Miss Africa CD
CD Cover Image

"Miss Africa"

Elimu Africa Chair and co-founder, Kristy Blick, wrote this song in honor of the beautiful girls and women of Africa. "Miss Africa" was produced and recorded by several of Kristy’s talented friends from Minnesota and has culminated into a very beautiful CD. The purpose of the song is to inspire the women and girls of Africa to stand up and feel proud of who they are and to pursue education and success in their lives. Kristy also hopes to raise overall awareness of the issue of gender equity in Africa.

The proceeds of this single song CD will go toward educating the students at our partner project, the Second Chance Education Center (SCEC). In addition to supporting educational opportunities for disadvantaged students in Africa, SCEC also has educational programs and initiatives to help promote gender equity.

How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world. Anne Frank

To donate and receive the Miss Africa CD, send a check for $20.00 (US) plus $2.50 (US) for shipping and handling to:
Elimu Africa
C/O Kristy Blick
6480 Balsam Lane North
Maple Grove, MN 55369

Please write "Miss Africa CD" in memo section of your check. We will even pick up the shipping and handling.

Please feel free to donate any amount you wish. You do not have to purchase the CD in order to make a donation.

Asante sana – thanks and bless you for your kindness!


To listen to a sample of "Miss Africa," use the controls below.

Below is the letter Kristy wrote to inspire the women and girls of Africa:

Dear women and girls of Africa:
You are the inspiration for this song; “Miss Africa”.

My name is Kristy Blick. I am from Minnesota, USA and I was in Tanzania, East Africa for eight weeks in 2005. While I was there, I had the chance to meet and talk with many girls and women. I was heart broken when I learned that some are not treated fairly and are sometimes even abused.

I encourage you, the women and girls of Africa to remember that you deserve every right as God’s children and human beings as every other person in this world. You deserve to have success in business, to get your education, and to hold posts in government. You can decide whether or not you want to get married and have children. You deserve to enjoy success and happiness along with the important work done as a wife and mother if that is what you choose. And mostly, you should never be raped, mutilated, abused, treated as property or treated with disrespect.

I wrote this song, “Miss Africa” as a way to encourage you to get your education, send your daughters to school and demand to be treated with respect and compassion. It is my hope that this will remind you of your place of dignity in society and urge you to learn your rights and stand up for them. And I hope you will go on someday and inspire your daughters, mothers, sisters and friends to do the same!

Salama,
Kristy, 2006

"Miss Africa"
Lyrics and melody by Kristy Blick
Arrangement by Larry Phenow
Recorded and produced by Pete Brunner
Swahili translations by Dr. Peter Renju
Vocals: Kim Brunner, Sherri Schmit and Holly Taylor
Guitar: Larry Phenow
Percussion: Pete Brunner
Bass: Kim Brunner
Flute and back-up vocals: Kristy Blick

Verse 1
She lays awake at night , hears her mama cry
Stays very still, dreaming and praying things will be different
There’s a hunger in her heart.

Refrain
Give her a chance (Mwezeshe kujaribu tena)
Give her a choice (Mwezeshe kuchagua)
Lift her up (Mwinue juu)
Give her a voice
Miss Africa, Miss Africa

Verse 2
She walks the dusty road, with quiet grace
Load on her head, baby on her back, the world on her shoulders
Is heavy on her heart
(Repeat Refrain)

Verse 3
She sits alone on her porch; The years in her eyes
Aches from yesterday, but hopes that tomorrow
Life will get lighter for the Sisters of her heart.
(Repeat Refrain)

Mwezeshe kujaribu tena (Give her a chance)
Mwezeshe kuchagua (Give her a choice)
Mwinue juu (Lift her up)
Mpatie sauti
Binti Afrika, Mama Afrika

Copyright 2007 Kristy Blick, All Rights Reserved.