Present

1. Mwanajumuiya/Wamwaki Joseph G. Healey, MM — (APWG Executive Committee Member and Zoom Host) +254 723 362 993 JGHealey@aol.com
2. Grace Njau, CPS — (APWG Executive Committee Member, Acting Chair and Acting Secretary + 254 722 260 078 preciousbloodinamani@gmail.com

Opening

The meeting started with a prayer that was said by Grace. The host (Joseph Healey) welcomed Grace and thanked her for logging in for the meeting which begun at 11:06 am Kenya Time successfully. As has been the culture for our meetings, we presented a proverb each explaining its meaning and application in an African setting. Grace: When a handshake passes the elbow, it becomes another thing. Meaning: Be mindful when unfamiliar people become too acquainted. Mwanajumuiya/Wamwaki: After hardship comes relief – Arabic (Egypt and other North African countries). Very appropriate for the Lenten season.

Min.1/02/2021

Joe Healey requested Grace to present her thoughts about African Proverbs Working Group (APWG) Executive Committee’s current situation. Grace presented that since she read the last email from Healey some members and benefactors are requesting the group to “pause” (put on hold or suspend) activities of those members who cannot manage until the Covid-19 pandemic lowers the rate of infection. Grace requested since nobody knows the duration of Covid and when it will end, she requested Healey to inform the benefactors to allow some group activities such as:

1. The production of the calendar of 2022.
2. The monthly “African Proverb of the Month.”
3. The registration process that Margaret continues.
4. Internet Bundles to members.

After consultation with members living outside of Kenya: Ricardo Benon presently living in Canada will help on donations through PayPal. Father Zakaria Kashinje, the Administrator of the Sukuma Legacy Proverb Website, will give general support.

Min.2/02/2021 Shelves

Grace informed Healey concerning the refund cheque of 30,000/= shillings was handed over to Ms. Catharine, the Maryknoll Accountant in late September or early October 2020. The money will be sent to Margaret to complete the registration process and help members with Internet Bundles.

Min.3 /02/2021 Concerns

Joe Healey is worried and concerned about communication challenges that all of us members have. He is not sure why the silence. Everyone has gone under and there is no communication at all. He wonders if it is the same case among us, that is, are we at the grassroots communicating or we are not.  Grace explained that true communication has become hard due to bundle challenges, the time agreed between us to call is postponed and indeed, we have to respect each other’s calling time. The other members talk once in a while. Healey confirmed not having heard from Margaret Wambere, Joseph Kai and Gabriel Odhiambo, not even an email. We agreed that Grace should call a meeting that we can discuss and update.

Min.4/02/2021 Membership contribution fees for 2021

Healey reported that 13 people have contributed the membership contribution of 1,000/= the year for 2021 as follows:

• Cephas Agbemenu.
• Charles Bundu.
• Paulo Shija Buyenze.
• Eti Dayan.
• Justina Lulu Deus.
• Joe Healey.
• Zakaria Kashinje.
• Emmanuel Lyanga.
• Paschal Mahalagu.
• Yohana Maswizilo (Maryknoll seminarian).
• Jonathan Musere.
• Francis Njuguna (from payment for April, 2021 proverb).
• Emmanuel Sebastian.

This money will be send to Margaret the treasurer through the Mpesa service.

NOTE: We are trying to consolidate the communications between our various committees and members in Kenya and Tanzania.

Min.5/02/2021 FB- Donation page

Healey expressed a concern on no communications or update on what happened with the FB- Donation part. Kai and Elias promised the group to work on the donation button in the FB for groups fundraising online.

There was a concern that there are proverbs that have not been edited for posting, that is, March and April, 2021. Joseph Kai and Francis Njuguna were responsible, while Margret Wambere was responsible to edit. Nevertheless, Healey never received any communications concerning the proverbs up to date. Grace promised to follow-up with Njuguna on how far his proverb has reached for April, 2021 that is needed for posting the second week of March.

Grace reported that online taxation has been introduced by the government and it is taxing high rates, and therefore making online activities difficult to engage in. She expressed that our members are greatly affected greatly by this situation and now adding to Covid-19 pandemic. She asked Healey to ask the benefactors to consider that aspect and review their relationship with us as contributors and working group from the Global South countries based on our economic ability.

Min.6/02/2021 Need for re-restructuring (APWG)

We agreed on the following in order to manage during Covid-19 situation:

1. To temporarily re-structure the group in order to manage with the available limited resources (funds): Margaret and Grace.
2. How to mitigate communication issues in the group.

Min.7/02/2021 AOB

1. 3,000/= kshs (Kenyan Shillings) will be given to anyone who produces a new “African Proverb of the Month.”
2. Request to Gabriel Odhiambo to assist in editing the monthly proverbs.
3. Joseph Kai to concentrate on updates of the Facebook Page.

Min.8/02/2021

Being no other agenda, the meeting closed at 12:30 pm with a word of prayer led by Grace and final blessing by Wamwaki.