Local news - By Emmanuel Lopus – 09.11.11 - Supervisors training on polio conducted

Almost 35 supervisors were trained today at Anne Nanjala center on campaign against polio. The training which started at almost 11.00oclock brought together the three M.O.H who were also the facilitators of the training, Dr. Mogoi Donald from Turkana north,Dr. Epem Joseph from Turkana central and Dr. Kiprop Gideon fromTurkana south. The aim of the training was to brief the supervisors on how the campaign against polio will be conducted across the Turkana county at large. The training which is organized by the Ministry of Health and Sanitation and supported by NGO'S will run for three days till Friday and the campaign will start officially on Saturday and Vaccinators will move from house to house.M.O.H for Turkana north Dr. Mogoi speaking with one of the Akicha reporters said that the vaccinators will be looking for any child with paralysis condition.

Local news – 7.11.11 - By Jared Lorot - 38 Christians confirmed at all Saints Kainuk Parish

38 Christians from all saints Kainuk Parish received the sacrament of confirmation yesterday. The confirmations were presided by Rt. Rev. Bishop Dominic Kimengich who was visiting the Parish for the 2nd time in the year.
His lordship said that the sacrament of confirmations is like the sacrament of the Eucharist that strengthens them and opens their own ways to God. He anointed those confirmed with holy oil which strengthens and guides them in their lives. Touching on the Gospel of the day, his lordship urged the faithfuls to leave and abandon the earthly materials, which he said blinds people and prevents them from seeing God.
Bishop Dominic encouraged the faithfuls not to revenge to their enemies for what they have done for them so as to maintain purity in their hearts, peace within them and their enemies since God is against that. He called upon all to live together despite of the tribalism and discrimination. He also asked them to pray to the virgin Mary to intercede for them so as to enter the kingdom of God.
The parish priest of All saints Fr. Javier Gonzalez thanked the bishop for celebrating the mass, presiding the sacrament of confirmation. He gave the breakdown of the existing groups in the parish as follows: 70 registered P.M.C members, C.M.A, C.W.A, and Holiday youth pro-gramme. The parish priest said that they would be having elections of the new officials of the church soon. Assistant parish Priest Fr. Fransisco Trujillo is assisting in food for work distributions and is also helping the church in writing and connections of the power acting like the technician of the parish.

Local news – 7-11-11 -By Mary Tioko -Forgiveness is a virtue that a Christian should have at heart: Says Bishop.

Diocesan secretariat were urged to see God in the simplicity of their hearts as he knows them deep in their hearts and forgive those who wrong them as it is good to have the virtue of forgiveness in their hearts. Speaking during staff Mass at St. Thomas Chapel today, His Lordship bishop Dominic Kimengich said that if someone comes and seeks for forgiveness he or she has to be forgiven.
His lordship said that forgiveness is a very important virtue in life and one cannot continue carrying the burdens of sins. He added that when sins are not forgiven they destroy their health, causes stress to others and they should watch out for those activities that destroy their lives. He said that God does not want the venture of scandalizing other people as when they do something wrong they affect others. His lordship urged the staff to be good role models and should always search their hearts to see if they are doing things that help others or things that destroy them! Bishop Dominic encouraged all the staff to pray for priests to be strong in their Vocation so that they can continue supporting them spiritually.
Bishop Dominic also informed the staff that the priests will be having their retreat at St. Teresa's Pastoral Center for the whole week. He also informed the staff that the silver jubilee of the Diocese will be launched on 8th December 2011 and will continue for a whole year up to 8th December 2012. He said that, Jubilee will be a year of grace so they should ask God to give them strength to co-ordinate activities of the diocese. He urged them to prepare the community towards this important event in the Diocese.

Peter Esinyen - Uwezo Kenya annual National meeting marks its first day

The Uwezo Kenya, meaning capability with target to improve the competence and numeracy children aged 6-16years in East Africa marked first day of its National annual meeting at Bishop Stamm conference centre.This National conference and training of trainers has brought together the staff, trainers and district coordinators in Kenya including the selected participants from Uganda and Tanzania. This is in preparation for the nation survey to be held in February next year.According to this year’s theme literacy for national cohesion, more than 200 participants joined hands together in promoting healthy education in East Africa.
The lead facilitators of the conference Mr. Daniel Wesonga and Joyce Kinyanjui welcomed the participants from the various districts in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania representatives.The key guest are Paul Tergat the record holder Boston marathon, prof. Ruth Oniango the first lady to become professor in western province and Dr. Mzalendo Kibunjia the chair for national cohesion commission.Uwezo Kenya is a four year initiative that aims to improve competence and numeracy children through innovative civic driven and public accountability approach to social change.

NEWS - 23rd Nov. 2011 -Peter Esinyen - Uwezo Kenya National conference and Training of Trainers kicks off its second day

The Uwezo annual conference meeting second day mainly scheduled for launching Uwezo 2012 plan began early today at Bishop Stamm Pastoral centre Kakamega.The opening ceremony began by traditional attire display from various communities represented.The key guest Professor Ruth Oniango, the first lady to become a professor in western province touched on sensitive issues on gender equity on education. She requested the government to support education at all cost and termed politics as a game that does not have a referee. She said a step missed with literacy and numeracy can never be recovered and urged the Uwezo organization movement to continue with an objective of promoting education in East Africa.Speaking to Radio Akicha at the conference, the Regional coordinator Turkana County Deborah Katina said that education process in Turkana County has been hampered by various aspects of Sanitation, teacher shortages, schools infrastructure, feeding program and security issues.She said education players should come on board to bring solutions to the problem facing education process in the county. The regional coordinator said the county can only improve if the county education network can be put in place to set targets to improving literacy and numeracy children aged 6-16 years all over the county. Turkana North has been assessed and already is in the plan.

NEWS- 25TH NOV 2011 - Peter Esinyen - DIsability is not inability, a massage drawn to uwezo kenya by junior ombevah.

The Uwezo Kenya 2012 National conference and Training of Trainers marked its end after household survey visit to various villages and communities. According to the annual year theme literacy for National cohesion, more than 200 participants Uganda and Tanzania included met at Bishop Nicholas Stam conference center Kakamega District.Uwezo Kenya an educational initiative targets to improving competence and numeracy children aged 6-16years in East Africa.Household survey enumerators visited various villages and communities in search of pupil’s home lifestyle on numeracy and literacy. A group that landed to Eshinabatende village at Eshisiru location Kakamega central Lurambi constituency and Enumerators at Ingavila village Ikolomani constituency met Christine Shambila and Junior Ombevah.A genuine matter of physical challenge was tabled by Junior Ombevah from Ingavilla village Ikolomani constituency. A boy of 10years who got burned at early age, lost all fingers at the right hand and now as reason to smile as he as hope to live by going back to school and also performing better on arithmetic’s, Kiswahili and social studies.
The same issue was raised by the chief guest Henry Wanyoike at the opening ceremony that he lost his eyesight may 1995 just after walking up one morning. He said one has a chance to succeed to live despite of any disability.Uwezo Kenya is looking forward to promote and foster quality education to East Africa as Mali and Senegal backing the idea, Rwanda and Ghana joining soon.Uwezo Kenya regional meetings all over the country has been scheduled early next year.