What is a Harambee?
A Harambee is an East African
tradition of a community pulling together in a party with a purpose to turn
what some would consider a crisis into an opportunity. Harambees
are probably most frequently held in Kenya though they represent the deep sense
of community that characterizes African culture.
What is the history of Harambee?
The Harambee tradition largely goes
back to the early days of Kenya’s independence. Prior to
independence from the United Kingdom Kenya was experiencing the violent Mau Mau
crisis. Fear reigned. Mzee (wise elder statesman) Jomo
Kenyatta was imprisoned, but released shortly before independence.
 |
| Kenya's founding President, Mzee Jomo Kenyata |
In 1963 as Kenya gained independence Mzee Jomo
Kenyatta brought immediate calm from the Mau Mau crisis, healed wounds, and
gathered the humble to build. His message was Harambee (http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,875094,00.html.).
We must organize together. Kenyatta was aware of his own failings, but
confident in the strength of his united people. He said, "There is no
society of angels, black, brown or white. We are human beings and as such we
are bound to make mistakes. If I have done a mistake to you, it is for you to
forgive me. If you have done a mistake to me, it is for me to forgive
you."
As a community faced a challenge
that required capital he made a donation and asked for others to join in
sharing their resources. With Kenyatta’s Harambee culture schools, hospitals,
and infrastructure were developed. Among the humble Harambee economics provided
realistic hope.
Why are you hosting a Harambee for Ruth?
Because it is both our African
community tradition and our family tradition to celebrate and labor in
community.
Our
daughter, Mary Ruth Mirembe Jenkins graduated from high school and plans to go
to Judson University in Elgin, Illinois. Judson is Christian
liberal arts university. One of Judson's academic strengths is her
photography and communications programs. Those of you who spend
time with Ruthie know these too are her strengths. Through
scholarships, grants, and student loans Ruth has put together close to $33,900
of the $41,900 of estimated yearly costs (tuition, books, room and
board.) Ruth is also working 2 jobs this summer to raise more money
(group leader for a janitorial crew at Wheaton College and a sales
representative for Furry Babies.) She is working between 50 and 60
hours each week this summer. We hope to
raise $8,000 at her Harambe party on Saturday, June 23.
What typically happens at a
Harambee?
A shared good meal, speeches, song,
dance, and financial and practical contributions.
Is there a Biblical base for the
culture of Harambee?
I think there is a tremendous
Biblical base for the Harambee culture. One of the first ones to
come to mind is the Year of Jubilee in Leviticus 25. Most of us
are too cowardly to embrace the implications, but they are still very relevant.
Sometimes the only way we can get our messed up world straight is to use
the strength of our community and her institutions to practice grace and
compassion (One of my most read blogs discusses this at http://jenkinsinrwanda.blogspot.com/2011/03/audacious-forgiveness-must-be.html.)
Besides the Old Testament
Jubilee teaching there is New Testament teaching of the early church sharing
their possessions so that there were no unmet needs in the community (Acts
2:42-47; 4:32-36,) and of master missionary Paul taking a collection among
Diaspora Christians to be used to care for the poor in Jerusalem (2 Corinthians
8-9.)
These are missionary texts.
When Diaspora come to America one thing we frequently notice is how prevalent
syncretism is in North American Christianity. Individualism
and materialism mingle so freely in North American Christian thought that many
are unable to recognize raw paganism masquerading as Christianity.
Yet, instead of having escalating confrontation why not graciously practice
Harambee that teaches and lives out the reality that Christianity is a religion
based upon trust in an unseen God's care lived out in community.
I’ve heard about corruption and
Harambees. What happened?
Until the Lord returns to this earth
the best of God’s intent wrestles with human depravity. Sadly, there have
been times when the Harambee tradition has been corrupted. At times morally bankrupt politicians have
used Harambees to bribe voters in a district.
At times the poor have been excluded from elite Harambee functions.
The worst desecration of our
Harambee tradition happened in Rwanda during the Genocide in 1994 when the
community work of the Interhamwe (note similar grammar to Harambee) was to
murder innocent men, women, and children.
Yet, God made us in His
image. We all by simply being human have Agaciro (Kinyarwanda for dignity.)
Harambee is a way to display that though an individual may be at loss together
we can overcome. Our children can have hope. One way we
display this divine dignity is to come together as a community to overcome all
obstacles.
Have you ever contributed at a
Harambee before?
Yes. Many
times. In fact, as our family spent 29 years in total in Africa our
parents, Gaston and Jan Tarbet were the first ones to contribute to
Harambees.
We’re thankful to have been part of
building schools, churches, roads, and other community infra-structure through
Harambees. We’re thankful to have helped couples marry through
Harambee. We’re thankful to have sent young people to school
through Harambee. We’re thankful to have helped those were sick
become well through Harambee.
Have you ever hosted a Harambee
before?
Yes, we’ve hosted three Harambes.
First, when our oldest daughter, Sophia was accepted to Wheaton College in 2011
we applied for all the financial aid we could and still were about $22,000
short. We hosted a Harambee in Rwanda. Our Rwandan
community raised $5,300. Others in the USA made some
contributions. We barely had enough, but with Harambee Sophia got
through her first semester at Wheaton.
We didn’t know what would happen her
second semester, and then we got a surprise. Sophia received an
unexpected grant, and her college bill was paid. Our African friends were
confident that a Harambee was a step of communal proactive faith that God would
honor. They were right. (To read more about Sophia's Harambee
see http://jenkinsinrwanda.blogspot.com/2011/08/harambee-economics.html.)
Second, when our son, Caleb was
also accepted to Wheaton College. The anticipated total cost
was $42,390 in 2013-2014. Caleb has done well with scholarships and
only lacked $5,600 to pay for his freshman year.
The gifts the Lord abundantly gave
us in Africa were friends and experiences. Yet, we had no savings
or property. We threw a Harambee to give Caleb a blessing and a
push. Our community raised over $1,000 and the push got Caleb
moving to get through his next two years.
Third, we hosted a Harambe when our
son, Ethan begin at Wheaton College in January, 2015. Our community raised over $2,600 of the needed
$2,993 to get Ethan through his first semester at Wheaton College. Some other gifts came in. Ethan shoveled snow and worked in a small
transport ride sharing busines with his brother, Caleb to raise the rest of his
needed resources.
What should I wear and bring?
Dress casual. Bring a little
food. Bring a little money. Bring some
encouragement. If you have some musical skill we’d enjoy a
song and dance.
If you are considered an mzee (wise
elder statesman) bring a short speech to bless Ruth.
We’ll provide kuku ne mbuzi muchomo
(grilled chicken and goat.)
We’ll take cash in Shillings,
Francs, Pounds, Pesos, Euros, and both Canadian and American Dollars.
We’ll have a money trader nearby if you need some exchange. Also, we’ll
trust your check is good (and even hold it for a season if you want to make a
pledge.)
If you have something that you think
would bless Ruth as a college freshman please also feel free to bring it.
What if I’m broke?
Show up anyway. Your
presence is the greatest value. Harambee is about Agaciro (dignity.)
You are made in God’s image. All you need to bring is what God has
given you. God will take your presence and use it to bless our community.
Karibu sana (You are most welcome.)
What if I’m on a safari (journey)
and unable to attend?
Safari salaama (Journey in
peace.) If you would like to send a contribution by mail send it
to:
Ruth Jenkins
395 Executive Drive, Apartment 101
Carol Stream, IL 60188
Also, we've set up a Go Fund Me account
for which you can contribute at https://www.gofundme.com/ruth-mirembe-jenkins-harambe
Asante sana. Webale
nyo. Murakoze cyane (Thank you very much.)
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