BENEFIT CONCERT AT “THE ROXY” DOWNTOWN BOSTON
Hey guys, Mark your calenders! February 2nd there will be a benefit concert at “The Roxy” a premier concert location in Downtown Boston.ALL proceeds going to the Kenya Red Cross. Folks, this is the time to do something for those of you that have a heart for Kenya and want to help. This is a highly anticipated and exciting evening!!!! I’ll be flying to Boston for this event and be part of the talent on that day together with numerous Kenyan Artists. Please be there! If you are in the States call me at 214-708-1554 or email josephkaroki@hotmail.com or kgituma@gmail.com for details. Lets support our beloved country and Spread the word! Thanks to Harvard Med student and upcoming Kenyan Leader Karimi Gituma for putting this together. See you there.More details below.
VUMA KENYA! Initiative is the brain-child of a group of talented, resourceful and socially connected young professional Kenyans who have decided to pool their resources together in the spirit of our founding father Jomo Kenyatta’s “Harambee Spirit” to rally fellow Kenyans both in the Diaspora and in Kenya to bring an end to the violence and strife currently tearing our nation apart.
According to the Kenyan Red Cross, over 800 people have been killed and approximately 500,000 internally displaced (IDPs), www.kenyaredcross.org. Majority of the displaced are from poor areas, and in the midst of the ethnic/political tension and polarization lies an IDP crisis waiting to implode, a Hurricane Katrina situation with Tsunami-scale consequences for my country.
VUMA KENYA! Initiative, not only strives to highlight the plight of the internally displaced but also strives to rally and mobilize Kenyans both in the Diaspora and in Kenya to be more proactive and socially conscious in addressing this humanitarian crisis.
To achieve this ambitious goal we are planning to raise awareness using pop culture and the Internet as our main tools. We have 2 initiatives that we are working on simultaneously:
1. A web based initiative www.vumakenya.org (site currently under construction) that will serve as a conduit of information and resources to aid the Kenya Red Cross and other domestic grassroots organizations that may not have a platform to appeal for assistance.
2. Raising awareness through a benefit concert for the Kenya Red Cross at “THE ROXY”, a premier concert location in downtown Boston, on Saturday February 2nd 2008 featuring a mix of Kenyan and international artistes. As a component of this benefit concert we plan on displaying a Public Service Announcement (PSA) featuring international celebrities from the entertainment and political domain who command great respect and have a large Kenyan following. The purpose of this PSA will be an appeal for an end to the ethnic and political violence.
VUMA KENYA! Initiative seeks to encourage productive peace-centered initiatives to evoke change. Rallying around this cause will provide such an opportunity.
KARIMI GITUMA
HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL, CLASS OF 2008
FOUNDER, VUMA KENYA INITIATIVE
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Hey Joseph, You guys are doing a wonderful job and I amazed that you and Kirimi have shown true leadership at this trying time. I live in the Boston area and I will be there for sure. A few people in my office will be coming with me so we can chip in. Good Job!
Will be there. I had about this concert through facebook!! Najivunia kua Mkenya
Jose, I’ll be there for sure. Me and my girls will see you there!
Just got my invite through facebook Joe. looking forward to it!
Thanks for the info Karoki. I will be attending. whats the cover charge?
[...] People on the other side of the ocean will have the chance to raise money at a benefit concert in “The Roxy” in Boston, Ma on Feb. 2nd. Numerous Kenyan artist will preform. The money will go to the Kenyan Red Cross. It is organized by “Vuma Kenya”. For more information look up the Joseph Karoki blog. [...]
[...] Kenyan blogger Joseph Karoki, who has been posting a lot of images from the post-election aftermath, will be playing there as [...]
Keep it up Joseph.We need Africans of your type for our continent.Let all children of Mother Africa pray for Kenya and the rest of Africa.God less Kenya,God bless Africa.
Rev.Lewis Hiza,Dar es Salaam-Tanzania.
I will forward this massage to http://www.ajabuafrica.com sot that more Kenyan’s can know about this. Good work. God bless you
[...] Kenyan blogger Joseph Karoki, who has been posting a lot of images from the post-election aftermath, will be playing there as [...]
It’s wonderful to read about all these initiatives Kenyan’s abroad are making. I set up a blog to fundraise for a charity in Kisumu called Ladies in Action who are busy with food and medical supplies distribution and helping people leave Kiisumu if they are in trouble.
People who wish to donate can payonline so I hope you can all spread the word about Sukuma Kenya:
http://sukumakenya.blogspot.com/