Name: Ms. Injonge Karangwa
Role: Singer/Songwriter and Chief Organizer Hamwe Festival.
QN: What does wellness mean to you ?
The term “wellness” encompasses all the strategies, practices, and habits we put in place to be healthy (mentally and physically) and improve our quality of life over time. It goes from eating well or spending quality time with friends to meditating and making carrier choices. Depending on which African woman you are, needs are different, so the wellness strategies are different. My reflections and actions toward wellness have been around finding balance in my life. Between all the things I want to do, my role as a mother and my perpetual need for growth, I had to pace myself, learn to rest and release the pressure I put on myself, listen to my inner voice and my intuition more.
QN: Are you currently prioritizing your well being? Why? If Yes, how?
Yes, I am. First, I realized that I must take care of myself to achieve my goals and take care of others well. Then I started to enjoy it. The more I did it, the more I loved myself and my relations with others also improved.
To do so, I pay a lot of attention to what I do with my time and who I spend time with. I want joy in my life, so I surround myself with people that want that too. I practice music. I rest more; it made such a difference. I also spoil myself sometimes with a spa day or a weekend closer to nature.
QN: How can arts contribute to wellness?
In so many ways, arts can contribute to women’s wellness. Having an art practice does wonders for anyone. It nurtures creativity and facilitates self-expression. In addition, arts facilitate conversations and connections. The link between arts and wellness is now established Research shows that having an “aesthetic experience” through visual arts or music provides therapeutic benefits ranging from reduced stress and anxiety, improving memory and fostering empathy. Whether we practice or expose ourselves to arts, our brains produce serotonin, “the happy chemical”.
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Biography:
Injonge Karangwa is a Rwandan singer/ songwriter and Chief Organizer of Hamwe Festival at the University of Global Health Equity, with experience in leading high-performing teams in multi-cultural and entrepreneurial environments.
She has proven ability to apply strong analytics, business and problem solving skills at community, national and global level, as well as evidence-based solutions to address development challenges such as malnutrition, health system strengthening, agriculture and economic development.
Injonge is also committed to building bridges across sectors and use innovative approaches to contribute in improving health in Africa and around the world.