nonprofit – Kujieleza

Remember that cliche we always say, “Education is the key.” Well, Bob Marley said, “If I was educated I would be a fool.” I think his point was that education isn’t about gaining riches or the degree, not tools of manipulation and self-indulgence, rather it is lessons of life enrichment. In this decade education has become a huge subject of debate, especially in the African communities from the continent to the diaspora, the realization and resurfacing of so much information about who we are, our history, and our contributions to societies around the globe which has never been acknowledged.

[Bidibidi Refuge Camp, Uganda. Aug. 2017]

I recall in middle school learning about “World History,” we spent a huge chunk of time studying Europe followed by the Middle East and Asia. I had fun learning about the historical contributions of everyone and when we finally got to Africa for the whole continent, we spent less time than we did on Greece alone, or China and Japan combined. I was furious I asked the teacher, “how come we are only spending such a short time on Africa,” with a straight face an educated man told me that, the reason for why we were spending a short time is because “Africans never wrote their history down.” I was young and didn’t know much but I made a decision to go to the local library and try to find anything on Africa that I can bring to class to help us get a bit more; than what was written in the textbooks.

[Bidibidi Refuge Camp, Uganda. Aug. 2017]

Over the years I would go on to learn about African American Scholars, Caribbean Scholars and African Scholars whose works would wake up that curiosity I had about knowing where I come from. I would always recall, that 8th grade World History Class.

In 2017, while in Africa, at Bidibidi Refugee Camp in Nothern Uganda. I was walking around the camp with a good friend, he was showing me around and sharing about his personal journey and his yearning for education, we ran into a young boy between 7-9 years old. He was pulling rocks in a plastic container. We stopped and asked him what he was doing, he said that he collects rocks and sells them. I told my friend to ask why he was selling the rocks, the kid’s answer made my eyes tear up. The kid said he was saving up so he can go to school. I wished I could do something to help him, I told myself I’ll try to do what I can, even if I don’t have it, I’ll try to find a way for someone else.

[Bidibidi Refuge Camp, Uganda. Aug. 2017]

I have always found education to be biased and misleading at times, unless its provided by a not-for-profit educational facility, a community lead/run school or if you are lucky to find that one teacher who is not afraid to challenge the curriculum in the traditional system. The teacher who throws away the syllabus and teachers from their own experiences, and also learns from the students, those are people I’ve always revered. My only hope is to help as many youth chase their dreams, hopefully along their personal journeys they find those teachers who awaken them to fulfill their purpose in life and at the same time make a living, without losing who they are.

[Larem Foundation, Gulu. Uganda]

Below is a Go-fund me page for Larem Foundation, a non-profit organization providing early childhood education to children in Gulu, Northern Uganda. Most parents in these types of regions never have the luxury of getting their children early childhood education. This is truly a rarely occasion and a worthy cause. Please, help us reach our goal, so that we can build two more classrooms and a playground for the children. Thanks in advance for your support.