Beautiful sunset

Beautiful sunset

This is life

UNPREDICTABLE WATERS- this is life

Life is no longer the same irretrievable jigsaw puzzle, I cannot solve it,  all is changing as I age.

Day by day everything had widened blurring my sight and enclosing my ears in darkness.

I bumped and fell every minute into my own dark shadow.

I was a mere machine controlled by my own, they told me to do it, But disapproved how I wanted to make it through those unpredictable waters whose tides always pulled me backward and downwards.

They wanted to help me, how? By cheating those narrow strings that twisted around each other to make the words “MIND”.

Those strings were narrow passages concentrated with confusion and dark blank thoughts. These thoughts became nightmares and deepened the wounds in my brain to become trenches in the trench warfare that worsened those days to become death days.

All  I knew was that the next step I would take was the “quit game “ option, I was no longer interested in the “new game” or “refresh” options they were too far to reach and I was too weak to stretch or just to keep the “never give up “ spirit.

Slowly and steadily my mind burned into the ashes and smog that  told me to give up , and that I was never in anyone’s mind  and in no one’s sight until the true me awoke from that long hibernation I was unaware of, I woke her up and distorted her sleep .

She was better than me and one day I asked her “how did you do it? “ and what she told me solved the riddle- like puzzle , she had told me as she smiled“ you have always known it, what you know is what I do , discover it yourself. “

The deep wounds in my mind slowly recovered; after all, there is no incurable wound and those narrow strings became thick twists of fine yarn that elongated with ‘DNA’, Discovered New Abilities.

My timid weak feet now took the liveliest steps to discover the new lands that had always been there.

All I had shed the red and tears that had drowned me into defeat before were now crumbles that were to be crushed and avoided , they were the stairs to hell but now , there was nothing that could now affect me because I had protected myself with a strong ozone layer that I call “ TALENT “.

Remember! The shell I use does not hide me from what’s out there, it enlarges and exposes me to the outside world with the help of taking opportunities, what I did to achieve success. Trial and failure is not what should put you down every time you try it should act as a stepping stone to move in front the path of success.

Done By Richa

A STRONG NEED FOR PEACE!

A STRONG NEED FOR PEACE!

Neither within nor outside

 Is our thirst for peace quenched.

Our hopes and smiles wither away,

 Our hearts run dry with endless burdens!

The dark shadows cast by

 Animosity, brutality, enmity, ferocity,

Block the rays of humanity

 From touching our benumbed souls!

We merely exist as living corpses,

 Deaf, dumb and blind

To our devilish-developing  atmosphere,

 Framing the horoscopes of our lives!

With a minute effort to erode

 The prisons that entrap harmony,

Will we freely fulfill our dreams

 Of seeing the dawn of peace again?

Composed by: Ritu Karania,

  Year 12

sea women

           

sea women

The work done by sea women is quite impressive.  These women dive in deep water with no breathing equipment’s just earn a living and it is very surprising to hear that these women are the chief owners in the Korean society.  They dive into the icy water thirteen meters deep about a hundred times a day.  Further still, the older women are the ones who dive deeper and it is quite remarkable that they donate a portion of their catch to aid in the repairs of the village schools.                                                                                               

 Despite all these, there are still issues that make this tradition disappear and not known.  Many other tourist attraction centres are coming up in the island thus overthrowing this hard work done by the sea women.  Younger women in this area choose to work in resort hotels and leave this work for the elders.  Last but not the least, most of the girls and women these days do not know how to swim and because of these reasons, sea women are slowly becoming very few and extinct.                                                                                                                                                                                Written by:             Kruti Dipak Patel

emptiness

Trees are the melodious songs, we hear in the  sky. We cut them down and manufacturer them  into paper, that we may write on them our emptiness.

Work on time…hopefully

Work on time…hopefully

        Ruin-calamities shattered me…I was seated in a public transport vehicle as I travelled back to Nakuru. The voyage was long and tedious with no breaks and my stomach began to curl from within. I had an action packed weekend with no breaks as I awaited the new release of my favorite anime, Dragon ball super a phizz-whizzing story as the Roald Dahl would describe it.

    Though I felt incomplete as if I were forgetting something but it did not strike the gong yet for it the hols. A time to sit back and nullify all thoughts of homework. When we (my mom, my sister and I) had just arrived in Nakuru I thought about my adventures in Nairobi, it was a special day my aunt had just got married wishing her a happy wedded life.

    In Nakuru I woke up at 8 am every morning an aberration of my normal school life of waking up at 5am eyes closed as anew born baby blindened by the ray that burst from the window panes. I just felt as if I was forgetting something what could it possibly be that hardened my heart to stone and the ache in my that withered and shriveled my sparkling notions.

