SISTERS OF MERCY IN WEST POKOT: CHEPARERIA

This project illustrates one of the Sisters of Mercy activities in West Pokot among others.

Mercy Vocational Training Centre (MVTC) MTVC is an institution which was started in May, 2000 by the Sisters of Mercy. The aim of the

Centre is to provide education for girls and young women in various skills including

cookery/nutrition, machine knitting and dressmaking, tailoring, fashion and design,

entrepreneurship, literacy Kiswahili/English, computer classes and poultry keeping. These

courses are over and above those being offered to the less able students who many have no

formal education. These are girls/women who are either drop outs, primary school leavers or

have never attended school, or those who have been rescued in the community and are in urgent

need of skills through which they can earn their living. Most of them come from poor families

where they face lots of challenges and hardships.

West Pokot has one of the lowest literacy levels in Kenya .The glaring needs can be attributed to

the adherence to retrogressive cultures embraced by the Pokot community such as FGM, Early

and forced marriage, cattle rustling among other things. It is felt that a girl has little value in the

area and can be married off and is of little value in her household. Both boys and girls are held

back from education chances by the cultural values of tending to animals for boys and early

marriage for girls.

Looking at the needs of the place the Sisters of Mercy are able to provide adult education as

well as vocational training programs to enable girls and women in West Pokot to have a life.

The following pictures speak for themselves.

Cookery Class

Tailoring class

In respond to the needs of the People the Sisters of Mercy

through family and friends made a great contribution to

the development of this needy area. They erected a

nursery school, a skills training facility, a small

dormitory and a chapel for the secondary school students.

The Catholic diocese of Eldoret tried to assist in any way

possible at the beginning of the Sister’s mission and then

once this area was put under the jurisdiction of the newly

erected diocese of Kitale again the Bishop and Procurator

had to start thinking of the best way to build up the

diocese.

One of our sisters of Mercy is

the head of the Institution

and through her efforts girls

are able to do grade test and

exams through KNEC. Many

get employment, while others

start their own small

business. Many of the girls

are supported through

sponsorship programs to

accomplish their education.

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Success Stories of West Pokot

Through the collaborative efforts the Sisters of Mercy have been able to set up hostels for

students to facilitate their education in 2016. A multipurpose Hall and Kitchen were also

established. This will enable the College to become self sustaining to facilitate the needs of the

growing population as external funding is becoming more and more difficult to get. The hostels

can accommodate more than 178 girls with four sharing. There are also special rooms form

people with special needs.

The staff houses can

accommodate 8

teachers each in a two

bedroom house.

This will enable the

teachers to dedicate

their time in the

College without the

insecurity hassles and

challenges of getting

proper

accommodation

facilities in the area.

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The Chepareria Project was highly financed by the surplus from the Mater Misericordiae

Hospital and one twelveth of the funding through the Irish Government, Mision Cara.

The Sisters of Mercy are also involved in secondary education with two members teaching in St.

Cecilia Girls Secondary and St. Elizabeth Girls Secondary, Morpus. The Sisters also manage a

day nursery school that started in the 1990s to cater for the teachers children. Upon completion

they are able to join St. Michaels Primary School under the Parish Church and the performance

is good.

SISTERS OF MERCY IN TURKANA

The Genesis in Turkana Medical and educational needs were what had been identified by the Comboni missionaries who

invited the Mercy Sisters to come and work among the Turkana people in 1993 and the Sisters

responded in January 1994. The medical needs were deemed to be more urgent than the

education when the Sisters arrived there as there were absolutely no outreach facilities

whatsoever on offer for the people in the area removed from the shopping centre.

Resources/Personnel

The Local church gave the plot on which the buildings are erected. The Sisters of Mercy of St

Maries of the Isle built the house in which the sisters live. The Bishop gave 90 bags of cement

towards this. The diocese had built four classrooms and the Sisters built the other four with

assistance from Irish Aid. Three sisters went there and immediately one of the Sisters began the

medical treatments. The other Sister went into the local girls’ primary school. Today we have

one Sister in the staff of Lokori Girls Primary and a few months later Louise did the mornings in

the primary school and the evening in a craft room where Annunciata had started a small beads

making project.

Health care improved immensely. A vehicle was donated by Irish Aid and Mobile clinics began.

