EP 73 - African Children In The Lockdown (Part 2)

In This Episode: 

In the last episode, I raised my concerns about the less privileged children in Africa, and how they can’t get an education due to the Coronavirus lockdown. These children do not have internet access, so how do we expect them to be able to participate in online learning?

Here in the USA, most families have internet access and laptops. Several states have also decided to dedicate certain hours during the day to teach children via television. Is this something we can do as well in Africa? 

Mentioned In This Episode:

1 Coronavirus- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

2 Zoom- https://zoom.us/

3 Tynker- https://www.tynker.com/

4 WFAA Academy - https://www.wfaa.com/

Connect:

Email: excusemyafrican@gmail.com

Website: http://www.excusemyafrican.com/

Stella Damasus Blog: http://www.stelladamasusblog.com

Stella Damasus Website : https://www.stelladamasus.com 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/excusemyafrican 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realexcusemyafrican/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Excuse-My-African-1360118967397852/ 

EP 72 - African Children In The Lockdown

In This Episode:

When the Coronavirus lockdown began, my kid's schools in America reached out to us and asked if we needed laptops and help with internet access so our kids can continue to do their school work from home.

This got me wondering about the less privileged children in Africa. How are they getting their work done? What are we doing to help? What is the government doing to help?

Mentioned In This Episode:

1 Coronavirus- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html 2 Zoom- https://zoom.us/ 3 Tynker- https://www.tynker.com/ 4 Khan Academy- https://www.khanacademy.org/ 5 United Nations - https://www.un.org/en/

Connect:

Email: excusemyafrican@gmail.com Website: http://www.excusemyafrican.com/ Stella Damasus Blog: http://www.stelladamasusblog.com Stella Damasus Website : https://www.stelladamasus.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/excusemyafrican Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realexcusemyafrican/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Excuse-My-African-1360118967397852/

EP 61 - Beyond Religion

In This Episode: 

I would tell you a story of an amazing man, who put his love for humanity before faith and religion. 

It is sad, however, that this story came to light over a year later because Imam Abubakar Abdullahi was one 2019 recipients of the International Religious Freedom Award, in the USA. 

We as Nigerians and Africans need to learn to honor the good things our people do. We should not wait for foreign countries and their media to do it first 

Mentioned In This Episode:

1. Goodness Network: https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/
2. International Religious Freedom Award: https://www.state.gov/international-religious-freedom-award-winners/
3. Imam Abubakar Abdullahi: https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/18/africa/nigeria-cleric-honored-intl/index.html
4. Bakin Lade, Plateau: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barkin_Ladi
5. US Department of State: https://www.state.gov/
   

Connect:

Email: excusemyafrican@gmail.com

Website: http://www.excusemyafrican.com/

Stella Damasus Blog: http://www.stelladamasusblog.com

Stella Damasus Website : https://www.stelladamasus.com 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/excusemyafrican 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realexcusemyafrican/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Excuse-My-African-1360118967397852/ 

EP 59 - THE IGBO LANGUAGE GOING EXTINCT

In This Episode: 

According to UNESCO, the Igbo language would be extinct by 2025. It may seem like it's many years away, but in reality, it's only 6 years away. When I read this, I was so worried about my people and our language.

Which is why I decided to have this amazing woman, as the first guest on the show. Her name is Chimmie Gbugu and she is the founder of Akwukwo LLC. Akwukwo is dedicated to creating fun and exciting learning materials that teach the Igbo language to children. 

Mentioned In This Episode:

1. Akwukwo: http://www.akwukwo.com/
2. UNESCO: https://en.unesco.org/
3. WhatsApp: https://www.whatsapp.com/
4. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com
   

Connect:

Email: excusemyafrican@gmail.com

Website: http://www.excusemyafrican.com/

Stella Damasus Blog: http://www.stelladamasusblog.com

Stella Damasus Website : https://www.stelladamasus.com 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/excusemyafrican 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realexcusemyafrican/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Excuse-My-African-1360118967397852/ 

EP 58 - Africans and Retirement

In This Episode: 

When I moved to the USA, I had a shocking realization. This was something I didn't see a lot in my country (Nigeria). People above the age of 60 or 70, still in the workforce. In Nigeria, almost everyone within that age bracket is retired.

However, in the USA, I have seen several elderly people working and even doing odd jobs. 

Listen to the episode to find out how I feel about this.

Mentioned In This Episode:

1. Nigeria: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigeria
   

Connect:

Email: excusemyafrican@gmail.com

Website: http://www.excusemyafrican.com/

Stella Damasus Blog: http://www.stelladamasusblog.com

Stella Damasus Website : https://www.stelladamasus.com 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/excusemyafrican 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realexcusemyafrican/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Excuse-My-African-1360118967397852/

EP 42 - Not All African Immigrants Are Illegal

In This Episode: 

I was absolutely shocked by an article I read on Flipboard, and I just had to share it with you all.

