{"id":219417,"date":"2023-12-15T08:54:02","date_gmt":"2023-12-15T13:54:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thewaterproject.org\/community\/?p=219417"},"modified":"2023-12-15T08:54:51","modified_gmt":"2023-12-15T13:54:51","slug":"what-makes-the-kenyan-season-of-goodwill-last-all-year-long","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thewaterproject.org\/community\/2023\/12\/15\/what-makes-the-kenyan-season-of-goodwill-last-all-year-long\/","title":{"rendered":"What Makes the Kenyan Season of Goodwill Last All Year Long?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In her blog<\/a> from earlier this year, Kenyan staff member Catherine Chepkemoi shared her experience living without clean water for so long. During this time, she needed help to afford higher education and, later, to build a home. Her community \u2014 including her friends, neighbors, and coworkers \u2014 helped her realize those dreams through a nationwide community-giving concept called Harambee<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Swahili, the word Harambee<\/em> means \u201call pull together.\u201d The word represents a state of mind as well as a giving event. Harambee<\/em> means people help each other when they face obstacles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yesterday, December 12th, marked when Kenya declared independence<\/a> from England in 1963 (a holiday called Jamhuri Day<\/a> in Kenya). There\u2019s no better time to expound on the Kenyan people\u2019s generosity of spirit than when the whole nation is celebrating<\/a> 60 years as an independent country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Harambee Means to Kenyans<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[The] Harambee<\/em> Philosophy or spirit is a national concept that was started by our founding president Jomo Kenyatta<\/a> to encourage Kenyans to come together and help one another,\u201d said The Water Project board member<\/a> Ron Wamala, who grew up in Kenya. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Ron.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\u201cIt’s a concept of communities coming together and contributing their resources to develop their communities. Politicians have used Harambees<\/em> to build schools, clinics, roads, etc. The first borehole project in my village was built in the late \u201880s led by our Member of Parliament Moody Awori<\/a>. It is still functioning today, and it has been sustained by the spirit of Harambee<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cKenyan culture<\/a> is community-oriented, and sharing our resources, food, [and] homes is part of our DNA. I don’t really remember being taught this as a child. It just came naturally. It was organic.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTo me, Harambee<\/em> represents a call to action, a rallying cry for unity and collective effort,\u201d said Joan Were, Operations Manager at The Water Project\u2019s Western Kenya Regional Service Hub.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Joan.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\u201cIt signifies coming together as a community, contributing talents, and sharing the responsibility of uplifting one another.<\/strong> The dances and celebrations associated with Harambee<\/em> events weren’t merely performances but expressions of the vibrant spirit that defined those moments.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHarambee<\/em>\u2026has transcended its linguistic roots to become a symbol of collective effort and shared purpose,\u201d said Ashley Mkaiwawi, Regional Service Hub intern. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Ashley.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\u201cThe word Harambee<\/em> has been a major form of national integration among people since it echoes the spirit of unity and collaboration. It aids people [to] understand the need of working together, as there is strength in numbers. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs we all know, charity begins at home. The art of Harambee<\/em> is introduced to one when they\u2019re still young. In order to get the chores at home done, we have to comply with one another. In this way, we get to learn responsibility and the value of working together towards a main goal.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The History of Harambee<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn Kenya’s educational curriculum, students are taught that Harambee<\/em> is a fundamental concept deeply embedded in the nation’s ethos,\u201d Joan explained. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Swahili term\u2026emphasizes unity, collective effort, and communal responsibility. Historical lessons delve into the role of Harambee<\/em> during Kenya’s struggle for independence, embraced by leaders like Jomo Kenyatta and Daniel Arap Moi<\/a> to unite diverse communities toward common goals of nation-building and development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In his story, Programs Coordinator Erick Wagacka shared both how Harambee <\/em>helped Kenyans gain a sense of \u201cself-reign\u201d as a newly independent nation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n