Muli Uli *How are you in Tumbuka Zambia* Thanks for this greeting Bex.
Its stimulating to learn a new greeting every day is it not?
I think the one event that transformed my life was a leadership camp in January 2014 organized by the Junior Achievement Uganda. It was hosted at my secondary school and we were just out of our O’level vacation headed to do our A ‘level.
This camp tackled very many themes about financial management, creating a first impression, setting life goals, table etiquette and having a life vision and mission to mention but a few.
This sounds like an ordinary workshop that you can attend for ‘capacity building’ right? It could have been so, but it gave me a whole paradigm shift that I have never strayed from.
Mostly on personal finances.
One of the speakers, a female in the banking sector, I really wish I could remember her name, spoke words that marked the beginning of my life dreams and vision. She was the facilitator of the afternoon sessions and was going to tackle the topic of personal finances and this was her beginning phrase.
‘Don’t spend an African salary on a Western lifestyle.’
Now, by 2 in the afternoon, my attention had really waned and I was looking around the room for some hunkies; because I’d been in a single sex school all O’level and now there were boys on our fort. We had to be the lions, right? And them the prey. Hahah
But that statement right there hit so hard and she got my attention. Her argument was that Ugandans love to live such a lavish life; go to spurs, eat pork, sponsor their friends and go watch movies on their monthly 200k salary (for a not-so-rich Ugandan) and spend it all before they even receive it. She counseled us that living like this would eventually breed poverty and that’s how the cycle begins.
She further warned us to invest the money and gave us a scenario that prodded me to think twice about what I do with my money before splashing it all away.
‘If you got money, bought bread and planted it, nourishing and watering it expecting it to grow, what would happen after 12 months? It will still be bread. But think about buying orange seeds or tomato seedlings. Nourish and water them and after 12 months, you’ll have a full-grown plant with fruits.’
That to her, summarized what investment meant. She cautioned us not to spend our money on ‘bread’ but on things that will multiply and grow over time. That’s captivating advice, right?
The whole camp taught us things about opening dollar accounts, accounting for our money and making life goals and visions that I blogged about during the UG Blog month. You can find them here and here.
Ever since 2014, I’ve been very strict about how I spend my money, what I spend it on and the concept of ‘the future’ which many Africans see as oblivion, not to plan. But trust me if everyone had this knowledge before corona virus came along, we’d be such a long way ahead in fighting the starvation that’s going on in our country. Living from hand to mouth is such a perilous thing and you don’t need to have ‘enough’ money to be able to save.
You’d be shocked at how much saving 1000Ush. a day amounts to at the end of the year. (not so much but its something right?)
This stems to my passion and vision of ridding Africa from its heavy debt burden on the western block. We need to graft such practices in toddlers so that the leaders of the next generation will manage the country’s resources better; based on the training they have received from a young age.
I actually submitted an essay for an essay competition, about personal finances to an organization in Kenya called Wanafunzi Company and my article was shortlisted for the final round. I’ll definitely need your support when the voting portals open sometime this month or next month. I’ll keep you posted on when they do.
But honestly, that camp changed my perception about life, thinking about it holistically and making plans that even though don’t come to pass, still are in existence. Gives you a sense of direction.
Ill forever be grateful for that time.
Have a great weekend and cheers.
Anomaly
So good! I almost felt guilty for the approach I took on today’s post. But this here is life
“Don’t spend an African salary on a Western lifestyle.” 🙌🏾
Khanani Daniella
Thanks Anomaly. Hahaha no no no I love your post.
Very precise and value adding. Just read it but thank you thank you.
Anomaly
😁 thank you!!!
Khanani Daniella
You’re welcome ♥️☺️
Anomaly
So good! I almost felt guilty for the approach I took on today’s post. But this here is life
“Don’t spend an African salary on a Western lifestyle.” 🙌🏾
Khanani Daniella
Thanks Anomaly. Hahaha no no no I love your post.
Very precise and value adding. Just read it but thank you thank you.
Anomaly
😁 thank you!!!
Khanani Daniella
You’re welcome ♥️☺️
Linda Stella
‘Don’t spend an African salary on a Western lifestyle…..very summarized and yet so rich. Thank you so much for sharing. I look forward to reading the personal finance essay and voting…best of luck
Khanani Daniella
Yess it is right? Very rich. The past 6 years have been amazing with that at the back of my mind. And yesss I’ll surely hit you up. Thank you for the support Linda.
Linda Stella
🙂 🙂 you are very welcome
Linda Stella
‘Don’t spend an African salary on a Western lifestyle…..very summarized and yet so rich. Thank you so much for sharing. I look forward to reading the personal finance essay and voting…best of luck
Khanani Daniella
Yess it is right? Very rich. The past 6 years have been amazing with that at the back of my mind. And yesss I’ll surely hit you up. Thank you for the support Linda.
Linda Stella
🙂 🙂 you are very welcome
Mable Amuron
1. I am so old it’s not even funny 😂
2. This post is amazing. Don’t spend African Money on a Western Lifestyle should be on a t-shirt somewhere. Great work Dani ❤️
Khanani Daniella
Ayaaaa Mable come on now. Hahahah you’re not so old. Trust me age is just a number… Our spirits live on right?
But yes honestly we need tshirts of that!!!
Thanks Mable. For passing by. It’s been a while reading from you 🥺🥺 I miss your humor but you posted today and I’m headed there. 👏🏾
Mable Amuron
In 2014, I was about to leave university 😂. But yes! Age is nothing but a number. Spirits are all that matter.
