Thursday, 25 May 2023

New Year Resolutions - Week 08 Achievements & Failures #TheLifesWay #2023

Hi Guys,

Week 8 has been an entertainment powerhouse week as I watched a lot of movies and attended a lot of events. More than that this was a week where I got my single monthly cheque from my employer that keeps me going or paying my bills. Yes, I can't be rich if I only rely on this one payment in terms of 8-10 of work every day. Over the years now after Covid-19 I have observed that your life is limited and then you have to work for money or skills upliftment so that you can encash it. Tech space is changing fast so you also have to be a quick brown fox so that you can jump over the lazy dog. 

Increase your salary as high as possible and take risks - Don't get settled. 

1. Entertainment - I started the week by watching Cirkus movie starring Ranveer Singh and Varun Sharma. I loved the light-hearted comedy despite it being not a hit at the box office. I also watched Shiv Shasti Balboa starring Anupam Kher and Neena Gupta and totally loved the same though most of the dialogues and scenes Anupam sir also told on the Kapil Sharma show which led to nothing left to watch in the movie. Revealing a lot of details about the movie during the promotional tours is not a great strategy. I then moved to a 3 episode series from TVF - SK Sir ki Class which is a spin-off of the TVF Aspirants series that I wanted it to continue but this one has not reached the level Aspirants is and that's why they finished the same in 3 episodes only. I also completed the Hindi movie LOST starring Yami Gautam Dhar and it took me a lot of days to finish this tiresome movie. 

2. Launch Events - I attended the opening ceremony of the Fujifilm South Africa office in the Sandton area. The view from this space is really awesome overlooking Hurlingham and Randburg. Then I also attended the Doritos Event where they launched the new chilli versions of Nik Naks, Doritos and Simba chips. It was a fun outing and we got packets of each too to try at home. I also attended a housewarming party of a friend who bought a big villa and did some prayers along with a party thereafter. 

3. Thank You - I didn't do this at all this week on the counter. Totally failed in this grand scheme of things. 
New Year Resolutions - Week 08 Achievements & Failures #TheLifesWay #2023
4. Daily Prayers - I am not sure if I am regular in this activity as well since the completion of 42 years of Hanuman Chalisa. Complete failure in this regard also, a daily power source is needed to light up your life and give you the confidence to carry on despite all the internal struggles. 

5. Goodies - What I have observed this year the goodies that are being given at the end of launch events are a total disaster. The time spent at the event without the vegetarian food to enjoy, the gift is not worth your time at all. The coverage that you need to give on your blog and social media platforms is more extra work for that pack of chips or concert tickets. I be rather stay at home and save on petrol and time which I can enjoy with my family or read a book on my Kindle. 

You may have observed that I have posted the failures or talked about them in my posts but it's best to take them out of the system. If I have failed, I have failed. I have to accept that failures and wins are part of life and we can't stay settled thinking that we have won but the point where you are in life, everyone else has left that point long back and you are now lagging behind everyone else. 

Till next time...Aashish 
Thanks! Cheers!!! 


Subscribe to my YOUTUBE Channel for historical tech, new gadgets, stationery, product reviews and mystery unboxings. #TheLifesWay Link to all social media platforms - https://t.co/gUHjo8DQ7h Your Lifestyle and Technology Blog for the last 10 Years! 

Samsung Announces Winner of the #MyBespokeChallenge @SamsungSA

Hi Guys, 

The Challenge allowed young designers to show their flair and passion for creating exquisite living spaces using Samsung products. 

