The grounds of Benga Mission came alive with vibrant performances, powerful messages and a joyful community spirit as more than 400 attendees gathered for the much anticipated Tiyamike Talent Show. This event, held on April 25, showcased the talents of 75 children divided into five groups, each representing a house.

Each house was challenged to creatively explore and present a specific theme through drama, song, dance, and poetry. The themes : Love, Environment, Poverty, Economics, and Gender were not only timely but also deeply resonant, offering the young participants an opportunity to engage with pressing social issues through performance.

“The children poured their hearts into their acts,” said one of the event organizers. “It was inspiring to see them express such complex topics with passion and creativity.”

The audience was treated to stirring performances ranging from a moving skit about environmental conservation to a thought provoking poem on gender equality. The children demonstrated not only their artistic abilities but also their understanding of the challenges their communities face.

The event culminated in a lively raffle draw, adding an extra layer of excitement. Prizes included an African wrapper, flour, sugar, soap, and honey, items that brought smiles to the lucky winners and underscored the spirit of sharing.

The Tiyamike Talent Show proved once again to be more than just a performance stage — it was a platform for education, empowerment, and unity. Organizers hope to continue holding the event in the coming years, reinforcing the belief that when children are given a voice, they can speak powerfully for change.

By Laurent Tsamba

Junior Apprentice MCSPA

Malawi

In a heartwarming display of environmental care, students from four different schools have dedicated a portion of their holiday break to cleaning up plastic waste at Nyangatom Mission in a united effort to protect the planet.

The initiative saw a significant amount of plastic waste collected and properly disposed of, making a visible difference in the mission grounds and surrounding areas. The students from Nyangatom, studying in Lobur, Kibish, Todonyang and Lodwar, independently organized the cleanup after connecting through a shared interest in environmental conservation. Recognizing the extensive issue of plastic pollution and its harmful impact on ecosystems, they chose Nyangatom Mission as their initial target.

The enthusiastic students worked tirelessly, collecting discarded plastic waste that had accumulated on the mission grounds. Their efforts raised awareness among the local community about the importance of proper waste management and the dangers of plastic pollution.

“We learned about the devastating effects of plastic on life and the land in our environmental science classes, and we felt we couldn’t just sit back during our holidays. Taking action, even in a small way, is crucial to saving our planet.” said the students. The students’ leader added, “It’s amazing to see what a group of determined young people can achieve. We hope our initiative inspires others, both students and adults, to take responsibility for their waste and participate in keeping our environment clean.”

Nyangatom Mission, run by MCSPA members, expressed their profound gratitude for the students’ initiative. “We are deeply moved by the dedication and hard work of these young environmental champions,” commented Fr. Angel Valdivia, the in-charge of the mission.

The students plan to continue their environmental efforts during their holidays and hope to establish a network of young environmental activists across Nyangatom. Their inspiring initiative also demonstrates the power of youth engagement in addressing critical environmental challenges.

Peter Sokakulo,

Junior Apprentice, MCSPA.

Ciudad Bolívar, one of Bogotá’s largest and most densely populated localities, faces considerable challenges in terms of social and educational development. Many of its residents live in vulnerable conditions, highlighting the urgent need for programs that offer children and young people opportunities for holistic growth.

In response to this need, the Missionary Community of St. Paul the Apostle (MCSPA) collaborates with the Centro Fuente, run by the Teresian Sisters, to support extracurricular learning and values-based education. Thanks to this partnership, we have been able to work together for the benefit of the children in the area.

This initiative specifically supports children and adolescents in vulnerable situations in the Santa Viviana neighborhood of Ciudad Bolívar. A vital space is being created where, through a combination of academic support and values education, the skills and talents of each child and young person are cultivated. At the same time, a strong foundation of ethical and moral principles is built from an early age.

A wide range of activities is offered, including painting, music, math, and reading and writing support. Educational outings are also organized, providing new experiences and, most importantly, exposing the children to environments they might never have imagined possible.

Recently, we held a rap competition in which participants used music and lyrics to express complex emotions such as sadness, anger, and frustration. Their songs also explored themes of self-improvement, identity, respect, and empathy. By creating and listening to these lyrics, the young people developed a more critical and conscious understanding of the world around them.

