Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Nairobi (Agenzia Fides) – Food shortage and recalling the idea of “Harambee” (Swahili for “together”), community effort in resolving problems are the focus of the reflection issued in this first week of Lent by Archbishop Zacchaeus Okoth of Kisumu, President of the Bishops' Justice and Peace Commission in Kenya.
“Over 10 million Kenyans are facing starvation,” says the message, published by the CISA news agency. “The lack of food is attributed to poor farming methods, lack of proper planning, violence and displacement. Kenya has gone through difficult times and it is now time to heal and transform our land and people. Traditional African communities encouraged a communal spirit of working together and helping each other on the farms, in building, during harvest seasons and in other activities. Harambee enabled communities to have sufficient food for all and guaranteed social security.”
After Kenya gained its independence in 1963, the Prime Minister, and later the first President of Kenya, Jomo Kenyatta, adopted “Harambee” as the guiding principle for building the nation.
“All Kenyans should endeavour to restore the country’s lost glory. This Lenten season should be a time of reflection. All our activities and efforts should also be geared towards healing and transforming our nation,” says Archbishop Okoth.
The message offers a concrete example of how to work together in responding to the problem of drought. “Baraka villagers in Mchungani District always had enough food and livestock for their sustenance and for sale. They had enough money for their children’s school fees, medical and household expenses, and surplus for savings and investment.
The district also earned the country foreign exchange from tourists and international investors. However, with the erratic rains and prolonged drought blamed on climate change, crops are drying up and there is nothing to sell or store for future use.”
Thanks to one farmer's initiative, the message says, a course on food security was organized, to describe the methods of biological agriculture and drip irrigation and how to grow and keep drought resistant crops and animals.
The message encourages the Christian community to examine itself and see how it can give a renewed energy to the community spirit: “Have you, or your Small Christian Community, ever had similar experiences as the people of Baraka village? If so, what did you do? The 2007-2008 post-election violence adversely affected farming and food production. Coupled with the drought, Kenya is yet to recover. What can you and your Small Christian Community do to promote healing and transformation as you boost food production? Discuss the spirit of “harambee” in your Small Christian Community and suggest how you can revitalise it. What are the advantages?” (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 25/2/2010)
