Another Year, Another Attempt!

Yet another year has gone by; I'm still attempting to get into some sort of blogging rhythm and it doesn't seem like it's happening! Well, what exactly have I been up to all these months?! What can I use as an excuse from the long hiatus I took from the world of blogs and blogging...mhhh! let me see...! Oh yes, I know what it is, it is - LIFE!

Life just kept happening day in day out, month in, month out and before I knew it, the year was out! Now, I am hoping to be able to give this blog another lease on life, or at least make an effort to do so!

A lot has happened from financial meltdowns to global economic uncertainties to the US's historic election of Barack Obama as the first African American president to you-name it! All of these things have had at least an impact(I know, I am using this term loosely here) on some if not most of us, now what next, what do we do, better yet, where do we go from here?

All in all I wish you all a blessed 2009, In the meantime I've got some shovelling to do just like in '07 as you can tell from the pic!

Back in the Saddle

I am back to blogging again after quite a hiatus I must say! I am sure you've heard the saying, actually it's a phrase, a very common one too, "stuff happens!" well, some would even venture to replace the first part with words which I do not wish to repeat!

All in all 2007 came and went; now 2008 is rolling along at quite a steady pace.

As I look over the past year, I am thankful to God for everything in my life, I mean I really don't have anything to complain about, sometimes, especially when things aren't going my way, I'd like to think otherwise but deep down inside I know God is faithful, He is for me, not against me. I am now looking forward to yet a great year optimistically! It's a new year with new opportunities too.

So basically, I am back in the blogging saddle as it were, let's exchange ideas, share thoughts, discuss stuff and just have fun while doing it!

Immigrating 102

This article is more of a continuation of my previous one titled "Immigrating 101". In that article I simply offered straightforward practical suggestions on how to immigrate to Canada. The bulk of it would prove useful to those who are thinking, or planning to immigrate, to those already here and for some reason or other do not have their papers in order, that article might come across as irrelevant at best.

Today I would like to shed the little light I know on how one can get themselves sorted out even after their visas or permits have already expired. I would like to work from the assumption that the overwhelmingly negative implications of one going underground are common knowledge in this day and age, especially after September 11, 2001.

Now the best way is to go through the process the right way from the get go, at least you are doing it from the comfort of your homecountry where you have ways and means to sustain you. Anyways, as they say, what is done, is done! (Is that actually a saying?!)

The worst thing one can do after messing up their immigration status in Canada is to live under the radar, as it were. Your best option would be to contact an immigration lawyer who will advise you of your options, don't worry, most lawyers won't charge you on your first visit, they'll go over your particular situation and advise you accordingly. Now should you choose to accept their advice and retain their services, a financial commitment would be afoot.

I know at least two lawyers of Tanzanian descent in Toronto ( Mr. Hamza Kisaka and Ms. Fatma Khalid ) they might prove helpful in resolving one's immigration issues, I would encourage all those interested to check them out.

Image credit: http://www.kwmc.on.ca

Immigrants Making History

A few days ago I came across a very interesting piece about an african immigrant in Ireland who became the first black mayor of the Irish town of Portlaoise in June of this year. What is interesting is the fact that this little Irish town only a few decades ago didn't have a significant number of non-white residents. Mr. Rotimi Adebari came into the picture just seven years ago, yes, that is in the year 2000. You can read the rest of it here: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/06/29/world/main2996431.shtml

It sure is encouraging to see immigrants, especially african immigrants stepping up and actively participating in making a positive difference in their adopted home countries.

Here in Canada, there are more than a few africans who have positively contributed to enriching this great country, writers, academicians, artists, scientists, lawyers, engineers, bankers, doctors, nurses, hr professionals, businessmen and women, investors, you-name-it.

The Canadian Immigrant is one publication that features among other things success stories of immigrants in Canada, it is an inspirational read for every immigrant, especially new immigrants who are still trying to find their footing as it were. This publication comes out in two editions, the British Columbia Edition and the Ontario Edition. Their website can be found here: http://www.thecanadianimmigrant.com/ontario/index.php

I am writing all this to simply say that anyone including immigrants can succeed anywhere provided they have the right attitude and are not afraid of pursuing their dreams. Do not let anything hold you back, like the old adage goes, make your obstacles stepping stones to get to your desired destination, or as my Nigerian brothers would say with deep conviction "It can be done!"

I am currently thinking of featuring african immigrant success stories here in Canada, my main focus being on those of Tanzanian descent, obviously! So stay tuned...

Photo credit: http://www.theage.com.au

Immigrating 101

I don't know how many times I've either been asked or heard of people being asked to help someone come to Canada, as in to immigrate to this great country. The problem is, I think many, otherwise quite learned people, especially those of Tanzanian descent(I'm being deliberate here) tend to think there is some kind of secretive procedure to acquire Canadian Landed Immigrant status, so when you direct them to the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website (http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/index.asp)(Note to self: I gotta learn how to put that fancy link thingy up in here!) where they can get all the details and download the necessary forms, they become a bit, um let's say hesitant!

