VUVUZELA THE PEACE AMBASSADOR

During the 2010 world cup in South Africa, The term Vuvuzela was introduced to millions of people around the world. Vuvuzela is a funnel like; sound deafening instrument when blown that was made famous by World Cup. It never occurred to me that Vuvuzela could be a person’s name until I met Mr. Vuvuzela Ashindu, a young energetic youth at the International Youth Conference organized by Church World Service at State House Girls. His love and passion for peace has left many wondering. I set out on a mission to get to know him better and hear his story. Below is an extract of a conversation I had with him.

Apart from Vuvuzela, can you tell us your other name and where you are from?

-          I am Vuvuzela Ashindu, born in 1985 at Busia County, Busia District in Bulanda village. My home is a walking distance to Uganda.

Why Vuvuzela?

-        What most people are not aware of is that the name Vuvuzela has there ever since. The 2010 Worldcup at South Africa is what made it popular. Vuvuzela symbolizes a warrior or a courageous leader in our community.

So, tell me about your story, how life was when growing up?

-          My life story is interesting. Born in a polygamous family of 18 children, life was a rollercoaster for me. I am the fifth born in my mother’s side. By the time I was being born my father had already retired from firestone where he used to work then.

In a family of more than twenty, how did he manage then to cater for all of you?

-          He had to do odd jobs around Busia town in order to put food in the table. One meal a day is what I grew up knowing. My elder brothers had to drop out of school and assist my father.

Tell me about your educational background.

-          I went to Seresta Primary School which is in Uganda a walking distance from my village. It was much cheaper than schooling here in Kenya and more so the syllabus was similar. My father struggled to pay for my fees but after joining my Secondary level, I had to drop out for two years. I did odd jobs at that time and only went back to do my final exams.

You mentioned that you also an actor. How did that came into be?

-          After clearing my forth form in 2007, I acted  a lot at my local church. Amateur group based in Busia is a youth group specializing in acting. They spotted my talent and took me in. We used to go around schools, weddings, churches and other occasions acting. Whatever we got we shared amongst us.

How helpful was that to you, were you able to sustain yourself and cheap in to help your family.

-          Yes, there was a project introduced called Population Service International (P.S.I). The aim was to promote abstinence of sex through acting. It boosted me and the team so much. Especially that was the same period my brother, who had been our bread winner had passed on. I later joined college in Busia to do a course in Human Resource Management under Nairobi University in which I parted with 15,000 sh. After clearing I did a Diploma in the same course and am yet to graduate soon.

You have been described by your collegues as a very energetic person. Why so much energy?

-          I have been through a lot in my life and I get psyched up most of the time to keep my mind of the sad moments in my past

You have been termed a Peace Ambassador,

-          I love and passionately advocate for peace. Ever since joining facebook, all my updates have been about peace. Five years ago I started sending people messages with the word peace. I purchased some Kenyan Shirts with Vuvuzela signed on them. I give them for free to any person who advocates for peace. Andrew Hozekom in America, Lindu Mbathason in South Africa and Litha Lulu from Malawi are some of the winners of the Vuvuzela Shirts. This is something I do because I love it, not for money but for the satisfaction of seeing people in peace.

And the Subject To Citizen (S2C) you recently launched. What is it about?

-          Subject to Citizen (S2C) is an afternoon session Amateur Group normally holds on the weekends. The target audience is idle youths who instead of investing their energy in important things they end up doing bad things. We identify opportunities and share with them. It is also a platform where local artists around Busia town showcase their talent.

What is motivates you to work this hard to make a difference in other people lives?

-          I have always dreamt of a peaceful world where people regard each other with respect and love. God created each one of us equally.  I argue my fellow youths to also be peace ambassadors wherever they come from. I appreciate Church World Service for organizing an event where youths from East Africa are able to interact and share ideas on how make it in life.