A Helping Hand for Githurai
A plain empty hall: no tables, no chairs, no microphone, nothing at all. A large parish: 7000 Christians, including many young people. We are in Githurai, Kenya, a city of 100,000, where almost 65% of the population is under 25 years old. In Githurai, everyone lives in harmony, regardless of ethnic origin. Yet, the region is poor. There are small business owners, casual labourers, and lots of unemployed people, especially the young, who are thus easy prey for drug dealers, deceptive cults, and bad friends.
Father Lucas Juma, a Consolata Missionary and himself of Kenyan origin, wants to get his parish back on its feet – do something to move the parish forward. He needs 600 chairs and 15 tables for his community hall, as well as a sound system with outdoor speakers and a gazebo. The cost is $11,150. You can almost see it, can’t you? Just add a few posters and the room is ready.
Father Lucas (right) with
Father Anthony Ichuloi Oure, IMC
and a parishioner at Githurai Parish
Father Juma has developed a program for his parishioners, and he needs a furnished hall to reach his objectives. He wants to provide training for leaders and catechists to help him better serve his community of 7000. That’s a lot of people. Many leaders within the parish have already set themselves to work. Yet, despite their good intentions, they know little about missionary awareness methods such as how to motivate groups, lead discussions, organize workshops and seminars, and inspire young people. They cannot just make it up as they go along!
Father Juma has planned a three-day workshop to complete the training of 200 speakers, catechists, youth leaders and parish animators. He has found competent trainers and hopes to welcome the workshop participants in a well-equipped church hall. Moreover, since the parish covers a large territory, he must provide accommodation and food for the many volunteers, as well as supplies such as notebooks. That’s an additional expense of $10,625.
Father Juma plans to use the hall for more than just workshops. In fact, the lobby will be a welcoming space for young people to hang out, where they can feel completely at home. In this space, they will hold meetings, organize events, fine tune their talents, and get involved in the parish. To reach families, Father Juma will organize meetings, forums and seminars. There’s a lot of work to do, and he has the energy and the willpower to get things done.
Githurai Parish is finding a way to move forward – a well-furnished, multi-purpose hall for its 7000 parishioners led by knowledgeable and dynamic animators, and many young people to get together to organize events and speak about the future. It’s a $21,775-fundraising campaign . . . Father Lucas Juma needs your help to make it happen!
Fr. David Kamau Gikonyo, IMC
Director of Campaigns
To contribute to this project, please send your donation to:
Consolata Missionaries
P.O. Box 5550, 2301 Rt. 27
Somerset, NJ 08875 USA
732-297-9191