Samsung announced the winner of the Bespoke Home Challenge, closing the curtain on the interior design competition that ran from October 2022. Zwelibanzi Nzuza’s design took the honours after seeing off stiff competition from his three fellow finalists. Zweli, as he’s affectionately known, won a cash prize of R100 000 that will help him kick-start his interior design career and propel him into his future of creativity.
Samsung Announces Winner of the #MyBespokeChallenge @SamsungSA
Coming all the way from Kwa-Zulu, Zwelibanzi’s design philosophy is based on vision, inspiration and a leap of faith. He is very adventurous in his designs and often looks at results that inspire people beyond the norm. What sets him apart is his willingness to explore, expand himself in every project and produce something fresh at all times. “I perceived a high-spiritedness in the Bespoke fridge, which is the centrepiece of the design. That inspired sophistication and playfulness in my approach and I tried to use that as an anchor and a common thread in everything else in my space. I wanted something warm, welcoming, relatable, easy on the eye, and not overbearing or intimidating,” said Zwelibanzi.
Samsung Announces Winner of the #MyBespokeChallenge @SamsungSA
For the first time, Samsung opened the Bespoke Home Challenge to young designers. The challenge was made to encourage the creators to design an integrated kitchen and living room space with the Bespoke Refrigerator as the centrepiece of their space. Being in a class of its own, the Samsung Bespoke Refrigerator range brings a kaleidoscope of colour, innovation, and unparalleled customisation to life.
Samsung Announces Winner of the #MyBespokeChallenge @SamsungSA
The four finalists had to each put their best foot forward and do their designs at the new Samsung Lifestyle store at Design Quarter in Johannesburg. The other finalists were:
  • Maresa Maartens (Gauteng) – Won second place in the Bespoke Home Challenge and walked away with R50 000 cash prize. Maresa was adamant that when designing, it is important to create rooms that feel like sanctuaries, where people can find the ease of use, comfort, durability and low maintenance, she believes in design solutions and spaces that make users feel good mentally and physically and want to slow down.
  • Keneilwe Mothoa (Gauteng) - Inspired by African heritage and culture and marrying this with modern and Western inspirations. Her designs are based on African research and focus on the history of the future. She designs for both functionality and aesthetics, capturing all the senses: touch and feel to name a few.
  • Mbali Maseko (Gauteng) – Mbali believes that going forward design should be minimalistic with a touch of Africa. She would like to add a touch of Africa to any beautiful, personal and Bespoke home.
The challenge focused on up-and-coming young designers and was a way to give them a unique platform to test their skills and an opportunity to design and give their own interpretation of a perfect Bespoke Home. After being identified for the final round at the end of September 2022, the four finalists had a chance to showcase their creativity and skill at the brand-new Samsung Lifestyle at Design Quarter.
Samsung Announces Winner of the #MyBespokeChallenge @SamsungSA
Media entrepreneur and International Speaker, Jo-Ann Strauss, who formed part of the judging panel, said the bar had been raised in this edition of the competition. “Samsung is renowned for always going big in everything they do and it is exciting to see that the My Bespoke Home Challenge competition was no exception. It’s amazing how this competition has grown bigger and better. It is such an excellent platform for young up-and-coming designers and I’m proud to be part of it for the second time. A competition like this is important to celebrate what the young designers learn as it prepares them for the real world and the work environment. The designs of all four finalists were absolutely beautiful and made it tough for the judges. I was particularly impressed by how the contestants brought their own personalities to the fore through their designs. I also enjoyed hearing the personal stories from the contestants about their individual journeys and we all thoroughly enjoyed Zweli’s personal story.”
Samsung Announces Winner of the #MyBespokeChallenge @SamsungSA
Zweli said he is over the moon at being crowned the winner and takes it as a reminder that he is on the right track in terms of following his passion and love for interior design. “This is like a dream. Never in a million years would I have imagined I would win such a competition. I have learned a lot more than I thought I would in this competition. I feel grateful and absolutely humbled by the entire experience. The fact that my family is also here to celebrate with me makes it extra special. I will be investing the prize money towards realising my dream and growing my business,” said Zweli.
Samsung Announces Winner of the #MyBespokeChallenge @SamsungSA
“The My Bespoke Home Challenge competition is Samsung’s effort to invest in young designers and youth as part of our design and concept store. These post-COVID times have highlighted the importance of our personal spaces and the role they play in our overall well-being. It is what inspired this challenge as well because our homes have become multifunctional as spaces where we need to work, relax and entertain ourselves, so they need to be optimal for all those purposes and more. Our vision at Samsung is to allow our consumers to be able to make their spaces look and feel the way they want that also reflects their own personalities and tastes,” said Mike van Lier, Vice President for Consumer Experiences at Samsung.

Till next time...Aashish Thanks you Cheers!!!

