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]

“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)

(more…)

On 15 February all the members of Missionary Community of St. Paul the Apostle (MCSPA) living in Turkana together with more than 500 faithful gathered at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle at Nariokotome Mission to commemorate the 12th death anniversary of our founder, Fr. Francisco Andreo or simply Paco as he preferred to be called.

At the same Thanksgiving Mass, the ashes of the late friend of Fr. Paco and the Community, Mr. Roy Gontier, were also blessed and inurned at the columbarium. Roy was a most able pilot who passed away on 27 June 2013. Roy did many flights for the missions and often flew Paco to Nairobi for his medical checkups. These memories and stories were shared with the congregation gathered at mass.

The event began at the church graveyard where various trees were planted. Fr. Alex Campon, assisted by Deacon Stephen Iyerio, presided at the Eucharistic celebration in the company of Fr. Joseph Ebenyo, the Chancellor of the Diocese of Lodwar, and all the MCSPA priests living in Turkana.

In his homily, Fr. Alex drew similarities between Paco and Pope Francis in their acts of compassion toward the needy and hungry, and the care for the environment. Cecilia Puig, in her tribute message, encouraged all to use every drop of water to plant trees in their homes, schools and everywhere. Mr. Derek Seton, a close friend of Roy read a brief euology and tributes from Roy’s family.

This was followed by songs, a dance and poems by students and pupils of Nariokotome Girls and St Joseph’s Primary School.

Finally, there was the blessing of the trees and all the children present were fed.

As Cecilia remarked, “Let us keep Paco in our memory until we change our dear Turkana into a garden.”

By Brian Odhiambo Nyamuok,

Nariokotome Mission

Both Nariokotome and Kokuselei Missions were delighted to have visitors from Strathmore University of Nairobi and their Kenyan and international partners come by our missions in the Diocese of Lodwar. The visiting team carried out educational activities in English, leadership workshops, youth mentoring and mentoring of women in micro-businesses during a week leading up to Christmas.

The girls appreciated the opportunity to learn leadership skills to become more responsible and better learners. The women’s group from Nariokotome were happy to gain knowledge for future business initiatives that would improve their livelihoods, while the youth also appreciated the opportunity to interact with the team, learn about mental health, personal relationships and guidance to improve their academic level and possible future career.

The MCSPA thanks the “Another Kind of Christmas” team and Strathmore University for their support in the education of children and youth from their missions in Nariokotome and Kokuselei.

Diana Trompetero and Fr. Zacchaeus Oduor, Members
Kokuselei and Nariokotome Missions (KENYA)