Harambee (Pull Together)

Over the years, we have been invited to participate in a few Harambee (Hah rahm beh).  This is usually an event where many people are invited to come, eat, and contribute money and/or materials for a specified need or project.   One harambee we attended was for a church congregation who had outgrown their present building and were in need of a larger facility.  I was actually asked to be the Mgeni Rasmi (Mmm geh knee  Rass me  -- official or most important guest) at this particular harambee.  Later I discovered that I was actually the "stand in" as the original Mgeni Rasmi was unable to attend.  The procedure for this harambee was that people were

invited to bring their contributions to the front of the meeting area where the contributors were recognized along with their gifts.   A list of contributors already solicited for donations and who had prepared to give was read and each named participant came forward with their gift.  Their names and amounts were announced publicly and usually ended with applause and cheering. If cash was given,  the moderator of the harambee would hold the cash in front of him at head level and then count it out loud so that everyone would see that the actual amount was being given.  Several people would also ask that their "friends who were present" help them with different amounts to help reach their promised goal.  These "friends" would come forward with various amounts to give in this person's name.  Then the cash/gifts were given to the designated "accountants" to count, safeguard, and then give a final tally after contributor list and "last call participants" were given a chance to give.

Another harambee was held at a local church in which we really did not know the true intent and use of the contributions.  We knew this church needed a choo (ch oh rhymes with show), benches, and a small building to serve as a kitchen/cook house.  We arrived and began talking with those already there.  The announced "start time" was 11 am. but the real start time was 2 pm!  So there was plenty of time to talk and gather information.  This harambee was actually about raising money to support a prayer team who was going to different areas in the district.  The vision/plan of action of the Maasai in this area is:  1) to send in a prayer team to a new work area to prayer walk;  2) send an evangelism team to do evangelistic work and baptize new believers; and 3) send a discipleship team in for teaching and discipling.   We were delighted that these Maasai believers were following their vision with action!  Eventually we began (after I was asked to pick up the Mgeni Rasmi who arrived by bus at a town 20 minutes away) with singing, dancing, and prayer.  It was a glorious time and a substantial amount was given to enable the "first team or wave" to go.  Other harambees should follow to help the other teams with their work also.

Harambees are a good example of "cooperative giving" (like the Southern Baptist's Cooperative Program but in an East African way).  Everyone can participate no matter the amount!  Thought - what if our  giving amounts were announced in front of the church?  Would that help or hinder the effort?  Something to think about.  But remember, the harambee participants were given ample time to pledge amounts and then work to make their giving amounts a reality.  There also was no "pride and/or comparison giving".  Each gave what they were able and had promised by faith then made their faith promise a reality.  A good example to consider and follow!