Umzi Wethu

Earlier today Yesterday, I watched ‘The Rolex Awards for Enterprise’ on National Geographic for the first time and was very moved by one man’s initiative in particular, called Umzi Wethu (which means ‘Our House’ in Xhosa). Andrew Muir, a South African conservationist by training, read a UN report in 2004 stating that 80% of the world’s orphans lived in sub-Saharan Africa and was shocked by it, prompting him to start Umzi Wethu.

Umzi Wethu is essentially a day and residential school that provides vocational training to orphaned youth for employment as cooks and rangers in the emerging eco-tourism industry in South Africa. Apart from vocational training, these youngsters are even provided with life skills, wellness counselling, one-on-one mentoring and wilderness experience.

I really admire the fact that instead of just doling out charity money, the people behind this initiative are giving teenagers vulnerable to being drawn into a life of crime and prostitution, skills that will help them crawl out of poverty and inspire others like them to improve their lives too.

You should read Andrew’s story on the Rolex Awards website to truly understand the impact the Umzi Wethu training facility is having on these orphaned youngsters.

It’s while watching such programs on television that I realise how meaningless a life spent chasing money and acquiring possessions and ’status’ is. Why not use your excess wealth to help improve lives of the people around you instead?

I’m definitely going to explore such opportunities where I can do something good for the less fortunate once I’m back in Kenya next year. Yes, after 12 years of living on the cusp of insanity in India, I am moving back to my homeland in early 2010. I never felt much of an Indian in spite of my brown skin, anyway.

Harambee! Nyayo!