All East African countries are major contributor to lake pollution but are doing least about it. Because of lack of sewer, treatment works; largely unregulated agro industries dump untreated effluent into rivers or direct into Lake. Pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers find their way into Lake without forgetting entire weight of village’s waste, which also rolls down into rivers ending their journey into our precious Lake. And to crown it all, water from lakes is used directly for-domestic consumption.

The fish species have disappeared due to quality of water in Lake and around shoreline, where most of Fish would breed in littoral zone. The water hyacinth, which was first noticed in late 1980’s, has also been a big threat. And other reason is introduction of Nile Perch (the vocacious carnivore).

*Leaving basin, flows regions wealth; for all of it’s problems, however, lake basin also contains immerse natural wealth. It sustains largest fresh water fisheries in world. It’s waters are rich fishing grounds, so rich in fact that agents of various foreign owned fish processing companies riding daily in fleets with truckloads of lakes wealth. Landing points are always overcrowded with incoming trucks, leaving contented. On each departure, their trucks are taken with lakes harvest, belching smokes and fumes of dead fish. Of huge tonnage from points around, local residents are left with dried skeletons of processed fish for their meals; eating fish by lake is luxury! There is a lot of money going out leaving fishermen poor; they sell their catch at throwaway prices because they cannot store it. (Their prices go as down as USD 0.25 per Kg which fetches USD 6 in Nairobi/Mwanza markets after being processed into fillet and at least fetches twice on international markets).

The regions challenges are enormous; waste and poverty make awful bed fellows and have spawned and evil child; debilitating culture of dependency. Such altitudes indicate extent to which many feel that they have lost out a stake in managing their own resource. Poor Lake Victoria’ you are no longer PEAR OF AFRICA.

HOW TO ACHIEVE TRUE HAPPINESS:

Person’s life is full of wealth; gold and all types of minerals are found in MAN. Unless you dig for them, you cannot possess true happiness.

“ Happy are pure in heart; they will see God” So goes gospel (Mathew 5:8). Have you ever stopped to think of who decides on your happiness life in world? Is happiness God made or chance? Can a person create his happiness life? You and you alone are in control of your life direction you can drive your self to true happiness or to rags! But in order to be happy, one needs to concentrate on happy thoughts. People always ignore compliments paid to them by others, yet dwelling on unkind words for weeks. They tend to remember compliments for only few minutes or so, but do not forget insult for years. By so doing, you become garbage collector who carries around trash thrown long years ago. You will have to suffer consequences if you ever allow your mind to be occupied by bad experience.

Remember, you being in control of your own mind (heart), you should make happiness and joy center of your world. These are always within you; all you have to do is to be sure you are connected with this place inside you. Then build your life around joy. When you are triumphant, you can be creative because you become open to new Ideas.

For those who were thinking that they could not create their happiness and had given up stresses, I console them and tell them that all is not lost; they still have time to have renovate happiness and be successful if they comply with following gateways.

*RELAXATION: This is very important for joy and peak performance. As you relax, your metabolism comes into balance. You say yes for defeat and start afresh, and by so doing you become laid back and happy. *CRITICISM: This is a useless act, accomplishes not any positive results. Do not do it to yourself or others. Thinking negatively about your self-challenger or other people is greatest cause of limitations in our lives. Never moan, groan and grouch to any one who will only listen, but do to a person who can do something. Complaining to irrelevant person will only add to your stress. *NEGATIVE THOUGHTS: This kill, like HIV/AIDS, negative thinking is a killer; it affects mind, body and emotions. Your thoughts create your physical reality. If you don’t get rid of negative thoughts, expect negative results such as withholding, dislike, poverty, poor image, unhappiness and misery. *EDUCATION: This like ocean, it has no end. Educate yourself and be armed with knowledge. Learning is lifelong experience; get it from older people or those who have succeeded and ahead in game of life. Read books, newspapers, watch TV, Internet etc. You still have time for this since it’s key to good life. *CARING ONESELF: Love yourself and take care of your body; you live once and for good! Make sure you care for your self if you want to live a long and fulfilling life. It is your own task; no one else can do it for you mind your diet, hygiene and exercise for your physical and mental fitness. Feel and look good by working on your body. Laugh so as to make all kinds of wonderful things happen to benefit your body and mind. Get yourself at ease and be relaxed; more relaxed less pain you feel. *CREATIVITY: Life itself is creation, so this is best time for you to create whatever creative nature you instead for. Work hard and be contented with your work. Build your family by working hard. Choose a paying and legal carrier, enjoy your work and make sure you are not enslaving your self for working for sake of money. *COMPLIMENTS: Pay full attention to people with huge egos. They always have strong desire for recognition; yet have little concern for those around. They do not give compliments but thrive for! You should realize that it’s healthy to acknowledge a work well alone. Have a self-respect and integrity and keep your word. Cure all kinds of disease affecting your happiness and harvest best results such as love, caring, good health and success in you life. This relies on your self-ACT NOW.

To treasure each day and all it brings, as well as utilizing our god-given gifts and uniqueness is a high priority on our to-do lists. Using our time and money wisely so that what inspires, and brings enjoyment can be achieved. Being frugal in daily life only brings abundance in important areas of who we are and what we are all about.

Education is paramount to both children and adults. There is never a ceiling over learning and new ways and innovations are always possible. It is taking time - slowing down instead of rushing through - really seeing and hearing, tasting and touching. Stopping to "smell roses" and being grateful for immense beauty and intricate patterns of life and our surroundings. There is beauty found in both sunrise and sunset. There is an intriguing perfection to seasons, as well as a higher power sustaining and providing for nature. Thunderstorms and sunlit days have their purpose, as do rhythm and ages of life.

Simple living - encompassing all that is life and a whole lot more. To open door wide to opportunities to learn and grow, and sharing knowledge and expertise with others to assist them in reaching their goals and dreams. It is these goals and dreams that hold life together and give it strength to endure and overcome.

Simple - yes, but painted with hard work and enver-ending exploration of all we now have, but protecting it so it will be there in future. It is taking advantage of life instead of letting life get better of you. It is living lifestyle you choose, without envying what others have chosen. It is being where you want to be, placing your priorities exactly where you want them, and being respectful of choices of others. Simple living is living - so ENJOY! ©Arleen M. Kaptur 2002 August