    Abruptly from nowhere I here my mum’s phone ringing it is right there in front of me if only I could reach it but… it keeps going further away why? Then suddenly I am drowning in water. I immediately woke up and rushed to my computer to type an article. That was what was giving me an ache. Ruin-calamities. The week when we closed school a group of ‘writers’ were given an assignment , rather biased, to write articles over the hols and I happened to forget a liability in me that I have been trying to rid.

Flower

Life is  like a flower ,

they have no voice , but seems to produce a beautiful melody.
They have no eyes , but seem to look

Shine like a flower .

mystery

The clock ticked twelve mid night and the unusual, frightening noises could be heard again.  Sweat trickled down my face.  I knew this was bound to happen.  It had become like a normal routine.  I would hear them for some time and then all would return back to normal.

                                                                                                                                               

Unfortunately, this was the not the case this time.  A web of questions befuddled my mind.  This time, I could not figure out what was in store for me.  I stood up from my cozy bed and shuddered towards the living room.  Within a flutter of an eyelid, I could hear an indistinct hiss followed by a sharp scream.  This was really a hair-raising moment.  Shiver ran down my spine freezing my soul solid.    

                                                           

Petrified, I tip-toed towards the light switch right in front of me.  I raised my hand and I suddenly felt some tiny hands on my waist.  My heart pounded so fast against my chest.  I slowly turned and sighed a relief.  It was no one else but my daughter, Cherry!  “Mom… there is a weird a scary sound from the kitchen!” she cried.  I made a guess that there these sounds were probably the ones I always hear.  I carried her and gave her a ray of hope that everything is okay!

                                                                                                           

I then made my way towards the kitchen.  Fear had taken the better part of me but I still mustered courage to go on and find out what was going on.  Slowly and swiftly, I entered, making sure there was pin-drop silence.  The place was pitch-dark and I would barely see anything in front of me.  I switched on the lights and suddenly heard a utensil fall.  I abruptly turned and I could not believe what I saw.  My eyes almost popped out of their sockets when I saw my husband sweating and panting.  The refrigerator was wide open with surprisingly nothing much in it.  He stood there desperately looking for food and I was so shocked to find him in this state.  All kinds of utensils lay on the floor with peelings of bananas and watermelons.  I could not figure out what her was up to.               

I went next to him and his eyes glistened, he was on the verge of tears.  What is wrong? What was he doing hear in this state?  All these questions crisscrossed my mind.  He sat down and said, “I have some unusual disorder!  This makes me eat amazingly a lot.  I became so desperate for food.  This disorder is found in some people only and, unfortunately… I am one of them!”.  His lips quivered and he was trembling as tears rolled down his cheeks.  My mouth was left agape.  I sat down on the floor trying to understand this mystery that kept nagging my mind at that moment!                                                                                                                                             

                                                                                                            

Written by:                                                                                                                                 Kruti Dipak Patel

lessons learnt

            Colleagues and students, my life in the last ten years has been a strange one and I would like to share my experience and the lessons I learnt with you.  

                                 

  First and foremost, it was not that easy!  I encountered sleepless nights and exhausting days- with nothing much in return.  Sleeping on a moss-packed platform and pitch-dark surroundings, with fire as the only source of light at night was something no one amongst you would wish to experience.  Fear had always taken the better part of me, I had to think twice before stepping out to go look for food.  Further still, what we had could not actually be regarded as food.  Foul-tasting water and dried snakes. Yes, this was the awful and unpleasant life in the past.                                                                                            

Despite all the horrible and never-ending challenges, I faced, I did not give up.  I tried my best to provide for family and the rest.  I made sure they get food full of nutrients for they required energy to keep up with these devastating conditions.  I taught my wife how to treat drinking water but we could still not escape from the foul taste.  I grew penicillin so that I could aid people with bacterial infections but my efforts to do so went in vain.  There was a little girl who was very ill- suffering from pneumonia.  I sat next to her for hours trying to keep her warm and make her feel better but unfortunately I was not able to make the best out of it.   

                                                                                              I have so much more to tell you but for now I will say that this time- travelling experience taught me a lot.  Truly, as the adage says, “Experience is the best teacher”.  We are all lucky that we have all the basic needs we require, all the comfort and luxury but think of those who do not have this privilege to sleep on a comfy bed, eat their favorite dishes.  It is not easy!  This life I experienced taught me how to appreciate even the people without food and shelter.  How tough their life is and how hard they try to provide for their families.  We should not think that since we all have the comfort and what we need, the rest also do!  I hope you guys also learnt something and I wish you try to help the people without these privileges!                                                                                                                                                  

                                                                                                            Written by:

                                                                                                            Kruti Dipak Patel.

