Singing songs of charity

By Erick Wamanji

Helen Mtawali clears her voice then belts a line again, her voice quivering and achieving staccato with a velvety timbre as she reaches the crescendo. She is performing in two days time, hence the prudence of right notes.

Mtawali might not be your celebrated garish musician, but, in her small way, she is sparkling in the lives of many would-be hopeless young people. She is on a noble cause — to sing songs of philanthropy and evangelism.

Based at Daystar University, Mtawali performs locally and abroad to raise school fees for needy students in the institution. Besides, in her mission, she trains young people who would take the tunes far and wide. She achieves this through her brainchild organisation — Afrizo.

"It hurts to see students dropping out of school for lack of fees. That’s why I chose to exploit my talent and help the needy. Education is pretty expensive in this country, way beyond the capacity of many parents," she says thoughtfully after taking a break from her practice.

She tries to sing again, but her voice is drowned in the cacophony of clank and shriek as students scurry for class. We change base to a nondescript college cafeteria, which looks like, well, Gikomba Market, but fine for this interview nevertheless. "So far, I have trained about 600 students since I started in 1998," she says as she takes a plastic seat.

Her personal assistant, Joel Maluki, joins us. Maluki has been with Afrizo for five months now, and entertains thoughts of one day running his own music outfit, thanks to the inspiration he gets from Mtawali.

Simple demeanour

Indeed, she reveals that those who take pupilage with her have crocheted their own music bars. "That’s really encouraging. It is an indication of the luxuriant nature of Afrizo seeds, which take root whenever they fall."

In the university, she recruits every semester to replace those who have graduated. This ensures that she has constant supply of talent.

"I have also raised a lot of money… I do not know how much. I even don’t know how many students I have helped out. I don’t go to check, that I leave to the university. But I am satisfied knowing that many are benefiting," she explains.

The needy students at Daystar are engaged in a work-study programme before they can benefit from scholarships.

"I started Afrizo in 1998, as a vehicle for my ministry. Afrizo is abbreviated from Africa Zone. This gives a hint that my music is mainly afro-based," she explains. "If I can do something to help others get a good education, that’s a worthwhile contribution to society. Singing is a God-given talent and how I become a good steward would determine the kind of blessings I receive in retrospect."

Members of her troop too do it for free. Some of them even discontinue their studies for a semester to participate in the fundraising extravaganza. That is how she has instilled in them, a heart to serve.

Just last year, Mtawali spent about 100 days traversing some 17 states in the US to fundraise. At the end of the marathon performance, she surpassed her target of $150,000.

"To me, education is the best gift one can get in life. This is why my day is made when I manage to fundraise and know that someone will attend class."

No status

Interestingly, even in campus, those students benefiting from Mtawali’s efforts are hardly aware of it. And she likes it that way. "If they knew that, then our relationship would be different. I like it this way. I am not in this ministry to gain celebrity status or praises. Nope. That’s not my thing," she asserts.

She has had the privilege of interacting with diverse nationalities, studied their songs and learnt their languages. Today, she speaks 16 different languages and keeps counting. She even got an opportunity to adjudicate at the Tusker Project Fame. "That gave me leverage and a chance to interact with different people. It was enriching," she says.

"I write, compose, choreograph and sometimes adapt," says the singer who has a Master’s degree in Music Communication, who is also a music teacher. Twice she has choreographed mass choirs at Nyayo Stadium during public holidays.

Away from fundraising, she also produces her gospel songs together with her husband. And though she is yet to hit the mainstream radio, still her CDs are a hot sell in churches and selected outlets. Recently, they launched their CD, An African Christmas, at Nairobi Gospel Centre. It has 10 songs.

She also concentrates on social issues of the day. "As you sing, you must communicate. You must pass meaningful messages."

With a knack for words, Mtawali can compose within minutes, and pass her message. Words and phrases are to her what reeds are to a weaver. She has to get them flexible but strong. She insists that if her music is not transformational and adding value to society, she has no basis in claiming a seat at the high table of music.

Her song, Echo-Change Begins With You, was used as a soundtrack for a movie. "We were performing in the US and unknown to us, part of our audience had a producer. He was looking for an African song. After the performance he walked to us seek rights."

"Much as money is important to me, what I do for the students is satisfying enough. I live a simple but meaningful life."

But hers was sewed in two extremes. As a soldier’s daughter, she had all she wanted when growing up, that is before life crumbled on their very eyes.

What a curse

"My dad was an Air Force officer at Moi Air Base. All was well with us until the 1982 coup attempt. He was implicated and had to go to prison. With him went all the luxuries we were used to. We were left with a helpless mother to seek refuge in shanties."

She adds: "We wondered what curse had befallen us. It was a critical time in our lives. Luckily, mum was strong and we courageously faced uncertain days till our dad was released." Her mother who was studying then, had to drop out of school for the sake of the children.

But when her dad was released, he got a job at Daystar University as a grounds man. Progressively, he rose to the security desk and finally landed as a Bookshop Manager. Luckily, the University has a programme where employees’ children are sponsored for study. That is how Mtawali got her university education.

She studied for a Bachelors of Arts in Education, Bible and Music then pursued Masters degree in Music Communication. All paid for. It is small wonder then that today she is busy giving back.

"We were humbled by life," says the second born in a family of six children. "That’s why I’m in a better position to crusade for philanthropy."

Her rendition has unbuttoned wallets and lessened purse strings. Besides, she is hired to perform at weddings and corporate functions. Currently, Afrizo has 50 members. When she performs locally, members of the group can earn some pocket money too.

Her big dream is to establish Afrizo School of Music where she would be training on voice, performance and instruments. Currently, due to tight working schedule at Afrizo, it is her husband who manages the Mtawali Band.

Copy-cat nation

She, however, laments the dearth of creativity in the music world, which she largely attributes to overdependence on TV and music videos.

"We are a copy cat nation. Most songs and music styles are aped from the west. Music, like any other art, should be original and inspired. Take Tanzania for example, for long they didn’t have a TV station, but they are ahead in their music," she says.

She also says that crisis provides a fertile ground for creativity. She gives the example of South Africa, which for long was suffocating in the clutches of apartheid. Freedom songs spawned all over. In this score, the late Miriam Makeba was a great inspiration to Mtawali.

Born Hellen Akoth, the singer is married to Alfred Mtawali. The couple has one child, Neema. She has lots of respect for the family institution arguing that all would be in vain if the critical unit collapses.

"And I thank God for giving me a musical husband. He appreciates my musical endeavours and gives me all the support," she concludes.