Zamzam Billow

Nomad, Mum, Humanitarian and a Camel lover that owns none. Re-tweets and Links do not necessarily mean endorsement. Views are my own

[Zamzam Billow @seynabey]

The Kenya has a habit of formulating beautiful but unrealistic laws. How many Kenyans can afford to pay 18k for their help? Imagine being a female GOK employee
On maternity, earning 40k and expected to return to work after 90 days, its time to formulate laws that make sense

[NTV Kenya @ntvkenya]

House helps get a raise

New regulations setting the minimum wage for domestic workers has raised the monthly pay for house helps, with those in breach risking a three-month jail term or a fine of 50 thousand shillings.

#NTVWeekendEdition @MichelleNgele_

[Zamzam Billow @seynabey]

You're doing great by rescuing this minor from the cruelty of this man & the adults who gave her away. In the future add safeguarding measures, conceal the minor's identity & put them in a safe confidential location when getting personal info including their personal experiences

[Geoffrey Mosiria @HonMosiria]

CHILD ABUSE IS ILLEGAL-MOLEST-RAPE.

Tonight, we rescued a 14-year-old girl who had been forced into marriage at the age of 12 with an old man almost the age of his grandfather. The child is Ethiopian and the she doesn’t have relatives in kenya apart from the uncle who sold her out. Her mum is in Ethiopia.

The suspect is currently in custody at Kasarani Police Station, while the child has been taken to a rescue centre where she is receiving care and protection.

I strongly warn against the practice of forcing underage girls into marriage, which denies them their right to education, safety, and a dignified childhood. Children are not objects of exploitation and must be protected at all costs.

Any individual involved in marrying or cohabiting with an underage child must immediately desist and ensure the child is returned to a safe environment. Failure to do so will result in firm legal action in accordance with the law.
Thanks my sisters Mamake Boaz Gutu and Ciiku Ngure let’s continue doing this work of God .

[A.Y.O @YusufAsunmogejo]

This is not about being at anyone's mercy. From a sound Islamic perspective, the Prophet (peace be upon him) worked with Khadija (may Allah be pleased with her) while she was a highly successful businesswoman, and it never diminished his standing.

Real leadership, or Qiwamah, is about protecting the Maslaha (the greater good) of the entire family through Shura (consultation). If the home is stable and thriving in Port Harcourt, a wise leader does not uproot that foundation just to satisfy an ego or follow a rigid script.

A man who is truly secure in his role sees his wife's success as a blessing for the whole family, not a threat to his authority. The best decision is the one that keeps the heart of the family as a whole.

[A.Y.O @YusufAsunmogejo]

Let me share one parenting tip with you. This one is about how you can build your child's social intelligence. The ability to read what is not being said out loud.

In the psychology of Ibn Sina, this is called Al-Wahm. It is the power of Estimation. It is the faculty that picks up on meanings that do not have a physical shape.

Think about it like this. We all know a sheep right? And we all know a wolf? Now, let’s think about a sheep looking at a wolf. The eyes see a gray shape with four legs and fur. That is just physical data. But the mind of the sheep knows the wolf is hateful and dangerous right away. That sense of danger is not something the eyes can see. It is a meaning picked up by the Wahm.

When you reflect on our discussion of the 7-7-7 rule, scholars say the best time to practice it is during the second stage of development, around ages 7 to 12. However, it could come earlier because some children have naturally wide mental vessels. This is the sweet spot where the brain starts to handle ideas that are not right in front of them.

Here is how you can help your child build their Wahm.

1. Engage them in mental estimation. What do I mean? For example, when you are out at a mall, a park, or anywhere, pick a stranger standing far away. Do not let your child talk about their clothes or what they are carrying.

Ask them to look at the person and tell you if they think that person is waiting for someone they love or if they are just bored and want to go home. This forces the child to stop leaning on the physical data of the eyes and start using their internal senses to hunt for intentions.

