God’s Family in the Chalbi Desert
“It was a fantastic experience from our beloved Salesian Sisters. The organization of youths was wonderfully done. The leadership shown by Aspirants Lucy and Sophia and Sister Pat FMA was relevant to that of Jesus.”
--Adano S.G. Vice-Chairman Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish in North Horr
“The most important thing we have learned is that we are God’s family.”
Gabriel, Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish in North Horr
“We wish you to come again. Welcome again and again to Dukana.”
--Daniel Dido Mamo, St. Mary’s Catholic Prayer House in Dukana
By the numbers: 230 youth and children in North Horr 224 youth and children in Dukana 50 youth and children in Kalacha
Forty years is too long not to have a faith-based youth and children’s camp. So, bright and early on August 5th, 2009, Sister Pat Lacharite F.M.A., Aspirants Lucy Akoth and Sophia Gura and VIDES volunteer Lauren Dwyer left the Laura Vicuńa Community in Makuyu, Kenya for the Marsabit Diocese. For three weeks, they ran catechetical camps and assisted with retreats at Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish in North Horr, St. Mary’s Catholic Prayer House in Dukana, and Mary Immaculate Prayer House in Kalacha. The youth in these parishes have never had any type of camp so the programs were both necessary and appreciated.
Camp Experience
In the first week camp was held in North Horr the theme was “We are God’s Family.” Each day began with time for games and songs based on the theme. The children were so excited to have balls to play with! After recreation the youth divided into their age groups: Malaika for nursery-class 2, Laura and Savio for classes 3-5, Junior Youth for classes 6-8 and Senior Youth for secondary students and those out of school. Good News Time consisted of lessons tailored to each age group such as “The Gift of my Baptism.” The sessions were interactive and called each youth to participate in the activities. Then, there were arts and crafts. Beadwork is very popular in the Chalbi desert and the leaders learned from the youth how to make rosaries. The Laura and Savio groups were so proud of the cards they made that when it came time for break they hid the cards in various places around the room to ensure they would not lose them. After tea and biscuits, the children went home for the day. In the afternoon the older youth came back to watch and discuss videos on drugs and alcohol, and teenage pregnancy and abortion. They learned a lot from an honest exposure to these issues which affect their lives.
In Dukana the animators thought there would be few participants the next day because the children had already gone back to the manyattas (homes). It was a big surprise to have 105 Malaika show up! The camp followed a similar schedule as in North Horr, with the making of Peace Candles being a favorite activity. The last day was a retreat for the Junior and Senior Youth. The youth walked 7 km to a picturesque valley where they had an input on the Call to Holiness and the Salesian Family Saints as well as the option for confession.
Kalacha’s camp had fewer participants, but was enjoyed by those who attended. When it came time for departure, the youth were not ready for the camp to end and begged for one more day of camp.
Salesian Presence
A house, God willing, for the Salesian Sisters to open a community in the North Horr Mission is currently under construction. Even in the short time of the camps the roof was started and completed. Located in the Chalbi Desert, North Horr is a pleasant place with plenty of water and easy mobile phone and internet communication – there is a Safaricom tower in the mission. Certainly there is great need for a presence in the town, especially among the girls and young women. The area is inhabited by the Gabbra people who have kept their pastoral way of life and many of their beautiful traditions. However, it is an extremely patriarchal society and the females have little opportunity to make important life choices or for education beyond primary school. Even during camp the Junior and Senior Youth girls would not speak in front of the boys. The Catholic Mission in North Horr currently has three Fathers and one Lay Missionary. In the three camps there were 507 participants. However, there are 18 more outstations most of which are over an hour’s drive away. Many youth are thirsting for God and having only four staff members is not enough.
Blessings and Challenges
- The youth are open to learning about God and the Church, but they are reluctant to take leadership positions and often think only of themselves, especially when it comes to food.
- The older youth do not mix with the children, which makes having animators difficult.
- The young people plan beautiful liturgies daily; there is well thought-out dancing, singing and prayer.
- It is not to be forgotten that due to the heat, each day calls for an afternoon siesta!