Some of these journeys took as many as four to five hours to go there and return. Girls who

were rarely given a chance to go to school were now being released by the parents to do some

schooling as there was confidence in the presence of the sisters. It took a long time to get them

to attend regular class and often the brightest girls were just married off from primary school,

class five or so. The beads project went very well as now the women who never saw a penny

prior to this were actually able to earn a few shillings from the sale of the beads and sewing

school. They used their earnings to buy things available in the sewing area.

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For most people of the region, livestock is a “living Bank”. – a savings account that equals cash.

Conflict is part of day to day life as people compete for available grazing as well as retaliatory

attack and raiding of animals.

Communities in the fisheries livelihood zone have been targeted for more attention, followed

closely by the pure pastoralist as well as health facilities and lastly the agro pastoral zone.

The people of Turkana face a number of recurring and inter-related challenges – cyclical

droughts and famine, food insecurity, endemic malnutrition, radical scarcity of water resources,

lack of industry, communications’ facilities, passable roads, and border security.

They tend to retain their traditional pastoral and nomadic lifestyle, even though it provides only

a marginal level of sustenance. The tribe is quite homogeneous, though divided into twenty-six

clans. The members of the tribe as such, due to the geographical isolation of the area, have little

or no contact with other peoples, even with the rest of the Kenyan territory.

Sisters of Mercy Lokori: Mercy Centre The programme is coordinated by one of the Sisters of Mercy for all the activities of the Mercy

Centre in Lokori that offers formal and non formal education to the people of Lokori.

Background

The Sisters started non- formal education for those who do not usually get a chance to follow

education as an effort to give some literacy and numeracy skills continues to date as the photo

images demonstrate.

LOKORI HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

DESCRIPTION

Lokori is an area in Turkana desert which is described as

100% arid and semi arid.

Target group

Most of the 40,000 nomadic pastoralists’ people eke out an

existence in the desert.

Location :

Northern Kenya, southern Turkana approximately 200 sq.

kms. It is 1,800 feet above sea level with temps between 38c

and 42c.

Target Group:

Night classes

Girls (older girls who would normally be

engaged carrying water, firewood and actively

involved in their homes during the day.)

Shepherd boys, (spend the days caring for

animals, the only property owned by the

Turkana and consequently their only means of

survival, hence it is a very import job)

Location: The village of Lokori, Lokori division,

District of Turkana, Northern Kenya.

Philosophy: To educate boys who herded the goats

and camels during the day and girls who could not

attend formal classes by offering night classes.

Overall Goal: Education for life to enable the Turkana

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The purpose of this project was to introduce the importance of numeracy and literacy and

encourage progression of education into a formal setting.

The Sisters of Mercy continue to support this programme with Text books and stationery as well

as food for the night classes.

Teachers are being paid by the Sisters of Mercy from fundraising in the education sector as well

as through the Congregation.

Nursery School Over 100 children between the ages of 3 to 6 years old attend class in a small one room

building. They are taught by two teachers whose salaries are paid for by the Sisters.

Primary Schools A primary school is being run in the area and is supported by the government. The Sisters are

supporting the library in the school which is in need of extra support in relation to books and

equipment. Currently we have one Sister of Mercy teaching in the school.

Adult education Five adult class sessions are being run between afternoon and evening classes. One of these

takes place in Lokori another in Katilia (60 kms out.) Lokwii has one class, it is 40mins from

centre and Morulem has two centres 20 mins drive away. The classes are for girls and boys who

don’t get the opportunities to go to school at a young age and now have the chance to catch up.

If the young adults are able to attain the standard of formal schooling then they are able to move

into a formal school setting. Many of those students have availed of this opportunity. Some who

have joined formal classes at mid primary level are now heading the class at standard 8 level.

These are taught by teachers (non trained) who have passed through the centre and some form

fours. Even if they don’t make it to formal school, they are now literate and confident.

The activities of the Sisters of Mercy

Turkana Girls in class

Shepherd boys in their night

class

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To provide basic education to boy children who work as shepherds and girl children who

work in the homes. The problem is that nomadic children are working to support their

families and have no access to basic education. Classes are held for these children

around their working hours. The children learn basic literacy and numeracy skills,

progressing into formal school setting.

To provide pre - school nursery education to children and encourage parents to

understand the importance of formal education. Problem – Lack of appreciation by

parents of the importance of education to children. Classes are provided 5 days a week

for over 100 nursery children. Attendance records – number of children who are

applying to attend is increasing.

