On visiting Kenya, I have held literary discussions in some of the areas she designated for conservation and the arts and I have walked across Nairobi, marvelling at the green spaces under her efforts.
Last year in 2022, while delivering a creative presentation for feminists under Oxfam's climate change two-day conference, I met young feminists who worked at Prof. Wangari Maathai's Green Belt Movement in Kenya, and we discussed further the extraordinary nature of the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize, 2004.
In this photo, we appreciate how every effort we make towards environmental protection and conservation, will serve our children and grandchildren well.
'Unbowed,' Wangari Maathai's memoir is such an intricate and well-woven story about her life. It is filled with statements, declarations and strong beliefs about her personal life and her unwavering commitment towards environmental and political transformation.
My fascination stemmed from her traditional birth in a mud-walled house in a small village in Ihithe, in the Central Highlands. Wangari's description of her home area is vivid and breathtaking. She speaks of fresh air and a reader can almost taste the crispy freshness. The abundance into which she was born, formed her appreciation for environmental conservation.
In her ideal quest, little did she know that the political machines would work strongly against her, causing unbearable stress on her life, work and family. She then joined the political platform to create further impact towards her cause, leaving more devastation in her wake and at the same time, giving her international platforms that she would never have deemed possible.
Her name, Wangari, is Kikuyu for 'Of the leopard,' How apt! Her mother told Wangari growing up, that if she ever saw a leopard's talk, that she should not step on it but tell the leopard that she was one of them.
From a modest beginning in life where boys were encouraged to go to school over girls, Wangari sailed through formal education with such brilliance, writing on slabs at the start, creating ripples as she gained formal knowledge and deeper understanding of the world.
All animals benefit from a protected environment,
During the time of colonialism, Wangari also realised that colonialism converted many values for example turning Kenya's economy into a cash economy, where trees became opportunities for cash, and started to be sold for timber, elephants for their ivory and cheetahs for the sale of their skins.
Before that, Wangari stated, her ancestors lived with the recognition of protecting their environment.
The Green Belt Movement, fighting against such practices, continued to grow and by the mid-1980s there were over two thousand women's groups managing nurseries and planting trees.
Note: The Green Belt Movement (GBM) was founded by Professor Wangari Maathai in 1977 under the auspices of the National Council of Women of Kenya (NCWK) to respond to the needs of rural Kenyan women who reported that their streams were drying up, their food supply was less secure, and they had to walk further and further to get firewood for fuel and fencing. (The Green Belt Movement website)
As she continued to pursue great heights, continued studying and changing lives, her marriage was annulled and her children faced the challenge of a situation of fending for her three children as a divorced woman.
With perseverance and tenacity, in 2004, Wangari Maathai was awarded the coveted Nobel Peace Prize for her contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace.
In her memoir, we envision relentless pursuit of ideals, goals and a sustainable life for the future, amidst insurmountable challenges. In her memoir, we learn that truth, justice and humanity are more important than selfish ambition and [political correctness.
Seven years after her award, in 2011, Wangari succumbed to ovarian cancer.
We read her book and witness the marvellous impact of her work in Kenya and the world.
The copies are available in many bookstores around the world and online.
Reviewed by Beverley Nambozo Nsengiyunva
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