Link to Harambee photo gallery: here
Video on Harambee: here Opus Dei members and others helped organize a fundraising event for HarambeeUSA on May 15. More than 200 people attended the event at the Dahesh Museum – across the street from the Sony Building currently decked out in elaborate Da Vinci Code displays to promote the forthcoming movie.
Harambee promotes educational programs in Africa and about Africa – developmental projects in the sub-Saharan region, and awareness-building activities elsewhere designed to encourage a positive outlook on African culture. Ngozi Agbim, spokesperson for the event, said Harambee has financed 24 African-run projects in 14 African countries since 2002. For more background info, please visit www.harambee-africa.org.
Kwesi Blair welcomed participants and explained that in Kiswahili Harambee means "all for one." He added, "It is the word that resounds when collective efforts are made for common good, such as helping a family in need, or building a new school or church. Everyone does what they can, whether through their own personal efforts, prayers, donations, etc."
Linda Corbi, Harambee’s International Programs Coordinator, said that 45 million children in sub-Saharan Africa do not have access to basic education. "It is projected that in 2015 there will still be 380 million people living on less than $1 per day."
Corbi said that the new fund-raising campaign for 2006 plans to raise $1 million in 2006 for the following projects, one run by Franciscan friars, one by Canossian sisters and two by members and cooperators of Opus Dei:
- 1) Sudan: a professional training program for women and youths from South Sudan who have fled the civil war afflicting the country.
- 2) Kenya: a training program for elementary and high school faculty.
- 3) Madagascar: professional training for craftswomen and their families.
- 4) R. D. Congo: a health service program for women and children in the rural outskirts of Kinshasa.
"Africans need help to be able to determine their own future," said Susan Kynua, from Kimlea School in Kenya. "The solution for the big challenges that Africa is facing will come from Africa, not from the outside. That's why education is the key resource we can make available to Africa."
After the event, Terri Carron, Opus Dei’s spokesperson, said: "Many people feel pained by The Da Vinci Code’s lack of respect for the beliefs of Christians. We choose to organize a celebration, encouraging people to express these feelings peacefully and constructively." A statement from the Opus Dei Communications Office of New York is available here.
Tax-deductible donations to Harambee can be made at www.harambee-africa.org. Donations by check can be sent payable to Rosemoor Foundation, Harambee, P.O. Box 1541, Murray Hill Station, New York, NY 10156-1541.