The Moses Fund Changes Lives

January 11, 2006

I have found that before I went to Africa, I thought that the problems were so big that I could do nothing to help. When I arrived in Africa, I saw that even the littlest act or deed makes a huge ripple effect in helping them with what they want and need to improve life’s conditions. It takes such little effort, it is easy to help. It is truth, one act done from the heart can indeed change the world.

Halima Nduwimana went with THE MOSES FUND on the June 2004 trip to Africa. You’ll see her in many of the photographs referred to as Maji (which interestingly enough means water in Swahili), the name she used before she was married. She was kind enough to write for this Web site the first testimonial for THE MOSES FUND.

The Moses Fund Changes Lives


The Moses Fund has changed my life since the first moment I learned of it. It led me all the way to Africa.

So much I saw, felt, and experienced that went far beyond what I consciously imagined. I can only say that what I witnessed and experienced with The Moses Fund was nothing short of one miracle after another.

So much...so much...My life is changed forever as I knew it, little did I know just how much it would change.

Everywhere we went, we were treated as great kings, special guests of honor. People everywhere made great efforts to do presentations, shows, demonstrations, cook food and honor us. We drummed, danced and ate with the Burundian drummers, danced and sang and talked with Bujumbura women who adopted street children while they were already struggling to take care of their own families; Teen aged orphans who go to an Islamic school that pushed each other aside trying to get to me for me to kiss and touch, give love...hiked to the Batwa village in the mountains for meetings and then danced with them their native dances, my goodness, so much more. We visited schools where the many children sang, danced and recited speeches for us. We met brothers who are making prosthetics for the war victims who had their limbs severed (sooo many) during the genocide. We met with people who are assisting in the education of HIV, AIDS, and SIDA. We met with people who are trying to rebuild after the volcanic lava buried their homes, schools, and businesses. The children in the streets, I cannot begin to say... so many, so poor but so proud and happy to be alive. Their outlook on life is renewing and inspiring. In seeing how they struggle and suffer, I wanted to cry many times but could not because they weren’t. Indeed, they were smiling, laughing and giving so much joy that we were only too happy to celebrate life with them. So strong and full of love are they, so full of dignity and hope are they, that anyone being with them can only feel love and joy and a renewed appreciation for life.

The children of Momma Africa have become my masters. I will live to the end of my days doing what I can to help them to rebuild. All they want is “chances,” not handout. They want chances to become successful and to live comfortable like other people in the world. They want what everybody else on this planet want, they want to exercise their human right to the pursuit of happiness.

I have found that before I went to Africa, I thought that the problems were so big that I could do nothing to help. When I arrived in Africa, I saw that even the littlest act or deed makes a huge ripple effect in helping them with what they want and need to improve life’s conditions. It takes such little effort, it is easy to help. It is truth, one act done from the heart can indeed change the world.

Upon my arrival to U.S.A. I wrote to them the following letter.

(bows)
Blessings...Salaam Alaikum...

I am safely home now, taking my time to rest and prepare to get back to work. I am coming to Africa again as soon as I can.

Thank you for your love and kindness, and your smiles. I will remember this about you most. The time that we have shared is precious and sacred to me. You have shown me much, and I will forever be grateful. I loved Africa before I came to be there, but now I know I love Africa more and more. You are beautiful, powerful, and very loving. Every day that I live and breathe, I will remember you. Thank you for helping to make my life and future better, by being in my heart, my mind and my soul. I will work harder than ever to do what I can through The Moses Fund to help in the efforts to assist the children, aids/sida victims and the works and makings of prosthesis for the ones who have suffered severed limbs from the war. I will also try to promote African music and the musicians all I can here in America as well. With The Most High to Guide us, we will be able to help, there is much to do.

I look forward to our continued friendships, to watch them grow and to see you again in person.

One Love, Light,

Your
Maji Devi.


So is my life’s purpose found, so is my life’s purpose met. My life is forever changed. But it doesn’t stop there. I met a man who is called Adjobalove while we were in Burundi; I recently returned to have our wedding. Ooooops! Today, we are waiting for my husband’s arrival to the United States, so together we can live and work and be instrumental in The Moses Fund to help the families, the children, the mothers and the fathers of Africa, whom we love so much.

And it all started with a willingness to help even though I had no idea what I could do. Change begins in the heart and love will do the rest.

Oooooooops!

Halima Nduwimana
(aka, Maji Devi)

Interview with Effrom Harrison

Effrom Harrison went on the June 2004 trip of THEMOSES FUND TO Africa. He has graciously consented to be the first person interviewed for this website.