Another favorite activity is painting. Many of the children come from challenging backgrounds and lack safe spaces to express their feelings. Painting offers them a non-verbal way to release emotions like fear, anxiety, sadness, and anger. It becomes a form of emotional cleansing. Creating something of their own—and seeing others value their work—greatly boosts their self-esteem and communication skills. It also helps them explore their identity, their origins, and how they see the world around them.

Afternoons at the Fuente Centre are filled with joy and laughter. It is a safe, welcoming space where children feel free to express themselves, where every voice is heard, and where everyone matters.

Alexia Moreno, MCSPA

Bogotá, Colombia

Today was a joyful day at St. Joseph of the Mountain Mother and Child Center as we came together to celebrate the blessing of our new multipurpose hall, St. Filipo Neri Hall! This new space will serve as a hub for parent formation, youth programs, and activities for street children, reinforcing our commitment to nurturing and empowering the community.

The celebration began with a special blessing by our parish priest, marking the hall as a place of growth, learning and community. In a symbolic moment of new beginnings, we cut the ribbon, officially inaugurating St. Filipo Neri Hall.

The event brought together over 100 people, including parents, youth, staff and supporters, all eager to witness and share in this special occasion. One of the highlights of the day was an engaging play performed by the Lions, illustrating the contrast between good and bad parenting —sparking thoughtful discussions among attendees.

Following the blessing and performances, we gathered to share a delicious meal, strengthening bonds and celebrating this new chapter for our center. And, as is traditional in Ethiopia, we ended the day with a coffee ceremony, a moment of gratitude for the blessings of community and progress.

We are deeply thankful to everyone who supported this initiative, and we look forward to seeing St. Filipo Neri Hall become a place of learning, growth, and transformation for the many children and families we serve.

By Amanda Falgas
Apprentice, MCSPA
Mizan Teferi, Ethiopia

#Community #Blessing #StFilipoNeriHall #YouthEmpowerment #ParentFormation #NewBeginnings #Ethiopia

MCSPA Members at Nariokome Mission, the Mother House of the Missionary Community of St Paul the Apostles (MCSPA), carry out different pastoral and human developmental programs in service to the local community in Turkana, northern Kenya. The county of Turkana is co-terminous with the Diocese of Lodwar.

In the semi-arid area of Turkana, water resource development has always been the first priority for further development. Hence, the missionaries constructed earth pans and rock dams, drilled boreholes and set up solar pumps to avail water for schools and the local community at large.

Since human beings need both physical and spiritual health, an integral development involving body, soul and mind, it has always been an important part of the MCSPA charism to take care of the sick, the vulnerable and the elderly. This is being actively done by the Nariokome Primary Health Care program with its 19 outstations covered by the mobile clinic. In addition, pastoral activities provide the sacraments and pastoral care to the inhabitants of 20 outstations, seeing to their spiritual nourishment and growth.

Thanks to the agricultural activities being carried out, vegetables and fruit are produced, cows and poultry are reared. As a result, more than 900 children in the primary schools, nurseries and feeding centres sround the mission are able to have milk, eggs and vegetables for their breakfast and lunch.

For more than 35 years the missionaries at Nariokotome Mission have been trying to enable children to obtain an education. This has been done through child sponsorship programs, improved education facilities, including staff houses for teacher, hiring teachers, providing food for both mission, mission-sponsored and government schools around the area. Furthermore, there has been active participation of sports activities between the children of St. Joseph’s Nariokotome Primary school and other schools around enhancing social interaction and strengthening friendship among the younger generation.

There is an African saying that goes, “Strong women don’t wait for doors to open – they build their own.” Different initiatives have been put in place to empower women. Among them are the small businesses involving bread and scone baking, pizza making as well as other local handcraft. This has created alternative job opportunities for women, so that they have alternative ways of earning an income instead of alcohol-brewing.

All these activities are being carried out in the area thanks to our benefactors, friends and families who support the missionaries in all ways.

By Lydia Imbala, MCSPA
Nariokome Mission [Kenya]

“Give justice to the weak and the orphan; maintain the right of the lowly and the destitute.” Psalm 82:3

When war, ethnic clashes and natural disasters force families to flee their homes, children are often the hardest hit. Many lose access to education with their future hanging in uncertainty. But in the heart of our parish, Ave Maria Mission at Ngboko, something remarkable is happening. Amidst the struggles, a beacon of light has emerged: a small but determined school, built up from faith, compassion and an unshakable belief that every child deserves access to learning, and hope is being rebuilt – one classroom at a time.