This is  home away from home. MELVIN JONES LIONS ACADEMY- NAKURU.

Great art work from MJLA student

Why You Don’t Matter.

Why You Don’t Matter.

All our lives we have been made to believe that our existence holds importance, that our problems are relevant and our contributions are not futile. But is this fact or mere self-assurance? You may consider me to be a cynic but think about it. Think of the billions of people who have lived, loved, worked and died on this planet.

 Do you care about them or their struggles or their beliefs? You don’t, neither do I, nor does anybody else. King or pauper, great or mediocre, their lives were plunged into oblivion.

I think that we have established that our lives don’t matter in the greater workings of the Universe yet I believe that no life is ordinary; you may think that I’m being self- contradictory but let me explain myself.

 It is true that a hundred years from now, no one will know your name, or care about your story (for everybody has one!). But you do, you are the hero of your own story. Maybe your achievements won’t change the fate of mankind but they will make you happy. Maybe the world won’t mourn at your tragedies but they will shape your life. 

So virtuous or vicious, gifted by excellence or cursed by mediocrity, nobody cares but you. The world may or may not acknowledge your beauty or your gifts but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. To all those people who expect their trials and successes to hold relevance in others’ lives, you should know that you are the center of your universe not mine.

                                                                                        

  By Amara Kandimalla.

                                                                                           Year 12

OUR FINAL SAY!

          OUR FINAL SAY!

   Talking about the last days before we step out into an entire new galaxy! Back in the days when the future seemed as though it would never flash its truth upon us. A web of questions befuddling our mindset; "Is this reality?, Am i valiant enough to take a step into this cruel world?, Ready to fight, am i?"

   Here we are, pounding hearts eagerly waiting for the closet to unbolt. You encouraged us to fight, we did, no awaiting our final outcome. The past was a fairytale, was it? But was the future has in store for us is unknown. Journey full of obstacles but full of memories, never forgetten.

   Not a class, but a Family with the best ever class teacher(more like a father), Mr Manasse. Who took us through the worst of situations. A Family with a strong bond that made us feel encompassed as though in a chrysalis, with our siblings beside us in every step we took.

   With no more to argue about, we finally leave our second home with memories of a beautiful journey, and all we ask for, are your blessing, for a lovely future ahead. 

                   By: Ria Ramchandani and Kruti Patel(YEAR 11)

Courtesy of the school magazine

SOCCER TOURNAMENT

Melvin Jones Lions Academy , in its  celebration to commemorate  its silver jubilee, will be hosting a soccer tournament. The old students have been invited on 22nd of June, 2018. The venue will be school grounds as from 2.00 p.m. The finals of the Memorial soccer tournament , will be held on that day. All are welcomed.

EXAMS!

EXAMS! 

My future is going to be determined by mere numbers, 

 I will be judged, in fact, my intellect and my existence will be defined

By some figures that appear on a sheet, figures which are termed marks

 And from which grades are built up 

Grades that determine my future life,

 My career, basically, form the foundation of my life! 

But, why, WHY? 

Do those figures reveal my abilities,

 What if I didn't properly understand just one topic,

What if I was nervous and unsettled during the exam, 

 What if I forgot, I know but I forgot?

Are these factors ever considered? 

 We are at the mercy of examiners.

What if they don't understand student's point of view when marking subjective answers, 

 What if they made a mistake in marking, 

What if they made a counting error?

 None of these factors may ever be considered. 

And I'm only left with regrets,

 A whirlpool of questions takes over my mind:

What if I had just gotten that one mark or marks, 

 What if I had remembered that answer during the exam rather than after the exam,

What if I had seen and corrected that mistake when doing the paper,

 What if I hadn't made that silly mistake, 

What if...? 

Exams don't clearly and completely reflect the depth of one's knowledge and abilities. Sometimes, the topic that we know and understand completely well is not tested at all and the topic you didn’t read is tested on. Sometimes, the time is just not enough. Sometimes, circumstances are not in our favour. 

But, still, they form the foundation of our future. They will always be there; their existence can never be eradicated. So we have no other option, but to just bear their presence in our lives. And, every time we make a mistake, we should always learn from it. 

                                     Written by:

                                          Ritu Karania, 

                                          Year 12

WORRY NOT with a twist

WORRY NOT with a twist

-          Life has never been a straight line.

-          But life has never been a line

-          You plan ,  but God decides

-          Your failures are yours, not God’s

-          You need to remain focused, if ever, you will achieve any goal in life.

-          Your success depends on luck , hard work and opportunity.

