WHO ARE WE?

This post is a reply to a request by one of our brothers to explain what SOBGA is and also to address another brother’s comment below.

“Where and what are other SOGBA members doing to save SOS? Ever since it was formed,only one member is active and we do appreciate. Are the rest waiting for someone to die, may the good Lord forbid, so they can call their 'family members ' for the Ksh 5000 house contribution? SOGBA representatived,you either save your home or break the group!!! 16 Houses and only ONE member is active!!!!! Be real SOGBA!”

-Fredrick Orinda

I will first thank you all for taking your time to engage in this discussion. I believe in the exchange of ideas and opinions. I have to also apologize for being remiss in our duties as older generations of SOS youth to educate our younger brothers and sisters on the paths we have taken before that they may be taking at the moment. This question should not have been asked if that duty had been done.

So, what is SOBGA?

SOBGA is the acronym for SOS Old Boys and Girls Association.

Who are the members?

I believe membership is by virtue of being a former SOS youth within the Kenyan villages where the association is based. I believe this one qualifier makes us all former SOS youth members. So SOBGA is you and me. We are SOBGA.

SOBGA was formed to address different issues that we face as former SOS youth. One of the main purposes was to work as a united front instead of resorting to anonymous letters to the administration when issues arise. There was also need for protection from persecution of members for whistle blowing. For example, our Brother Isaac’s recent attempted arrest. Thanks Izzo for your endeavors in bringing issues to light.

Essentially, SOBGA was to act as the bridge between SOS the organization and SOS the community. These two entities have to work together for progress to happen. The fact of the matter is that we both need to coexist, that is the reason we need moderation and tact in handling our issues. You cannot cut off your nose to spite your face. We have younger brothers and sisters still in the system that we need to think of. Their very survival depends on it.

I believe your first question has been answered Orinda, since we do have different SOS children and youth at different levels trying to affect change. Change is not always a result of visible actions. Wind can effect a change as destructive as water and yet it is not visible to the eye. Let’s not squabble over who seems more active. We need to have a unity of purpose. Our business is to see that things are running as they should be in our home.

Your reference to the contributions we make during funerals is what elicited an apology from me. Before this arrangement funerals for our brothers and sisters were riddled with financial challenges. You were obviously too young at the time to feel the weight of the inability to fulfill a brother’s last rites of passage. This present arrangement is the solution that seems to have worked so far. What part of this arrangement irks you the most? How do you suggest we should change it? If you have another solution we are willing to hear you out.

Now that we have established that we former SOS youth are all representative of that entity SOBGA let us all show some unity of purpose and stop pulling each other down like crabs in a pot. Let us also engage with each other and find workable solutions to our problems.