Subscribe to my YOUTUBE Channel for historical tech, new gadgets, product reviews and mystery unboxings. #TheLifesWay Link to all social media platforms - https://t.co/gUHjo8DQ7h Your Lifestyle and Technology Blog for the last 10 Years!!! for reading guys!!!

Friday, 21 April 2023

Bambanani - Creating a Better Future for Children Through Education #BambaLearn #AfrikaTikkunBambanani #AfrikaTikkun #ATB

Hi Guys, 

Bambanani Sifunde = Coming Together To Learn

Afrika Tikkun Bambanani is the coming together of Afrika Tikkun and Bambanani Sifunde to form a group of ECD Specialists who implement a standardised ECD curriculum in rural underprivileged schools.

At the launch of the BambaLearn App by Afrika Tikkun Bambanani (ATB) last night, expert insights were shared around the upskilling and training of teachers required to assess and monitor learner development. Simultaneously the programme is designed to facilitate teacher progression equipping them to screen for learning difficulties and arrange an intervention, provide psychosocial support and monitor child growth and progress. The BambaLearn App aims to extend children on the curriculum ensuring that no child is left behind.

“The period from birth to six years old is the most vital stage of brain development for children and these informative years represent a crucial window of opportunity for education. The ATB programme is developed to ensure early childhood care and education that is truly inclusive. It is much more than just preparation for Grade 1, ECD is the foundation for emotional well-being and learning throughout life; and is one of the best investments a country can make as it promotes holistic development, gender equality and social cohesion,” shared the passionate ATB programme CEO, Theresa Michael.

Afrika Tikkun Bambanani’s Mission & Vision
To reach as many children as possible aged birth to six years of age across all rural and underprivileged communities of SA and to provide play-based learning through trained ECD teachers who will build a solid foundation for their education and overall well-being. The long-term vision is to standardise the ECD curriculum throughout SA to ensure that no child is left behind in terms of education which will lead to equal opportunity for all children in SA.

Afrika Tikkun Bambanani’s Impact
Currently, 800 upskilled practitioners working in 200 Early Learning Centres in disadvantaged communities and underprivileged rural areas are providing a solid foundation for 10000 children through this initiative.

ATB aims to provide a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment for South African children and invest in their education by providing them with the tools they need to succeed. Early childhood education has a positive impact on our society as a whole; helping reduce poverty, promote economic growth, and decrease the likelihood of negative social outcomes such as crime and substance abuse.

What does Afrika Tikkun Bambanani offer?
  • ECD Curriculum age 0-6 years
  • Teacher training
  • Resource kits
  • Data-free online assessment centre to monitor student and teacher progression
  • Data-free online screening tool assessment for children
  • In-class teacher training and mentorship
  • The BambaLearn App for children from 2-6 years old
How does Afrika Tikkun Bambanani work?
The three-year ECD programme is presented as a customised ATB package to suit the needs of each centre/community. It includes a five-day teacher pre-training programme, monthly up-skill teacher training, an online curriculum, printed manuals and workbooks, an online assessment centre and in-class mentorship.

Registered as part of the Afrika Tikkun brand, the ATB training, assessment and curriculum programme has brought together a team of ECD practitioners, theorists, educators, investors and therapists to create the best ECD curriculum available in South Africa and make it available to ECD practitioners and children living in under-resourced communities around South Africa. The programme readily collaborates with the government and private sectors.
Bambanani - Creating a Better Future for Children Through Education #AfrikaTikkunBambanani #AfrikaTikkun #ATB
Early Childhood Development (ECD) is the period spanning from birth until the year before a child enters formal schooling. Research shows that children who do not have access to adequate ECD are more likely to struggle academically and have lower earning potential as adults, and they are also more likely to engage in risky behaviours, such as substance abuse or criminal activity. Furthermore, the effects of inadequate ECD can have an intergenerational impact on children, in that they are likely to struggle as parents themselves, trapped in a perpetuated cycle of poverty.

Sadly, the highest failure rate in South African schools occurs in Grade 1. Investing in ECD can lead to better school readiness, improved academic achievement, higher earning potential, and better health outcomes in adulthood. Additionally, a nurturing and supportive early childhood environment can promote positive social-emotional skills and behaviours, which can lead to stronger relationships and increased well-being throughout life.

