Exactly. You don't need money, or rely on other people's help, it's just you and what you can do.

The Point, I agree that not everyone has to be an engineer or a doctor (very boring professions) and that it’s more important to be caring, compassionate and productive human beings. I think Dahia mentioned an important point when she said parents need parenting help, using the same methods that their parents back home used will definitely not get them far. This idea that at 15 you are an adult does not have as much weight as it used to. Culturally and Islamicaly we were repeatedly told you were either ‘qaan gaar’ or a young adult by that age but when you live in a culture where being 15 is like being 12, in fact you are encouraged to be a ‘teenager’ and ‘take it easy’ well into your late 20s it's a different picture. Layzie, I think you should test it out locally first and start small, maybe with a mentoring service that goes beyond education, kind of like social work with 'risk youths'.

UK, wa la ga mamnucay in gudaha wax qiicayo oo dhan lugu cabo, laakin wili dhaxanta iyo roobka bannaka intii kuras loo dhigay aye ku cabooyan. Addiction ma taqana? Kulligoodna waxay ku dhahayan wa 'social smoking' markan rabo waa iska joojinkara. And the Nile is a river in Africa! Ilahey ha u fududeeyo.

Originally posted by Ameen: We shouldnt be different then them in any aspect. Don't be ridicules. Of course we are going to be different and have different challenges as a result of our time. I don't see what the problem is if it's civil courts? And why do we automatically assume that something that hasn't been done in the time of the Prophet (SAW)is straightaway bad?

Ghanima No! I'm usually not bothered, it's because she was pregnant I felt sorry for her, even though I felt she was lying. Oh well. Ngonge, Jan is the crappiest month in the year.

I edited my post. Giving money to strangers with fib tales. Never met her before.

Hello ladies and gent, I feel like I've just been conned for £10. Some Irish women who said 'Praise God & God willing' a lot just convinced me to give her £10 during my lunch hour because she lost her bank card.

Originally posted by Faarax-Brawn: The thrill about it was that,you dont know where the next one will land @ LOL. Aaliyah, he's not traumatized, you know how boys show off their scars as kids? It probably made him cool amongst his peers. What was uncool was how parents always agreed with teachers and beat their kids even more. LST, that’s really serious. I always think its worrying when punishment gets that imaginative. If you were naughty, fair enough, but if you got it wrong?? That’s just mean.

The Point, this nonsense of ‘opportunity’ is what everyone keeps throwing at these youths. Have they been raised to appreciate what an opportunity is? Or is their version of an opportunity pick pocketing the elderly man at the bus stop for some cigarettes? Family planning IS central because before you reach this ‘adulthood’ of 15 to whatever age you need a basic foundation. You need a parent who has the time & patience to show you the ropes. Being realistic, the teenagers go largely unchecked because the parents, usually the mothers, are too busy with the young ones. Being thought right from wrong starts from 2 if not younger. There is this prevalent idea that kids ‘wey iska korayan’. No the hell they won’t. Rahima, I fully agree. I see a lot of young married couples that aim to get government housing, even though they could really afford to(perhaps with some struggle) go private. Africanus, I noticed that trend too, and all it does is make the situation worse. How can a person who can't help himself be expected to be responsible for others? It's beyond me really.

What, they make kids feel like they were in A Chinese detention camp? :eek: I heard all the horror stories but never blind folding. The only person I was scared off was our dugsi teacher, but he would hit you with his stick on your hand/fingers if you were naughty, that was it. And even then I was soooo good I hardly remember being hit. It's a good thing beating kids is being reconsidered.

LOL, thank God I never attended such schools, positively medieval.

Shiisha is a disgusting & smelly habit, for both men and women. May they shut down every remaining dungen.

I hope they fly past love.

^^It will truly be in 17 minutes.

^^I wish I did that. I have serious problems calling in sick, I always manage to convince myself it's not that bad.

Marc, I haven’t watched your entire clip but no one is oblivious to the problems but as Williamina mentioned, we believe in taking positive action rather than complaining about these people and then feeling good about yourself thereafter as you have escaped such a fate. Perhaps once you have organised football matches, after school homework clubs, helped youngsters with job searches etc. you might get positive responses. You're not the first nor the last to moan about our 'dire' state.

Maybe because it will have a huge impact on their lives? Without a government, you would be obsessing about how to get one & life back in the process too. It's not like they are passionate about politics in general but Somali politcis.

Thats where the whole problem starts, casual chewing.

When you're in your 70s or 80s or however old he is, surely you should retire from highly stressful jobs? No, make that any job.

Originally posted by NGONGE: However, for most Somalis, it is such uptight people who are regarded as social outsiders. LoL. Stigmatising khat amongst Somalis, what a Herculean task that would be. Perhaps women can play a role here. I know a lot of young women who would never consider marrying a man who chews grass, ewww! I mean, how barbaric …

CL, it's our Islamic duty to keep the ties of kinship & even neighbours but it's easier said that done. One thing people forget is that 'it's not all about you'. Being very self-centred and adopting an 'I'm too busy for all lifestyle' might work now but it's not something sustainable in the long run. Will it kill you to actually visit that loud relative? Spend your whole Saturday driving around the aunt who wants you to take her from one side of the city to the other? Spend a couple of hours, even after work, with that cousin who is alone at home with small kids all week? We’re very lucky to have large families and then relatives, something we often take for granted. I think the dying alone is an extreme and sad case. The point is, after selling your time (in employment) 5 days a week, surely you can afford to give away a few hours? It shows that you care.

For those who realize Khat is a serious problem that will not be tackled by a ban, are you guys suggesting another Somali community organisation that will 'help' Khat users? It all sounds well in theory but who exactly will be helping to educate these addicts on the vices of khat use? What Somali man will go to a 'Khat help centre'? Not to mention to get an addict willing in the first place, Somali men are too proud lets not forget that.

I can't get back into working mode after such a lazy break... what's boring is Somali bashing that's taken over this forum.

Um Z, you little minx, gabadha dhiiga in aa ku kariso aa rabta. If you set the exapmple perhaps some may be inclined to follow you, let us know how it goes! I'll be sure to send you all the latest diracs and a lifetime supply of uunsi so that you maye get a headstart of the other women .

^^LoL as with all things Somali, this is unnecessary mass hysteria. I can't believe people are so concerned about what others do, makes me fee very self-centered. There are not going to be as many compatible Somali men & women in your area simply because you reside outside of Somalia and you will always be a minority, not because anyone is incompetent.