Frankly speaking with Catherine Ruhweza

By Joan Akello

Founding director of Mama Tendo Foundation, a faith based organisation that focuses on family,maternal health and child survival.

I’m by nature a prayerful person. This has helped me to live in harmony with myself, overcome a lot of internal and external conflicts. Being prayerful has also given me lots of peace, friends and a good husband. -Catherine Ruweza

Who is Mama Tendo?

A mother of three, wife, and writer. Most people know me for my column in The New Vision on parenting, child nutrition, I help women before preconception up to when they deliver and even after.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Being in complete harmony with yourself, your goals, values and desires that are accepted universally.

Where do you derive your happiness?

In personal peace and peace with God which has helped me to be at peace with my friends.

What is your greatest fear?

I am not a reptile person but I cannot confess that I fear reptiles. I believe in confronting my fears as they come and dealing with them. So I don’t have any permanent fears.

What about when your children fall?

I can be fearful when my child falls down but I confront and deal with it. So for me it no longer is a great fear.

Which living people do you most admire?

My husband. I live with him and know everything about him and my mum. I admire people I know closely.

Any you admire that are not close?

People whose goals impress me like Mother Theresa

What values do you consider in people?

Qualities of human nature like being persistent, time keeping, and being an organised person whether female or male

What trait do you most deplore in others?

Laziness, shabbiness, people who are disorganised and dishonest.

How should such people overcome these traits?

Many people have weaknesses, I believe in people identifying them and dealing with them every day.

What is your greatest love?

Knowing I have a creator, who can listen, cares and helps me. In terms of work, people and myself, I think I love being alive and healthy that means having hope, able to dream and be a complete person.

What is your greatest extravagance?

I love buying great books and good music.

Which talent would you most like to have?

None other than writing. I have always wanted to be a writer. I have been writing my column for over ten years now.

What job would you not do?

Any that is degrading to human dignity such as prostitution. I believe in work that can bring anyone decent money and not degrading. This is something I can do. When I was at school I would do any job to handle on my own.

Where would you like most to live?

Ethiopia but for a holiday. I have been to a number of countries such as Engand, South Africa and many others but I love Ethiopia and its beaches.

What is your greatest regret?

None.

What is your most marked characteristic?

I’m by nature a prayerful person. This has helped me to live in harmony with myself, overcome a lot of internal and external conflicts. Being prayerful has also given me lots of peace, friends and a good husband.

What one thing would you change if you had a chance?

Being more organised, scheduled, because I have realised it is a key aspect of success

Which books do you read?

Classics, biographies and comedy.

Who are your favourite writers?

Agather Christie’s detectives, Jane Austen especially Pride and Prejudice and Emily Brontë for Wuthering Heights.

How would you like to die?

I never think of that.

What is your philosophy in life?

Never give up the Motto of Gayaza High School.