For years one of the most dramatic social injustices of our time has been taking place in the surroundings of Malindi, at least in Kenya. A silent massacre to which no one puts a stop, that of the elders of the Mijikenda tribe accused of witchcraft just because they still practice traditional rites, natural cures and animist liturgies. In reality, they are murdered by relatives, often children and grandchildren, in order to take possession of their land and resell it in the often ephemeral pursuit of wealth.
Taking advantage of the laxity of the institutions and of the galloping corruption, the new generations become owners of fields to cultivate and in the best of cases they start building projects, but almost always they are attracted by the easy money of resale to buy motorcycles or cars, convinced that they will earn good money as boda-boda (moto-taxis) or taxi drivers and still rent the vehicles. Of course, the harsh reality comes to them in the form of expenses, taxes, maintenance and less morose living. The money goes and you are left without a home and without that little bit of corn and vegetables that gave the shamba of the parents. A social situation that deteriorates, with the natural increase in unemployment, crime, feuds and suicides.
But let's go back to our elders: we have been denouncing the situation for a long time, at least since 2008 when we crossed the path of MADCA, the Malindi District Cultural Association that fights for the preservation of Mijikenda traditions and the safeguard of the elders who are victims of persecution. The MADCA have created a village where they take in elders who have escaped assaults (some still bear the marks) or who are threatened. They protect them, care for them, and feed them. Clearly they need support, since despite promise after promise, they receive nothing at the national level.
The Onlus Karibuni was the first Italian association to join our battle to bring to light this drama and, with its vocation for active solidarity, deeply aware of the roots of this people and interested in improving the consciousness of the new generation, offering them ideas and "know-how" and not only aid, from this point of view has continued its work, with the help of the activist and musician Giriama Katoi Wa Tabaka, her friend Laura Scrivani (we talked here about her commitment) and the field organization of the director Jackson Kanai.
The patron of Karibuni Onlus, Gianfranco Ranieri, launched a few months ago the project to erect five traditional huts, perfectly prepared to welcome and protect the elderly who come to the village, not far from the Sabaki River. One of these was built thanks to the proceeds from the sale of safari guide Luciana Franci's autobiography, her last gesture of love for the land where she lived, before succumbing to illness.
Those who until today were forced to live in camp tents and spend the last years of their lives not only far from the beloved, humble rural setting of their homes, but also in uncomfortable conditions sleeping on the ground, thanks to this initiative will return to the decency of a comfortable accommodation, without inflitrations and with their own comfortable bed.
Yesterday Gianfranco Ranieri attended the closing of the project, visiting in person the new houses that have been built by employing the same volunteers and guests of the village, while the women, soul and plunger of the industrious community, prepared for them lunches always offered thanks to donations received by the non-profit organization.
"We can see the results of this fundamental commitment for the survival of a culture and its most distinguished exponents - said Ranieri - but our help does not end here, in the coming months we will periodically bring food and health aid to the elderly and we will always be available to evaluate, with sponsors and friends of Karibuni and the Kenyan coast, new initiatives for the village Mijikenda.
The elders set up a ceremony to thank Karibuni, with speeches and animist prayers. The project manager for MADCA, Kiponda Mwagandi, expressed his satisfaction for the dignified present that the association wanted to offer to the elders.
Among them there are people who have worked for a lifetime: carpenters, painters, laborers, bus drivers, municipal employees. Men and women who have never lost their moral integrity and respect for the teachings of their ancestors, and for this reason they are now paying the price of collective madness and the glare of a form of progress that in Africa often shines first on useless and deceptive trinkets rather than on its positive, sustainable aspects linked to social evolution.