The Bible Society of Kenya is a member of the umbrella body, of National Bible Societies namely the United Bible Societies (Create Link to UBS website). Jointly the United Bible Societies ventured into the global effort to fight against the HIV/Aids scourge in countries which are greatly affected. Thus the “Where is the GOOD SAMARITAN today?” programme was developed and rolled out in several countries including Kenya whose programme was launched in the year 2006.

The Good Samaritan programme consists of tools that aid in the training; Booklets, Videos and Flip charts alongside the training sessions and discussion groups. The programme is structured into a HIV/Aids Trainer of Trainer Workshops (TOT) which in turn lead to Decentralized Workshops within the corresponding communities of the attendants of the TOT workshops. The information that is taught is disseminated using the same aids until the information gets to the grassroots communities which have people living with HIV/Aids.

The year 2010 is of great significance in the Good Samaritan Programme which is set to venture into Western Kenya for the first time. The Good Samaritan Programme is held in partnership with various Churches who many times provide venues and follow up facilitation of the programme. We believe that as the Lord has been enabling the programme to be rooted in Nairobi and its environs, it shall continue in Western Kenya and eventually in the entire country.

                  TESTIMONIES.  

 

1.    One watchman in a decentralized workshop in Githunguri testified and said that he had always thought HIV was a punishment for sin or a curse. He said” The workshop has taught me to become a Good Samaritan, I know I have a lot of work to do to help PLHIV and to help eradicate the stigma that exsists so that they can live a normal life”

2.    Thomas Karinga a  Pastor in the same decentralized workshop in Githunguri  said" I have neglected PLHIV mostly due to fear of them infecting me and also being seen with them might make people thing that I am also immoral. We have always associated HIV with sexual immorality. During the testimony given by Judy (PLHIV) I put myself in her place and I felt the weight of the stigmatization. I have therefore changed my attitude and I am a different person now.”

3.      In Ting’ang’a we held a decentralized workshop where one lady gave her own testimony of how she is living with HIV & AIDS. One man, Nelson was so moved by the testimony and the Good Samaritan message that he vowed never to stigmatize those living with HIV. He said that he had never realized the impact it has on the lives of those who are sick.

 

       Ngungani Good Samaritan Borhole Project. 

       On the 19^th of May 2009 we attended a commissioning on a borehole that was graced by the Vice President of Kenya – Hon. Kalonza Musyoka. This borehole was a project of the Ngungani Good Smaritan Self Help Group that was formed in 2007 after a decentralized workshop. This group has continued to do great work in the Ngungani area in the area of supporting orphans ( they have 23 orphans who are registered under their support), physically challenged ( they have 18 children living with disability) and PLHIV.

        Due to the great work this group is doing in their community they were able to get funding worth Ks. 2.7 million from a Church in California USA for this borehole project. The team from the USA had also bought foodstuff that was donated to the community and also gave 6 wheelchairs to some physically challenges children. The group also have new plans to build a village polytechnic and have already purchased the land. During the commissioning the Vice President spoke very highly of this group and said,"There should be more groups like this that have a heart to help.” He thanks the group and Bible Society of Kenya for having trained them to become Good Samaritans in the community.

 

To support this program send your donation to M-pesa Number 0722205843 . You could also write to info@biblesociety-keny.org and we will give you the details of where to send the donation.