Kennedy Ng’ang’a: Artist and Philanthropist
A dynamic personality is gaining popularity amongst many Facebook users around the globe, especially those who live and thrive with some of life’s more difficult challenges. Philanthropist and artist, Kennedy Ng’ang’a, inspires thousands of people with his engaging personality and caring heart. He paints in bold strokes using his clenched hand to hold the brush. His colorful imagination pours into his art as if his paralyzed body dances and sings.
I was given the opportunity to interview Kennedy recently. Using messaging on Facebook, we talked for three hours. Only when the interview began, did I realize that Kennedy typed his responses with his knuckle on the small pad of his phone. Looking back at the questions I asked him, they now seem too simple, but his answers filled our conversation with wisdom and an uplifting attitude. When asked what he wanted the world to know about him, he answered, “My challenges, my courage, my art, my dream of serving the community through my dear late mum’ s foundation, The Mama Kennedy fund.”
When Kennedy was injured in a diving accident in 1992, his mother devoted herself to the care of her son. She passed away in June of last year, and Kennedy misses her desperately, but keeps her alive through his art and philanthropy. “My mum was an angel and still is. She is the secret behind my survival as a quadriplegic for the past 19 years… [she] took care of me tirelessly. She taught me to love, be kind, to forgive, and to never ever give up no matter what. [I] am crying a lot for my mum as I write these words.”
The story of the Mama Kennedy Fund is featured on Kennedy’s website. “In August 2011, with around 175.00 US dollars I started a fund… at our local church Mtopanga Revival Baptist Church, where she has been the elder, and also the eldest member in her honor, and also to keep her legacy of devotion to the welfare of others, alive.” Most of the proceeds from the sale of Kennedy’s art are given to support the fund.
Kennedy tells me of his desire to help the “disability group called Mbazizo Disability Self Help Group from the poorest area in Kenya… ” This group heard about Kennedy’s philanthropy and honored him by inviting him to be its patron. On Mother’s Day, the Mama Kennedy Fund gave supplies, gifts and other much-needed items to the group… Ken writes on Facebook, “The group is from a poor, forgotten arid area where poverty ruthlessly rules.” He posts pictures of the event showing smiling faces amidst a Christmas-like atmosphere. No one would guess that the colorfully dressed people feel anything but hope.
Kennedy’s daily schedule allows him to be productive and healthy. For approximately two hours he works on his art, between 10:30am and 1:00pm. After that he lies for an hour on his back with his legs suspended. His brothers help him exercise each night before he falls asleep. “I also kneel with the help of my metal bar over my head for 30 minutes thrice a day. I do push-ups, pull-ups, etc.”
Kennedy’s close friend, Shell Harris, who lives in San Antonio, Texas, volunteers her time to promote and sell Kennedy’s artwork. Shell writes, “Knowing Kennedy has enriched my life in more ways than I can describe; here’s a man who is confined to his “home” which is nothing more than a mud hut with a leaking roof and not even sub-flooring, electricity or running water. He spends most of his time in a make shift bed. He hasn’t seen a doctor in over 15 years. His only view of the world is through a small window by his bed. Yet, he paints such beauty!”
For the past year, Kennedy’s Facebook presence has grown strong, and friends are added every day. Another of Kennedy’s friends, Freya Pruitt, also from San Antonio, wrote an article in her “Transforming Today’s World” magazine featuring Kennedy’s art and courage. On Friday, May 18th, she held an auction to sell many of Kennedy’s original paintings to help Kennedy and the Mama Kennedy Fund.
When people see Kennedy’s artwork, it is almost inevitable that they are drawn to his spirit. The art is colorful and alive. He paints images of Kenyan life, natural beauty and amazing animals. His subjects move across his canvasses, vibrant and alive, drawing us into his world of dreams and hopes and his visions of how life in Kenya might one day look for himself and others who are poor and disabled. Kennedy shares something with others who face daunting challenges in that living with a disability often brings out amazing gifts of compassion and self-expression.
Of late, Kennedy sometimes woke to find his legs and feet bleeding from the bites of rats who invade his home. The distress I felt from this disturbing news, however, was soon assuaged by an email from Kennedy with the subject line, “A Stranger in My Castle.” He wrote, “This strange intruder which looks more a cat than a giant rat came to our shanty 3 days ago and has kind of driven away the rats and taken over the territory. It only appears at night and has not harmed anyone apart from digging holes on our earthen floor and stealing my mangoes and bananas. It also seems like a snake eater which is an advantage too.” He sends pictures of the large rodent-like creature. I immediately look on the internet and find that his guest is a genet. I write back and tell him what the animal is and that they are a lot like cats or ferrets. Some people keep them as pets. Many people’s prayers are answered by the genet, especially Kennedy’s.
By the end of the interview, I feel closer to Kennedy than many people I have known for years. He is my “dear brother” and greats me always with “my dear elder sis.” I am touched by him each day I know him, and I am inspired by him as I find my own other-abilities.
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