Less than 3,000 Kr Raised at Agness Harambee
Although KSB agents were too engaged over the weekend, reports reaching headquarters say that less than 3,000 kr was raised at the Agness harambee, a Kenyan woman currently trying to raise funds to finance a ticket for her sick daughter in Kenya.
An agent operating an underground radio station at Bagarmossen broadcast a message saying that the harambee was poorly attended with less than 10 Kenyans present. Just before the event, some commentators had taken strong positions not to attend the harambee arguing that Agnes ought to raise the funds by herself since the amount needed did not warrant a funds drive.
Another commentator suggested that Agnes could go for a Bank loan to sought out the problem, arguing that calling the harambee amounted to abusing the “harambee spirit”.
The failure is in sharp contrast to the case of Ochieng Nyambok funds drive where over 30,000 kr was raised on the same day the Agness harambee was taking place. The two harambees have rekindled debate in Kenya-Stockholm, not because harambees are new but because one was hugely successful while another one is seen to have been a total failure. The poor attendance of the Agnes harambee indicates that the initiative had no support among the Kenya-Stockholm community.
The poor result is a major draw back to attempts by Agness to bring her daughter to Sweden. The Kenyan woman may have to go back to the drawing board to work out a new strategy for the Ticket project.
Okoth Osewe
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Agnes got what she deserved. let this be a lesson for all out there who want to use kenyans with fake harambees. she was advised to take a loan, cléan mak d, give out metro newspapers,etc but she thought those who do these kind of jobs are crazy. i congratulate all kenyans who refused to be used
Wamatha u just said it and I am happy too with the way Kenyans kept away from Agnes. The spirit of harambee must never be abused.
Osewe, thanks for reporting it as it is whether negative or positive. At first, I thought this blog will be biased about news but with time, you have earned your own respect from people like me who read between the lines. The Agnes Harambee did not work out because many Kenyans have brought their relatives in Sweden without calling Harambees and Agnes should be no exception. The Harambee spirit is strong and should not be misused.
Hello Kenyans. I personally disagree with the people who think that Agnes was wrong to ask for help when caught up in a dilemma to rescue her child. To remind you all, be aware that a mother does not sleep or enjoy her food when one of her children is in danger. Taking into account that the poverty in Kenya has moved on to almost 80% so Agnes’ child may be sleeping hungry every night, may fall sick and even die. Shall it be then appropriate to raise funds for her for traveling to her burial or is it OK to help her while she is still alive. I challenge Kenyans especially mothers. Come out and raise funds for that ticket. Agnes does not need to call another harambee again. Be kind to your next of kin.
KSB: Well said Chairlady. Very mature intervention. Back to critics.
Mrs. Opwapo: With all due respect Agnes has been offered many alternatives of raising money to bring her child to Sweden. Remember that Harambees are voluntary and Kenyans donate according to circumstances. The Nyamboks’ tragedy came much later compared to Agnes’ yet they got a great response at the fundraising because the circumstances were understood.
Critics of the Agnes fundraising feel that it is not worth putting their money into something that could have been solved a long time ago, e.g. by the mother bringing her child(ren) here. There were no details as to why the daughter does not live with her in Sweden.
If we uderstood why Agnes could not bring her children (assuming that she has been here for 10 years as somebody wrote), then the attitude might change. Whoever wants to raise money for the ticket has all the worldly rights to do so. However, those opposing it also have equal rights to keep off. We also have the right given by KSB to write our opinion.
Kenyans need to draw a line on what is worth raising money for. According to the current situation, Agnes is merely abusing the good-nature of harambees.
I fully agree with Luseno that fundrasing in Kenya-Stockholm is voluntary and the situation draws one to donate. Everything about Agnes and her child is enshrouded in mystery because it is so rare that Kenyans are asked to raise money for a child whose mom lives and possibly works here.
Agnes should come clean and explain why she cannot raise the ticket by herself if she wants public sympathy. If she raised around 3000kr then she only needs 2000kr more for a one way ticket, if the daughter is coming to live here.
Mrs. Opwapo, you have raised a very mature position as a mother. However, I agree with the rest who question why Agnes cannot raise the ticket by herself. Does her child have a Swedish residence permit? Is she a Swedish citizen that returned to Kenya? Has Agnes turned to other Swedish charitable bodies or Church for help? Why can’t she take a bank loan? Why can’t she gather a small group of friends to raise 1000kr each discreetly without going public with such a task?
Kenyans have been fooled in the past to raise money for useless purposes and that is why no matter how difficult it is for Agnes, those challenging her are just being cautious.
My people may be you know something that I dont. Many people have been doing this kind of things( unnecessary harambee)and nobody attacked them. I apologise for those whom I may have offended, however I still stand for Agnes. She is not the last to collect money from Kenyans for dubious reasons. So let us help her and see if this daughter shall come or not, otherwise the spirit of Harambee is dying day by day.
mrs opwapo: u say that the spirit of harambee is dying day by day, but do u know its people like u and agnes who are killing this spirit? kenyans are known for helping each other, but when some try to use us, then things go wrong. by standing by agnes i see u as a surporter of users.
so many have brought their children here. kan u imagine if all were to ask for harambees. kan we really cope. i remember somebody said that kenyans will end up in kronofogden cause of this harambees. i will always surport harambees as long as i am not used by the likes of agnes
Mrs Opwapo: I don’t know what to add other than to remind you that those opposing Agnes have used all the necessary examples to prove why they don’t want to help her. It is pointless convincing Wakenya on her behalf. If Nyambok’s harambee was more successful, it is because people deemed it urgent and worthy. Agnes has no good reason to ask for public funding.
By the way, Kenyans have always protested against fake harambees, but this time they are more bold with the case of Agnes because it breaches the spirit of collectiveness. Agnes can also comment at KSB by explaining why she cannot raise money for her own child’s ticket. She should have been smart by now to see that people are not interested in helping her. You should not be her spokesperson because as Wamatha says, you will be seen as the one killing the spirit of harambees which are here to stay, but must be done for the right reasons.