IRFF/RYS
MEDICAL BUILDING PROJECT WORKSHOP IN
LUGARI DISTRICT , WESTERN
KENYA.
Report by Twisibile Nthakomwa,Tanzania patecipant
IRFF/RYS
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It was the first
international public service project workshop to be held in Kenya.The theme of
the workshop was : "UN Millennium Declaration : The Special need of Africa,
Implementing the Culture of Peace through Health". The opening
ceremony of the workshop took place on the 9th of August at the Wida
Hotel in Nairobi. It was attended by 34 participants from Uganda, Tanzania,
Zambia, Luxemburg and Kenya and other
delegates including the Minister of Vocational Training,the Honorable Mr. Isaac
A. Ruto(MP) ; Dr Massimo Trombin, the
International Field Director of IRFF (Europe); Dr Chris M. Nyamai, the Director
of IRFF (Kenya) ; Reverend Yim Do Soon, the Continental Director (Africa ); Mr.
Fred Wamisi, the Secretary General of IIFWP (Kenya). In his keynote
address, Mr. Ruto cordially welcomed the participants and expressed gratitude to
the IRFF Europe for choosing Kenya as the center for the project. The minister
called for corporation and unity among NGOs. He emphasized that NGOs must come
together and maintain the moral standards and ethical norms. He warned that
NGOs must not be viewed as a journey for trade and
economic benefit and commended the mission of IRFF to stimulate
individuals. The IRFF Europe
Representative and International field Director, Dr Massimo Trombin explained in
details the objectives of IRFF. He said that the hope of IRFF is responsible
youth. He expressed his delight in working with the youth saying, " when you
work with young people you keep yourself young" . He also told the participants
that IRFF and RYS were formed in 1975 and 1985,respectively, by Reverend Sun
Myung Moon to create peace in the world. From
10th -11th August, the thirty three participants underwent
the orientation program during which participants held discussions under the
coordination of Dr Trombin. Among other
issues, the participants discussed the following: Problems affecting the world
Today ; Roles of the Youth ; Causes of Conflicts in Africa ; Conflict
Resolution ; How to Implement a Culture of Peace ; Character building ; Create
cooperation and team spirit ; Leadership. After the two days
orientation program at the Wida Hotel, Nairobi the thirty-three participants
departed to the project site (Lugari District, Western Kenya) on the
12th of August . On the way,the team toured Lake Nakuru National Park where they had an
opportunity to view the beautiful flamingos and various wild animals including
the buffalos, black rhinos, elephants, baboons, zebras, monkeys, antelopes
etc. The opening
ceremony at Lugari project site took place on the 13th of August at
the school funded by WFWP of Japan. It was attended by all participants and the
Marakusi village residents.The guest of honor, Mr. Sam (D.O. for Lugari)
welcomed the participants and thanked IRFF for the medical health clinic
project . He urged the residents of Marakusi village to cooperate with the
participants for the successful accomplishment of the building project. Following the
opening ceremony at the project site, the entire crowd present at the meeting
witnessed the laying of the foundation stone to officially mark the commencement
of the construction works .The foundation stone was laid by Dr. Trombin,
the IRFF Europe chief. Construction of
the clinic took 9 days I.e from 13th -21st August.
Although participants worked extremely hard they could not see the erection of
the roof to the building. They managed to construct the building to the lintel
level and had poured concrete work for the ring beam . On Monday the 21st
of August, a team of Japanese members of WFWP arrived at the project site to
offer free medication to the local residents. On the same day, a cultural night
was organized for the participants. The night was very entertaining, inspiring
and lively. Participants, in their respective teams, came up with interesting
staff to make the night a memorable one. They composed traditional songs and
dances, sketches, poems,etc. Besides the participants, a local band from Lugari
also played along .The band entertained the participants with such songs like
¨Karibu Wageni Wetu (meaning :welcome our visitors), Cinderella, Maraika and
many more. Apart from a cultural night, participants also played soccer with the
locals. It was fascinating to see players from the participants squad scoring
goals into their own net ! Almost every evening, one
volunteer would present something. Some of their presentations included : Sex
Abstinence; How Effective Are Condoms ?; How To Practice Sex Abstinence; How To
Use Your Mind To Control Your Body Desires. Representatives
from various religious backgrounds also shared their own experiences and
beliefs . By the end of the day, participants came to understand one another
regardless of religious or ethnic origin and realized how a culture of peace is
implemented. The closing
ceremony happened on Tuesday the 21st of August . In the morning
following a time for written reflections, the volunteers create the last poster in which each team
describe the evolution of their experience. In the afternoon Dr.Trombin
introduced to the locals villagers the volunteers that will keep the project
running, by local management : Peter Suge, Asembo Caleb and Vincent Witinga.
Peter has been appointed the In-Charge of the Clinic assisted by the Vincent
(Local coordinator), while Caleb is the director of the Polytechnic.
Finally issued Certificates
of Participation were given to each
particicipant. Participants departed from the project site on 22 of
August. See also
the Kenya-Photo Gallery Copyright (c) 2003 IRFF Europe
From the
9th to the 22nd of August 2001,the International Relief
Friendship Foundation (IRFF) Kenya
Chapter, organized and hosted an
international building
workshop-project.
Luxembourg@irff-europe.org