In her work with ‘Kenya I Care’, ‘Clean elections campaign’ and ‘Sustainable peace and reconciliation’ (all programmes of Initiatives of Change in Kenya), Ann Njeri Ndiangui has come face to face with the problems of tribalism and violence. Her personal story of confronting it was posted on YouTube in 2008.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tymSgrUZZ70.
For more than a year since then she has been in Australia, India and other parts of Asia, starting with the Action for Life leadership training programme. In October, 2010 she returned to her work in Kenya. She writes:
After more than a year out of Africa, I landed in Ethiopia with great enthusiasm. It didn’t matter that I wasn’t yet in my own sweet country! I was in Africa and heavens know that am a proud African! I had left Kenya in September 2008 to take part in the Action for Life leadership training in India and countries of South East Asia. This seven-and-a-half months programme, which aims to develop leaders for the 21st century equipped with faith and integrity, left me convinced that this world can indeed be a better place. I just need to do what I can, with what I have, where I am.
So, in October 2009, I happily touched down on the soils of Ethiopia.
What made my landing more exciting was meeting a bunch of young Africans who are passionate to shape the kind of Africa that Africans and the world long to see! The programme that brought us together was Harambee Africa, designed to guide young people towards ethical living and leadership in Africa. It seeks to awaken and nurture the future leaders of Africa, who will serve with integrity and become agents of positive change.
I had longed to have such a time with people from across Africa, and to hear what they think, dream and wish for our dear continent which has the worst reputation and image! Were there other young Africans who also had hopes?
As the days unfolded my face was all smiles. From many corners of Africa came shared hopes and visions. Yes, our dear continent is sadly marred by poverty, disease, corruption, wars…. But, there is a chance to change the course of history. This bunch of ‘African Dreamers’ dreamed without fear of failure or intimidation. And we came up with a collective vision of the Africa we need:
‘An Africa that is economically vibrant, ecologically sustainable and socially inclusive; a continent of people who celebrate their cultural heritage and diversity, bringing hope to the world.’
We all knew that this vision can only become reality if we live it in our daily lives. Each of us was asked to reflect on our role in this.
One thing that hit me was a discussion on why Africans flee to the western world. All sorts of reasons and justifications were given. But I keep wondering, ‘If we all flee and don’t come back to mend our motherland, who will remake our continent?’ I have no objection to people going to study or find greener pastures abroad. But it is important to remember where we come from and to work towards making it a desirable place for ourselves and the next generation. As one woman shared, ‘History will ask - what did you do?’
Later I was cut to the heart by a Burundian living in Sweden who was visiting Ethiopia. ‘Africans are the most unhappy people – both in their own countries and abroad,’ he said. I agree. In our own countries we are mentally abroad. And when we go abroad, for many life is not the heaven we expected, for we are still treated as ‘Africans’ with all the connotations of failure and darkness. So mentally we are back in Africa!
If we can make our own land a good place, then we will be happier and more satisfied both here and abroad. But that, of course, calls for some collective bitter sacrifice, commitment and hard work – especially by us Africans!
Finally, I set foot in the great land of Kenya – the place where I’d longed to bring the ‘tools for change’ and the inspiring experiences that I’d absorbed from many countries, giving hope for a better world.
Family and friends were very happy to see me back. But at least 70% of them couldn’t resist asking, ‘Why did you come back? There are so many problems. You should have stayed and made money.’ When I told them of my love for country and my desire to contribute to its development, they replied, ‘Kenya is a hopeless country. It will never change!’ When I spoke of my desire to see a corruption-free Kenya, I was told by a businessman, ‘If you are not corrupt you can’t survive. If I am not corrupt, I won’t make any profits’.
As 2012 – the year of our next general elections – approaches, I am saddened by the number of good people who swear, ‘I will never vote again’. I can understand their frustrations, especially after the Post Election Violence in 2007-08. But the reality is that bad leaders will be elected by those good Kenyans who decide not to vote!
I am not disillusioned. Neither have I lost faith and hope. For there are people working hard to take Kenya to the next level. We have a lot to do – especially to change the mindset of people and to give, and keep alive, the vision needed for us to collectively step out of our comfort zones, our greed and our selfishness.
NOTE: Individuals of many cultures, nationalities, religions, and beliefs are actively involved with Initiatives of Change. These commentaries represent the views of the writer and not necessarily those of Initiatives of Change as a whole.
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