The living African Wangari Maathai

Jose Chameleon, a Uganda local musician states in one of his popular songs "Basima ogenze"-People realise someone's importance after passing away. I am happy that Wangari Maathai has lived to be honored while still with us. My first time to know about Wangari was through her book of Unbowed in Portuguese version. It was in 2008, when I had just arrived in Mozambique for my junior internship with rural honey keepers with Technoserve. Life was not easy while in Gorongosa. It was my first time to see, talk, hear and share with people living in extreme poverty. I couldn't believe that someone can feed on mangoes and water as daily meals. The fight I saw while the chief was giving out seeds to the local people made me think that I should continue living in America for the rest of my life.

I asked many questions to my assistant supervisor, Maria Regina of Carr Foundation about the state of life in some villages and I even shared with her my view of Africa as compared to Costa Rica and USA. The following weekend, she surprised me with a gift and she told me that all the answers to my questions can be found. To open the box, it was this lady with a great smile Wangari Maathai! I hadn't yet learnt any Portuguese but I got all the dictionaries until I read and understood each and every word. By the time I finished the book, I felt a little voice within me: "Africa is the place for you". This marked as a turning point in my life. I kept on thinking about the challenges that Wangari went through just for our mother land.

After reading the book, I went to the communities for the group meetings as usual. On my way, I kept on watching young people alongside the road selling honey and charcoal. I  kept on thinking about 5000 liters of honey in small huts of Verinijo and the quality wax he had kept for many years. Back in my room, I asked God if there was something I could do for Africa especially these small businesses.

After the internship, I went back to Costa Rica to complete the course. Another mother Africa, the founder & CEO of The Boma Project Kenya, Kathleen Colson offered me a gift. To open the box, it was "Unbowed" English Version. Reading this book again gave me unmeasurable desire to come back to Africa and serve my community. With only acer notebook, I decided to come back home and be part of Waagari Maathai's family in Africa. When I meet any challenges in my struggle, I reflect on Wangari's experiences. She has been and she will always be my role model. May her soul rest in Peace.