Reaching out a hand!

Now onto the next news my dear bloggers. :)
Most of you who know me and the work I do, you are aware that I am a Goodwill Ambassador for Reach A Hand Uganda (RAHU).

The World Aids Day Campaign 2012

Lately, I have been shooting health skits with RAHU and it is fun and also a learning experience for some of the participants who hope to be serious actors someday. We hope to reach out to various youths out there with our educative messages. Soon, I will share the health skits with you when they are ready. :)
To those of you who do not know RAHU, check out our website www.reachahand.org and stay in touch with what we are doing.

Go on and do something for someone else, reach out. Reach a hand either with advise, assistance or just listening. Let us help our youths get on the path to their destiny/dreams. I urge you to pursue your dreams & not give up! Have self respect & make the decisions that will add to your life, not take away from it. All the best to you.

I'M THANKFUL FOR ALOT! But first, KONA!

Hello my blog darlings,
Been away a while but been busy. My oh my, have I got lots to tell you!! :)
Where do I start?...
Okay, I will begin with my role in an awesome new DSTV series, the first East African Telenovela titled "KONA". It premiered towards the end of last month (August) at Serena Hotel in Uganda, as well as in Nairobi,Kenya and in Tanzania. All premieres were successful with an interesting and excited number of guests. There was a mini boxing match to complement the events.

In my role as JAKKI

I play the character of a young girl named Jakki. She is a wannabe boxer who is trying to reconnect with her father since her mother took her away to Uganda when she was a little girl. Jakki is her father's daughter; strong-headed and stubborn like him and wants to be a boxer, just like him! This is one thing her father cannot hear of though. Catch the drama that ensues when Jakki shows up unexpectedly at her aunt's doorstep. You will enjoy every moment! :) I had to train every day while on set from January til the time I finished shooting my scenes. I must say I enjoyed every bit; got more fit, learned boxing and worked with a great bunch of talented people; both cast and crew! The directors and producers were amazing, so was the whole production team. It was a wonderful experience and I am grateful I made it through the auditions for this role. :) KONA!!

Cast: Janet Sision, Brenda Wairimu & Nini Wacera

A fan, Dale, Brenda, Frankie & Lwanda

KONA premiere in Uganda

KONA airs on DSTV's Africa Magic Entertainment (AME) 151, Africa Magic (AM) 154 as well as on GOTV Plus Ch 1 at 7.30pm, East African Time (EAT) every Monday to Friday. Repeats are aired daily at 2pm on AME Ch 151 & at 4pm on AM Ch 154. If you prefer to watch the omnibus,  and enjoy the week's episodes at ago, catch it every Saturday from 3.30pm-5pm on AM Ch 154 & GOTV Plus Ch 1, OR every Sunday from 2.30pm-4.30pm on AME Ch 151. DON'T MISS THIS KNOCK OUT SERIES! :)

DECEPTION

He lies through his teeth

And he causes you grief

Your heart merely bleeds

For you know he is nothing but a thief

Stealing your joy, dignity and belief

In loyalty, fidelity and truth

But "no more!", you say,

He is the one to lose.

SOMETIMES...

Sometimes,

We want things we do not need

We crave for the unnecessary

Ignore what is relevant

Take for granted what’s present

And long for what’s not ours

Making mistakes we can never erase.

Sometimes,

We hate ourselves

For not being the best

We think we can be

We sell ourselves short

Not believing in ourselves

Doubting our capabilities

We settle for less.

Sometimes,

 I wish we would accept

We can be anything we put our minds to

Sometimes,

 I wish I could save the world

Jesus did,

Yet he was not loved by all

So who am I? I ask myself.

But we can make a difference in someone’s life.

Sometimes,

I long for a person who will see more in life

Than only the worst

Someone who will see the world’s beauty

And make the best of it

Touching others with inspiration

Everywhere he or she goes.

Sometimes,

Like now

I wish the world was a wonderful place for all

But just like “sometimes”, uncertain are times

Only hope will see us through

But I say to you

Believe….  Hope… Pray…

Without these, you will be lost.

By Cleopatra Koheirwe

MY 2012 was ...

Where do I start?
2012 has been crazy! And by crazy, I mean hectic! Phew! When the year was starting, I believed it was going to be an amazing and awesome year for me. Why? Because I love even numbers. You know, like, "2,4,6,8,10" etc. You get it? So 2012 was an even year, so I thought, "This owe to be great!"
I was not so wrong, but neither was I right. 2012 was ... Oh well, let's round it off together, perhaps you will help me conclude with ONE WORD to describe my year.

1. At the start of the year, I really had no stable job. Yes I act and sing but those depend a lot on if one has lots of gigs booked- which I sort of did not. So the year started off really slow.

2. The magazine for which I wrote for also took a break to sort out some issues so that was a downer.

3. Good thing I had my radio job which I enjoy and my colleagues and bosses are awesome!! :) So that kept me on my feet. It gave me something to look forward to each day.

4. A book project in which I was a part of as a writer started off well with good money too besides loving to do it but then it came to a standstill and took forever to kick off again. As I type, things are looking up again.

