Project Harambee 2002: aid for education projects in Africa

Project Harambee 2002 is an effort to raise funds for educational programs in Africa from people attending the canonization of Saint Josemaria and from anyone else who wants to help.

“The canonization is a moment of joy, a gift,” explains Linda Corbi, coordinator of the project. “We want to share this gift with the most needy, so we are asking for donations from people coming to the canonization." The coordinators are asking everyone to donate 5 euros, and are hoping that those who are able will donate more.

All for one!

In Swahili, harambee means “all for one.” The word is echoed by everyone when making a collective effort, such as helping a family in need or building a school or church. Everyone does what they can, with their work or donations, “all for one.”

Why Africa?

Africa is a continent with enormous resources but also great needs, which call out to Christians and to all people of good will. Saint Josemaría said: "A man or a society that does not react to suffering and injustice and makes no effort to alleviate them is still distant from the love of Christ's heart. Christians should be united in having one and the same desire to serve mankind. Otherwise their Christianity will not be the word and life of Jesus." (Christ is Passing By, n.167). Africa's needs require a harambee without frontiers.

Beneficiaries

Anyone involved in educational work in Africa may apply for Harambee funds. The project coordinators have identified Outreach Program, a pilot program sponsored by Kimlea in Kenya, as an example of what they would like to support. Kimlea is a Center for Professional Development which was set up with the encouragement of Saint Josemaría. For the last few decades, Kimlea has been working to educate African woman. The funds Kimlea receives from Project Harambee will be used for Outreach Program, a course of professional development for women working in the tea plantations that seeks to open up new opportunities for them and their families. Outreach Program offers adult women courses in literacy, accounting and other basic subjects. With these skills, they can find less exhausting and more profitable work. In fact, many program participants have started sewing or food businesses that have greatly improved conditions for their families and communities.