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- Aug 2, 2010
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By Edwin Agola
Sunday, 31st July 2011
Julius Nyerere Jr
Edmund Walton
Edmund Walton (26) is grappling with learning Kiswahili language as well as trying hard to get used to riding on Dar es Salaam's public commuter buses popularly referred to as Daladala.
In order to get things the easy way, Walton has shifted from the city's Masaki posh area to Uswahilini in Sinza, courtesy of a friend at Sinza.
Simultaneously, a colleague of his, Julius Nyerere Jr, is at Butiama Village, Musoma District, Mara Region. This Julius started living in America at a tender age of three.
He is currently working closely with his father, Madaraka, to gather information about how his family accomplished de-coloniasation. For Walton this is just one trip to Tanzania. He wants to become a motivational speaker to encourage people to believe in themselves.
The duo, undergraduate students of Bowie State University, State of Maryland, US, is in the country for the past two months to prepare a documentary.
The black students arrived in Tanzania in May, and between now and August they will be active in Dar es Salaam, Arusha and Dodoma to prepare the documentary.
Special Seats opposition(Chadema) MP Leticia Nyerere who is mother of Nyerere Jr, has partnered with her son, Walton and Bowie State University via The Centre for Global Engagement to complete the educational documentary, which among other things, hopes to connect Black Americans and Africans
The Center for Global Engagement is a programme started by several lecturers at Bowie State University - Historic Black College and University (H.B.C.U), created after the American Civil War in 1865, to educate people of African descent.
"After Julius and I complete the documentary we will take it to our school …for editing and we'll then submit it to foundations, charities and corporations for funding.
Although the documentary will focus on Tanzania's economic infrastructure, it also aims to empower Africans on the continent and the Diaspora by linking Tanzanian and American ways of life for attainment of life goals.
While Mwalimu was driven by the desire for independence, self-determination and abhorrence of all evil associated with colonial rule several decades ago, Nyerere Jr and Walton aspire for progressive and developmental oriented culture needs.
Nyerere Jr says: "I think that we all have something to contribute so as to make this world a better place.
"Our world is composed of people with diverse backgrounds who live in different environments. It is for this reason that we are bound to think and act differently…let's share our experiences in diversity," he adds.
Historical events such as slavery and colonialism have played a role in damaging these aspects but Walton maintains that "through endurance, unity and faith Africans around the globe can be healed.
"As people of African descent are uplifted, this can help motivate all people around the world to believe that even situations that seem unchangeable can be changed through perseverance, character, unity and faith," he adds.
The young men believe self-confidence and high self-esteem are important for social stability and healthy economic development; that life skills are crucial to perform well in the global world.
For his part, Walton expresses optimism in accomplishing what he says was started by past great leaders - Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, Dr Martin Luther King, Mother Theresa and others.
He adds that he and his friend feel the world is different from what it used to be 50 years ago stressing that those leaders "did not fail."
"And the world did not just arrive at its present state over night. Many events have influenced our present reality: slavery, colonialism, racism, ignorance, etc.
"Mistakes have been made on all sides - those who live in the First World and those in developing nations. We are all feeling the repercussions of past events," he clarifies.
However, they say: "We do not dare compare ourselves with the great leaders of the world who have gone on before them. But we can play our part. We can continue the dream."
Speaking to these young lads, one could discern hidden talent and the curiosity to make this world, specifically Africa, a better place to live in.
While Walton could qualify to be a great orator, politician-cum-crowd puller, his counterpart Nyerere Jr is somehow shy but quite careful with his words and deeds.
The latter dreams of placing solar panels and wind turbines in costal areas, and then send some of the wealth and savings, which Dar es Salaam shall accumulate, to villages that are struggling with power.
Attacking the legacy of hatred and racism held by many people around the world and encouraging Africans on the continent and those in the diaspora to think as global citizens, rather than local citizens, is another goal of theirs.
Walton says they do not nurture any political ambitions. "Even though Julius is a grandson of the late Nyerere, he is not aiming to become a political figure.
H.B.C.U sponsored Walton's airfare ticket and assigned him and Nyerere Jr to complete the documentary about the Tanzanian people.
"We're looking for sponsorship, have raised Shillings one million but we need a total of Shillings three million to completely handle all costs."
"Julius and I have hope. And hope is what is needed to change the world. You can touch ones life at a time. That's the motto of Julius and me. That is why we are in Tanzania serving," Walton says.
University of Dar es Salaam UDSM students and other young people will have their share of life goals and dreams on film to be shown in the US.
"We'll interview several business people and provide them with an opportunity to display their entrepreneurship skills. Also, we will interview and show the lives of other Tanzanian people: maids, servants, etc.
"We want to show our peers in America that in the midst of obstacles they persevere…that's why Julius and I are working together," he says.