Fr Avelino Bassols, MCSPA, the parish priest, saw the plight of displaced children arriving with their families from various parts of Tambura, Dingimo, Nagero, Gamunakpe, Mabaiku, Akpa, Modurumo, just to mention but a few of the tragedy-struck places. He knew that something had to be done. These young souls, already bearing the weight of trauma, needed more than just food and shelter; they needed a place to learn, grow and dream again.

With no proper school buildings available, the parish community sprang into action. Spaces that once served as church halls were quickly transformed into makeshift classrooms. Wooden benches were crafted, blackboards salvaged, old textbooks and few learning materials that the parish could get at the moment were availed. The search for volunteer teachers and also some trained ones, was no easy task.

Nonetheless, lessons began!!!

Despite the lack of proper infrastructure, the children’s enthusiasm to learn has been unstoppable. They gather each morning, eyes bright with anticipation, eager to grasp the knowledge that war and displacement tried to steal from them.

While the initiative has been a success, challenges remain. The classrooms are only temporary structures, teaching materials are scarce and more volunteers are needed. However, with faith and determination, the parish is working towards securing more permanent solutions, perhaps even a fully-fledged school in the future.

Currently, there are, at Ave Maria Mission, children originally from 8 affected primary schools from around who are being attended to by this small school.

What was started as a simple effort to help a few children has now become a symbol of resilience and love. In a world where displacement often means despair, this small school is proving that love, faith and education is not just a privilege, rather it is a right, a necessity, and above all a beacon of hope.

Through this small school, the parish is living out the words of Psalm 82:3 – defending the weak, uplifting the oppressed, and giving displaced children a chance to reclaim their future. It is more than a school. It is a promise that no matter the circumstances, the pursuit of knowledge and hope must never be abandoned.

by Benjamin Maketa, Junior Apprentice, MCSPA.
Ave Maria Mission (South Sudan)

“BE A GIRL, BE A LIGHT”, was the theme of the gathering we had in Loropio last weekend with girls between 14 and 17 years old from the communities of Riokomor and Kokuselei. Our inspiration: ‘’Let your light shine before others‘’.

The big change that schooling brings for Turkana girls is a big responsibility, so the meeting organised by the missionaries and teachers of Kokuselei aimed to guide them on their life project. It was an opportunity for them to explore their self-knowledge, self-esteem and health, and what it means to be part of the first generation of schooled women in their communities.

The joy in their hearts was evident on their faces. For some of them, it was the first time they had ever boarded a bus, tasted new food, gone outside their communities and swam in Lake Turkana. Their happiness was overflowing as they sang non-stop to express their excitement.

During the meeting, their courage and the incredible strength they carry within them was emphasised. We reminded them that they are not only the pride of their community, but also a light that enlightens others and will benefit the whole society.

By nature, the girls like to get to the bottom of things when they talk about life, and this aspect shone through when we answered questions about their dreams and the difficult challenges they face.

We believe their determination and desire will shine through in their communities!

By Maggie Gitau & Frida Ejore

Apprentices of MCSPA

Kokuselei Mission (Kenya)

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Lobur Mission is known for its agricultural programme called Furrows in the Desert (FID) which has been in existence for more than 12 years. This mission is located in the semi-arid Turkana County at the northern part of Kenya. The activities of FID includes desert farming which also includes vegetables and maize, hay farming and dairy goat farming.

FID has also introduced a new poultry farming project focussing on layers. This new farming project has made Lobur Mission more agriculturally orientated.

The poultry layer farming project was started by Fr. Joseph Githinji and John Rhiga in 2022. The project was fruitful in 2023, producing a daily average of 210 eggs which we were able to supplement the food given to undernourished kids at the Mother and Child Centres (MCCs).

Lobur mission is under Sts. Joachim and Anne Parish has 12 MCCs with a total of 2000 children. The age range of the children is between 3 to 7 years. This project plays the role of improving the nutritional health of the children at the centres. Each center receives 8 trays of eggs in a week.

With this egg-supplement, the contented villagers are more eager to send their children to the MCCs resulting in an increase in the number of children. These centres are not just feeding centres but are also places where the children receive basic pre-primary education and daily life skills such as hygiene and sanitation. This project has helped to boost our education activities for children.