We can change the trajectory of many young children currently at risk if we equip ECD practitioners with the skills needed to deliver quality early learning programmes that meet children’s developmental needs.

Many ECD centres in under-resourced communities are not able to employ qualified practitioners, and although a lot of their staff do have years of working experience, they do not have the formal training to design outcomes-based programmes. To support these centres, we have developed an innovative and comprehensive ECD curriculum that is designed to meet the developmental needs of children aged one to six years, which can be implemented by ECD practitioners who have little or no formal ECD training.
Bambanani - Creating a Better Future for Children Through Education #AfrikaTikkunBambanani #AfrikaTikkun #ATB
The key activities to support participating ECD centres to implement a quality ECD programme include: 
  • Developing an outcomes-based ECD curriculum that provides the framework for children aged one to six years to meet their developmental milestones and equip them with the skills needed for future academic success.
  • Providing the ATB curriculum to participating centres in the form of printed manuals, workbooks, theme posters and assessment portfolio files. An online version of the curriculum is also available.
  • Offering off-site training to ECD practitioners and principals up-skilling them to implement the ATB curriculum, as well as outcomes and teaching methods.
  • Providing in-classroom training and mentoring for the first three years of implementation.
  • Monitoring and assessing practitioner progress through online teacher progression assessments and monthly tasks they are required to upload. Any gaps identified will be addressed by our trainers through offering additional training sessions, as well as on-site implementation support.
  • Using tracking sheets to assess the termly progress of all children aged one to six years who are in the programme.
  • Providing the schools with screening assessment tools for children aged six months to six years.
  • Providing ongoing support through site visits from year 1, and into year 3.
These activities are supported by two innovative technologies, thereby removing geographical limitations as any ECD centre with the internet can access the programme.

1. Learner Tablet App – BambaLearn (Data Free)
BambaLearn is an app that allows young children to develop their critical thinking and to reach their milestones through play. Created by experts, and designed for (and loved by) children ages 2-6 years, this app ensures that age-appropriate milestones are reached through rigorous performance monitoring through games. These include a wide variety of educational puzzles, story books, numeracy activities, problem-solving games, literacy, shapes, tracing, counting, and letter and number recognition. This app ensures that no child is left behind by enabling stronger learners to work ahead and providing extra revision and repetition for weaker learners.

2. Afrika Tikkun Bambanani Assessment Centre (Data Free)
The goal is to improve and standardise the ECD content in our nation’s ECD centres, empowering practitioners to spend more time with the children. The ATB assessment centre ensures that no child or teacher is left behind. ATB provides tracking sheets and termly reports to monitor learner progression, focusing on critical developmental milestones, screening tools to red-flag learners that require intervention, and practitioner tracking and evaluating.
Bambanani - Creating a Better Future for Children Through Education #AfrikaTikkunBambanani #AfrikaTikkun #ATB
A state-of-the-art remote upload portal allows us to assist and observe our learners and teachers, especially schools in remote areas. ATB’s online trainers assess and report on all activities and video tasks assigned to the practitioner for the week.

The potential of millions of young children is lost due to our inability to provide families living in marginalised communities access to quality early childhood education programmes. ATB’s vision is to uplift the lives of our children and improve the quality of ECD teaching in South Africa to reach remote and disadvantaged communities and ECD centres with the knowledge and resources needed to implement an effective ECD curriculum, changing the trajectory of thousands of young beneficiaries of this programme.

