Report of the Meeting of the African Proverbs Working Group, Saturday, 13 August 2011

Saturday, 13 August 2011

Mazzoldi House — Apostles of Jesus Generalate

Karen, Nairobi

Kenya

Introduction of old and new members: 13 members from four different African countries were present.

Kenya:

Seth Wekesa: 0720-890-328; wekesaseth@gmail.com

Fr. Joseph G. Healey: 0572522-977; jghealey@aol.com

Simon Rurinja: 0722-441248

Uganda:

Fr. Thomas Komakech: 0725-795-479; frthomask@yahoo.com

Ghana:

Cephas Agbemenu: 0723-307-992; cyagbemenu@yahoo.com

Congo (DRC):

Allan Babunga: 0721-749-795; alainidya@yahoo.fr

Tyty Mukendi: 0722-885-013; mukendiwamulumba@yahoo.fr

Angelica Chelo

Benon Benjamin 0701606346

Stephen Katabarwa

Michel Agape

Fidele Kabasele: 0729 013 622; fidele_kabasele@yahoo.fr

Absent with apology:

Kamau Wango; 0722-220-865; kamauwango@yahoo.com

Gerald Wanjohi 0717-012-207; 0203-326-652; gerald.wanjohi@yahoo.com

Francis Njuguna ; 0720-434-819; osunjuguna@hotmail.com

Fr. Pascal Durand

Fr. Roger Tessier

George Atido

Steve Rasmussen

2. Memorial prayer for our dear friend Calvin Chelo Katabarwa who died in Kijabe Hospital on Sunday, 10 July 2011 due to liver cirrhosis which started in December 2010.

Calvin’s widow Madam Angelica gave a short story about his late husband. “We were married since 1984 and blessed with six children” she said. To me Chelo was not only a husband but also a friend and a comforter she added. Chelo was born on 13 May 1955 in Ituri province in DRC. He died at the age of 56 years. A video of his burial was shown as everybody grieved.

Some members gave their own testimony about Calvin’s life and how they know him. Chelo Katabarwa will be remembered for his collection of 100 Hema proverbs we posted as e-Book in our website in 2010. He was doing another research on Orma (Kenya) proverbs which he did not finish. The memorial service ended with a collection where eight members contributed a total of 10,000 Kshs which was handed over by Allan Babunga to the widow Angelica.

3. International Conference

There is an international colloquium on Proverbs in Tavira, Portugal in 6-13 November, 2011. Unfortunately there is no fund to cater for it. Allan has just proposed an article and was accepted by the organizing committee, but he is not sure if he will get funds to let him travel to Portugal. Attending to this kind of conference will open us to the world as our work is important. Please anyone who knows about an organization or an individual whom can sponsor Allan is welcome to let us know.

4. Report on Recent Research

We were glad to receive three booklets of a 100 proverbs each from: George Atido (Alur, DRC), Tyty Mukendi (Tshiluba) and Pascal Durand (Kara, Tanzania). At the same time we received two request for grants from Seth Wekesa (Maragoli, Kenya) and Pascal Durand (eight parallel languages in Tanzania). Other members report on their recent research, This includes new booklet of 100 Lingala Proverbs by Allan Babunga which still being edited and also 100 Orma proverbs left behind by the late Calvin Chelo which will be completed by his family very soon.

5. 2012 African Proverbs Calendar

All members agree on the 11 proverbs suggested by the committee based on the theme “Women Right and Equality,” but Cephas left with task to look for one Ewe proverb to complete the 12^th and also to represent West Africa. Or Tyty will find a proverb on women.

6. Promoting our Website

Members are also reminded to visit our website. The other good news is that our Facebook Page has reached over 10,000 fans so the question is: “Are we among them?” Members are also reminded to participate on our Poll by voting for their favorable proverb.

AOB

Our next meeting will take place on Saturday, 22 October 2011 at the Maryknoll House near Lavington. All are welcome. Fr. Joe Healey will be our Host.

LUNCH: All members appreciated the delicious meal they shared which was mainly comprised of African foods, Thank you once again to the Apostles of Jesus community for their hospitality.

See photographs below: