other products are rather very harmful and have the potential of causing skin cancer. With that being said it is important that you educate yourself about that product you are purchasing before using, better yet consult a specialist. Some of these harmful side effects I have mentioned in addition to Skin Cancer and scars are: Acne, swelling of the skin, thinning of the skin, Cataracts, setting down of fat in the face, chest or stomach, increase in appetite and weight gain, Osteoporosis, neurological and kidney damage due to high level of mercury used in the creams, Psychiatric disorders, and severe birth defects. And that is only according to my knowledge, I am sure according to specialists and others with experience there are more side effects caused by skin bleaching.

Why do people usually skin bleach? It is believed that people with lighter skin represent beauty, and get better opportunities with jobs and a better life. Youngsters today skin bleach believing they will be in better company or finally fit in with the cool groups, women believe they will get better men and of course skin bleaching commercials are not helping in changing that mindset, neither is the absence of parents from their children’s lives where the children miss out on the two people that supposedly love them the most telling them they are beautiful just the way they are.

In my opinion you will get a good job because you are educated, a better job because you are hardworking, creative and intelligent. You should want to be in the company of those who inspire, encourage and push you to achieve your dreams and goals in life not want to be in the “cool” circle that needs you to be a certain skin tone to qualify/fit in (that is just sad). And finally you will get a man my dear sister because you know the kind of man you want, that man who respects and values you, that man who you will hold your head up high telling your father “I want to marry this man”, that man whose ethics and manners you want to see in your future son, that man who wants to change your last name not your skin tone.

I have mentioned before that my knowledge and life lessons which half of I learned from my parents through reason or experience, I have given you reason to avoid bleaching (Side effects and My opinion) and I believe when you walk around the streets of Juba and see the many skins that were damaged by skin bleaching products I believe I have given you the experience of another to avoid your own.