The main objectives of the trainings were;

• Increase awareness about HIV/AIDS and avoidance of risky behavior
• Eradicate stigma and condemnation among people living with HIV/AIDS
• Restore human rights, dignity and equality of people living with HIV/AIDS
• To renew the Churches’ responsibility towards caring for people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS

MOMBASA Training of Trainers

The training venue for Mombasa town was at Mt. Zion Ministry, Bombolulu. Fifty participants from several churches attended.

DIANI TOT

The training took place at Word of life Centre in Diani. The workshop was fully attended with fifty participants attending. The participants were drawn from various local churches.

The main challenge in the area is that prostitution is the biggest social evil of the community with the root cause being poverty. Most of the native people are not gainfully employed and have no other sources of income. The only source of livelihood is coconut farming and since it cannot sustain the family’s needs, other forms of income are sought. Prostitution becomes “an easy way out of poverty”.  Young girls (as young as 12) are lured into the vice either knowingly or unknowingly- some are encouraged to do so by their parents. Young men (also known as beach boys) also engage in prostitution mostly with white tourists so as to support their families.

Additionally, drug use especially- inject able drugs is on the increase since young people engage in illegal drug use to “run away” from their problems while for others get addicted due to peer pressure. This puts them at risk of contracting HIV through the shared needles as they don’t pay attention on sterility of the needles and syringes as long as they get the dose.

The expected outcome of these trainings is that the trained leaders will disseminate the information received to the communities through decentralized workshops so that the people can live responsible lives.

A group photo after the Members meeting

been a long serving member of the Nyeri branch. He has been travelling more than 200kms from Nyahururu town to attend branch meetings. Out of this commitment and passion for Bible work, he rallied Nyahururu pastors to form a branch. As a result, a meeting was held between BSK and 15 pastors from Nyahururu on Wednesday 20^th April 2013 at Karuga AIPCEA Church.

The General Secretary, Mrs. Muriuki and Rev. William Matolo had a chance to share the mission, vision and programs of Bible Society of Kenya. Currently, members are paying up their membership fees while others are planning to become members so that the branch can be established. A steering committee was formed to discuss these plans.

The National Annual General meeting is an annual forum for BSK registered members where they come to receive reports of performance for the previous year, elect new members to the Board and get projections on the future of the organization.

The chief guest speaker of the day Rev. John Mark Owour, the Missions and Evangelism Minister at the All Saints Cathedral shared a word from Isaiah 61 while addressing the theme of the meeting “the year of God’s favor”.

He noted that Jesus commands us to tell others what we have seen and heard.  This is because we are competing with organizations with big dreams. As BSK endeavors to put a Bible in the hands of every human being, it has to be aggressive because people are listening more to secular radio stations than Christian ones. Rev. Owuor also challenged the Board members to leave a mark while they serve because they will be remembered for reaching many people with God’s word in their time.

Also present at the NAGM was Rev. Dr. Charles Kibicho who spoke on the topic of issues affecting the youth. He noted that it is not possible to talk on youth issues without talking about the genesis of the problems. He drew his message from Lamentations 5:4 and Prov. 15:22 where the Bible notes that where there is no cancel things do not go well. He said that leaders have missed in the area of counsel and that there are no more heroes in our day. He therefore challenged leaders to create team work with the youth so as to understand their challenges and find ways of addressing them.

The Chairman appreciated the two speakers for their timely  word to BSK members and to the Church as a whole.

Prior to the NAGM, a capacity building workshop was held for branch officials for the purpose of building their capability to effectively serve in the branches and to thank them for their tireless efforts in serving the communities. Currently, BSK has seven branches; Nairobi, Nyeri, Meru, Machakos, Bungoma, Vihiga and Kericho which play a major role in spreading the mission of BSK to the grassroots.

Our desire is that as the ministry of BSK grows, more Christians will join this dynamic team that will collectively impact the community positively through God’s word.

The General Secretary Mrs. Elizabeth Muriuki appreciates all its members, Board and staff for making the Society what it is today. We are also calling on the Church to

Testimonies:

Watem women group

This is a  self help group that was started after a TOT in Rachuonyo, Kisumu. The group comprises of people affected or infected by HIV.

• Jacinta says “the group gave me a goat which produces three liters of milk per day. This has helped improve my health and that of my family. My CD4 count and immunity has improved as a result of taking good milk. Through table banking, I am able to borrow money which facilitates my medical checkups”.

• Alice Atieno says” the group has done great things for me. I have gotten capital to farm (maize, beans, groundnuts) which I sell and get income and then reinvest. This relieves me from begging from home to home. I used to borrow money from about five homes that would facilitate my hospital bills and pay school fees for my children. Before investing in farming, I used to make ropes from sisal and fetch firewood for sale which was quite tedious and unhealthy for my condition. I therefore appreciate the support I have received from the group through savings and lending programme (SILC).”

