Besides the fun, fame and fortune that comes with the territory, some celebs have the humility and compassion when it comes to philanthropy, writes STEVENS MUENDO
Two years ago, celebrity couple Nameless and Wahu volunteered to be ambassadors of a charity foundation.
They had been following news on haemophilia cases and were moved by the anguish of young suffers whose parents could hardly get a helping hand.
Former Miss Kenya Cecilia Mwangi and Ahadi Trust’s Stanley Kamau at past anti jiggers campaign. Photo: Martin Mukangu/Standard |
Haemophilia is a rare hereditary bleeding disorder that impairs blood clotting or coagulation upon injury.
"Many people choose to go loud when they get involved in charity projects. That is okay if you are genuinely looking for assistance to help the needy. But others do it for the publicity, money and fame. We prefer the opposite," Nameless told Pulse.
"We may not devote all our time to the needy. We may not even have all the money to help. But the little we can, we do. It is never about showbiz publicity, but the genuineness one has in doing so," he added.
The singer made headlines after news leaked out that he had donated a six-digit figure in assisting a school for the disabled in Machakos sometimes this year. Nameless, who avoided the media during the secret charity mission has never shared details of his good gesture. It is only last week, after Pulse pressed Wahu and Nameless hard, when the couple revealed that they are involved in more than three charity foundations one of which is in support of the Special Needs Children’s’ Home in Nairobi’s Korogocho slums. Another of their charity supported foundations, Street Nicers, helps in mentoring street children, while the other is purely a Wahu initiative dedicated to nurturing young girls. Rarely will you hear the two dwell too much about their philanthropic deeds in public.
Forget hype
"It is not about the hype. It’s our family duty of giving back to the society. We help locate parents with children with special needs and help connect them with willing individual donors, some of whom help in providing day care assistance to the kids," the showbiz couple asserted.
It is the season to merry-make and project kindness unto others. In this spirit, many celebrities have gone philanthropic, visiting children’s homes, IDP camps, hospitals, prisons and everywhere else they can lend a helping hand.
On Saturday during his charity mission dubbed ‘Make it or Make it’, gospel singer Jimmy Gait spent the day feeding and clothing (IDPs) in Kieni Forest, Huruma Village in Nyeri County where more than 250 families reside.
Singer Wyre at a charity mission at a Nairobi Children’s home. Photo: Martin Mukangu/Standard |
"I am thinking of a long term initiative that will transform the lives of the IDPs. I can’t do it by myself. I am simply giving it my all," Gait, who also held a special concert at the venue, told Pulse.
It was the same week P-Unit had taken Christmas goodies to a Dagoretti Children’s home where they spent the whole day entertaining the orphaned kids.
Wyre and Nameless were at the Lang’ata Women’s Prison on a similar mission.
For some local celebs, they have been at it throughout the year.
The Kigeugeu singer Jaguar has not been wavering when it comes to giving back to the society. Ringtone has also been working under World Vision charity mission while Moustapha has a foundation supporting projects in Maasailand.
During the Kenyans for Kenya initiative, Jaguar donated Sh150,000 and helped to raise a similar amount during another charity mission at Kenyatta University.
"I don’t do all these things for public attention as some people think. I am from a humble background and out of this, I made it my call to assist the suffering," Jaguar said.
"Blessed is the hand that giveth," he quipped. The singer camped at Nairobi’s Makadara slums last week feeding and clothing more than 300 HIV and Aids infected mothers. He did this in partnership with a local charity foundation.
Another celebrity popular for her charity works is former Miss World Kenya, Cecilia Mwangi, the anti-jiggers campaign ambassador.
Tirelessly, she has devoted her life to the humanitarian call, which has since enjoyed the support of prominent personalities among them politicians and diplomats. "Charity is generated from a strong inner desire to achieve one’s goal. For me, the anti-jiggers campaign is as much of a charity work as it is a lifestyle. I live to see jiggers eradicated, not only in Kenya but all over the world," remarked Cecilia.
Stark contrast
However, for some local celebrities despite having enjoyed massive following for years and minting lots of cash partly thanks to great media hype and support from fans, do not bother to spare even a cent for the underprivileged.
In a shocking move, during the memorable ‘Jaza Lorry’ initiative championed by young musicians, some popular names defied the call, instead asked for performance fees, as compassionate youth gathered at Nyayo Stadium to save starving Kenyans.
The shameful act was replayed by a bunch of musicians during the ‘Kenyans for Kenya’ initiative, which enjoyed massive support from the majority of artistes.
After the celebrity spearheaded Kenyans for Kenya concert in Nyayo Stadium, Juliani a gospel musician, even went to add to the over-flowing kitty by rallying support from other celebrities through his ‘Kama Si Sisi’ Foundation. The versatile rapper rallied celebrities to the famous Ranalo Foods (K’Osewe) Restaurant in Nairobi where leading stars worked as waiters to raise funds for hunger stricken Kenyans.
And even after a bountiful rake from concerts all year round, the thought of reflecting back at God’s blessings and sharing time and resources with the less privileged members of the society does not seem to appear in many an artistes’ radar.
Besides the fun, the fame, the fortune and all that glitters, maybe it’s time we reflected back and shared God’s love with just one needy Kenyan — for that is a real celebrity Christmas.
