An Update on AFUMC’s Outreach in Kenya
by Dr. Virginia Duffy
(Upper Virginia with a group of children
at Chacon Children’s Center. The boy to her right is Michael, who
is being sponsored by the guests at Asbury Dining and Caring Center.
He is wearing a jacket that they bought for him.
(Lower) Virginia Duffy in Nairobi with (left to right) Phillip Moses,
Liz Njenga, and Frank Olum RARE program recipients.
I recently returned from a productive trip to Kenya. I was
picked up by the family of Pastors Samuel and Lucy of Chazon
Children Center (CCC). They were pleased to take me to Molo
as it was mother’s day and they got to spend it with their mother
and siblings. They are a close-knit family, as is not uncommon in
Kenya.
I was excited to go to the school on Monday. There are 350
students. The school is at the maximum it can hold, and they are
using every inch. The students gave me a warm welcome. They
have four new teachers for a total of ten.
I spent the next two weeks working: I did counseling groups for
students with “behavioral” problems (most of them are being
beaten at home). They were happy to have someone listen to
them. I bought them small notebooks to use as journals. I taught
them about feelings and asked them to record how they felt. I am
putting more emphasis on the importance of emotions and how
to deal with them. We also did positive affirmations: “I am smart, I
am strong, I am good.” I developed a class on culture and change. I
also revised policies and website content and took children to the
eye doctor. I do whatever needs to be done, and I love it.
Phillip Moses, a RARE (Receive and Reciprocate Education)
student, and I did a seminar titled Alternative Methods of Discipline
for the teachers and staff. It was well received. CCC is one of the
leaders in the area in trying to stop corporal punishment. This is
common in Kenya even though it is against the law.
With funds from AFUMC I was able to buy them a water tank. This
was desperately needed, as the tap works only when it wants to!
They were carrying jugs of water for 350 kids. As you can imagine
there wasn’t much drinking going on, let alone hand washing.
After a fast two weeks I went to Nairobi for the weekend and had
a very relaxing time with my three RARE university students (and
friends): Liz Njenga, Frank Olum, and Phillip.
Frank and Phillip and I went to the coast to visit with three other
RARE students, where we settled some issues and made some
necessary changes in their educational plans. Frank is the Kenyan
contact and mentor for the RARE program.
In April, 2012 Frank will finish the University of Nairobi with
a bachelor’s degree, earned in three years and with a double
major. He is hoping to come to Rochester to get a master’s in
social work. He plans to apply to Roberts Wesleyan College for
a scholarship. I hope some of you at AFUMC can help with this. If
you want to hear Frank speak about these plans listen to his
video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnE1l39mwNE.
I would love to come and talk to your group, school, or
organization about this project, please just send me an email at
drvduffy@gmail.com.
