In praise of Mama Hope, an unusual NGO

I watched a video from a non-governmental organisation that immensely impressed me, called Mama Hope. They describe themselves as an unusual non-profit, and I agree.

As an African living in Africa, I find it hard to be impressed by non-profits; many either have unrealistic expectations of the people they help or are driving an agenda that only they can understand, or insist that they are here to save the poor and hungry in Africa from themselves.

I have no doubt that many NGO accomplish much that is good, but seeing one that is not here to help us focus on our negative side is quite refreshing.

Mama Hope has been running a campaign they have branded ‘Stop the pity – unlock the potential’. The campaign seems to have a series of videos addressing human issues in Asia and Africa – at least that is who is featured in their videos.

I happened on a video called ‘Alex presents: Commando’, in which a nine-year-old boy, Alex Kalundi from Tanzania, recounts Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 1985 film.

Mama Hope suggests that the video is not rehearsed, and that when Alex learnt that some volunteers he met were from California, he went right ahead to tell them all he knew about the American state and its former action movie star governor.

Alex tells someone off-camera that during his free time he loves to watch movies, and goes on to recount that movie with words, actions, details and gusto that only a nine-year-old can afford a story.

He not only knows the plot but also that the main player is (or was) the Governor of California. That’s an African child for you.

I agree with Mama Hope that the stereotype that any African child in the media is an Aids orphan or a destitute of genocide or political instability, or a child soldier or on the verge of death from hunger and starvation is overdone and out dated.

MURKY IN PRACTICE

Africa is a continent like any other, with bright little children who have diverse talents, promising future and immense joy. Alex misses nothing in his story; he goes right ahead and consults his softer side, even giving a place to flowers.

The clip ends by pointing out that Alex is not any of the negative things portrayed in the media about African children. He is at least bi-lingual, being from Tanzania. English, which he speaks well, is not his first or national language, but his fluency is impressive for a nine-year-old.

The video uses many other adjectives that ring true for the boy – bright, curious, happy, hopeful, creative, intelligent and charming. He is particularly charming.

Tapping the potential of our children and supporting their creative choices is the future of Kenya and Africa.

The 2010 Constitution paved the way for social inclusion and justice for women and children, but we are yet to see much commitment in the translation of this into policy and practice.

Of all the challenges facing children in Kenya, only Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and the protection of children born out of wedlock have been addressed in law.

The story remains quite murky in practice, even if the Children’s Act 2010 addresses the rights of children in ways that would protect them and unlock their potential.

Discrimination against children living with disabilities, inequalities in access to education, medical care and other social amenities are treated the same as for any other citizens.

This current state of affairs fails to recognise that while adults sometimes make bad choices, children need to be exposed to all available options in order to enhance their potential.

Twitter: @muthonithangwa