Aswekra women group

This is a second  self help group that was started after a TOT workshop still in Rachuonyo, Kisumu. The group comprises of people affected or infected by HIV.

• Monica says” When the Good Samaritan begun in my local area nothing much was going on. We were feeling low and discouraged because of our status. But after training, we were encouraged, gained hope and confidence which led to formation of a support group whereby we save and lend using savings and internal lending communities- SILC methodology that helps us in supporting our children and orphans with secondary school fees. We started rearing chicken and small businesses. Other stakeholders have trained us on entrepreneurship and farming, which has enabled us to start greenhouse farming where we plant tomatoes for sale. This program has also helped us deal with group dynamics that would have made the group to disintegrate. I am now living positively, happy and feel normal due to my interaction with this program.”

• Leonida says “I dint know why I was sick, I had four children, three of whom died of HIV related causes. As I result I was left to take care of my grandchildren who were also infected. I was distressed every time I would think of my escapades, “Moyo wangu ulikuwa mgonjwa” but through the HIV program we were encouraged through God’s word and moral support from the volunteers. After the teachings, I accepted my status, went for a VCT check up and I was invited to this support group which has made my life more meaningful. Though table banking I got a loan of Ksh500 which I used to start a small business of selling matchboxes, soap, maize and tea leaves. Through this business I am able to support my grandchild through secondary school.”

Nyabende support group

This is a self help group that was started after a TOT workshop in Nyando, Kisumu. The group comprises of people affected or infected by HIV.

• Rose says ” after the training I hanged the Good Samaritan chart on my wall. Every time visitors come, they get curious to know why I’ve hanged that chart like a calendar in my house. This gives me an opportunity to explain about the Good Samaritan message as is in Luke 10: 25-37.I also got an opportunity to share with my in-law who lost his wife through HIV related diseases. Initially; he had refused to accept his status to the extent of being bed ridden. After taking him through counseling sessions, he accepted to take drugs. I thank God that being a widow; I stood for my brother in law who is the only family member left with me.”

A Group Photo after the presentation of the Justice Bible

Upon receiving the Bibles, Dr. Mutunga appreciated Bible Society of Kenya’s contribution to the judiciary adding that his office will ensure justice is upheld in every sphere of society. He said that matters relating to poverty and justice are very fundamental to the wellbeing of the people of Kenya.

Dr. Mutunga urged the Church to preach peace and pray for the country as we approach the upcoming elections, so as to achieve a free and fair election.

The Chief Justice further noted that the Kenyan judicial system endeavors to see a just nation and has put in place measures to make sure justice prevails beyond tribal, racial, political and social affiliations. He emphasized that every human being deserves to be valued and treated with dignity.

The Chairman of the Bible Society of Kenya, Mr. Isaac Litali appreciated the Chief Justice’s gesture. He further said that the Bible Society of Kenya and the Church pledges to continue supporting the judiciary through prayer, that God will enable them carry out their duties with courage, fairness and wisdom.

The delegation that presented the Justice Bible to the Chief Justice

The Bible Society team consisted of the General Secretary, Mrs. Elizabeth Muriuki, Mr. Isaac Litali (Board Chairman), Rev. Edward Edward Etale (Board Member), Major Father George Makau (Board Member), Mr. Leonard Chumo (Board Member), Mr. Thomas Tharao(Head of Operations), Mr. Anthony Gatonye(Programme Officer) and Mrs. Joy Odhiambo(PR Coordinator).

This is an annual event aimed at helping children from age 3 to 18 years engage with scriptures in line with BSK’s mission, to make available and promote use of Scriptures for holistic transformation of peoples’ lives.

Children enjoyed climbing the pyramind

The event was very colorful and filled with fun activities including bouncing castles, face painting, mountain climber, singing games, Bible Trivia, camel and horse ride, puppet show, and field games like tug of war, sack race, hands/head balance, piggy back race. Last year the inaugural event was held at the same venue and was attended by 300 children and several of their parents.

This year’s event was very well attended with close to 700 children from different schools and churches. This was indeed a great opportunity for BSK to impact on children who are upcoming leaders and will positively influence the future generation. Children had a Bible lesson session in the morning followed by field events before lunch. Daima milk and Ribena sponsored juice, milk and some t-shirts for the event. The facilitators were the team from Double Edge Communication Consultants.

Warm-up before games begun

BSK appreciates all who participated to make the event successful.  We thank our staff, sponsors and service providers for making the event memorable. We trust that this event will become a premier event for children in Nairobi and its environs for many years to come

The Bible Society of Kenya was represented at the Chavakali Literacy stakeholders meeting which was funded through the Kenya Adult Learners Association in conjuction with the adult and continuing education officials from Vihiga county. All the 45

A boy keenly following the proceedings at Bomani Grounds, Mumias during the International Literacy Day observed globally every eighth September

participants got copies of the Path to Healing booklet on peace from BSK.

