Writing was my first love and I still do it as much as possible.
I write creatively myself and use journalling tools with my clients extensively and in a sector full of questions about purpose, approach, racism, sexism and abuse, I write and speak about viable alternatives specific to the international development and change making sectors. I share writing about this with my email list on a regular basis.
Below are a list of various places that you can read my recent (and less recent) writing. Some of it is published in my previous name, Mary Ann Mhina.
Below is a list of some places that you can read my writing:
- What Role can Privileged White People Play in International Development? for Bright Magazine October 2018
- Healing solidarity: re-imagining international development in Transformation at Open Democracy.net
- Bringing our whole selves to our work in International Development
- Resisting the commodification of self-care and building our capacity for collective care
- Thousands of passionate people and a few bad eggs? Inspired by #AidToo and the 'Oxfam Scandal'
- Wellbeing and Women Working Internationally for Change
- Dear Exhausted Woman who wants to change the world. It's OK to rest.
- 'Make Love Not War' a short story which you can hear me reading here (coming soon)
- 'The Poetry of an Orphaned Nation: Newspaper Poetry and the Death of Nyerere' in Remembering Nyerere in Tanzania' (Mkuki and Nyota: 2016) edited by Marie-Aude Fouere.
- 'Listening to our Grandmothers: The Transformational Wisdom of our Elders' (Kipepeo Press 2013) available to buy from me here and on Amazon.
- 'Partnership Matters: A Reflective Guide' (2012) available here.
- 'Delineated Stories: Getting involved in Mental Health in Tanzania' in Dealing with Uncertainty in Contemporary African lives' (NAI: 2009) available here.
I am also currently working on some writing about my work and Healing Solidarity, Co-authoring a book about Community-led Inclusive Red Tent Spaces for women with Aisha Hannibal and Guest Editing a forthcoming edition of the Gender and Development Journal about Re-imagining International Development which builds on the Healing Solidarity conference which I organised in 2018.
Writing is also one of the ways I practice my commitment to breaking the silence about things we find difficult to talk about. This for me is part of my commitment to healing solidarity and breaking down a culture in which we keep our own experiences silent in our work. One way I have practiced this is on social media in relation to the miscarriages I have experienced and some of my writing about miscarriage will be included in a forthcoming book.
Contact Info:
I am open to commissions for my writing.
Email: maryann@maryannclements.com
Website: www.maryannclements.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryannmhina/
I look forward to hearing from you!