To provide an education class where young adults men and women whom have missed

out on education can have access to literacy and numeracy classes while being able to

work. There is the problem of widespread illiteracy in the nomadic area and lack of

opportunity to go to school at a young age. Classes are held at afternoon and evening

times and teach basic literacy and numeracy skills to adults. Class numbers of attendance

– numbers of people who are moving into the formal school system from this setting.

The Sisters continue to support the education of girl child by targeting parents to attend

talks and support classes. The problem here is lack of support by parents of educating of

girl child, whose traditional role is seen to be in the home. Parents attend talks on the

benefits of educating your girl child. The ability to read and converse on a wider range of

topics gives them great confidence. As reading skills improve they can continue to do

the traditional chores while reading their library books. Reading in village and field by

girl child, gives more access to education.

Lokori Mercy Craft – Skills training

There is an ongoing skills training program in place. The younger women and a few men have

been trained in tailoring and sewing. They are allowed to come to the centre at any time to do

their work and this is a great benefit to them. When they sell their goods they take half of the

price that they receive and they leave the other half with the centre to help buy materials etc.

Any week a new student can enroll and she/he will be taught as soon as possible. Some of the

past students have started making uniforms and sell them to local schools. This is starting to set

up their own small business. Some manage to buy a personal sewing machine and from what

they have earned some income by making uniforms.

Sisters of Mercy Activities

The Sisters work towards improving the life style of many and the problem here is that

people of Turkana have little or no interest in educating the girl child. Activities are to

provide classes in numeracy and literacy. Indicators are – 15 students each year will

become proficient in reading, writing, and numeracy.

To provide women with a skill to have an income for them and their children. Problem –

Early marriage is only option most of them have unless they are exposed to another way

of life. Activities – to provide skills in sewing, cooking, and crafts. Verification- Display

of finished articles being sold in local market.

In the past the Sisters carried out an activity that aimed at providing goats to 51 of the

poorest families so they could have an income to support their children. The problem

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remain that nomadic people like the Turkana have no income or livelihoods accept

animals. Activities – purchases of 305 goats to be divided between 51 families.

Verifications – families have received the goats and the children are receiving regular

food and nutrition from their parents.

Health care at Lokori

PHC is running well and the program handles 21 outreach stations and one static. The train

traditional birth attendants and community health workers. The population of the villages range

from 40 – 4,000 people depending of the size of the village. The Diocese doctor gets drugs from

the government for each patient. They educate the local people.

The health team continues to visit each station at least once a month and in some cases twice.

Terre des Homes provide a plane and a pilot for the furthest stations for two days in a month.

This facility can be used in case of any emergency.

The Sisters of Mercy Activities

Comprehensive treatment of TB patients. Problem – Lack of treatment available for TB

patients

Monitor food and nutrition programme for pregnant mothers and babies. Problem – High

levels of malnourishment in children and mothers. Activities -Preventative and curative

treatment for mothers and their babies. Indicators - Health of mothers and babies being

monitored. Verifications – weight charts of the babies and register of attendance for the

mother.

Provide an outreach clinic to 21 villages. Problem – distance of the villages is very far

from each other so it is difficult for the people to have access to health care. Activities –

child care facilities, pregnant mothers, and babies care, health talks, training of

community health workers. Indicators – number of people in each village that are

attending the clinics. Number of health workers trained in the villages. Support services

accessed by the health workers. Levels of malnutrition in children that is treated.

Verifications - numbers of villages that are being accessed. Registers of children

attending the clinics. Registers of women accessing information on nutrition. Weight of

babies monitored through their growth chart.

Turkana County HIV/Aids VCT

The Programme targets the sick of the area of all ages with special emphasis on the number of

HIV/Aids patients on the clinic registers. The overall goal is to enable the sick to be healed by

making medical available to them

The overall purpose is to educate all the people of the area and the children in the schools to

safeguard them from developing HIV/Aids

The Sisters of Mercy activities.

Provide VCT services to the needy sick at a reduced cost. Problem – HIV/Aids and lack

of understanding of the virus and how it is transmitted. Activities – Education on topic.

Indicator – Numbers who show interest in talks. Verification – Numbers who volunteer

for testing.