2. Learn always to remove the label. What do I mean here? Let’s say you see someone who is clearly upset, do not just say that person is angry. Ask your child what they think the weight on that person’s heart is at that moment.

You could also ask what they thought about the person’s reaction or behavior. By calling it a weight or a meaning, you are giving the Wahm a job to do.

One of your goals as a parent is to build a child who can read a room before they even speak. This is the root of real leadership. It is about not being fooled by the outward form because the internal sense is already looking for the truth.

How often do you find yourself explaining the why behind people's actions instead of allowing your child to search for the motive? Less Discuss in the comments👏🏿👏🏿

Allah knows best.

[A.Y.O @YusufAsunmogejo]

Since the past 24 hours that I made the tweet on child parenting solution, my DM has been buzzing. I checked them, and one thing was quite common to all: Parents who are not happy about their kid’s performance in school, and they have approached it the wrong way.

If you fall in this category, this post is for you.

Many of us use brutal force because expectations are too high, and the anger is just too much. The scholar Ibn al-Jawzi explained in his book Sayd al-Khatir that intellect is a Rizq (provision) from God, just like money or health.

He said some people are born with a wide vessel and others with a narrow one. If you try to force the water of a whole sea into a small cup, you will only spill the water and ruin the cup. This is what many of us are doing. We are trying to force a "doctor's brain" into a child whose cup was designed for something else.

By that, it causes a soul-crushing resentment in the child. Imam Al-Ghazali described this beautifully in Ihya’ Ulum al-Din. He warned parents about a state called “Al-Malal”, where a child builds resentment because they are pushed beyond their limit. Everyone wants the best for their child. No doubt. However, if you keep yelling at them for things they cannot grasp yet, you make them hate the very sight of a book. You are closing the door to their heart while trying to kick open the door to their mind.

Then what is the solution? It is simple.

Going forward, every parent should make efforts to start looking for the Fath (the opening) in their kids. What does this mean? This is the lane the Almighty has prepared for them. In our history, if a child is slow with grammar or math, the scholars don’t call them a failure. They move them to a trade, a craft or a service.

How then do you identify this Fath (Opening) in your child? Please pay close attention to me…

(1) The first phase is Observation. Ibn al-Qayyim mentioned a concept called Istid’ad (natural readiness) in his book titled: Tuhfat al-Mawdud. This means you want to watch/observe/look at the child when they think nobody is looking. This is your first tool. For the next two weeks, stop talking about school. Do not worry yourself about how they perform on their homework.

Instead, keep a "Strength Log." Every evening, write down one thing they did well that had nothing to do with a classroom. Did they fix a broken toy? Did they calm down a crying sibling? Did they organise their shoes? You are looking for their Istid’ad (natural readiness). If they are "book-slow" but "people-smart" or "hand-smart," that is where the key has been placed.

(2) Introduce “Project or Craft” early on. Ibn Khaldun, in his Muqaddimah, argued that projects/crafts are high forms of intelligence that build civilizations. He argued that some minds are designed to understand the physical world better than the abstract one.

Give them a "Project Day." Buy a basic tool kit, a sewing machine, or a coding starter kit. Give them a broken radio or a piece of furniture to fix. Delegate. Give them a real-world task that has a visible result. When a child who fails at math sees that they can build a table or bake a perfect loaf of bread, their internal shame starts to heal. They realize they are not stupid; they were just in the wrong room.

(3) Kill the Comparison Virus. Imam Al-Zarnuji, in his classic work Ta’lim al-Muta’allim, explained that a student should only study what fits their nature. He said that forcing a student into a field they have no taste for is a waste of their life and the teacher's time. When you compare your child to others, you are catching a virus that blinds you to their path. Always filter.

When family members start bragging about their kids' grades, you must be the shield. Tell them, "My child is mastering the art of (so so and so)." You are teaching your child that success is not a single ladder. There are many ladders to it. And if you do not value their ladder, they will stop climbing.

