11.05.2012 - local news - by Kamar - More than 200 children united with their families

More than 240 children had been united back with their families after they were separated by the drought that hit Turkana region in year 2011.

Speaking during a four day conference at st Teresa lodwar the senior child protection officer mr David Omuondo has said that they are putting more effort to see that the separated children are back to their society and leaving in harmony.

According to turkana region cordinator mr JowashOginga The project that will be operational until september will see more than 1000 children re-united with their families again.

The project will be conducted by the child welfare department in collaboration with UNICEFto support these children to have safety in their homes.

On the other side the child counsellor madam Alice Ngige said the children will be offered free counselling and they do a complete mediation with their relatives to aviod stigmatisation.

Local news – 9.5.12 - By Mary Tioko - Polio Immunization Campaign for Turkana County

Over 125,000 children in Turkana County are set to be immunized against polio in two phases of immunization campaign that kicks off next month. Turkana Central Public health officer Mr. Innocent Sifuna Who chaired the meeting for the stakeholders said that some 127,752 children in the county are targeted for the mass polio immunization campaign that will start on June 9-13 and July 7-11 in 86 districts in the country. The Meeting which was held at Lodwar District Hospital DPH office brought together 8 stakeholders from UNICEF, merlin, DOL, World Vision, practical Action, Ministry of education , information and the host public health. The campaign is a part of a nationwide campaign that targets to have 2,249,106 children immunized against the paralyzing disease. The exercise will be conducted in the six districts that make up Turkana County. The targeted children are will be immunized in their districts. Reports indicate that in Loima 18,761, Turkana central 21,063, Turkana East 12,448, Turkana North 13,897, Turkana South 19,598 and Turkana West 41,985children are targeted. Sifuna said the United Nations Child fund (UNICEF) has formed a communications working group to “actively seek and leverage opportunities to provide information about immunization and health.”The technical group also seeks to liaise with Early Childhood Development Centers (ECD) to maximize opportunities for routine immunization in schools. Lack of access to information about dangers of polio and other childhood diseases has been cited as a major impediment to the fight against these preventable diseases. The government ministries among them Public health and Sanitation, Education, Information and communications have teamed up with the UNICEF led team that also includes Non –governmental organizations to fight the polio menace.

LOCAL NEWS – 02.05.2012 - BY: EZELI MUTHEE - KEN SIMIYU SOCIAL MINISTRY EMPOWERS THE RESIDENT

The coordinator social ministry of diocese of Lodwar Mr Mark Nakain have said that they have started economic program to empower the local community.

Speaking during the food distribution in the departments office , Mr Nakain said that apart form giving them food they have started various projects to empower different groups to earn a living.

The ministry distributed food to more than 500 people from 23 villages around lodwar citing that hunger can only be eliminated if people can have alternative sources of getting food.

He also emphasized that only empowering the people will reduce the burden of his ministry and that of the government in food distribution.

According to Mr Mark those who have en gaged in productive work have already refrained from irresponsible drinking and can now support themselves.

He added that getting to the interior is main problem that is facing his ministry urging the government and other NGOS to join hands to save lives.

Local news – 6.5.12 - By Mary Tioko - Diseases of hate, Lies and Greed widens relationships with God: Says priest

The Christian community of St. Augustine's Cathedral Church have been warned against the diseases of the soul that destroy ones relationship with God. Speaking today during his homily at St. Augustine's Cathedral parish church, the assistant priest of the Cathedral Fr. Gideon Ngelechei named hate, greed, lies and many others as diseases that destroy ones relationship with God.

Fr. Ngelechei also noted that many people are very quick in judging others without examining their own conscience warning them to keep off from judging others since God is the only person who knows them in and out. He also said that one cannot ask of the other what he himself cannot do! He called upon all to treat each other with dignity and respect they deserve.

Touching on leadership, he urged the Christians to seek for the guidance from God and learn more on leadership so as to elect God fearing leaders who deliver in the community and treat all the same without any discrimination.

Fr. Ngelechei introduced the parish Jubilee committee Chairman Mr. Paul Ngumi who invited the guests of honours in of the Harambee and went ahead to conduct the mini harambee and managed to raise 108,000/=. The next Harambee is scheduled to take place in June awaiting the major Harambee in August. The Cathedral parish is expected to raise 500,000/= towards the construction of Jubilee Plaza.

Local sports – 03.05.2012 - by Ken Simiyu Turkwel wins the first rounds games

The first round of the games that is set for the preparation of the august tournament kicked off today at turkwel primary school.

The games which was interrupted by heavy rains started at 11.00 am, where Kerio walked over Turkwel 3 sets 1, in volley ball. Lorugum won 3 sets to 1 against Turkwel. In foot ball, Turkwel 2 to 1 against Lorugum which was the only match that was played today. Turkwel's scores were poured in by Hyburry, while that of Turkwel was netted by Boi.

The games which organized by child fund will be entering its finals tomorrow, where by in volley ball Kerio will be playing Lorugum, while the second round of football will also take place at the same time. This is in preparation of the regional tournament that will take place in august this year.

LOCAL NEWS - BY KAMAR – 3.5.2012 - The equipping and empowering Secondary Teachers

Representatives from various high schools in Turkana county yesterday started a three days training that is expected to end tomorrow.

The training brought together teachers from Kainuk mixed secondary school, Lopiding girls, Turkana girls and kakuma boys secondary school

Speaking on the training center at St. Teresa DYEP pro grammes officer Mr Ekal Francis said the units discussed were equipping and empowering secondary school teachers in a component called ABY which is Abstinence behavior change for youth which is targeting the youth to change in behavior

Speaking of the ABY Mr. Ekal said it involved so many units that includes drug abuse and other substance behavior change, relationship human sexuality to help youth be aware of the present issues in life

the training is expected to end tomorrow as members go back to their respective schools to take the message.