I have had a very quiet afternoon today and what surprises me is how suddenly all I seem to think about is the task I am currently involved in. (Sad but true). I am constantly asking myself questions that have not crossed my mind for as long as I can remember. Like, who am I? Am I worthy of this ? What do I stand for? Why is this happening? Do I have what it takes? What if I fail?

Truth be told, When I half heartedly applied for FOKUK, I honestly did not have a clue what it would entail. Day by day I am realising the enormous responsibility and opportunity just being part of the process really is.
I still don't know what the answers to my questions are and the more I think about them, I can't help but feel nervous! I am no spring chicken,as a matter of fact, I am the oldest in the lineup, good or bad, I don't know. 


What I know is, Now more than ever, I have a genuine desire to achieve this title. I fully understand and embrace the TWO rules of the FOKUK office, namely;

A) REPRESENTATIVE

I think this is the bit I am struggling with a little because having lived abroad for so many years, you inevitably lose touch with the day to day life in Kenya. Of course information is a mouse click away, however living in a country where time is literary money, we can sometimes find ourselves relying on social media for non essential news. This is not to say that we are not interested,but circumstances dictates this!

The thought of me carrying the mantle of representing my country has awakened a very fierce sense of patriotism that I now realise was dormant. I have got this renewed proud sense of belonging, belonging to this beautiful country called Kenya. As I took to the streets on Easter Monday to take photos and fly the Kenyan flag, I can't describe how great I felt. For a moment I thought I was a politician, especially as I explained to the curious onlookers what the shoot was about.

But what nailed it for me was the look on my 8 year old niece's face. I couldn't help notice her little eyes admiring what I was doing .... Representing my country. To me, she embodied the UK, I hoped that seeing me proud to be a Kenyan will instil the same pride in her.. On a bigger picture, FOKUK is looking for a representative that will not just fly the flag on the streets but encapsulate why Kenya is great. Question is, am I up for the challenge? Answer ... Absolutely!!!

B) CHARITABLE

This is the second but equally important task for not just whoever gets the crown but all participants. It is also where my pressure and worry lies. I so much, so so much want to make this a huge success. Ask anyone who knows me and they will confirm, I have always pledged that if ever I win the lottery, I will build a hospital(s) that provides 5* care and free medication to all Kenyans. Health, like education to me should be basic human rights.

There are many charities that do some fantastic work and some of them will be represented by other contestants. For me and millions of other families who have been affected by HIV, it really is no surprise why Nyumbani.org is a natural choice for me. I am yet to meet a Kenyan who hasn't lost a relative or friend to the disease or any Kenyan who doesn't appreciate the impact HIV has had on families, labour-market and inevitably the economy. With improved medical practices mother to child infection will hopefully someday soon be a distant memory. In the meantime there is a generation of HIV orphans that need somewhere to belong to and someone to love them.

 Under the leadership of Sister Mary Owens, Nyumbani (which literary means Home in Swahili) does exactly what it says on the tin by providing love, support and a future for these orphans. Though run by people of faith, the home is NOT affiliated with any NGOs, Governmental or Church organisations. It relies completely upon donations of PEOPLE OF COMPASSION (you and me) locally and abroad.

I have and I do give to charities but I have NEVER organised a fund raising event, this is all new to me. A skydive is as extreme as it gets, but am praying that those who believe in this course will donate and it will be worth it in the end. Am I scared?Yes! Am I worried and nervous? Yes and Yes! Will I bail out if the going gets tough? Hell NO!!

Please help me raise much needed funds by donating at


www.virginmoneygiving.com/LissaMaranga http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/LissaMaranga

Developed is past tense which means it has already occurred, whereas developing is present (continuos) tense and refers to something happening currently.
So where am I going with this? No am not giving an English lecture, infact putting into perspective what my take is on this whole project. In my pursuit to represent my country Kenya (Developing) in the UK (Developed), I can't help but wonder what my actual role will be?
Right from my very introductory blog, I reiterated on the importance of a brand/name in the global market! I touched on the impact reputation can have on any given economy.
That said, Kenya has maintained strong trade links with the global economy and particularly with Britain since its independence in 1963 and English is the language of business . More so to date, the UK is still the LARGEST foreign investor in Kenya.

