There are two probable grounds on which indignity can crop up and take control of and over people, a community, individuals or groups. The first ground is inborn. It comes about as a result of people's apathy towards self-uplifting moves. This apathy may be due to hopelessness, lack of critical and vital information or the general feeling that progress must come from 'outside'; from authorities, leaders or highly-placed individuals.
The second ground - and which seems to be deeply entrenched in our thinking and actions - seeks to connect progress - social, political or economical - as exclusively the work of external forces and with the target groups/communities (as beneficiaries) at the very end of the chain.
In this case, the masses play no significant role in determining what drops on their table. Theirs is simple; receive, receive and receive without toiling.
It is a dangerous move. It subjugates. It enslaves and kills the moral pedestal of a people. It must be cracked and smashed.
Buoyed by the need to effect meaningful change and restore some degree of trust and hope in individual capabilities to turn things around, a people-led initiative dubbed 'Endeleza Vijanaa' is up and running. The idea is a brain-child of Turkland Entertainment Group (a collection of young visionary local artists in Turkana) under the leadership of Turkana dance-floor kingpins Akidah and Dahil.
The initiative is principally a youth-movement that seeks to reach the masses through songs and/or cultural events. This, according to insiders, is founded on the understanding that illiteracy still reigns supreme and innovative measures must come in handy in order to communicate with and reach out to the people. Theirs is a departure from the norm. It wants to connect with the populace in a simple, less-costly and integrative manner.
As we speak, the group has lined up meet-the-people tours covering three towns (Lokichar, Kakuma and Kalokol) with the grand party planned to blow up the skies of Lodwar town.
This is a just a piece of a bigger cake. There are other countless women's, youth's initiatives out there craving for attention and support. They all share one spirit: To chart a new way to uplift the masses and make them self-reliant.
Which brings us to the center of our discussion: What does a community pushed to the wall for so long need other than an energized, focused and issue-oriented populace? Isn't it high time we looked into the welfare of those at the periphery who are making great strides, albeit monstrous challenges, to improve the center?
History has given us some powerful lessons on this matter. To lift the people up the economic, political and social ladder is not an exclusive role of leaders. The people must first – as a matter of principle – internalize and own up the process for any meaningful change to materialize. Any move that ignores this is doomed to fail.
Could there be a nexus between this and ‘Endeleza Vijanaa’? The point is clear. The younger generation has shown – despite financial constraints - that it can organize earth-shaking events geared at educating and empowering the people. It has reached out to the neglected by listening to them and voicing their concerns. Through their talents, they have proved to be a useful tool to showcase the greatness of a community that has suffered from the virus of bad and ‘catchy’ news.
Through such groups as Turkland Entertainment, they have broadened the platform to accommodate other gifted sons and daughters of the soil.
With such shiny record, doesn't it prick our minds to reflect on ways of improving the welfare of our artists and the ‘not-so-schooled’ but talented segment of our population?
Back to where we began. The future of the economically-weak lies in their collective energies. These energies can only be meaningfully (and productively be) harnessed if the people are roped in and made aware of the great things they embody. And ‘Endeleza Vijanaa’ initiative of Turkana County is not an exception. It is one of the many great ways espoused out there.
Talent/incubation centers, group-loans targeting women and youth, exposure and creating links with established firms or individuals, can be a game-changer. My people, try this!
The writer is an Architect. Twitter: @mlemukol. Email: lemoseh89@gmail.com
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