Harambee presented its activities carried out in the year 2022 at an event held at Palazzo San Calisto in Rome. The Report documents the achievements of the past year and the initiatives undertaken to achieve the organization’s objectives: collaborating with African institutions to implement projects in the field of education and training and contributing to a more realistic and accurate portrayal of the African continent.
The presentation was inaugurated by H.E. Dr. Martin Pascal Tine, Ambassador of Senegal to the Holy See, who stated, “Taking care of people, a country, a continent, is not so much about solving material poverty, but your Foundation shows closeness, support, and comfort to those who are poor in hope.” He added, “Harambee’s solidarity is effective, a growing awareness that is fueled by love (…). The salvation of the world must lie in human brotherhood, through dialogue, and in this era of complementarity and interdependence, we all need one another.”
In the course of 2022, thanks to entirely private fundraising, the Foundation disbursed a total of 523,982 euros for the implementation of projects promoted by African entities in twenty-two countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Since its establishment in 2002, the Organization has promoted over a hundred projects in 22 countries.
During the year in question, development projects in the education and training sector were carried out in Kenya, Uganda, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mozambique, and Tanzania, involving thousands of families. Furthermore, scholarships were awarded to 453 individuals, including children, youth, and university students, in Ivory Coast, Kenya, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Due to the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was necessary to continue supporting emergency initiatives. In particular, support was provided to the Walé socio-sanitary center in Ivory Coast, Monkole Hospital, and the Institute of Nursing Sciences in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Additionally, Harambee Africa International launched two projects aimed at supporting young entrepreneurs in Kenya, recognizing the enormous entrepreneurial potential residing on the African continent. According to a study by the World Bank, 78% of young people aged 18 to 24 in Africa intend to start a business within 5 years. Harambee Africa International is committed to providing the necessary skills and access to financing to support these entrepreneurial initiatives, collaborating with excellent African incubators in Kenya, Ivory Coast, and Nigeria. The selected entrepreneurial projects in 2022 aim to strengthen female entrepreneurship in the Nyanza region in northern Kenya and establish a self-sufficient hydroponic farm in Sekenani, near the Masai Mara National Reserve. The incubators, partnering with Harambee, focus on training young entrepreneurs who have a strong social impact and are capable of creating innovative, competitive, and sustainable businesses for Africa and the world.
“Social enterprise is an important path for Africa. Problems are opportunities for innovation and rapid growth. By collaborating with local entrepreneurs, providing the necessary capital and guidance, we help them help themselves. The combination of a growing population and entrepreneurship is one of the most powerful competitive advantages the continent could benefit from.”
In 2022, the Foundation also promoted several events and meetings to spread a more authentic and in-depth representation of Africa, overcoming common stereotypes. One of the highlights was the award ceremony for the 9th Harambee Prize “Communicating Africa,” which focused on audiovisual works aimed at highlighting the commitment to construct a more realistic narrative about Africa that takes into account the countless challenges, progress, potential, and richness of African realities. The international jury, composed of communication experts, awarded the young Ghanaian director David Boanuh, co-founder of the production studio “Beautiful Stories,” for his videos “Reframed” and “The Golden Seeds.”
Lastly, Harambee Africa International continued to support its African partners through the International Volunteering project, offering a concrete response to real needs that require qualified volunteers to fulfill specific assignments. A significant example is the experience of a Spanish doctor at the Niger Foundation Hospital in Enugu, Nigeria, where she provided her expertise in general medicine, internal medicine, and emergency care, also contributing to assistance activities in surrounding villages.