(4) Prioritize Character Building. Put more efforts to praise your kids for their good character. Always tell them you love them when they behave well or show good character. Character recognition helps the child build a good self-image, which translates into self-confidence and barrier-breaking for the child. Prioritise this.

(5) Don’t underestimate the power of your words. Always pray to God to grant them their opening. The scholars taught that the "opening" is a gift from Al-Fattah (The Opener). Supplicate.

In your Sujud or in your prayers, stop asking for them to be a doctor/engineer, and what have you. Ask for the door that was made for them to be opened. Ask Him to show you the Fath so you can stop pushing them against a closed wall.

Always remember, a parent who finds the "Fath (The Opening)" for their child has given them a gift better than a degree. You have given them a purpose. Start that journey NOW. It’s never too late…

Thank you for your attention.

Allah knows best.

[Zamzam Billow @seynabey]

The first sentence😊

[Rigathi Gachagua @rigathi]

Walee Akhiiro Sual baa Jiirta!

Leadership is not a privilege granted for personal gain; it is a sacred responsibility entrusted for the protection of human life and dignity. Judged by this standard and its wisdom, the situation in North Eastern Kenya demands an honest conversation, self reflection and urgent action.

Today, conditions in the region have deteriorated so severely that even camels, animals that have evolved over time to endure some of the harshest environments on planet earth, are dying from thirst and hunger. If this is the fate of such resilient and adaptable creatures, what hope remains for human beings in the region?

SubhanAllah! Orphans go hungry. Widows cry out in silence and in excruciating pain. The sick are denied even the most basic medical care, because of the greed and neglect of those entrusted with leadership.

The Holy Qur’an issues a clear warning: those who unjustly consume the wealth of orphans, widows and the general Ummah are consuming fire into their bellies and will be burned in a blazing Hell. The Holy Qur’an further reminds us that all shall be resurrected and called to account for their deeds, and for the suffering they inflicted upon their victims; the Ummah. SubhanAllah !

Power has a way of deceiving its holders into believing that the consequences of their wrongdoing can be avoided. Yet on Yaumul Qiyamah, ill-gotten wealth will offer no refuge and earthly titles will carry no weight.

The question will not be how powerful one was, but how just and true they were to the trust bestowed upon them to be exercised rightly and justly on behalf of the Ummah. SubhanAllah!

For the leaders of North Eastern Kenya know, beyond any doubt, that accountability does not end in this world. Divine Justice is inevitable and you shall account for the tears of all those whose suffering and pain you have caused!

Kuwi lacagtena cuneen, duxuul nareed Allah SWT hauga digo!

Even as we demand accountability and continue to firmly hold the leaders of North Eastern Kenya responsible for neglecting the Ummah, we call upon the Government to urgently declare the ongoing drought a national disaster and to mobilize all available resources to save lives.

We further appeal to the International Community and Development Partners to step in and provide immediate humanitarian assistance to alleviate the suffering of the affected communities.

[Zamzam Billow @seynabey]

@YussufIbra @SafaricomPLC Also Kenyan pastoralist don’t ride on our camels! , one like this will make culturally more sense

[Bashir El-bashir @_bebco]

Reduce the purchase of luxury vehicles and private jets, and instead build companies that will create jobs for young people and the less privileged.

Every year, about 8 million babies are born in Nigeria. If they grow up without access to employment opportunities, many may be pushed into criminal activities such as terrorism, begging, theft, and violent crimes.

-Aliko Dangote, President and Chief Executive, Dangote Group

[Zamzam Billow @seynabey]

@MunaMunahamed I am heartbroken by this clip, i hope the authorities will do justice for this little girls.

[The Nobel Prize @NobelPrize]

Wangari Maathai was the first female professor in Kenya and the first African woman to be awarded the #NobelPeacePrize. She founded the Green Belt Movement, which led to the planting of millions of trees.

Today we announce the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize.

[Zamzam Billow @seynabey]

Super girls!!