A three-year Literacy Action Plan for Vihiga county was drafted. With majority of the adult literacy classes in Vihiga being held in churches, BSK stands out as an ideal partner for future literacy work in the area.

Mumias town which has a 45,492 urban populace is 315 kilometers west of Nairobi, the capital. It is located right in the heart of Kenya’s sugar growing zone. The town which is the capital of the Luhya kingdom of Wanga has a long history. King Mumia whom the town is named after came to power in 1880. He was the last sovereign King of Wanga. Mumias has a noticeable TAZI community, unique in western Kenya. It derives from trade links between Wanga state and coastal Kenya. The town was known as Lureko until it was renamed Mumias – literally ‘the place of Mumia’.

The theme for this year was Literacy for Peace. Literacy stakeholders settled on this theme and are working hard to use literacy in promoting peaceful coexistence.

These literacy festivities were of paramount importance to the Bible Society of Kenya for numerous reasons. Firstly, the region is home to the recently launched Teso Bible Translation project and the Ateso Literacy project (Project No. 79976). Rev. Damary Anya and Pastor Fred Etyang who represented the Teso Bible translation team at the ILD fete at Mumias had a lot to learn from other literacy stakeholders. This translation project is expected to take 12 years and will cost approximately 36 Million shillings.

Secondly, the Western Kenya region has a growing list of Bibles to her credit amongst the vast Luhya cluster of dialects. The Literacy Day festivities thus provided a fitting opportunity for BSK to meet the users of these scriptures. The completed bibles include the Oluluyia, Logoli, Lunyore, and Lubukusu. A common language Oluluyia and a new Lukakamega-Lutirichi bibles too are nearing completion.

“What I have learnt today will be helpful in managing the Ateso Literacy programme.” remarked  Rev. Anya who was accompanied by Mrs. Elizabeth Asegu Laini, the Minister for Culture for the Teso Kingdom. Ateso is a cross-border language spoken across the Kenya-Uganda border. The kingdom’s state house is located at Soroti in Uganda. Mrs. Laini held the audience captive as she chanted the national anthem in Ateso language to the merriment of the crowd attending the literacy day celebrations.

The Bible Society of Kenya exhibition stand at the Bomani Grounds was abuzz. Mr. Naftali Kutwa, the Western Province Sales Representative kept the public hooked to his stand by offering freebies. These included the Kiswahili-English Path to Healing booklet, Oluluyia Mark, Lukakamega Mark, Lubukusu Ruth and Genesis selections. He gave out a similar pack to the chief guest who commended BSK for their effort in coming up with a selection on peace. New Testaments in numerous languages spoken in Western Kenya too were available at subsidized prices. Bibles were on sale too.

Kenya’s minister for Education who was to preside as the chief guest was represented by Mr. Were, the Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Western Kenya.

“The Bible is about humanity and thus reconciliation is key as we head to the electioneering time, ” remarked the chief guest as he received a pack of Path to Healing booklets from Mr. Kutwa.

“What you are doing is much appreciated,” the experienced administrator added while at the BSK stand.

Also at the Mumias literacy fete was the Teso North District Adult and Continuing Education officer Mr. Samson Etale. He decried the paltry 36% literacy rate among the Iteso people saying the women are the worst hit. The education officer commended the translation of the Bible into Ateso while observing this will help build the status of the language.

“We are fast losing our identity as urbanization creeps in and many of us are losing touch with our mother tongue languages!” Mr. Etale observed. He added that his office is willing to work with the Bible Society of Kenya in ensuring that literacy takes root among the Iteso people who number 338,833.

Speaker upon speaker commended the need for in Kenya as we draw nearer and nearer to the general elections in under six months. Authors in mother tongue languages were also feted. They also observed that literacy is a worthy cause.

“Literacy is a shared responsibility and I commend multiple shareholders who support our literacy efforts,” said the Director of Adult and Continuing Education, Mr. I. N. Kinara. He warned that if the masses are not sensitized on how to go about electing leaders, then, all the democratic efforts made will come to naught. He also went on to read the ILD speech from the General Secretary for Unesco, Irina Bokova. The speech focused on the fundamental relationship between literacy and peace.

“I call upon stakeholders at all levels to strengthen partnerships that will accelerate quality literacy provision. It is essential that literacy programmes incorporate the values of peace, human rights and civic values,” the speech the Unesco chief read in part.

A newspaper supplement in one of the local dailies commended BSK for her involvement in literacy work in Kenya