Local news – 12.06.2011 - By Mary Tioko – Church's stand

The Vicar general of the Diocese of Lodwar gives the church's stand towards the management of the catholic sponsored schools in Turkana County.
The Vicar general of the Diocese of Lodwar today gave the church's stand towards the management of the catholic sponsored schools in Turkana County. Citing examples of the two secondary schools that recently had chaos of St. Francis Xavier Katilu Boys where students destroyed the schools equipments and emphasized that whenever there is a misunderstanding they should solve it amicably without damages. He praised the students of St. Kevin's secondary schools for their peaceful demonstration despite their complains. The Vicar General Fr. Joseph Ekalimon said this in the mass which was led by Fr. John Kizito Manzi at St. Augustine's cathedral parish today. Fr. Ekalimon said that the government should give the church the power to decide on the running of the catholic sponsored schools, he said that the catholic church is a partner in education and thus the government should consult them and that they are always ready for any consultations. Till now the church has not been consulted on St. Kevin's issue.
Fr. Ekalimon gave the faithfuls the history of st. Kevin's secondary school referring to the vision and mission statement as put by the late Bishop Christopher Mahon which has been followed by the Bishop Emeritus Patrick Harrington and Now Dominic Kimengich takes the same mantle. He said that students from poor backgrounds were encouraged to get their education right in this specific school which was design for that. He blamed the people of Turkana county for the culture of silence on many things that happen around them. On this Pentecost day he commanded them to go out and break the culture of silence that has been existing in them as people full of spirit. Fr. Joseph urged the faithfuls to practice their catholicism even in their working places and become Ambassadors of peaces and unity and not separation and hatred. He warned all those spreading rumors on the school to stop it. The priest said that they realize and emphasize the truth always an encouraged the faithfuls to pray for the bishop while away for the betterment of the church.

LOCAL NEWS - 11.06.2011 - BY KODET PHILIP - AN ACCIDENT OCCURED AT LODWAR BRIDGE

A Toyota truck registration number KSE 427 today early in the morning plunged in to the bridge along kitale-lodwar highway about 2kms from lodwar town at river Turkwel near Nikon Nikon filling station, The truck which left a lady and the driver with minor injuries was transporting sand to a construction site in lodwar town developed a mechanical problems when its gear and the brake failed. The lorry was moving from kanamkemer towards lodwar town before the accident occurred. On board were three men and a lady. The lady was rushed to lodwar district hospital where she was treated and discharged. The other two survived without injuries.
At the same place a motorist speeding towards lodwar town ferrying a passenger from kanamkemer knocked and seriously injured a pedestrian who was trying to avoid a pot-hole. The victim of the accident was rushed to lodwar district hospital where is receiving her treatme

Local news – 10.06.2011 - By Kodet Philip - Regional music festival held

Turkana regional primary schools music festivals were held today at Turkana teachers resource center.
The festivals which is organized by the ministry of education is aimed at exploring talents of pupils through traditional folk dances and poems. The best schools in folk dances and poems from the previous competitions from there districts were chosen to participate in today event. The winning schools will represent the region in the provincial music competition. The schools from west, north, south, central, east, and loima districts participated. The festivals are expected to end tomorrow.

LOCAL NEWS – 09.06.2011 - By Kodet philip - Business Women trained at St. Augustine

Nakapongoroit small-scale business women began their two day training on how to start and sustain a small business at st. Augustine conference hall. The training which is organized by the Diocese of Lodwar women and livelihood program is aimed at sensitizing women on matters of borrowing business grants and how to pay-back from the program. The facilitator of training who is also the Assistant program coordinator Mrs. Rose Nakoi said that the loans lent are meant for sustaining small scale businesses in order to alleviate their lifestyle. She also reiterated that the loan is open to every woman regardless of the denomination. According to her the grants are given to a group of twenty women. The training will end tomorrow.

LOCAL NEWS - 08.06.2011 - By Zacheaus Otaba - Go and fight against these evils in the community, communications' officer tells facilitators

The family matters facilitators who have been training in splash guest house have been urged to go and fight against the evils of early pregnancies and spread of HIV/Aids. The international rescue committee communication's officer Mr. Joseph Lolepo said that the facilitators have got enough knowledge to tackle these challenges which has increased the number of drop outs in schools.
The officer said that the programme was first rolled in 2008, while in some areas it started early this year. He added that the commitment the facilitators have shown during training shows that better results are expected in the near future. He urged them to go and meet their targets and make sure that the areas not covered is reached.
The training which brings together 14 facilitators from the seven divisions across the county, which includes Kalokol, Lokichar, Lokichogio, Loima Turkwel, Kakuma and Lodwar, started yesterday and ended today. The facilitators are supposed to train people who have children aged 9 and 12, who will graduate after 5weeks of training.

Local news – 07.06.2011 - by zacheaus otaba - family matters programme two days workshop

The facilitators of the family matter programme are undergoing a two days refresher training at splash guest house. The behavior change communications officer, Mr. Joseph Lolepo said that the facilitators, are now doing monitoring and evaluation on the activities they are carrying in the field. The facilitators who are absorbed from the seven divisions are the Turkana county were once trained in 2008.
Mr. Lolepo added that due to changes that have been made in the facilitation methods to the parents, there is need to up date the facilitators. He agreed that most of the parents with child aged 9 to 12yrs have not been reached and there is need to do so.
The training is bringing together 14 facilitators from Lodwar, Turkwel, Loima, Lokichogio, Lokichar and Kalokol divisions. This programme aims at reaching more than 10,000 children aged between nine and twelve years all over the county, who are not yet exposed to sexual behavior. The workshop started today and is expected to end tomorrow, there after they expected to continue with their mission in their various stations.