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WATOTO WA MUNGU - MUSIC GROUP
Don Rawzi is the Music Director of the Nyumbani Children’s Home in Nairobi. He also works with the Lea Toto program.
The Watoto Wa Mungu (Swahili for “Children of God”) music group is now among the most popular entertainers in East Africa. After only two years on the music scene they have accomplished so much. At the 2004 Kisima Awards (Kenya's equivalent of the Grammy’s), they were nominated for Best New R&B group, and won Best Video East Africa for "Watoto Inkane," a collaboration with Ambassada, Uganda's gospel superstar. They are the youngest group to reach this far.
They also hold the record at KAME FM radio as the only group to hold number one for more than 5 weeks, with "Shauri Yako," which was the first song that they recorded. Right now, the group has made five music videos and recorded 17 songs collaborating with the top artists from East Africa, such as Amani, Rufftone (best gospel artist 2004), Henrie Mutuku (best female artist 2003 and 2004), Mashifta, Ousman, Wakimbizi (Best Hip Hop Group 2004), Ambassada, and Don Rawzi. Don organized and trained Watoto Wa Mungu and wrote many of their songs.
Music is a vehicle for social and political change and it also has therapeutic properties. The Children of God orphans have successfully fought off the stigma and discrimination that was directed toward them and in the society at large. Before the CD came out, many people would not even shake hands with them.
Right now there are many requests for their music on all the 8 FM radio stations in Kenya. Their videos are on East African TV. This has made the children famous in Kenya. Now they have many friends, thus building up their self-esteem. In school there is no more of the frequent abuse, as the other children see them as role models.
The Watoto Wa Mungu music group performed for the president His Excellency Mr. Kibaki and the First Lady Mrs. Lucy Kibaki; the British High Commissioner, Edward Clay; for Tommy Thompson, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services; at the United Nation's headquarters in Gigiri, Kenya; for Kenyan Vice President Moody Awori; the Kenya United States Association; the World Red Cross Day to name a few.
Don Rawzi has also initiated arts and craft training at the Lea Toto outreach program, empowering the women with skills so that they can be economically stable to better care for their children. Don has a policy of "each one teach one," which with the right kind of funding can reach over 1000 women per year. This will encourage more women who care for HIV+ children to join Lea Toto. They can become independent and run small-scale businesses from their homes. There is a need for a worldwide market for the art and crafts that they produce.
Currently Don has taught over 150 women in tie-and-dye and beadwork, but the program needs start-up capital for tools and materials. Don has more plans to teach leatherwork, jewelry, and dress making and designing. The money the women make allows them to offer a balanced diet to their children and also be able to afford necessary medical care. In one month, Don can train 100 women, if he has the right kind of funding.
If you can help in any way, please contact Don Rawzi atdonrawzi2@yahoo.com. Thanks so much! |
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