What makes Afrika Tikkun Bambanani different is their approach to sustainability. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals aim to promote sustainable and responsible practices, with the SDGs addressing a wider range of development issues on a global scale, and ESG goals focusing on the environmental, social, and governance factors of companies and organizations. The underlying value of the ATB programme is to “leave no child behind”, and in so doing supports several SDGs, including:
  • SDG 1 (No Poverty): Effective ECD programmes can break the cycle of poverty by improving children’s development, health, and learning outcomes, which ultimately leads to better employment opportunities and higher incomes in adulthood.
  • SDG 4 (Quality Education): This ECD programme has been designed to prepare children for school and lifelong learning by providing high-quality early learning experiences, such as language and literacy development, social-emotional skills, and critical thinking.
  • SDG 5 (Gender Equality): As inclusivity is one of ATB’s priorities, the programme aims to address gender inequality by providing equal opportunities for boys and girls to learn and develop, addressing gender stereotypes, and empowering parents to support their children’s education.
  • SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): This programme can be adapted to include all children, including those living with disabilities, and has been designed to be relevant to all children, including those from poor households, in the spirit of “leave no child behind”.
ATB is looking at how to link its centres to its health and psychosocial programme, which focuses on nutrition, psychosocial intervention, eye screening and audio screening, Once this is included, ATB will also be supporting SDG 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing).

Afrika Tikkun Bambabani Curriculum Overview:

Play-Based Learning
A play-based programme which nurtures vital life skills including social, emotional and cognitive development. This enhances the whole child by providing the self-confidence required to explore new environments and experiences.

Broad-Based Curriculum
A curriculum based on an eclectic education system which combines knowledge from multiple disciplines and educational theorists that is developmentally appropriate. The approach encourages children to think independently, with an emphasis on teaching a child how to think, rather than what not to think.

Child-Centred Approach
The approach is child-centred, ensuring children play an active role in the classroom. Children are encouraged to share their thoughts and ideas, enabling them to learn from each other.

Measurable Results
The assessment model monitors key learning areas like cognitive, physical, and social-emotional development. These skills are continuously assessed through ATB’s tracking sheets and screening tools.

Unfortunately, many children in rural communities lack access to the resources they need to succeed academically. That's why ATB is reaching out to corporations and individuals to join them in their mission to close the education gap.

Through sponsorships, it becomes possible to work together to provide early learning centres with the resources, curriculum, and training necessary to give children the best possible start in life. This ‘Adopt-an-Early Learning Centre’ will make a meaningful difference in the lives of countless children and help create a brighter future for all.

Corporations and individuals are invited to join ATB in this effort by adopting a learning centre enabling ATB to ensure that children have access to the education they deserve. Together, we can make a positive impact on the lives of children and help build a more equitable society.

For more information about Afrika Tikkun Bambanani or to find out how you can donate to the programme, please visit https://afrikatikkunbambanani.org/

GET IN TOUCH
Telephone +27 83 453 4792
Address: Ground Floor, Eastwood Building, 57 6th Road, Hyde Park South Africa

Till next time...Aashish Thanks you Cheers!!!

Subscribe to my YOUTUBE Channel for historical tech, new gadgets, product reviews and mystery unboxings. #TheLifesWay Link to all social media platforms - https://t.co/gUHjo8DQ7h Your Lifestyle and Technology Blog for the last 10 Years!!! for reading guys!!!

Thursday, 20 April 2023

New Year Resolutions - Week 07 Achievements & Failures #TheLifesWay #2023

Hi Guys,

Week 7 started with a trip to Pilanesburg on the Suzuki Vitara Brezza I got for Valentine's Day with my wife. This time the kids stayed at home with the nanny. It was something we never did for such a long drive leaving behind kids at home so I was not comfortable much but then I do think that parents should take some time away from kids to talk and discuss life and what is next? 

1. Suzuki Vitara Brezza - The car came for around a week and stayed for 10 days and I was feeling so sad once it left me to go back to the company it came from. It was a wonderful ride and the second car really helps to sort many things out. The petrol engine is peppy on the Vitara Brezza GLX model I received and it also gave me an average of around 15.4 km per litre with long drives to city school drops as well. This is really a nice car priced around ZAR 310000 but it was not as stable driving above 120kms on a long drive, below that speed range, it was working fine. I also loved the SUV body design so that it can take me to the farthest parts of Pilanesburg that I have never seen before. 

