One Child’s Challenge
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
December 20th, 2007 at 9:07 pm
Michael, I am so glad that I read this tonight. I was going to read it tomorrow, but there was indeed a reason that I was “led” to the computer to check your update out tonight. Your efforts to address the needs of the children in Tanzania are amazing! You inspire me!
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
-Galatians 6:9 (KJV)
I am aware that there is a sense of complacency amongst those in the African American community when it comes to actually supporting these types of efforts on both national and international levels. However, I am overjoyed that the youth you encountered at the high school understood the seriousness of acting instantly to address the needs of the young men in Iringa.
I pray that the passion and dedication that you have for this cause continue to grow despite the overwhelming lack of support that you have gotten, especially from those that look like you and I. Sometimes we put off what we can do today and never realize that someone’s life could be changed for the amount of money that we spend on our daily latte’.
I hope that you can continue to gain support from the younger generation, for they are our future and it is imperative that something substantial is done within our community to alleviate what appears to be, indifference (as you proposed in your testimonial).
Too many people fought for us to have the things that we possess today and it is OUR responsibility to continue the legacy. We have unfortunately failed to keep the flame burning…
I will continue to support you through prayer, financial contributions, and spreading the word. Let me know what you need and I will do my best to assist you.
Yours Truly,
Andrea
December 21st, 2007 at 12:39 pm
Peace! Michael,
I hail from Tanzania. First I would like to say I was moved by the piece. The generosity shown by the students, especially that one student who is also in dire situation as the kids in this project, shows the absolute power of giving no matter the situation. I think and truly believe this project is necessary not only for Iringa or Tanzania, but world wide. As you mention we have to start somewhere, so why not Iringa?
I on my part I will urge people to give to this wonderful unselfish cause. Folks If you are reading this, especially now (the holiday season and the time for giving and all that), why don’t you channel some of that giving spirit to Liwalo na Liwe Project? Anyway, My brother, keep up the good work. Amani na Upendo.
December 22nd, 2007 at 7:26 pm
My initial thought about this piece is everyone can give something. We may not have that big lump sum to give but if a child who does not have steady housing arrangements can give so can we. A lot of the children in the documentary were kept out of school because of mere dollars. I know people can be hesitant to give because they do not think they can really make a difference. I do no think people realize that a small commitment can make a big difference. It is great when someone can afford to give a large sum of money but it is equally important to recognize that small donations and continued support are fundamental in making changes of the lives of the street children from Iringa. My personal situation does not allow me to give as I would like to but this is important to me and I know my continued support will make a difference in someone’s life. I am going to set up a direct deposit of a dollar a month to this organization. I know that it is not a lot of money but if can get 12 friends to do the same for a year I know an impact will be made. I do not know a single person who cannot commit to that donation so it is simply about numbers. What will make a change in the lives of these children is everyone going back and making even a small commitment to help.
January 10th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Waatoto wa Mitaani gives a stunning view into the lives of street children in Iringa, Tanzania. I was deeply impressed and moved by the documentary. I love the way documentarian (Michael Stewart) humbly inserts himself into the film. He does not pretend to be an “impartial observer” into the world of these street children. Rather, his personal curiosity, questions, assumptions and vulnerabilities are layed out as part of his quest to understand and DO SOMETHING about dire situation these street children face. The ACTION piece is what I am most moved by.
I have had the pleasure to witness the passionion that pours from Michael’s soul to take action in response to what he has learned first-hand in Iringa, Tanzania. I love his idea of creating a boarding school built upon a mission and infused with a curriculum that empowers these children to overcome the systematic disadvantages they face and build the capacity to realize their fullest potentials as human beings. I don’t know a lot about the Montessori approach, but I urge Michael to look into popular education as a piece of his work as well.
I also urge others to see this film. It is important! I have been moved to show this film to my friends and collegues, and to do whatever else I can to help the foundation accomplish it’s mission. You can be creative in your approach to helping this mission! My fiance, William, is a professional contemprary dancer and choreographer. He was so deeply moved by the film that he is creating a piece of choreography based on the lives of the Iringa street children. This is the action he is taking to help spread their story.
Finally, I am interested in knowing more about the lives of girls and young women in Iringa, Tanzania, and how the Liwalo na Liwe Foundation can broaden its mission to address the issues that they face as well. I know it is already a lot to take on the huge project of getting the street children (mostly boys) off of the streets and into empowering schools with resources to meet their needs. However, it seems important to include at least some strategic focus that bridges across the challenges that both sexes face.
Michael, it was so wonderful to be in the presence of your shining spirit once again! I love you and all that you do!
Many Blessings,
Kelsa Rieger
March 24th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
Regards! I was googling and found your blog looking for Organization help child, I thought that this post, s Challenge, was right in line with my own thoughts on the matter.
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