Liwalo Updates

Greetings!  I would like to thank all those who have supported the activities of the Liwalo na Liwe FDN. The past few months have been quite exciting and rewarding to say the least. I am particularly appreciative of those educational and religious institutions that have invited me to give presentations about the organization, film, and boarding school projects.  (The picture on the left is from a discussion conducted at Illinois State.  You can read the article here.)

From the start, one of our main objectives was to engage the student population—from the primary to the tertiary level—and we have yet to be disappointed. That students are inspired and compelled to act is quite significant, especially among the prevalent criticism that depicts them as inept and complacent. I am often awestruck by the discussions that ensue after a screening or presentation. I remember one student from a Chicago area high school commenting “I wanna go to Africa” and in reference to the street children, “I wanna get me one a dem.” Her enthusiasm made me proud as it had been a personal goal of mine to get Afro-Americans interested in the African continent in a more qualitative way.

Until recently, I thought nothing would compare to how students, even people outside the academic setting, have been impacted and inspired by the activities of Liwalo. However, I had the honor of attending a performance by the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company II, which was choreographed as a tribute to the film and the plight of street children. I was moved to tears as I watched. To see the spirit of the film and the boys’ personalities articulated in modern dance is beyond words. I was stunned as the audience reacted to the performance with a standing ovation. This was one of my proudest moments ever. I get goose bumps just writing about the memory. I cannot imagine what the future holds but I am quite excited.

I would like to conclude with a special thank you to the directors of the organization, for without you none of this would be possible. Also, on a sad note, I want to let people know that one of the university students in the film, Shushul Rajal (Sherry), who was to be quite instrumental at the administrative level at Uhuru na Jukumu boarding school passed away last month. She was a victim in a drunk driving incident in Iringa last month. We will keep her memory alive.

Peace, love and let us know what you think about what we are doing.

Michael Stewart, Director

One of our biggest concerns at the Liwalo na Liwe Foundation is how to best compel and engage everyday people to contribute with our efforts of helping street children in Iringa, Tanzania. We believe anyone can help in some way. At times this belief is rewarded by the actions of extraordinary people, as happened recently at a screening at Evanston High Township School.

I showed the high school students a shortened 16 minute version of our documentary Watoto wa Mitaani, and there was a lively discussion about street children and how their experiences compared and contrasted with those of the students. The students were engaged and understood how advantaged they were to attend a school in the United States of America. They knew that they could help by just donating whatever they had in their pockets. One student remarked, “Wow, I can help with this $1.” He was referring to the segment of the film when the street children Aziz and Aliziwan are discussing the cost of notebooks, which prevent them from attending school even though they cost only a little over $1. The student continued, “That’s amazing. I want to help.”

As the students left the room, they emptied their pockets into empty plastic cups which were not put out for donations, but had been used by the speakers for drinking water. I had no intention to collect donations, and my belief in the abilities of anyone to make an impact felt justified because of the actions of these students. Then, I was pulled aside by one of the social workers at the school, who, trying unsuccessfully to hold back the tears in her eyes, revealed, “the tall boy who was the first to give $3 was himself homeless and in and out of the foster care system.” She continued that she had no idea that he had any money nor where he might have gotten it. It could have easily been his last.

Feeling sympathy for street children is fairly easy. Doing something about it is quite another matter. This is, perhaps, why street children and the myriad problems that plague humanity are perpetual. Our inability to act, to be the impetus of change, which is quite human, is the result of either feeling powerless or indifferent. But just as much, the belief that we can change that which seems definite is what makes us uniquely human.

We are not asking for a lifelong commitment to our organization nor for you to assume this as your passion. What we ask is how you can help this problem by communicating with the people you know, using the talents you possess or the donating any extra money you may have. All of these are important in combatting the problem. We are currently sending $80 a month to Iringa, which goes to feeding the boys, hopefully sustaining them until we can begin construction on the Uhuru na Jukumu Boarding School. These are the outreach efforts of our organization, and how we feel we can best help the problem of street children.

I consider the boy who gave his $3, who gave much of himself, and it challenges me to give more of myself in fighting the problem. I hope his actions inspire you on a similar level, and I hope you can contribute in some way, whether  by raising awareness about the problem of street children or by supporting our organization.

Thank you for your interest,
Michael Stewart
Founder