Showing the real story in Africa

By Rome Reports

Africa continues to be an unknown territory for many. Not only for those who visit it’s deep jungles or it’s deserts. Even those who read the headlines daily don’t get the full grasp of the reality on the continent.

Harambee, an NGO, says the media rarely tells the full story on Africa. In an effort to change that, it’s established the 'Communicating Africa' award, which offers professional audiovisual journalists a challenge.

Rosalinda Corbi
International Coordinator of Harambee Africa International Onlus
“It’s about recognizing Africa through a news report. The award has two categories, one for western journalists an another for African journalists. Each one can tell their own story about Africa according to their point of view.”

It’s an award for journalists to shed some light on the rich untold stories about the history of this continent. It’s not about giving a naive or simplistic view of Africa, but instead an effort to show that even in a place ravaged by war and hunger there is also hope and there’s the earnest work of many organizations.

That’s why the prize is just the tip of the iceberg and Harambee wants to gradually change the bias about the continent with as great expectations as its people.

This NGO came to be out of donations that were collected for the canonization in 2002 of Saint Josemaria Escriva, the founder of Opus Dei. Since then Harambee has been dedicated to African development.

So far it’s financed more than one and half million euros 28 projects in 14 African countries. One way of providing a small contribution for development of the continent, is by focusing on the education of children.

Giovanni Mottini
President of Harambee Africa International Onlus
“We’re convinced that education is a priority to Africa because in about 10 or 15 years today’s kids will the future of these countries. Among them will be those who will be responsible for making the tough decision in these countries. That’s why education is our priority.”

Harambee means, “all together” in Swahili and it illustrates exactly what Africa needs and the nature of this organization. All together, for a continent that has so much to show the world.