Africa

‘Hawk’ doc looks at AIDS’ impact on Swazi grandmas

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By Talia Whyte

The Bay State Banner

For many people, the transition into retirement presents an opportunity to start a new chapter in life. Free from the rigors of an everyday job, retirees can start enjoying the fruits of their lifelong labors — taking on new hobbies, maybe traveling, and scratching items off their long overlooked personal to-do lists.

In Swaziland, however, things are a little different. For residents of the small, landlocked Southern African nation lucky enough to reach retirement age, the odds are that they’ll have to assume responsibility for raising the country’s next generation.

Read the full article here.

Roxy concert benefits victims of Kenyan violence

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By Talia Whyte

The Bay State Banner

Nearly 200 people filled the Roxy for a benefit concert Saturday evening to raise both awareness and much-needed funds for victims of the rampant violence that has taken Kenya by storm since the African nation’s controversial Dec. 27 presidential elections.

The impetus for the event was the mounting concern among Kenyans living in the Boston area who felt they needed to do something to help affected family members and friends back home. What resulted was VUMA Kenya!, a nonprofit initiative mostly made up of young Kenyan professionals who want to use their resources and social connections to make a difference.

Read the full article here.

African ‘Sisters’ take ‘Law’ into own hands

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By Talia Whyte

The Bay State Banner

On the rare occasions that Western media actually mention the plight of African women, the references usually focus on their helplessness against the ever-accelerating downward spiral of poverty, HIV/AIDS and war crimes.

Those interested in the other side of the coin can check out the internationally acclaimed documentary “Sisters in Law,” premiering in the Boston area on the WGBH series “Independent Lens” this Sunday night after making its national broadcast debut last month.

Read the full article here.

A life-changing trip for Hub dance troupe

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By Talia Whyte

The Bay State Banner

When Shaumba-Yandje Dibinga first started planning to bring members of her Roxbury-based youth dance organization OrigiNation to South Africa, her goal was simply to give her students the opportunity to perform in another country.

Little did she know that the 10-day trip would be a soul-searching, life-changing experience for her and her 17 young charges.

Read the full article here.

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