SOURCE: GUARDIAN ON SUNDAY
Sunday, 31st July 2011
Julius Nyerere Jr
Edmund Walton
Edmund Walton (26) is grappling with learning Kiswahili language as well as trying hard to get used to riding on Dar es Salaam's public commuter buses popularly referred to as Daladala.
In order to get things the easy way, Walton has shifted from the city's Masaki posh area to Uswahilini in Sinza, courtesy of a friend at Sinza.
Simultaneously, a colleague of his, Julius Nyerere Jr, is at Butiama Village, Musoma District, Mara Region. This Julius started living in America at a tender age of three.
He is currently working closely with his father, Madaraka, to gather information about how his family accomplished de-coloniasation. For Walton this is just one trip to Tanzania. He wants to become a motivational speaker to encourage people to believe in themselves.
The duo, undergraduate students of Bowie State University, State of Maryland, US, is in the country for the past two months to prepare a documentary.
The black students arrived in Tanzania in May, and between now and August they will be active in Dar es Salaam, Arusha and Dodoma to prepare the documentary.
Special Seats opposition(Chadema) MP Leticia Nyerere who is mother of Nyerere Jr, has partnered with her son, Walton and Bowie State University via The Centre for Global Engagement to complete the educational documentary, which among other things, hopes to connect Black Americans and Africans
The Center for Global Engagement is a programme started by several lecturers at Bowie State University - Historic Black College and University (H.B.C.U), created after the American Civil War in 1865, to educate people of African descent.
"After Julius and I complete the documentary we will take it to our school …for editing and we'll then submit it to foundations, charities and corporations for funding.
Although the documentary will focus on Tanzania's economic infrastructure, it also aims to empower Africans on the continent and the Diaspora by linking Tanzanian and American ways of life for attainment of life goals.
While Mwalimu was driven by the desire for independence, self-determination and abhorrence of all evil associated with colonial rule several decades ago, Nyerere Jr and Walton aspire for progressive and developmental oriented culture needs.
Nyerere Jr says: "I think that we all have something to contribute so as to make this world a better place.
"Our world is composed of people with diverse backgrounds who live in different environments. It is for this reason that we are bound to think and act differently…let's share our experiences in diversity," he adds.
Historical events such as slavery and colonialism have played a role in damaging these aspects but Walton maintains that "through endurance, unity and faith Africans around the globe can be healed.
"As people of African descent are uplifted, this can help motivate all people around the world to believe that even situations that seem unchangeable can be changed through perseverance, character, unity and faith," he adds.
The young men believe self-confidence and high self-esteem are important for social stability and healthy economic development; that life skills are crucial to perform well in the global world.
For his part, Walton expresses optimism in accomplishing what he says was started by past great leaders - Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, Dr Martin Luther King, Mother Theresa and others.
He adds that he and his friend feel the world is different from what it used to be 50 years ago stressing that those leaders "did not fail."
"And the world did not just arrive at its present state over night. Many events have influenced our present reality: slavery, colonialism, racism, ignorance, etc.
"Mistakes have been made on all sides - those who live in the First World and those in developing nations. We are all feeling the repercussions of past events," he clarifies.
However, they say: "We do not dare compare ourselves with the great leaders of the world who have gone on before them. But we can play our part. We can continue the dream."
Speaking to these young lads, one could discern hidden talent and the curiosity to make this world, specifically Africa, a better place to live in.
While Walton could qualify to be a great orator, politician-cum-crowd puller, his counterpart Nyerere Jr is somehow shy but quite careful with his words and deeds.
The latter dreams of placing solar panels and wind turbines in costal areas, and then send some of the wealth and savings, which Dar es Salaam shall accumulate, to villages that are struggling with power.
Attacking the legacy of hatred and racism held by many people around the world and encouraging Africans on the continent and those in the diaspora to think as global citizens, rather than local citizens, is another goal of theirs.
Walton says they do not nurture any political ambitions. "Even though Julius is a grandson of the late Nyerere, he is not aiming to become a political figure.
H.B.C.U sponsored Walton's airfare ticket and assigned him and Nyerere Jr to complete the documentary about the Tanzanian people.
"We're looking for sponsorship, have raised Shillings one million but we need a total of Shillings three million to completely handle all costs."
"Julius and I have hope. And hope is what is needed to change the world. You can touch ones life at a time. That's the motto of Julius and me. That is why we are in Tanzania serving," Walton says.
University of Dar es Salaam UDSM students and other young people will have their share of life goals and dreams on film to be shown in the US.
"We'll interview several business people and provide them with an opportunity to display their entrepreneurship skills. Also, we will interview and show the lives of other Tanzanian people: maids, servants, etc.
"We want to show our peers in America that in the midst of obstacles they persevere…that's why Julius and I are working together," he says.
SOURCE: GUARDIAN ON SUNDAY
