African Scenes and Symbols

Africa’s startling beauty and variety fascinates tourists who respond with zillions of photographs. Mrs. Roberts responded with thoughtful meditations where she shared the thoughts of God shown in scenes such as the mile-wide majesty of Victoria Falls, “Moisi ya Tunya” the smoke that thunders, and the awkwardness of the “tree of life,” the baobab that grows on hot, dry invisible underground water. African Scenes and Symbols, a book of photos and meditations, opens deeper meanings in African landscapes and life.

Africa’s startling beauty and variety fascinates tourists who respond with zillions of photographs. Mrs. Roberts responded with thoughtful meditations where she shared the thoughts of God shown in scenes such as the mile-wide majesty of Victoria Falls, “Moisi ya Tunya” the smoke that thunders, and the awkwardness of the “tree of life,” the baobab that grows on hot, dry invisible underground water. African Scenes and Symbols, a book of photos and meditations, opens deeper meanings in African landscapes and life.

Helen M. Roberts was a remarkable woman, who quite literally changed the world. She spent seventeen of her senior years as a literacy advocate in Africa teaching reading, writing, health, and Christianity to illiterate African adults, first in the native Swahili, and later in English. It brought her to the center of Africa at a time of great turbulence and change. She sought universal literacy and knowledge of Jesus Christ as the foundations for emerging nations of Africa. Mrs. Roberts was prolific in developing and writing literacy materials for the Churches’ National Literacy Project in what was then Southern Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe. She poured her intellect and passion into deceptively simple booklets and books used by many thousands to gain foundational skills for an emerging nation. In the course of her teachings and writings, she and her associate, Betty Mooney, would cross paths with many inspired and gifted Africans, in whom they saw great promise. They were instrumental in coordinating passage for many of these students to America to further their education, with the hopes that they would return to Africa to aid in the literacy cause, and to improve African leadership. One young man showed particular promise – his name was Barack Hussein Obama, Sr. Helen and Betty took a shining to this brilliant student, and coordinated first the completion of his correspondence school certificate, and later his American college applications which culminated in his acceptance to the University of Hawaii. When he missed the first airlift to America, Helen and Betty stepped in and raised money for him to travel on a parallel flight. While he attended UH, Helen watched over and helped to financially support the family that he had left behind. Obama Sr. would go on to remarry, and father America’s first African-American President. Subsequent airlifts coordinated by a non-profit entity known as the African American Students Foundation would send nearly 800 east African students to America. This “airlift generation” would achieve a remarkable record of accomplishment. Ninety percent of these students returned to Africa, many to significant positions in government and society. One member was Wagarri Maathai, who became the first African woman to become a Nobel Peace Prize laureate. A proud mother of four, a prolific author and accomplished photographer, she began her writing career publishing many children's stories and plays, as well as articles for the Peninsula Life Magazine. Helen authored many religious works including meditations, novels, and prayers, as well as a widely published 7 volume series of children's stories based on the California Missions entitled 'Mission Tales'. A peek into her fascinating life is provided at the end of this book.