ensigo

Heading to Somalia, Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi…and (shhhh don’t tell anyone) maybe North Korea!

admin — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 17:36:38 +0000

It’s that time again… time for me to leave home and venture off to the foreign mission field. It’s always tough to leave, especially this year with the wonderful community of friends that I’ve grown so close to here in the U.S.

On this trip I’ll be gone for a year (September 21st, 2010 – September 2011), and will be traveling to some new countries (Somalia and hopefully North Korea), as well as some joyfully familiar countries (Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi). I will be continuing to work on the benefit/collaboration recording project as well as beginning a new project focused on forming house groups all over Uganda & Rwanda dedicated to learning the Bible and interacting with it through the creation of music and art. I’m so excited to start this new adventure to the nations, and I want to present you with an opportunity to partner with me in ministry both financially and through prayer.

I have just begun sending out support letters that give a much more detailed description of what my year abroad will entail. If you have not received one yet please shoot me an email at: aaron [at] ensigo.com and I’ll be sure to send you one.

Below I have set up a PayPal account to easily make secure monthly donations. Also posted is a PayPal link to make a one-time donation. (Note: PayPal donations are not tax deductible). If you would like to have more options for making donations and receive a tax-deductible receipt please visit the “donation” page of this website.

Subscribe Through PayPal to Make Recurring Monthly Donation’s to Aaron’s Ministry With Ensigo

Make a One-Time Donation to Aaron’s Ministry With Ensigo

An African Canticle

admin — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 15:53:08 +0000

In light of the successful hosting of the world cup I have been reflecting on South Africa, and what incredible strides they have made as a nation since apartheid. One particularly strong voice for the defense of human rights is Nobel Peace Prize laureate Desmond Tutu. This Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town has played a significant role in the ending of apartheid through his rigorous advocacy of non-violence and push for reconciliation between all parties involved.

A few months ago I purchased “An African Prayer Book” which is a collection–compiled by Desmond Tutu–of the spiritual riches of the vast and varied continent of Africa. I was moved by a simple piece that brings alive the Creator through an African context. Tutu attributes this to a “Traditional African” source:

AN AFRICAN CANTICLE

All you big things, bless the Lord.

Mount Kilimanjaro and Lake Victoria,

The Rift Valley and the Serengeti Plain,

Fat baobabs and shady mango trees,

All eucalyptus and tamarind trees,

Bless the Lord.

Praise and extol Him for ever and ever.

All you tiny things, bless the Lord.

Busy black ants and hopping fleas,

Wriggling tadpoles and mosquito larvae,

Flying locusts and water drops,

Pollen dust and tsetse flies,

Millet seeds and dried dagaa,

Bless the Lord.

Praise and extol Him for ever and ever.

(Washing Disciples Feet)

Peace Through Breakdancing In Uganda

admin — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 15:39:36 +0000

I am honored to call Abramz Tekya a friend of mine. From a difficult life growing up as an A.I.D.S. orphan to starting Breakdance Project Uganda, this inspiring 27 year old Ugandan has already positively affected the lives of so many.

One particular Wednesday evening, upon invitation from Abramz, I decided to put on my dancin’ pants and try my hand at breakdancing. Some sweet 90’s throwback hip hop was pumping from the speakers and the hall was quickly filled with energetic youth, talking and laughing. Then slowly the whole room came alive as participants began breakdancing. The venue is the Sharing Youth Center in Kampala Uganda. Since February 2007, Breakdance Project Uganda has held classes every Monday and Wednesday night free of charge.

“Breakdancing is a tool to overcome being idle and the undermining feeling of having no direction in life. It is a way of reaching out to the kids in the slum area who do not have the money for schools and who are unemployed. In this project we’re all equal, everyone is a student and everyone is a teacher. If you learn something for free you teach somebody else for free”, Abramz says.

