Author: Patrick Shyaka
Patrick Shyaka
Patrick Shyaka is a Rwandan creative writer, editor and author of the short story collection "I Will Get Drunk". His writing career bloomed in the blogging world with humour pieces on sex, love and relationships. His fictional works have been featured in a number of reputable literary journals, including Isele Magazine, Brittle Paper, Lolwe, African Writer Magazine, The Kalahari Review, Lọúnlọún and more.
For the 9 to 5 workers, a regular corporate day at the office involves wandering in the world of emails, reports, feedback and overtime to make do. The occupation that once allowed the older generation to free up and find solace out of the relenting weekly routine to hang out, enjoy weekend barbecues, and find easily plated communities and friendships, now sees the youth flooded by doom scrolling, night drinking and a constant bombardment of TikTok trends. The difference — not so much in the activities but in their efficiency — is rooted in our parents’ and elders’ ability to…
Despite being geographically far from the direct impacts of the Russia-Ukraine war or the conflict between Israel and Palestine, Rwanda has felt visible economic damage since the beginning of these European and Middle Eastern wars. Mere weeks into Ukraine’s invasion and the sanctions imposed on Russia, global food, fuel, and fertilizer prices either doubled or rose substantially. Whilst there is a considerable amount of literature on the effects of conflict on host countries – human lives lost, the infrastructures demolished, and futures erased –, there is also a growing body of facts on the spillover effects of conflict in one…