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Enhance awareness of HIV/Aids by confronting the myths that are in the community in

relation to the virus. Problem – Huge amount of myths in the community in relation to

the HIV/Aids virus. Activities – Call meetings and give graphic details of disease. Form

a home care group for people living with the disease. Encourage people to go public

about their status to break the stigma. Engage in dialogue with local churches and local

leadership so that people will be made secure in the lessons given. If possible being a

person with HIV status but who can continue to live a fairly healthy life on account of

ARVS. Indicators – The community and local groups are participating in the dialogue in

relation to myths about curing the HIV virus. People discussing their status in public.

Churches and other community groups speaking about the issues. Discuss the benefits of

ARV etc. Verification - Myths and actions relating to these myths will be reduced in the

community. Group and public discussions. Groups together discussing this. More people

in the community accessing ARvs.

HIV/AIDS programme, Lodwar

The HIV and AIDS project in Lodwar illustrates one of the activities of the Sisters of Mercy in

Lodwar among others.

The HIV and AIDs Programme in Lodwar aims at reducing HIV/ AIDS prevalence and the risk

to HIV infection among children in and out of school, couples and other community members

through sensitization, mobilization, treatment and care and support to people living positively

with HIV and vulnerable children. To fight stigma and promote community participation in the

care and support of those infected and orphaned in their midst.

Achievements:

1. 64 defaulters have been traced and brought back through the work of the HBC Providers.

2. Many clients who benefitted from the IGA are able to provide the basic needs for their

families. 123 clients have their business running very well despite the size of the

businesses. They are able to survive on the profit they get to buy food.

3. The AA meetings have helped clients to know they have a problem and a personal

decision taken to seek for help. The 10 clients from St. Catherine who sort for more help

in the Talbot rehabilitation centre have challenged others to think of doing the same.

Hopefully more will go for help for this is a big problem here in Turkana.

Challenges:

Water has been a problem in St. Mary’s Kalokol and it has been hard to set up the

laboratory. It has really delayed although we have purchased the equipment. We have

seen this is a long term problem and we have decided to set up the laboratory in Kataboi

Dispensary as water is not a very big problem. This is to start mid July.

Staff turnover has been a big challenge in our diocesan facilities. NGO’s are poaching

staff with their better pay and it has not made things easy when it comes to running of

the programme. We depend on donor funds and few are supporting Human resource.

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Mileage has been a very big problem for follow up of the activities. The support comes

from the Sisters of Mercy Kenyan province to facilitate the travels to the outreaches as

the diocese has no funding for these activities in the HIV/AIDS programme.

Sustainability

In collaboration with Aphia plus Imarisha the Diocesan livelihood programme, hopes to

offer loans to clients to set their small businesses thus promoting sustainability.

The medical department is trying to partner with the ministry of health to try to get staff

seconded to the Diocesan facilities as we have had problems of getting funding for

salaries.

The government to equip their health facilities and especially those in the very remote

areas to offer comprehensive care to minimise the costs on mileage to those sites.

CHALLENGES TO THE SISTERS OF MERCY WORK

SUSTAINABILITY

Though so much work has been put in place by the Sisters of Mercy questions of sustainability

still lingers our mind. Corruption and fraud is real in Kenya. Through advocacy Sisters of Mercy

try to sensitise the communities about the ill effects of such. The photos below illustrate what

has become of one of the schools that was supported by the German Government, St. Elizabeth

Lunga Lunga.

Flooding that destroyed the resources that was set aside for the future of this learning institution.

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Challenges of getting funding to bring this school to its former glory have been many. The

government organs came on board to consider the millions of money that was put forth for such

an institution that caters for more than 1,200 children.

Issues of land grabbing are real and this also has inhabited work to progress as attention is taken

from the core business of providing education and health care to following up with government

bodies for redress.

As land is grabbed and more and more people end up living in poor conditions then diseases

worsens the living conditions of the community. This has a huge impact on the education as

well as the livelihood of the community.

Calling for help goes unheard. The flooding is as a result of dumping of soils by the

developers interfering with the running of the river.

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Children are stranded and they have no idea where to turn to since their once well manicured

school was now a sea full of contaminated waters.

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Conclusion

The Sisters of Mercy see their work as a complimentary to the government. If such work was

not exempted from income tax then the future of the voluntary contributions of the Sisters of

Mercy is at stake.

We trust that the commissioner will be able to renew the tax certificate in order to progress the

work for in the end it is the people of Kenya and beyond who benefit.