NOT ALL AFRICAN IMMIGRANTS ARE ILLEGAL !!!

It is wrong to assume that any African you speak to, is an illegal immigrant. Not all Africans aim to make you fall in love with them so that they can marry you for a green card. There are very many legal, educated and hardworking Africans, living in the USA. 

Mentioned In This Episode:

1. CODE 55 Store: https://www.code55store.com
2. Flipboard: https://flipboard.com/
3. Kenya: http://www.magicalkenya.com/
4. Immigration Lawyer: http://www.alllaw.com/articles/nolo/us-immigration/what-do-immigration-lawyers-do.html
5. Green Card: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permanent_residence_(United_States)

Connect:

Email: excusemyafrican@gmail.com

Website: http://www.excusemyafrican.com/ 

Stella Damasus Blog: http://www.stelladamasusblog.com

Stella Damasus Website : https://www.stelladamasus.com 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/excusemyafrican 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realexcusemyafrican/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Excuse-My-African-1360118967397852/ 

EP 38 - The Truth About Africa and Refugees

In This Episode:

When you speak of refugees, you often think of people fleeing their countries to seek refuge in America or Europe. But did you know that according to the UNHCR, “Sub-Saharan Africa hosts more than 26 percent of the world’s refugee population” !!!

Yet, we are made to believe that Africa is so horrible and so much of a sh**hole continent that no one would ever want go to there.

Mentioned In This Episode:
1. Filipo Grandi: http://www.unhcr.org/en-us/the-high-commissioner.html
2. UN: http://www.un.org/en/index.html
3. 2015-2016 Refugee Crisis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_migrant_crisis
4. South Sudanese & Congolese Conflicts: https://reliefweb.int/report/democratic-republic-congo/underlying-tensions-south-sudanese-refugees-and-pathways-conflict
5. UNHCR: http://www.unhcr.org/en-us/

Connect:
Email: excusemyafrican@gmail.com
Website: http://www.excusemyafrican.com/
Stella Damasus Blog: http://www.stelladamasusblog.com
Stella Damasus Website : https://www.stelladamasus.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/excusemyafrican
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realexcusemyafrican/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Excuse-My-African-1360118967397852/

EP 37 - Can Your Kids Survive?

 
In This Episode:

I was watching a documentary a few weeks ago and was surprised when I found out that a lot of children between the ages of 9 & 13 could not tell the time on an analog clock, only on a digital clock. It made me wonder whether the advancement in technology is doing our children more harm than good.

Growing up in Africa, we are taught to handle things with and without the assistance of technology. This is what informed the quote ‘Throw an African man anywhere and he will learn to adapt’ to life.

Connect:
Email: excusemyafrican@gmail.com
Website: http://www.excusemyafrican.com/
Stella Damasus Blog: http://www.stelladamasusblog.com
Stella Damasus Website : https://www.stelladamasus.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/excusemyafrican
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realexcusemyafrican/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Excuse-My-African-1360118967397852/

EP 33 - BEING PROUD OF YOUR WORK

In This Episode:

Having lived in Nigeria for over 30 years, I visited the USA quite a lot and I had this impression about what kinds of jobs are considered prestigious or not.

However, after living in the USA for some years, my mindset has totally changed.  I have come to the realization that as long as the work you are doing is legal, there is no such thing as prestigious work when it comes to making money, paying your bills and taking care of your family.

The American system makes sure that as long as you have a certain amount of money, you are able to have the necessities and live a certain kind of lifestyle.

Mentioned In This Episode:
1. Laundromat: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-service_laundry
2. Walmart: https://www.walmart.com/

Connect:
Email: excusemyafrican@gmail.com
Website: http://www.excusemyafrican.com/
Stella Damasus Blog: http://www.stelladamasusblog.com
Stella Damasus Website : https://www.stelladamasus.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/excusemyafrican
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realexcusemyafrican/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Excuse-My-African-1360118967397852/

EP 27 - Gun Control & The African

In This Episode:

According to CNN.com, “We're only 11 weeks into 2018, and there have already been 17 school shootings (in the USA) where someone was hurt or killed. That averages out to 1.5 shootings a week”. Also according to CNN.com “American’s own nearly half (48%) of the estimated 650* million civilian-owned guns worldwide.

Africa has constantly been referred to as a third-world continent, some people even say we are “backward in our thinking and actions”; but I think that when it comes to Gun control, America has a thing or two to learn from our continent. Allowing any and every one to have such a powerful weapon in their possession, is something I feel is worth rethinking.

Mentioned In This Episode:
1. Gun Control: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_control 

Connect:
Email: excusemyafrican@gmail.com
Website: http://www.excusemyafrican.com/
Stella Damasus Blog: http://www.stelladamasusblog.com
Stella Damasus Website : https://www.stelladamasus.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/excusemyafrican
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realexcusemyafrican/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Excuse-My-African-1360118967397852/