An interesting reflection based on the experience and the spirit of Together for a new Africa by Wanjiru Kaburu.
“There is no point in thinking about changing the world or worrying about the problems
in the world. It is about doing something. We need to do something in order to make a
difference to the world. Every little thing we do does actually matter.” Jody Williams, Nobel Peace Laureate
As I go through the journey of life every day, I find myself asking: Do I live my life as a
possession that should be protected or as a gift that should be given to or shared with
the world? It is the same question I pose to you and welcome you to use it to assess
your life every day. When you choose to be a gift to the world, which is the choice we
should all make, you might find yourself asking yourself “how”? The simple answer I
give to this question is: discover who you really are and unleash your authentic self to
the world in service; starting from right where you are. As Mother Teresa said, if each
one of us would clean their own doorstep, the world would be clean.
It is such concepts programs like Together for a New Africa serves to remind or instill;
concepts that when put into practice would change the world.
I have been lucky to attend the last two ‘Summer Schools’ of Together for a New Africa
(T4NA) and when I reflect on the discussions and interactions, what comes to my mind
is the emphasis on love, unity, communion, service, goodwill and working towards the
common good. This program is structured as a call to be decent human beings who
realize that there is one creation and one people; and the creator intended that all may
be one and with different colors and fragrances attached to our individual uniqueness,
color the world and make it a beautiful place. Unfortunately, we are living in a world; or
rather, we have created a world where we have allowed ourselves to be led by greed
and the feeling of superiority where some trump on others and this has caused chaos,
havoc and pain in the world. How do we heal?
One of the things I love doing is reading books and recently, I read the book: “Battling
Injustice” in which the author has featured 16 Women Nobel Peace Laureates. As I read
each of these stories, I realized that the constant thing was courage; these women were
courageous enough to do what needed to be done to influence change. They did not sit
down and lament about the problems, they chose to do something and as one of the
featured women put it, “There is no point in thinking about changing the world or
worrying about the problems in the world. It is about doing something. We need to do
something in order to make a difference to the world. Every little thing we do does
actually matter.” If you therefore ask me how we can/will heal the world, my answer is:
by gaining courage and doing something.
T4NA is doing something by bringing together young people to ignite their spirit and
tickle them to go out there and be the change they wish to see in the world; the change
that is so much needed in the world. By using my calling and passion in speaking and
writing, coaching, inspiring, empowering and mentoring and actions like being part of
the pioneers of a Community Based Organization in my village to bring the community
together for self/ co – governance and empowerment, by starting and running
campaigns such as #ShameOffOurGirls to start and be part of a conversation and
actions that can lead to giving menstrual dignity to girls in my country, by working with
my T4NA Kenya team to feed and shelter the needy people especially in such tough
times as these created by the COVID – 19 pandemic, by putting our hands together with
a few people to pay school fees for a child…….. I am trying to do something. I know you
are too in your own ways and it’s what the world needs. Sometimes it will feel so small
but trust me, as Jody Williams put it, every little thing we do does actually matter.
Sometimes you will also feel like you’re alone in it or like you need a multitude of people
to make a change but let me remind you this in the words of Margaret Mead:
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world.
Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
My challenge to us all is to go forth and Do Something and keep at it!
