“My hope is that when people see Kuumba, they understand what he represents and experience the same warmth that I felt,” says Martin Schwella, founder and designer of Schink Stories.
That is the vision behind the refreshed look of Kuumba, the familiar blue mascot connected to Badisa’s Kuumba Care initiative.
Year after year, people make New Year’s resolutions and set out to become a “new me”. But what if the goal is not to reinvent ourselves, but simply to become an improved me?
That idea inspired Kuumba’s refreshed look.
Kuumba remains the same character many have come to know and appreciate over the past three years. However, it was time for some development—not only for the character but also for his image.
The updated Kuumba retains his familiar warmth and charm, now with a refreshed appearance that reflects his mission even more clearly.
Designing the new Kuumba
“I first started walking a journey with Kuumba when I was asked to design the first Kuumba Care Day sticker,” says Schwella.
“As an artist I have my own unique signature. It may not always be obvious, but people who have seen my previous work would recognise it.”
Schwella says his first encounter with Kuumba left him inspired. “I was struck by the warmth and enthusiasm the blue mascot radiates,” he explains. “But I was also inspired by the stories I heard about the work being done in communities through Badisa.”
With the refreshed design, his aim was simple. “My hope is that when people see Kuumba, they understand what he represents and experience the same warmth that I felt.”
Stories that reflect shared values
Schwella describes himself as a family man and father of three children.
Through his work with Schink Stories, he creates stories that reflect many of the same values represented by Kuumba. “My aim is to strengthen the bond between parents and children through reading,” he says.
At the same time, he believes stories create opportunities to teach children important lessons. “That includes respect, good manners, how to treat others, how to stand up for yourself, and learning about Jesus and the Christian faith.”
In addition to his work with Schink Stories, Schwella has also contributed to BybelMedia.
Kuumba’s story continues
The refreshed design comes at an exciting time for the Kuumba Care initiative.
On 6 March 2026, Badisa will host the first nationwide Kuumba Care Day, during which various programmes will sell Kuumba Care Day stickers to raise funds for the sustainability of their community projects.
There are also plans for the launch of CooltoCare, a Kuumba-inspired toolkit designed to teach practical ways of applying Kuumba’s values in everyday life.
With his refreshed look and these initiatives on the horizon, Kuumba continues to represent care, empathy and community involvement.