Like many other developing countries, Kenya has experienced increased foreign direct investment inflows over the past decade as developing countries get a larger share of cross-border investments that were once sent to developed countries. This can be attributed to liberalised policy constraints in both trade and foreign investment, modest corporate tax rates and improving governance or be it transparency.

In his article 'What developing countries can teach US' , Michael Barone, a senior political analyst for the Washington Examiner, wrote, "Today, we’ve been seeing enormous growth in what we have been accustomed to call “developing” countries. They have been growing nearly four times faster than “developed” countries, and they account for nearly half of total global investment and global economic growth today".
His observation is in stark contrast to half a century ago when developed countries accounted for 80 percent of the world’s gross domestic product, and the United States for nearly 50 percent. Much of the world was in ruins; starvation was rampant; disease afflicted millions of children. 

This swiftly brings me to my initial question, what will my role be should I win the opportunity to represent my developing country?      
  
What we all know is that interestingly, the once dubbed 'Third World countries' have developed in part by COPYING Western institutions and also by creating their own public policies! 

I am NO expert, but I think as a campaigner for more investment and trade to and from Kenya, I will be using this platform to pull as many leafs as possible from their (UK) book while magnifying the strides Kenya is making towards joining the developed world list. 

Having said that, and in conclusion lest we forget MKOSA MILA NI MTUMWA ... (He who that lacks a heritage is as good as a slave)?I also believe that as much as we strive for  development, it should NOT be at any expense! There MUST be certain elements of our society we should NOT and cannot give away in the name of development. Our environment, culture, history and heritage. If we do, we will not only destroy our country for the next generation but history will judge us harshly. 

As you all know FOKUK show is now on the road after the official launch last weekend in London. I finally got to meet the other contestants and got to know each one of them abit better, all lovely girls and deserving of the title. (But I need to win it);-)
I also got the opportunity to cheer the First Lady and Kenyan athletes during the London Marathon before spending the evening with some Kenyan artists and Kenyans in the diaspora at the O2 arena promoting the Tusker Twende Kazi project. 
Just a quick update for you my loyal supporters... The time has come where every single one of you, your friends and relatives vote are needed. It will not cost anything just afew seconds and a valid email address. 
To bring you to speed, I am currently in talks with stakeholders to find effective ways of raising funds for Nyumbani.org . I am hoping to raise £££££ to mainly help with Nyumbani's mission of PROVIDING QUALITY AND COMPREHENSIVE CARE AND SUPPORT TO HIV INFECTED AND AFFECTED CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES IN A SUSTAINABLE MANNER!
What I find plausable about Nyumbani is that, their audited accounts are open to  all interested parties!!
Enough said, now please get voting. 

Hoooorrray! So I finally did it …… I have managed to upload the video onto my blog!!! It has taken a while but I had my eureka moment this evening as I was leaving the gym. Proves persistence pays and patience is a virtue.

I say this because I got to a stage where I asked myself, "Why am I spending so much time and pestering all the computer geeks I know to try and share this video?! What's worse is that, I cringe listening to myself!!! If I was to do that feature again,trust me it would be a very different piece!! So why am I determined to embarrass myself in the process?!

Simple, This whole thing is all about representing, It is not about me, its about 'The Home, the children, the effort, the course, the vision and the future'.  As you will see in the video I was blessed to spend a day with the man behind this mission, the late Fr D Agostino. On the day he explained to me his vision and believe me when I say his passion for the work he had committed his life to, was evident in every word he spoke. More than a decade later, He is gone but his legacy lives on.


 I feel really privileged to be part of FOKUK 2014 because I stand a chance of among other responsibilities, highlighting and fully supporting this charity that upholds my belief that GOOD AND AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE is a HUMAN RIGHT!

I'd like to warn you that some of the pictures are disturbing….