1. How did you hear of THE MOSES FUND?

I actually stumbled into the Moses Fund by accident. It began while delivering an express mail (my day job) to one of the businesses at this strip mall on Newport Blvd. in Costa Mesa. I noticed this one store whose name caught my attention. It was the African Corner. Being of Afrikan descent, i'm always intrigued by all things concerning the continent; therefore, i had to enter this shop. Although my time was short during that first visit, i was able to get to know Suliman, one of the employees and later on Kiro, the owner. My promise to them was that i would return later to check things out more thoroughly. Upon each of my subsequent visits, whether it was to buy something or just browse and listen to reggae music, i found myself being drawn to all the photos displayed throughout the store and the outside windows. Naturally i had to ask who were these beautiful people and why were they all smiling? In short, the answer was the Moses Fund, and the rest, as the old cliche goes, is history.

What are your personal interests in helping African children?

I'm a child of Afrika, just as all of us are; some of us just don't know it yet. As one famous person once said, "just because a mother hen lays her eggs in an oven does not mean her hatchlings are called biscuits," i also am an Afrikan; although not physically born there. Therefore, my interest is very personal because i have a duty to help my homeland and all its people however i can. The Moses Fund is a great vehicle for me to do this because it allows me to channel my energies toward the youth, plus focusing on the children in particular is so critical, because after all, they are the future of Afrika.

What year did you go to Africa? What countries did you visit?

The year i returned to the Mother Land, or as we say, "SANKOFA", an Akan word meaning "one must return to the past in order to move forward", was June of 2004. The countries included Kenya, Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda.

4. What were your expectations prior to going, how did the experience compare?

As a student of Afrikan culture and its people, my expectations were perhaps not typical of someone that is unaware of Afrikan society. Living in the west we often hear of the negative things that are happening in Afrika. This is further exacerbated by the images that we see on the local/national news being broadcast right into our living rooms on a daily basis. If one were to believe the propaganda; ie, backward people, corrupt leaders, war, drought, famine and of course aids, and i think lots of people do believe it, then who would ever want to go to Afrika, much less care about helping it. Yet, this is the distorted view we so often have about Afrika, especially sub-Saharan Afrika. Granted these things do exist in Afrika, but perhaps not on the scale that is projected. One must remember that Afrika is a big place. It has over 40 countries within and outside of its borders. You can place 2 of the United States inside of it with room left over. My point is that there are other countries on other continents that have some of these same problems, but are not perceived so negatively in the west as is Afrika. I think the real question we should ask ourselves is not why Afrika seems to be suffering so much, but rather why does the west seem to prosper so much? In short, my expectations were not based on erroneous characterizations about Afrika, brought to us by western media, but by carefully researching information and actually talking to Afrikans, and non-Afrikans, who have been there. Thus, my actual experience on the ground was one of joy and jubilation, because spirit had prepared me to go with an open heart. To state it more simply, i was returning home to see my family and they welcomed me with open arms.

How does THE MOSES FUND help the children of Africa?

Well i can tell you that the Moses Fund is involved with many projects in Afrika, such as improving schools, building homes, starting casava mills and peanut shelling businesses, distributing condoms, disseminating aids information, starting youth clubs, delivering prosthetics and much more. All which either directly or indirectly help the children. But there are many organizations in Afrika doing similar things, so in that respect we are no different. Yet, where we attempt to make the greatest impact in our projects is on the minds and attitudes of those involved in the projects and who it will affect. The emphasis is placed on the people rather than the project. This process is not as simple as constructing a building, but we hope that by winning hearts and minds it will help change attitudes and develop more confidence and self esteem, thus, establishing a self determination to become self-sufficient. This, i think is our greatest gift to the children/people in Afrika

6. What brought you the greatest feeling of satisfaction while you were there?

As far as the Moses Fund and the projects, i'm very impressed with what has been done thus far, although the resources have been very limited. It gives me much hope and anticipation that if and when the resources become plentiful, there is no limit as to what the Moses Fund can accomplish. Similarly, i'm just as impressed with the ingenuity and resilience of Afrikan people. Yes, there is a lack of monetary resources, but not all Afrikans are waiting around for some hand out. Afrikans are on the move; building, creating, studying, learning and of course singing and dancing and celebrating life as they have always done.

7. Describe a couple of experiences you had while interacting with children.

Thinking back, there were just too many incidents with the children to single out only a couple of experiences. To me all of the encounters were special. Something i did note about the children is that all of them wear a smile, even the street kids. In the school we visited i noticed that all the kids were well groomed and in nice uniforms. They all seemed well disciplined. The kids in the families we visited all seemed to be well behaved, not out of control, and respected not only us as guest, but all of the adults. It seemed like all the children had a role to play no matter how young and the duties were performed in a playful, non-aggressive manner. There was a playful curiosity about who the strangers were, with the girls being a little more shy to approach you than the boys, but all in all the kids are the motivation that drives me within the Moses Fund.

