I was born in Nairobi, in Kenya, Africa on July 12, 1957. I am the second child of a chief collector of income tax and a business-woman, Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Kabiru (James and Josephine). My family was popularly known as the "J" family, consisting of seven girls and one boy, each of whose names begin - like Mummy's and Daddy's - with a "J."

I'm married to a well-known musician from Zaire, Mr. Lamech Uzele. We have one son, Uvonj Wayio Uzele, who was 14 on his last birthday in December 2000. This name means "Joy" and "Gladness."

African homes or families are large, and it is uncommon to find a home raising an only child. If there should be any biological problems, the man would be encouraged to marry and/or take for himself one or more concubines. People would say that Lamech and I are an odd couple! We chose to do this because of the obsession that we both have for a suffering people, mainly children and the youth. Employing our musical talents, we set out on the streets teaching and helping the less fortunate to get their lives together.

We soon found ourselves bringing young boys in from the streets, and over the next 13 years we raised nine young men in our home. We also took charge of a number of young girls over the same period of time. All of these people have now become responsible adults, many of whom have married and have their own families.

You may wonder from where this obsession came. I have to say that I believe that it came from my parents. They were very successful and shared their riches and wealth, giving others hope in their lives.

My mother, when we were young children, would often come round to each of us individually, and would ask us if we had anything to give to the poor. If we said no, she would simply pick some item of clothing - or anything - and would question us as to whether or not we really needed it.

My father worked in a very different way. He would be most concerned if we brought a friend home from school, say, and he then noticed that they were obviously suffering in some way. He would attempt to befriend the parents, and he would go to great lengths to help and support - often financially - their needs. With his influence, he would sometimes find regular work for people who would have had none prior to his intervention.

We embraced and adapted these principles, and giving became a way of life to us. Out of all of the family, perhaps it was I who took them most into my heart.

I would literally give away whatever someone said they liked of mine - and I would get in trouble for it, having more than a few times given away a school item. No matter how many times I was punished, be it in school or at home, I just carried on doing it. I couldn't stand to see the pain in people.

I wanted nothing less than to see the world become as one. I could not stand to see fights in school. I could not stand to see people hurting one another. Growing up as a child, I was popularly known as a friend to all. Those who were bad I befriended, to see what I could do to make them good. My motto was: 'Hey, that person that you are tlaking about? Come, let us go and make it right.' For I did not care to sit idle, or to be among backbiters or slanderers. As I grew older, I became a very lonely person.

I also became a spiritual person, and fell in love with The One that I felt guided me. I was introduced quite early to the Bible. I read the Bible sincerely and I experienced a relationship with the same guide. I was taught that His name is Jesus Christ. To me, He is more than just a swear-word and I gained a lot of strength and help in these meditations. And this is the God that I believe in.

I realised quite early that I had musical talents and gifts and I pursued these talents and gifts by writing songs. I began to realise that my songs touched many people. I write spirtual songs. Later on I started doodling about with words that did not necessarily rhyme. I started writing true short stories about the people that I was talking to in the streets.

One time I was encouraged to enter my poetry to the International Liberty of Poetry. My first poem called, "I am so old I want to marry" was not only given an editor's choice award, but was entered into their anthology called "Quiet Moments." To my great surprise, on February 10, 1997 the committee of the advisory board of directors elected me into the International Poetry Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame is recognised around the world as the premier showcase for poetic talents and is linked to the award-winning International Library of Poetry website: www.poets.com/jenniferuzele.html. They then encouraged me to continue to write, and now I am proud to say that I was honoured by being received as a distinguished member of the International Society of Poets. This gives me an open door to express myself more openly on many issues that concern both Africa and the world, and with a body like the Society of Poet's support, I am able to soar!

So, what do I want for Africa, for our youth, and for the growing children?

I have been fortunate to meet many people who have experienced struggle, opposition, hardship, prejudice, social and financial restraints, lack of education, and so on, who have succeeded in overcoming such difficulties and obstacles in their lives. In many cases, they have fulfilled their dreams. They have learned quickly from their experiences and they are determined that failures and discouragement will not continue to hold them back.

So, I want to say to the youth of Africa: You have all the skills and abilities that you need to overcome the world; but you must work hard and be persevering and dedicated. So many overseas look at Africa and see a backward "third" world continent. This should not be. Only you can throw off the chains and constraints of the past, and embrace the task ahead. It is time, literally, to "turn to look, to mend and to cherich our children, the coming generation called 'African.'" Working with God, we will gain a great victory.

I hope from reading what is written above that you can understand the main driving forces in my life, and that which motivates and requires me to continue in my efforts to write and sing.

In December 1998 I left Kenya and came to the UK, on my way (I had thought) to the USA to go to music school. In February 1999 I met Max Thomas, a Christian songwriter and musician (and as it happens, Director of Maxville Music Limited), and we arranged to start recording some of my spiritual, Christian songs. At the end of the first session, during which I spent much time talking to Max about Africa, I briefly referred to a song that had been in my heart for seven years. This song was "Calling Africa," though this title was not to come to my mind for some weeks. On hearing it, Max immediately suggested that we work on this song alone, as he felt that not only was it potentially very commerical, but that more importantly, it was essential that the sentiments expressed in the words of the song be given an opportunity to reach the ears of the peoples of Africa.

I believed in Max because I realised he had the same convictions of wanting to open doors to a broken people, but in his case, it was from within the music industry. Max then encouraged me to enter the song into the Unisong International Song Contest, and that's why you're reading this today!