Out of Africa…
Africa has often been referred to as the ‘cradle of mankind’ and is where our own story about Fredrick begins. We were introduced to Fredrick and his work by a mutual friend, Michelle, who comes from the same area in Kenya (and who, incidentally, is now part of our team!). We’re blessed to know them both.
Fredrick comes from Muranga County, in central Kenya. The ethnic group in this area is the ‘Kikuyu’, who happen to be the largest ethnic group in Kenya. ‘Kikuyu’ translates as ‘Children of the Big Sycamore’. Not quite ‘Children of the Willow’, but close enough for us! Their alternative name, ‘Nyũmba ya Mũmbi’, translates as ‘House of the Potter’ or ‘Creator’. So, it’s certainly no surprise to find such creativity in this community, and that is exactly what we found when we met Fredrick.
Fredrick is passionate about Art and sharing that passion amongst young people. Recognised for his skills at an early age by his Primary School teacher, he was asked to provide drawings for the school Art and Science classes. For this, he was paid in extra school milk (in the days when we got free milk at school). He was further encouraged by his Art & Craft teacher, and helped to progress. Unfortunately, that promising start in life began to take a ‘backseat’. He got involved with a ‘bad crowd’, stopped attending school and was introduced him to hallucinogens by his new ‘friends’. He was starting on a slippery slope.
One day, whilst hanging out in town, he sat down to sketch. Something he would do to while away the hours, and often whilst under the influence of drugs. A local artist spotted him and watched him draw. When he had finished, the artist dropped him a few shillings. With this money, he bought some pencils and a drawing book, and made the decision to try and return to school and turn away from the destructive environment he had found himself in. The school accepted him back, but not without a punishment to teach him the error of his ways. Fredrick describes it as ‘the board of correction on the seat of emotions’. I think we all know what that means!!
That wasn’t the end of his troubles. Family and financial problems impacted on him over the next few years, and he was drawn back into the dark underworld of drugs, poverty and gang violence. It was his mother that pulled him from this, by encouraging him to attend a Church-based Mission where he underwent rehabilitation. Following successful rehab, he went to help the Mission in a refugee camp, which impacted on him greatly. That experience completely changed his perspective on life. He felt that his life now had direction. Using both his faith and his artistic gift, his focus is on helping young people who are in the position that he had been, and preventing them from spiralling downwards in life. Perhaps that is the reason that he was ‘given’ his gift. It certainly is not wasted.
Fredrick is now happily married, and a valuable member of his community. He has purpose in life, helping others, and using his art and the revenues from it, to do so. That is real payback!
Fredricks wife, Faith, is also very active in helping people in the community, and we fully intend to do our part to help out with the many initiatives that Frederick and Faith are leading in order to change the lives and futures of young people.
‘There, but for the grace of God, go I’