[The Olympic Games @Olympics]

These two. 🇰🇪

[Mohamed M. M. Fall @MohamedFall]

Glad to welcome Prof. Rabia Sa’id, a Professor of Atmospheric & Space‑Weather Physics & 1st Nigerian appointed by @UN SG @antonioguterres to the Independent Scientific Panel on the Effects of Nuclear War. It's a milestone for 🇳🇬 #women in #STEM & an inspiration for girl-child edu

[Said Fadhaye @saidfadhaye]

This film follows @JamilaMohamed - Managing Editor of Citizen TV Kenya and a prime-time news anchor. From her morning drive through Nairobi traffic to the newsroom and finally on-air, Jamila reflects on her journey as a Somali-Muslim woman in media. Link:https://t.co/O1salOYOIG

[Zamzam Billow @seynabey]

@SamatarGuleid Inallilah waina Illahi Rajicuun, may Allah have mercy on him, forgive his shortcomings and grant him Jannah. My sincere condolences to the entire rer Sulub.

[Zamzam Billow @seynabey]

@brigham_emma Congrats Emma! And all the best with this important work.

[Catherine Russell @unicefchief]

We’re appalled by the reported killing in Gaza today of children and women waiting in line for nutritional supplies provided by UNICEF’s partner organization, Project HOPE.

The killing of families trying to access life-saving aid is unconscionable.👇 https://t.co/oGEE9fq26r

[Irũngũ Houghton @irunguhoughton]

As East Africa’s Finance Ministers unveiled their budgets, the region’s top #philanthropy funders met in Kigali convened by the #EAPhilanthropy amid growing uncertainty in global development financing. For all who gathered, it was clear that without bold, innovative action, development financing faces an uncertain future. #9thEAPC #AgilePhilanthropy
#PeterKamalinginRIP
#StandardSettingKE
https://t.co/YQQGfIUNUO

[Zamzam Billow @seynabey]

Extremely saddened by @kampetero death. He was an amazing human being, mentored so many of us in Oxfam and was very kind. My condolences to his family, particularly his wife and children. Death indeed is the biggest snatcher

[Harriet Mbabazi @HarrietMbabazi]

It is a sad day for many of us who knew Peter Kamalingin that we learn of his passing to eternity. Personally, I am who I am professionally because of him. He modeled and mentored me. Rest in perfect peace Peter. I am grateful for your contribution. @OxfaminUganda @ActionAid

[The Resonance @Partisan_12]

“Some people have decided to look at Palestinians as somehow not fully human. Because if you think of Palestinians as fully human, you cannot find excuses for this kind of mass murder,��

—Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

[Fredros Okumu @Fredros_Inc]

New study in Tanzania finds that switching from traditional African foods to a Western-style diet can quickly disrupt the immune and metabolic systems, while reverting to the heritage diet or consuming traditional fermented beverages helps restore healthier immune function.
~
Researchers hypothesized that the growing shift away from plant-based, fiber-rich traditional diets (like those of the Chagga people in Kilimanjaro) toward calorie-dense, processed Western diets may drive chronic inflammation and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). So they did a randomized trial, monitoring 77 healthy young men who either swapped diets for two weeks or added a traditional fermented banana drink called Mbege for one week. The team assessed changes in immune responses, inflammation markers, gene expression, and metabolism. They found that switching to a Western diet increased weight, promoted inflammation, reduced the body’s ability to fight infections, and activated immune cells in ways linked to chronic diseases. In contrast, returning to a heritage diet or drinking Mbege had anti-inflammatory effects and improved immune signaling, with some benefits lasting weeks after the interventions ended. The researchers concluded that preserving traditional diets and fermented foods could help prevent the rising burden of NCDs in sub-Saharan Africa.

In other words, you should Mbege and eat magimbi, ndizi, z=viazi maharagwe etc etc;
Fikra za wazalendo zidumu milele
~
Temba et al 2025: Immune and metabolic effects of African heritage diets versus Western diets in men: a randomized controlled trial https://t.co/6Q9RfU6oYx