Recently a film crew directed by Nabil Elderkin and Crazy Legs (founder of the Rock Steady Crew) visited Uganda after receiving an invitation from Abramz to teach b-boy classes. What they discovered upon arrival was both heartbreaking and inspiring. Traveling throughout Uganda, from the southern slums to the war-torn North, Crazy Legs encountered a passion for hip-hop and desire to learn amongst the most squalid conditions. “Bouncing Cats” is an inspiring story of one man’s attempt to create a better life for the children of Uganda using the unlikely tool of hip-hop with a focus on b-boy culture and breakdancing. Abraham “Abramz” Tekya’s Breakdance Project Uganda (B.P.U.) is a project that could empower, rehabilitate and heal the community by teaching youth about b-boy culture. The film features narration by Common and interviews with Mos Def, Will-I-Am, and K’Naan.

Check out this trailer for the upcoming film, and make sure you go and see it once it’s released!

BOUNCING CATS film trailer from nabil elderkin on Vimeo.

Traditional Games of Belize

admin — Sat, 22 May 2010 00:34:11 +0000

As the temperature is heating up and I feel myself wanting to spend every moment of the day outside I’m reminded of my time in the balmy, beautiful, brilliant, beach-like, (ok no more “b” words….Bo-Jackson…sorry I couldn’t resist) country of Belize. Over the course of my time in Belize during 2007-2008 I met so many amazing people. One particular woman, that I think is one of the coolest people in the whole world, is named Myrna Manzanares. Miss Myrna is an energetic 64 year old with a penchant for always making you smile. Besides being the president of the National Kriol Council of Belize, a talented actress, lecturer at the Belize Teachers College and the University of Belize, and a counselor for at-risk youth, she also devotes any leftover time to writing. She has published several books of poetry, and fiction. However most recently she published a book titled “Traditional Games of Belize.” In this book “Myrna has filtered out in the selected games, through her own research, a treasure trove of precious and relevant nuggets in a friendly and playful way. They entertain the reader while simultaneously parents, teachers, youth workers, social and community activists with elements of cognitive and social-psychology and storytelling.”

You can find a FREE online copy of this fun book right here: Traditional Games of Belize. Now please gather a group of friends and enjoy these wonderful Belizean games together.

P.S. I recommend Lime and Spoon

Introducing Ronex, The Incredibly Talented Ugandan Artist

admin — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 23:09:26 +0000

One of my favorite non-profit organizations in all of Uganda is named the Uganda German Cultural Society (UGCS). They were founded 20 years ago with a focus on strengthening & promoting the growth of bilateral co-operations between the people of Uganda and Germany. However one of their main activities is the promotion of Ugandan cultural activities, which has included everything from sponsoring music festivals to holding art auctions. The great success of the creative industries in Uganda can be attributed in part to this amazing organization. They have also been a huge help to the Ensigo projects in Uganda, with their efforts in connecting us to many of this countries most gifted musicians and visual artists. One such visual artist that UGCS introduced us to is named Ronex Ahimbisibwe.

Ronex is a multi-talented sculptor/painter/printmaker who was born in Uganda in 1977. He is the first born of the six children and was named “Ahimbisibwe” a Runyankore (one of the dialects of Uganda) word meaning “let God be praised.” His artistic style is a rich, colorful blending of acrylics, basco paints, oils, prints and inks on diverse supports such as sisal, canvas, bark cloth, paper, cardboard and woods.

In his own words Ronex describes his art as: “My works bridge my experience, fantasies and reality. It’s hard to ignore one’s culture, as its part of me and gives identity at the same time. In most cases I put much emphasis on technique and am experimental in my art works in a quest to discover my own capabilities. My desire has always been to create works that curiously blend sophistication and naivety mainly inspired by curve painting and the female form.”

Here are some of the beautiful pieces he’s created:

To view more art by Ronex, or to contact him please visit his website at:
http://www.africancolours.com/african-colours-portfolios.php?id=138&pid=11

The U.N.’s Creative Economy Report

admin — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:54:18 +0000

Howdy friends, for those of you interested in the in-depth thought process behind utilizing music as a tool for overcoming poverty in the developing world I thought I would share a report published by the U.N. with you.

