Isabelle Kamariza’s humility is a lesson on its own. The founder of Solid Africa, a non-governmental organisation that supports vulnerable patients, works from a plain office that tenants have stayed away from as it easily gets too hot. She doesn’t mind it though, as long as it serves the purpose.

Kamariza’s foundation runs programmes to cater for the well fare of vulnerable patients in public hospitals. But she still maintains that she hasn’t played much of a role and describes herself as only a channel through which compassionate people act.

In an interview with Collins Mwai, she gives insights on how she began her philanthropy and inspires young people to play a role in social development in the little ways they can. Excerpts;

Under what circumstances did you begin the foundation?

Unofficially we began in January 2010. We got the paper work sorted the same year in October and launched it officially to the public in 2011.

I used to pray with a lady who was among the founding members, Mama Zuzu, a mother of eight.

After feeding her children she would take it upon herself to feed at least one patient who she did not previously know. I always used to tell her that I wanted to, in one way or the other, alleviate people’s suffering. I used to pray a lot. Praying is easy, everyone can pray, she told me one time. She urged me to put it into actions and go with her to hospital to see the situation.

What followed?

On our first visit we didn’t take anything with us, we only visited people and talked to them. We realised that a mere visit to the patients meant a lot.

With that I began doing whatever I could to help them, I would distribute as little as five litres of milk to the few I could. Slowly I realised that there were more issues beyond food security.

We began with as few as five people, proceeded to 20, then 80, 160 and now we are at 300 people daily.

We also wanted to provide an integrated solution beyond food; we provide medicine that is not covered in the basic expenses, hygienic products such as soap and sanitary pads. We also assist in paying medical bills that trouble patients.

You began the foundation small, whereas most people make an excuse that they will begin assisting when they are richer. How did you get past that?

Help should not only be about the money. At times just being there makes a difference. We came together as young people pooling the little that we had. Saying that you have to be rich before you can help is just an excuse, when you wait to get rich, other priorities emerge. Helping doesn’t have to be parallel to your worth.

Ever felt like you were challenging the health care system?

We are all part of the government in one way or the other, where the country has come from in the past; it has taken the efforts of ordinary citizens. I do not seek to challenge the health care system; I only wish to add to what we have.

Most of the time we only complain that things are not working or are working slowly, but that will not get as far, we have to stop being spectators and be actors in one way or the other. Your foundation has a model of pooling together young people and their minimal resources to find solutions to societal challenges, do you think it can be replicated to deal with other societal issues?

The larger the number the bigger the impact. I targeted the youth because though most are just beginning their careers and do not have much money, they have great ideas. They all want to build a better society for their children. When I began I went to a few friends who I could count on, they in turn brought in more friends, we grew from 8 to 50.

The first people I approached were helpful and compassionate. At times when people notice that you are doing something for a good cause, people realise it and join. We all have compassion and humanity in us. We have had lots of sponsors and partners who provide us with expertise and products.

Words for anybody who would like to follow your path?

You only need will and passion. You will not make excuses when you are passionate about something or have room to fear failure or challenges.

People have benefited from your foundation, have you benefited in any way?

It has made me such a better person that I rarely complain about small things. At times you walk around complaining about small things like missing a bus without knowing that there are people with bigger problems. Not complaining makes you grateful which brings you more in return.

collinsmwai@gmail.com