Publisher: Printing Services Ltd.
Reviewer: Odhiambo Orlale
A former long-serving Kenya Revenue Authority Assistant Commissioner, Dr Charles Wachunna Orero has decided to give back to the community through a must-read book with a catchy title, Charity and Economic Empowerment.
According to the former taxman, the 347-page book is a product of practical experience in his place of work at KRA and at the National Treasury in the Ministry of Finance and Planning, where he served with loyalty and dedication for 37 years.
The easy-to-read book starts with a chapter on poverty relief impressing upon individuals and organisations to do charity work adding that: “if you give, you deposit with God who will give you a position of fortune and destiny.”
The book, which well-known philanthropist, Dr Manu Chandaria, has written a forward, advises that we be the bridge of poverty in your family and community. There is also need to create self-economic independence so that all have a rise in purchasing power and in per capital income.
Says the author: “Start with a kiosk and end up with a super market with several branches countrywide. The poverty wall can only be brought down by you. They are there in all journeys of wealth creation.”
The book has 11 chapters under the following titles: Poverty Relief; Live for the Poor; and Be the Bridge off Poverty in Your Family and Community. The others are: Creating Self-Economic Independence; Breaking the Poverty Wall; Changing Communities; Expectations in Devolved County Governments; Vision for Democracy and Wealth Creation; Dreams of Making Possible; Give and Get What You Want from Life; and finally, Economic, Political and Charity Role Models.
The two-volume book, Charity and Economic Empowerment is Dr Orero’s second book, the first was Pride in Knowledge – A Kenya Experience. Says the author: “Many readers went back to school because of the book. It motivated many who had thought that they were failures. They have now learnt that failure is a learning point and that that next step you make will be successful and bridge for fortunes and opportunities.”
Dr Orero is a lecturer in Kenya School of Revenue Administration (KESRA) and a consultant at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) and has a wealth of experience having also headed different organisations and gained experience in business administration and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) practices and procedures.
In the acknowledgement, the former taxman has many good words about his mentor, Dr Manu Chandaria, the book projected was mooted during their meeting in his office. “I met an intellectually honest character ready to share his knowledge, wealth and experience creation and charity. A charismatic, iconic and intelligent character of all times, says the author.
Dr Chandaria is a leading industrialist and has been chairman of many charitable organisations in the country like Chandaria Foundation, in addition to sitting in the University of Nairobi Council and served as Chancellor of United States University – Africa and also at Technical University of Kenya.
Others who made the book project a success include Freddie Janam of Royal Media Services, who run Radio Citizen and TV, through an innovative economic empowerment model, namely Locational Economic Development Forums (LEDFo) and County Economic Development Forum (CEDFo) across the country.
Says Janam: “The approach and life experience examples used here in the book makes the reading even more exciting as it resonates well with any reader. It is a hands-on book, that candidly guides on wealth creation and empowering the communities using the humblest of approaches to achieve this end through story-telling and sharing of experiences.”
In his message in the forward, Dr Chandaria notes that almost three million unemployed youth in Kenya area pacing the streets today. Every year, some 900,000 youth get while 700,000 jobs and self-employment opportunities will be available.
“By 2030 it is estimated that there will be 24 million unemployed youth in Kenya. The question is what can we do to help find solutions to keep them occupied by creating opportunities and eliminating this helplessness, thus reduce poverty and take a lead to create a change,” says the philanthropists.
Turn his friend’s book, Dr Chandaria describes it as a “must read’ adding that it seeks to inculcate the culture of caring and sacrifice, saying: “I am honoured to recommend this book as a good tool to nature a character of selflessness.”
Others who commented on the book are Dr Vijoo Rattansi, who described it as a book written by a man who feels with his heart and soul for his kith and kin who are not so, fortunate, and university of Nairobi Senior Lecturer, Dr Tom Odhiambo.
Dr Rattansi revealed that reading the two volumes of the book had been a humbling experience for her: “The book will change the perception of the rich to help the needy in our society. It is a must read in colleges, NGOs, companies, schools, families, churches, families and individuals.”
Finally, in his parting short in the forward, the Literature lecturer says: “The abiding lesson of Charity and Economic Empowerment is that the initial steps that would lead to subsequent branching out by either the individual or the community, on the road to wealth, happiness and a fulfilling life is a personal effort. When these efforts are collectively directed at seeking the common good, the society will inevitably benefit.”
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