5. A documentary in which I worked as the interviewer went well and boy was I busy those months, the team and I ensuring we shoot and get all we need to make it top notch. After we handed in the documentary, which was like many months ago, we have not received a penny for our hardwork. That was such a big downer for me and I hate it. I find people who work like this REALLY unprofessional and inconsiderate. I am sure you know what I mean because many a Ugandan do this. Get a service given and then they are reluctant or too slow to pay up- yet they were calling everyday before as you did the work, but now you call to ask about your payment, and suddenly they are busy or not available or they just don't answer or they keep making empty promises.. blah, blah, blah!

Anyway, moving on.

6. I broke up with my long term boyfriend (end last year). Yes. I was dating someone but realised we were on two different chapters of our lives so I thought it best to let go and move on. It has been the best decision I have made all year! I feel so much better. I am more fulfilled- spiritually, emotionally & mentally uplifted. :) 

7. It was my late father's memorial this year in August and it took a toll on me. Sadness, depression, lots of questions unanswered... etc. I mean, that is what you feel when your dad is murdered for unclear reasons. His body was never found so he was never buried. We had to make a plaque for him and my aunt with whom he was killed. I had to write a message on it that was deep and close to my heart. Then we travelled all the way to the village, where the ceremony was held. A lot was going on in my life already, this was another downer. The good side of it though is that finally there is a tombstone with my father's name & picture on it. It was a form of closure for me. Rest in peace dad.

8. My music recording has been going well so far and I am glad the public is receiving my new song well. More singles are set to come out in 2013 so yes, this has been an upside for me. Got to perform at Ruth Komuntale's (the Tooro Princess) welcome party with her fiance, performed at Club Amnesia which premiered my video for my single "Party on My Mind", had a number of press interviews about my work, met amazing people; so I thank God for all the opportunities he has accorded me in 2012.

9. I got nominations for my work:
- In the current Radio & TV Academy Awards 2012 for OUTSTANDING NEWCOMER FEMALE RADIO PRESENTER (I co-host a show dubbed "THE JAM" at Radiocity 97fm, every Monday to Friday, 3pm-7pm) https://www.facebook.com/radiocity.ug?ref=ts&fref=ts
The voting is still ongoing online at  http://www.quibblo.com/quiz/hLQsAr-/RTV-ACADEMY-AWARDS-2013-WHO-MIGHT-WIN?view_quiz=1
If you are in Uganda, you can also vote by SMS. Simply type: RTVA Cleopatra 12
 and then send to 8888.

- MOST GIFTED ACTRESS in the Super Talent Awards 2012
-In the Pearl International Film Festival 2012 for BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS in the film, State Research Bureau.
Being acknowledged for my work is humbling and it makes work even harder. I take nothing for granted.

10. Lastly, I got to do a lot of inspirational talks to students in schools with Reach a Hand Uganda, a charity organisation that focuses on the youths, and I am a Goodwill Ambassador. It was inspiring to me too and sharing with these young people, encouraging and mentoring them is my way of giving back to the community.   http://www.reachahand.org/

11. Ofcourse a few friends disappointed me.... and I guess I disappointed a few too, but this is life. We cannot please everyone. We win some, lose some. I have come to terms with it. I hope you have too.

12. Those who owe me money do not seem like they want to pay me back. Sucks!

Well, 2012 was ....... for me. (You can fill in the blank)

I pray 2013 is way much better for me and for you. It's no longer about "Odds" and "Evens". I do not believe in that anymore, thanks to 2012. Let's toast to the future! Cheers. :)

Emptiness

Emptiness....
Emptiness is what I feel sometimes...
Can't fight it, no matter how much I try,
My body quivers as I shiver
I try to speak but words fail me
"Oh if only I could say it", I think to myself.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!
I scream my lungs out
Fall to the ground almost lifeless
Then begin to shake,
I am not dying,
I am crying...
and crying...
and crying.

Is it better to be dead than hurt this much?
I ask,
Is it better to be dead than hurt this much?
The pain I feel is intense
The void is immense
Pluck my heart out of me
These emotions I do not want.

How else will you know the feeling?
What feeling?
The feeling of love
The feeling of anything.
Without the heart
We are nothing.
I feel emptiness sometimes
But this is life
This moment shall pass.

Is anybody out there? ANSWER ME!

Hello? Hello? ...
Helloooooo?
I am talking to you reading this. Are you there? Can you please prove to me you are by posting a comment or something on my blog? I swear most times I feel as if I am sharing thoughts with myself. I need you to interact with me or else I am dying here. :( Going nuts in other words.

Thanks to those of you who take time to indulge with me on my blog. The majority simply view/read and click away.... yes I know coz it shows me how many views each post gets but if that was in accordance with your feedback and sharing, it would be AWESOME!! Plus, I would be wiser due to sharing with you. :)

Now come on, do not shatter my spirit by staying silent, write back, say something.... That is the reason for this blog. My thoughts, your feedback.

I will look forward to hearing from you, the man/woman behind a computer/laptop. That's supposed to be an evil laugh. Lol. ;) Okay, not necessary, I get it.

xoxo.