I posted yesterday and today… And I’ll catch up tomorrow 😊. Thank you my love❤️❤️
Khanani Daniella
Ohh see not so old. Alright lovely. I’ll be waiting.
☺️ Thank you for passing by these scribbles…
Mable Amuron
1. I am so old it’s not even funny 😂
2. This post is amazing. Don’t spend African Money on a Western Lifestyle should be on a t-shirt somewhere. Great work Dani ❤️
Khanani Daniella
Ayaaaa Mable come on now. Hahahah you’re not so old. Trust me age is just a number… Our spirits live on right?
But yes honestly we need tshirts of that!!!
Thanks Mable. For passing by. It’s been a while reading from you 🥺🥺 I miss your humor but you posted today and I’m headed there. 👏🏾
Mable Amuron
In 2014, I was about to leave university 😂. But yes! Age is nothing but a number. Spirits are all that matter.
I posted yesterday and today… And I’ll catch up tomorrow 😊. Thank you my love❤️❤️
Khanani Daniella
Ohh see not so old. Alright lovely. I’ll be waiting.
☺️ Thank you for passing by these scribbles…
Beaton
We await to vote 😍
~B
Khanani Daniella
Thank you uncle B. I’ll definitely need the support. ☺️♥️
Beaton
We await to vote 😍
~B
Khanani Daniella
Thank you uncle B. I’ll definitely need the support. ☺️♥️
Sonia Kiai
Teach us your ways sister👏
Khanani Daniella
Hahaha lol. 🙈
Sonia Kiai
Teach us your ways sister👏
Khanani Daniella
Hahaha lol. 🙈
Vicky Nabbale
👏👏The kind of conferences I would like to attend.
Khanani Daniella
☺️🤔 I wonder if the organisation is still running. But it was amazing. Thank you for reading Vicky. ♥️
Vicky Nabbale
👏👏The kind of conferences I would like to attend.
Khanani Daniella
☺️🤔 I wonder if the organisation is still running. But it was amazing. Thank you for reading Vicky. ♥️
Baluka Hannah Stacey
Am so touched Danny. I am one of those people that loves to spend on every little cute thing i come across. Thank you for this read
Khanani Daniella
Awww realizing this is the first step to planning. You’re very welcome Hannah. Thank you for reading.
Baluka Hannah Stacey
Am so touched Danny. I am one of those people that loves to spend on every little cute thing i come across. Thank you for this read
Khanani Daniella
Awww realizing this is the first step to planning. You’re very welcome Hannah. Thank you for reading.
Winnie Malinga
Personal finance? Now that’s something I’m passionate about. Wish that camp could happen again. Anyway, when we next meet, let’s pick up this conversation right here.
Khanani Daniella
Yess personal finance is very important ☺️✊🏾 yes yes we should. I’ll come to KIN. ☺️♥️
Winnie Malinga
Waiting after lock down
Khanani Daniella
☺️
Winnie Malinga
Personal finance? Now that’s something I’m passionate about. Wish that camp could happen again. Anyway, when we next meet, let’s pick up this conversation right here.
Khanani Daniella
Yess personal finance is very important ☺️✊🏾 yes yes we should. I’ll come to KIN. ☺️♥️
Winnie Malinga
Waiting after lock down
Khanani Daniella
☺️
conniedia
✍️✍️ Taking notes.
Alert us when voting portals open
Khanani Daniella
Sure Connie. Thanks for passing by. ♥️☺️
conniedia
✍️✍️ Taking notes.
Alert us when voting portals open
Khanani Daniella
Sure Connie. Thanks for passing by. ♥️☺️
Pwani Tribune
Great experience and teachings. Be sure to alert us when it’s time to vote for your article. I’ll support from here in Kenya.
Khanani Daniella
Thanks for reading Pwani. And yesss I will. Awww you’re so kind. Thank you. ☺️♥️
Pwani Tribune
Great experience and teachings. Be sure to alert us when it’s time to vote for your article. I’ll support from here in Kenya.
Khanani Daniella
Thanks for reading Pwani. And yesss I will. Awww you’re so kind. Thank you. ☺️♥️
SaaniaSparkle 🧚🏻♀️
Love your blog 💕
Khanani Daniella
❤️
SaaniaSparkle 🧚🏻♀️
Love your blog 💕
Khanani Daniella
❤️
Experiences with Bex
We wait to vote and great article
Khanani Daniella
Thanks Bex. ♥️☺️
Experiences with Bex
We wait to vote and great article
Khanani Daniella
Thanks Bex. ♥️☺️
Markus + Micah
Powerful advice. I can see how the entire thing was life changing. Here, it is the same. People think everything about the West is so cool, but it is not, and without conscious thought, it is easy to be disconnected from one’s own reality and make things ver hard for yourself. Really great post, thank you for sharing.
Khanani Daniella
Yes it surely was. And you’re very right, we need to be present and alive to our reality. ☺️
Thank you for passing by Markus and Micah. Bless you.
Markus + Micah
Powerful advice. I can see how the entire thing was life changing. Here, it is the same. People think everything about the West is so cool, but it is not, and without conscious thought, it is easy to be disconnected from one’s own reality and make things ver hard for yourself. Really great post, thank you for sharing.
Khanani Daniella
Yes it surely was. And you’re very right, we need to be present and alive to our reality. ☺️
Thank you for passing by Markus and Micah. Bless you.