I'm not sure why? Most would rather they'd be sent an invitation letter to come and visit and then somehow change their status to landed immigrants from within the country. Now, that is not the smartest thing to do because once you are in the country as a visitor, it is a different ball game, you cannot work or do practically anything legal without proper authorization, you wouldn't be able to fully utilize your educational credentials, you will have to rely on others for support or live on welfare(after jumping through hoops to qualify, of course), in short you risk ending up being very frustrated, believe me, I've seen it happen and many here can testify to that!

If you have at least some tertiary education and/or the skills that are currently in demand here, you stand a better chance applying for residency from wherever you are. You will of course have to give yourself some time as the application processing time could be anywhere from a year to 18months give or take IIRC.

The entire process is fairly clear, you do not need to pay some lawyer hundreds or thousands of dollars, or go through some company and pay extra fees. Actually those private companies don't do anything extra, they just fill out the forms with the details you provide and mail them to the immigration dept., same thing you would do if you did it yourself, so just download the assessment form from the CIC website, fill it out, apply as a skilled worker, bring it to a Canadian High Commission, Consulate or Embassy, again depending on where you are, you will be notified within 90 days, and if successful you get another set of forms to apply for landed status, follow the instructions, fill them out, submit them. You will hear from the consular office after what might seem like an eternity, then you might have an interview scheduled with a consular officer and eventually get your immigrant visa.

There is no secret procedure or magic formula, you know, it's not rocket science either and you do not need tons of cash unless you are applying as an investor.

Your Permanent Resident Card will be sent to the address you provide the immigration dept. with after your arrival in Canada. You can then apply for your Social Insurance Number (SIN), and don't forget to apply for your provincial healthcard while you are at it.

Congratulations you are now a legal resident of Canada! Time to celebrate! Ok! enough with the celebrations now, you got bills to pay, time to start chasing that elusive loonie...

Canadian flag credit: http://www.trailcanada.com

Afrofest 2007: My take

Whoever coined the phrase "time flies" must have known what they were talking about, I mean June came and went, July is almost over!

I hope some of you, especially those who live around the Greater Toronto Area managed to come out to Afrofest. The place was packed, the food was good and there was lots of it; originating from different parts of Africa as well as the Carribean, my only complaint was the pricing, quite unrealistic if you ask me.

There were lots of African art, artifacts, clothing, earrings, necklaces, ornaments and stuff for both display and sale. For me, the wall-hanging art made by the Khoisan (bushmen) of Botswana took the cake, as it were.

There was a kids' section complete with face-painting, painting, watercolor art and games for the youngsters. Good thinking on the part of the organizers.

Good music from all over Africa filled the air, hip hop music could be heard from the youth area on one side of the field. African drumming could be heard from the back area where a group of drummers were having fun, there were two extra drums which members of the public could use and join in the drumming sessions.

People were having fun, almost everyone was either African or trying to be, you know what I mean! You could hear Swahili, Kikuyu, Hausa, Lingala, Luganda, Yoruba, Zulu and other African languages all over the place.

The organizers might do well to start thinking and looking for a bigger venue as Queens Park will not be able to accomodate the festival in the years to come.

Afrofest has been growing in both quality and quantity with each passing year. If you are ever in the Toronto area in July do yourself a favour and attend this festival!

Photo credit:http://www.av-bs.de/images/afrika_fahne.gif

Summer's Around the Corner

I am really trying to sort myself out as far as time management issues are concerned, for a while now I haven't had what many describe as "free time", but it's all good, I am learning how to "make time" for stuff, as it were.

Summer is just around the corner even though some days (especially like last week) it surely feels like it's here already. I hope we are all looking forward to the school breaks and the fun stuff that accompany the season.

Wonderland is aggressively advertising, Marineland is following suit, The EX is gearing up, not to mention several street festivals that are currently in the works, the city is getting ready for some fun.

One of the major crowd pullers is the 3 day Afrofest at Queens Park from July 5th to 8th this year. Afrofest is usually full of lively African music, food, crafts and what-have-you. Some of the performers and exhibitors come straight from the continent, I wonder if we will have any Tanzanian performers or exhibitors this year, I hope we do! The line up this year includes The Mahotella Queens from South Africa, Nawal - "The Voice of the Comoros", from Madagascar HAJAmadagascar & The Groovy People, Guinea's Katenen Dioubate, fellow griot Senegalese Zale Seck among many others, for more visit:
http://www.musicafrica.org/afroevents07.htm

Of course how can we not mention Caribana! It's probably the city's biggest event of the summer, drawing people from all over the world, literally, easily reaching and even surpassing the one million mark!

I am hoping and praying that we'll have a more peaceful, safer and fun filled summer this year.

Photo: http://www.musicafrica.org