KENYA: The Parish that operates in the refugee camp
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| Fr. Augustine Kharmuti, Don Bosco Technical Institute Project Coordinator |
Holy Cross
Catholic Parish in Kakuma is the only Church in the entire World that operates
right inside a refugee camp. The Parish managed by the Salesian Fathers was
given the access to operate in Kakuma after consultations between the Diocese of Lodwar
and UNHCR.
Catholic Parish in Kakuma is the only Church in the entire World that operates
right inside a refugee camp. The Parish managed by the Salesian Fathers was
given the access to operate in Kakuma after consultations between the Diocese of Lodwar
and UNHCR.
The Parish
has a vocational centre which offers various courses to the refugees and the
host community within the camp. These courses include; carpentry, electrical
masonry, welding, tailoring, dressmaking, motor vehicle mechanics, secretarial,
computer and English courses.
has a vocational centre which offers various courses to the refugees and the
host community within the camp. These courses include; carpentry, electrical
masonry, welding, tailoring, dressmaking, motor vehicle mechanics, secretarial,
computer and English courses.
The main
objective of the training is to empower the students with life skills and curb
language barrier since some come from countries where English is not spoken.
objective of the training is to empower the students with life skills and curb
language barrier since some come from countries where English is not spoken.
In aninterview with the Don Bosco Technical Institute Project Coordinator Fr.
Augustine Kharmuti, both the parish and the vocational training centre face
spiritual and financial challenges. “We are two priests here and reaching out
to all the faithful is a challenge, we also have trained two catechists to
assist in the small Christian communities and working together with three
sisters who, follow up on pastoral needs in the families.
Fr. Kharmuti
revealed that due to over population caused by recent influx of refugees
especially from South Sudan, the Church’s capacity can no longer accommodate the ever increasing number of the
faithful hence the need for expansion.
revealed that due to over population caused by recent influx of refugees
especially from South Sudan, the Church’s capacity can no longer accommodate the ever increasing number of the
faithful hence the need for expansion.
He appealed
for financial and material support from the Church, the government and
well-wishers in order to be able evangelize widely, to improve the quality of
education and to train more students at the centre.
for financial and material support from the Church, the government and
well-wishers in order to be able evangelize widely, to improve the quality of
education and to train more students at the centre.
“We train
3,000 to 3,200 students every year and serve 500 to 600 Christians at every
Mass” He said.
3,000 to 3,200 students every year and serve 500 to 600 Christians at every
Mass” He said.
Meanwhile
speaking during World Refugee Day, the refugees spokesperson Demien Hakiza from
Congo said the needs of the refugees have not been fully met as a quarter of
the 280,000 from various Countries have not yet started benefiting from the handouts given by UNHCR.
speaking during World Refugee Day, the refugees spokesperson Demien Hakiza from
Congo said the needs of the refugees have not been fully met as a quarter of
the 280,000 from various Countries have not yet started benefiting from the handouts given by UNHCR.
Hakiza said
others have stayed in the camp for more than five years without official
recognition as refugees, an issue which should only take six months from the
day of reporting to the camp.
others have stayed in the camp for more than five years without official
recognition as refugees, an issue which should only take six months from the
day of reporting to the camp.
The refugees
are mainly from South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, Congo and
Ethiopia.
are mainly from South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, Congo and
Ethiopia.
By Rose
Achiego; Waumini Communications KCCB
Achiego; Waumini Communications KCCB