This year 2025 we see a need to add 150 more layers so that we can provide for an additional 2 more MCCs, that is an additional 210 children. We are looking forward to reaching out to many more children who still need help and attention for their nutrition and education.

By John Rhiga
MCSPA Apprentice,
Lobur Mission (KENYA)

The children of Ave Maria Kindergarten and Centenary Cross Kindergarten – two of the 3 kindergartens that the MCSPA runs in South Sudan – had a wonderful end of the year celebration.

The top class of both schools ended the year in style and with a remarkable celebration organised by their parents and the school administration. There was a procession from the primary school down to the kindergarten and it stretched for about 2 km! The children, dressed in their graduation attire, were escorted by the Ave Maria brass band. This attracted the attention of most of the children in villages along the way but especially the little ones. From a distance you could hear a child saying to the mother, in the local language: “Mama I would like to go to school like these children”.

The “graduating” children were so happy and they truly earned all this celebration. Later, in front of their parents, the children showed their talent in song and poetry. Their parents were proud to see their children receive awards and certificates that enabled them to pursue their primary education. It was an event to celebrate a simple occasion but one that meant the world to the children and families of a little forgotten village of South Sudan. It reminded me of another exceedingly important event that occurred 2,000 years ago in a little and insignificant village of Judaea except that that event of the birth of the Child passed largely unnoticed.

It is our wish and joy to make our children love school and to encourage more parents to send their children to school. We hope that by 2030 all children between the ages of 4 to 8 years will be sent to school without us (the school administration) following or requesting the parents to do so.

With these beautiful photos we give thanks to all who supported this year’s Ave Maria Educational Program – Education for Peace!

Lillian Omari, MCSPA
Ave Maria Mission (SOUTH SUDAN)

As in many of the missions of the MCSPA (Missionary Community of St. Paul the Apostle), in Muketuri, Ethiopia, we have dedicated great efforts to the development of nutrition and education for children under the age of seven.

When the MCSPA first arrived in Muketuri, at the invitation of the present Cardinal Berhaneysus Souraphiel CM, the local population was surprised that we focused on nutrition and education of young children, ages 4 to 6, before they even start primary education.

After drilling a well on the land donated by local authorities to the Ethiopian Catholic Church and creating a vegetable garden to ensure water and food supply for what would later become the St. Joseph Mother and Child Centre, we conducted a socio-economic study of a sample of 500 families in the area. This study provided data on the most vulnerable: women and children affected by malnutrition and preventable diseases.

In many rural areas of Ethiopia, children under the age of 7 receive very poor nutrition and are often involved in tasks such as herding animals – as in the case of boys – and fetching water, cooking, and caring for younger siblings – as in the case of girls. Many of these children survive diseases without any medical treatment and are often the last to eat at home, because, in reality, until they reach 7 years old, it’s uncertain if they will survive.

The first children who came to the Centre were attracted by the promise of daily breakfast and lunch. However, few people believed that such young children could learn much or that education at that age could change their future development.

Gradually, more families began bringing their children to the Centre, not only for the food but because of the remarkable holistic development of the children attending the school. During the closing day festival, 5 and 6-year-old recite poems, even in English, participate in fashion shows, and, most importantly, learn to read and engage in learning games that prepare them for a future education.

All human development professionals – nutritionists, psychologists, doctors etc. – emphasise the importance of the early years in human life. Brain connections that form in early years of childhood require proper protein intake and the necessary stimuli for full physical, neurological and psychological development.

Now, in this area, most families recognise the importance of this age group: childhood before the age of 7. Those living in larger towns, who do not rely as much on farming and animals but have small businesses or other professions, strongly desire their children to start school from the age of 4. Our Centre accepts 120 children a year, but the number of applicants for the lottery to enter is three times that number. Muketuri now has some private kindergartens, and the government has started adding a year of pre-primary education to its curriculum. The MCSPA Centre has been a model and reference in this field.

Little by little, the quality of life for children – and consequently the entire population in the near future – is improving, thanks to the emphasis on nutrition and education in the early years. We want to contribute to holistic development of human beings from the very beginning, during those early years when strength and personality are shaped. By creating a safe, healthy environment without distinction of sex, race or religion, we aim to bring good news (i.e. to evangelize) to so many people who still live in subhuman conditions.

Lourdes Larruy, MCSPA
Muketuri Mission, ETHIOPIA