2. Thank You - I completed another 18000 Thank You to take the total number to reach the 159500 mark. Let's see how much we can do by the end of the month or so. If I am not doing it for the week, I will keep the mark constant and also will remove the point as well for the week thinking of it as a failure to do this exercise. 
New Year Resolutions - Week 07 Achievements & Failures #TheLifesWay #2023

3. Launch Events and Goodies - I received the Samsung Galaxy S23+ to review and enjoy it to take some photographs and test drive the same as well. I also got a Valentine's Day gift from Huawei which is showcased in the video underneath. Many thanks to Huawei for the same. I also won a Twitter contest to go to the Momentum One More Fan event where we watched the cricket match between South Africa and Australia which was eventually won by Australia but totally loved watching it on a big screen with so many other fans of the Women Cricket T20 World Cup. 
4. General Knowledge Quiz - I have always been a fan of the GK quiz and always try to participate in the same from time to time. The company I work for has an annual quiz competition and last year I reached the regional finals but somehow missed reaching the world finals and got some ZAR 800 as a participant to reach the regional finals. This year I will definitely try again. The initial virtual round was this week and I was able to answer most of the questions in the fastest time possible - they only give 10-15 seconds to read, choose and answer the question so there is no scope for Google search at all unless there is someone sitting next to you. But I don't do any such thing because it's a day-to-day job to learn and remember what questions can be asked. I have won so many small prizes in TATA Crucible Quiz - Corporate online and in-person contests. 
5. YouTube - I am trying a lot to get some regular income from YouTube views and monetization but it's a struggle. I have to bring a lot of production value to my videos with a well-written script and why people will watch the video also. I have to solve the problems and also share what I did in the same situation if talking about the home loans or education loans etc that I paid in my life. I am doing a lot of videos that I have created and edited but they all are the same style and don't show my face at all. In YouTube language, it's called a faceless channel and mines is like that only. Maybe I should try to show more of my face and let people know that this is me and me alone all the way. I have always thought that the product or service is more important than my face but it has to change now. 

Many thanks for your time and time again watching my videos and reading my regular weekly updates. As I always say, your time is my only blessing! Cheers!!! - Aashish

Subscribe to my YOUTUBE Channel for historical tech, new gadgets, product reviews and mystery unboxings. #TheLifesWay Link to all social media platforms - https://t.co/gUHjo8DQ7h Your Lifestyle and Technology Blog for the last 10 Years!!! for reading guys!!!

Tuesday, 18 April 2023

@HuaweiZA SoundStone Portable Bluetooth Speaker - Small Package with Loud Sound Quality!

Hi Guys, 

I got this Huawei SoundStone Portable Bluetooth Speaker from Huawei South Africa at one of their smartphone launch events. This has been a gift from them in various other events as well. I have had this one for several years but kept the packaging intact for the historical technology videos on YouTube. Check out the unboxing and review of this audio product. Our playlist is definitely getting stronger on the audio products as I have a lot of them and will review all of them one by one. Keep watching as your views are our only blessings. I need to grow myself to reach USD 1 per day at least for the start and this is also not the case currently. Thanks for your views but please do share as well!

The main features of the Huawei Soundstone Portable Bluetooth Speaker are -
  • Light and Portable palm-sized speaker design. 
  • A threaded loop to carry the speakers around. 
  • The threaded cloth design looks really premium. 
  • IPX5 Water Resistant. 
  • Loud Sound of RMS 3.5W. 
  • Handsfree calling. 
  • 750mAh rechargeable battery.
  • Playtime of around 8.5 hours. 
  • Bluetooth v4.1 
  • Frequency Range - 90Hz-20kHz.
  • Available in 2 colours - Red and Grey. 
  • Voice Outputs. 
  • Micro-USB Charging port. 
  • Weight of 190 grams. 
  • Control buttons are at the bottom of the speakers. 
Huawei at the end of their smartphone launch event gave me this portable speaker and I handed out many of them to my friends on their birthdays as well. This Huawei device is really nice and looks fantastic in this price range of ZAR 700 only. This is now succeeded by another model from Huawei which we are going to unbox soon on my Youtube channels. Also, if you have not seen our videos go check them out we have recently crossed more than 850+ videos on my channel. 

Till next time...Aashish Thanks you Cheers!!!

Subscribe to my YOUTUBE Channel for historical tech, new gadgets, product reviews and mystery unboxings. #TheLifesWay Link to all social media platforms - https://t.co/gUHjo8DQ7h Your Lifestyle and Technology Blog for the last 10 Years!!! for reading guys!!!