Mama AFRICA

In 2014, the shocking incident of a mob attack on African students deeply shook me. Again, in 2017, a disturbing video surfaced showing another such attack in Greater Noida. Many of the students were too afraid to leave their homes. I volunteered to carry groceries for some of those I knew personally.

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These incidents sparked a strong desire in me to engage more deeply with the African student community in India. This led me to the Association of African Students in India (AASI), which had been established in early 2015. I wanted to better understand their experiences, challenges, and the efforts being made to foster a sense of community and safety.

I was once invited to address the general assembly of African students. To inspire them, I shared the story of Peter Ngugi, who was deeply affected by the attacks on African students. Determined to raise awareness against racism and promote India-Africa friendship, Peter set off on a bicycle journey from the Northeast to the southern parts of India. With almost no money, he was supported along the way by kind-hearted Indians.

To my surprise, Peter was in the audience that day—and also happened to be the speaker after me. The moment was so moving that we hugged each other spontaneously.

Later, Peter shared that when he first arrived in India, he was dissatisfied with his university and didn’t attend classes. Instead, he honed his IT skills through internships. I was able to help him secure a scholarship at Symbiosis University, where he thrived. He even gained media attention for his initiatives promoting Africa. He graduated in 2022 and is now the Co-Founder and CEO of Skizza, a teacher training startup in Kenya. I feel immense pride—like a mother would for her child—in having contributed in a small way to his journey.