8. When do you plan to go again?

I only left Afrika physically, yet the images in my head are still so clear and vivid that i know mentally all of me did not cross back over the Atlantic, so a part of me remains there i'm sure. Only spirit knows when i'll be able to join with that part again.

9. What is it about THE MOSES FUND that is different from other organizations?

On a personal note I'm grateful to be a part of the Moses Fund. It is satisfying to see that fellow members know the value of Afrika and Afrikan people and don't think of them as backward and primitive. I also know that the Moses Fund is just one avenue to help restore Afrika and its people to the greatness that it once had in the world and i'm fortunate to be among a group of people that share a similar idea.

sincerely,
thanks for the opportunity to respond to your questions.
effrom "axe" harrison

The Clout of Africa's Diaspora

The Clout of Africa's Diaspora
The second Rwanda Diaspora Global Convention was held in Kigali recently. It focused on how Rwandans living abroad - who remit an estimated $40 million to Rwanda annually - can contribute to the development of Rwanda.

Club Hope Overthrows Moses Fund Office in Gisenyi

Dec. 4, 2005
Club Hope Overthrows Moses Fund Office in Gisenyi

GISENYI, Rwanda—After a two-year partnership with the Moses Fund, Club Hope—a community group in Gisenyi, Rwanda—launched a coup against the California-based nonprofit, leaving the Moses Fund Rwandan delegate Madodu Aly without an office or the resources to continue with the mission of educating African children about AIDS prevention and providing a safe place for them to learn how to improve the quality of their lives.

The conflict centered on money. The Club Hope members were outraged because Aly received a salary from the Costa Mesa, Calif. office whereas the club members did not.

"The Moses Fund was not created to give money," said Judy Knight, executive director and co-founder of the Moses Fund, in a Dec. 6 e-mail to Club Hope leader Hassan Gatete. "It was created to help children.”

Knight explained Madodu worked for Kiro many years ago and, at that time, they established a trust between them. “That is why we trusted Madodu to give him a salary to do something in Gisenyi to help children."

Aly started Club Hope in 2004. The intent was for it to be a volunteer organization that would support the goals of the Moses Fund.

On their trip to Gisenyi in June 2004, Knight and Bigira KiroKiro (Kiro), two of the Moses Fund co-founders, gave Club Hope $600. Knight said they did not tell the club how to spend the money but gave it to them to “work on the agreed goals of helping children and fighting HIV. Since the club members were familiar with the problems locally, we provided no instructions on how to spend the money.”

After returning to the states, Knight and Kiro learned the club members, including Aly, used the funds to rent a club location and buy a pool table, which they thought would attract people to the location.

While the space turned out to be a safe place for the children to go, the club incurred additional expenses that Knight and Kiro didn’t anticipate paying. Prior to renting the club location, Aly worked out of his home so paying rent wasn’t necessary.

Knight and Kiro now believe giving this money to Club Hope set a poor precedent. But they do not blame Club Hope for this lack of communication. “That isn't your fault," Knight said to Gatete in her Dec. 6 e-mail. "It is ours."

The catalyst happened in September 2005, when Knight and Kiro sent $1,000 to Aly to purchase a mill. The mill would allow the club to grind cassava, corn, beans and other produce for a small fee. The club could then use whatever funds they made to be self-sustaining, thereby eliminating the need to send money each month from the U.S.

Some members encouraged Aly to use the mill money to share with the other club members, which Aly did not. At that point, the other Club Hope members became outraged and launched the coup.

Knight told Gatete he seemed to have unrealistic expectations of how much money the Moses Fund has to spend. "We are in America, thousands of miles from where you are,” Knight said. “Our lives our different. ... But the amount of money we have is not, I think, what you think we have."

To date, Gatete has not responded to Knight's e-mail. In his last interaction with Aly, Gatete said Club Hope intended to use the former Moses Fund office for its own efforts and is looking to partner with UNICEF.

The entire incident has been deeply disconcerting for Aly. He encouraged close friends to join the organization and passionately lobbied for community support.

Aly spent his days making the location available to the children. They were elated to have a place to go after school and during vacations to play games, learn about HIV prevention and organize plays about HIV that community members went to see. Over time, children who didn’t go to school found the location and spent a lot of time there.

Where Do We Go From Here?

Aly still has the mill but is unsure whether it is still a practical tool given all that’s happened and the fact extra money will be needed to tear it down and reassemble it come time for him to move.

Not to mention, the demand for a community mill is not as great as originally anticipated. The Moses Fund is looking at where there might be a stronger need for this service and it hopes it will be in Kigali.

Knight, Kiro and Aly are currently talking about Aly moving his wife and three children to the Rwandan capital. There he can continue his work with the children. It's a several-hour drive along mountain roads from Gisenyi. However, because Kigali is more urban and populated than the rural Gisenyi, Aly would have access to more resources to support his work with children.


Copyright 2005, The Moses Fund