Japan Catholic News
August 2009
'AFRASIA' MUSIC SUPPORT HELPS STREET CHILDREN IN CONGO
Catholic Weekly, July 19, 2009
For the past six years, Naoko Ngbanzi 52, a parishioner of the Kojimachi
Church in Tokyo, has supported the education of poor children at
an orphanage, now a school, in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the
Congo, formerly Zaire. Now the support extends to street children
to help them through music and provides aid to women through literacy
training.
The Congo is called the country of music and dance. People sing
and dance at every occasion. Liturgies, weddings, funerals and other
events are without exception accompanied by a live band and dancing.
The idea of music education for street children came from Ngbanzi's
friend Tabu Fataki, a well-known Congolese musician living in Belgium.
When Fataki returned to his hometown after eight years' absence
to produce new CD's in 2004, children crowded all around him.
They never gave up running after him wherever he went. Fataki had
given them a little money for food or clothes, but soon found it
useless. In the meantime he became aware of a talent of music shown
by some of the "groupie" children.
Fataki called Ngbanzi in Japan and said, "Proper education
and training will make them professional musicians and can help them
work on their own. But, what can I do by myself? Here people are
all poor. Please help us from Japan."
Ngbanzi immediately responded to the call. Looking to the 2006 presidential
election in the Congo she produced DVD's and CD's with
Fataki and broadcasted them on TV to draw candidates' attention
to the issue of street children. Reportedly they were then about
three million in number.
Ngbanzi decided to organize Afrasia, a non-profit-organization,
in 2006.
Her husband, the son of a Congolese diplomat, died suddenly from
a disease at the age of 38 in 1997. After his death Ngbanzi realized
how much he had been concerned about the future of the Congo and
Congolese.
An unexpected call from his brother who had been lost in the civil
war for six years since 1997 gave her a great impetus to make a positive
step toward aid and peace for the Congolese. The brother told her
of his hard plight. He had to kill people in the name of the nation,
to give little boys military training and was destined to stay in
the army.
Another incident moving Ngbanzi to found Afrasia was the third Tokyo
International Conference on African Development held in Tokyo in
2003. She was moved by the word of a Congolese journalist who said, "The
long political instability delayed the education of women. About
70 percent of woman remain illiterate. To achieve a fair election
the most important thing is literacy education for women."
Congolese music, the agony of wars and the necessity of literacy
are the three things that have moved Ngbanzi to establish Afrasia.
Ngbanzi is a commercial designer. In her work for Afrasia she works
as a consultant for African businesses and an agent for African musicians.
Additionally, she runs Congolese-style cooking and culture classes
to raise interest in the Congo.
Ngbanzi said, "It is five years now since the support by music
for the street-children began. Now some have begun a band. A further
provision of instruments is needed to stage their concerts and to
rear the younger talented children. We look forward to generous contributions
and support."
Financial support for the school and gifts of instruments for the
street children continue. There are, however, still many children
who use cardboard boxes and cans to practice drumming.
For details about contributions to Afrasia, email bolingo@npoafrasia.com.
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