-          Worrying can be good or bad in one’s life, but it’s what we live with all the time.

-          Worry , worry  has no blessing

-          Worrying can motivate you to work extra harder, in order to over come obstacles.

-          Motivation , key to success.

-          But , worrying can be a burden if , you are  worrying over issues you can not control.

-          Worries , is the second name of  mind game.

-          Worrying about weather, sickness, death, God’s controls, should be avoided, since you cant control them.

-          Worry not, if it does not concern you.

-          Worry not if it‘s out of your control.

GREAT ART PIECE

courtesy of Anagha Nair.

                              THE DEADLY ARACHNID 

The shyest and most self-effacing of animals are the wall creatures. However, there is one animal who you ought not to touch: the scorpion. A scorpion is a creature with eight legs and two claws and a special toxic [poisonous] sting.

The scorpion’s eight crooked legs give it grip to hold on to things. Its crab-like claws can easily break a walnut. This animal can easily kill its prey by its toxic venom which is so powerful that it can kill three men in seconds.

Incase you ever run across one of these fascinating creatures never ever blow air on them ,because if you do, it will make them angry and they will raise their tail in an unapologetic gesture and inject you with the undisputed venom .You will need to get to an emergency hospital as soon as possible.

Although scorpions are killers, they are also good creatures, calm and beautiful, only bad when provoked by people like you and me.

 By Abdalla Ali, year 7.

    

WHO DO YOU WANT TO WIN?

WHO DO YOU WANT TO WIN?

The angel and the demon within us are constantly at war.

They both act as a contrast to each other, and have a set of characteristics which clearly defines them.

Angel                                                   Demon

Tranquility                                          Anger

Humility                                              Pride

Contentment                                     Greed

Love                                                     Hatred

Trust                                                    Deceit

Courage                                              Fear

Compassion                                       Cruelty

Compersion                                       Jealousy

Equanimity                                        Anxiety

Impartiality                                       Prejudice  

Nobility                                              Vileness

Who do you want to win, the angel or the demon? The one you choose as the winner will dwell within you. In order to make any one of them win, you will have to look at their characteristics and choose the ones you want; because, of course, the more the characteristics you have of either one of them, the more the likelihood of it winning. Therefore, the decision is entirely in your hands. So, carefully contemplate and decide on whom you will make the winner. Who deserves to be the winner, and permanently be a part of you?

                                                                        Written by:

                                                                                       Ritu Karania,

                                                                                       Year 12

The Magical Kenya

The Magical Kenya

Tourism in Kenya is the second-largest source of foreign exchange revenue. The Kenya Tourism Board is responsible for maintaining information pertaining tourism in Kenya.

The main tourist attractions are the photo OF safaris through the 60 national parks available. Other attractions include the wildebeest migration at the Maasai Mara which is considered the seventh wonder of the world. There are also historical mosques and colonial-era forts that you can visit.

Beach tourism, eco-tourism, cultural tourism and sports tourism are all part of the tourism sector of Kenya. In a single trip to Kenya you can visit tropical forests, beautiful beaches, and deserts, climb mountains and explore the wild.

By Prem Patel

Year 8

Dear editor

Dear editor,

            I feel I must respond to your recent article on urban exploring which gave people different perspectives about this sport.    

Urban exploring is a very fast growing ‘sport’ as you mentioned in your article and I would agree that.  People are being informed more about it through the amazing and eye-catching moment captured by these people.  Further still, this ‘sport’ encourages team work; several people interested in this sport come together making it more enjoyable.  It is a leisure activity and can sometimes be regarded as a relaxation or a stress relief activity.  A good number of people go for their jobs during the day, get exhausted but they still got for urban exploring.  Why?  As time goes by, this activity is being regarded as a normal routine rather than just a hobby.       

On the contrary, I have a different view about this activity.  A real sport is one that involves both enjoyment and also the safety of the participants.  Climbing up on such tall buildings?  It is not as easy as it looks.  People forget to consider safety as their priority.  Innocent owners of such buildings are then answerable for the injuries of these urban explorers.  Advertisements and publicists draw in people of a very tender age into this activity.  Some do not even know the basics of a such a dangerous activity; What happens next? Accidents, injuries, false accusations to the building owners!  In addition, why wait for such things to happen and then take action.  We are the ones driving ourselves to such situations.  I agree that it is a breath-taking activity and moment but I would still not advise people to go for this activity.           

The chances of these activities increasing are very high but I would like to dispute this argument of allowing this sport to grow.  It is not really worth it when people risk their lives participating in such sports.  I really wish that a positive outcome is brought forward and I hope I expressed my views and opinions pretty well.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Yours Faithfully,

                                                                                                         Kruti Patel.