Back in 2008 when this report came out I remember feeling elated as I read through page after page of well documented material which confirmed the viability of what I had been passionately working towards for the last several years…utilizing music as a way to overcome poverty! In this brilliantly written 357 page study the authors/researchers conclude that “this report provides empirical evidence that the creative industries are among the most dynamic emerging sectors in world trade.” And that the creative industries (with music as a central component) “have the potential to generate income, jobs and export earnings while at the same time promoting social inclusion, cultural diversity and human development.”

With this report being the first to present the perspectives of the United Nations on this exciting new topic. The creative economy seems full of possibility as a way to overcome poverty! And this makes me so excited for the potential of Ensigo in the next few years.

Feel free to download the PDF of this report here: The UN’s Creative Economy Report

Uganda’s Most Popular Crippled Dancehall Musician

admin — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 20:03:58 +0000

Upon first arriving in East Africa I was shocked by the strong influence of Jamaican music on Ugandan culture. It seemed that about 2/3 of the songs being played on the radio could fit into the dancehall genre. It was evident that the embracing of western culture as superior has led to a devastating loss of Uganda’s traditions in speech, music, dress, and visual art. Professor John Ssempeke voiced the same concerns with the loss of Ugandan culture. In conversation with him at Uganda’s National Museum the professor of traditional African music expressed “slowly our culture is being lost to Westernization. I believe that one day in the near future our precious culture will become totally lost, and people will long to have it back.”

While I tend to dislike the majority of Ugandan dancehall music, I thought this video offered an interesting perspective on this popular sub-culture of urban Uganda. I would love to open this topic up for dialogue and hear what other opinions are represented…feel free to add your comment to this post.

Trinity Tree

admin — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 18:52:35 +0000

During my first trip to Uganda in 2006 I was invited to author/professor Timothy Wangusa’s launch of his latest book Africa’s New Brood. Over the course of the presentation Professor Wangusa read selections of his favorite poems from the book, which combines African folklore and proverbs with Christian symbolism. Its main theme is that of growing up in the Ugandan society and what challenges come with growing up in the traditional setting. I was incredibly moved by the simplicity yet deep profoundness of Professor Wangusa’s shortest poem titled Trinity Tree. Before reading it he unveiled a little history behind the poem stating that it had taken him 20 years to write it, and that this poem best embodies his goal which is “to leave behind a body of inventive writing which communicates to my readers a sense of Christian values fictionalized and poeticized”:

Trinity Tree

By Timothy Wangusa

The Father in the root;
The Son in the shoot;
The Spirit in the fruit.

Extra, extra read all about it!

admin — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 17:34:23 +0000

I know this is a bit delayed, but if you feel so inclined please check out the newspaper article below. It was featured in the Wausau Daily Herald on January 1st, and was written by the incredibly gifted Keith Uhlig.

Haiti

admin — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 18:30:51 +0000

A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck off the coast of Haiti on January 12. Thousands are feared dead and countless buildings have collapsed in what geologists describe as the strongest earthquake to hit the region in more than 200 years.

The earthquake is feared to have killed more than 100,000 and Haitian officials have stated that it is possibly much higher. Most of the damage was in the heavily populated capital of Porta-au-Prince.

You can help keep people alive.

Our friends at Food for the Hungry are working with their partners on the ground, providing the following to survivors:

* Water filtration systems
* Water purification tablets
* Kitchen kits and cooking supplies
* Flash lights, blankets & medical supplies
* Hygiene kits
* Temporary shelter tarps and plastic

Without this immediate disaster relief, infections and disease will spread, killing countless more Haitians. Food For The Hungry already have a head start with workers mobilized on the ground. But they urgently need additional supplies and support to save more lives.

Your gift of any size now will provide what they need to bring life-saving help to Haitians in need. Donate now at www.fh.org

While you are making your donation please check out some wonderful music below by Altieri Dorival, the father of Haitian Twoubadou music.