Comboni Lay Missionaries

HABARI ZA KITELAKAPEL-poghishio-kwa?karam!

LMC Kitelakapel

Updates from the Comboni Lay Missionary Community in Kitelakapel, West Pokot

Some background information on our area of mission:

Kitelakapel is under Kacheliba parish. It has 17 villages and 17 elders with a chief who works closely to see on the wellbeing of the people of the community.

West Pokot County is one of the 14 Counties in the Rift Valley region. It is situated in the North Rift along Kenya’s Western boundary with Uganda border. It borders Turkana County to the North and North East, Trans Nzoia County to the South, Elgeyo Marakwet County and Baringo County to the South East and East respectively. The County lies within Longitudes 34° 47’ and 35° 49’ East and Latitude 1° and 2° North and covers an area of approximately 9,169.4 km2. West Pokot County, whose Headquarters is Kapenguria, is mainly inhabited by Pokot community and minority community of Sengwer. They are religious people, and most of them are Christians, but there are also Muslims. The culture is rich, and we embrace it. The County is known for its rich cultural heritage, agriculture and livestock. Agriculture and livestock sector is the backbone of the county’s economy with more than 80% of the population engaging in farming and related activities. The county is characterized by a variety of topographic features. On the northern and north eastern parts are the dry plains, with an altitude of less than 900 m above sea level. On the southeastern part are Cherangani Hills with an altitude of 3,370 m above sea level. Landscapes associated with this range of altitude include spectacular escarpments of more than 700 m. The high-altitude areas have high agricultural potential while medium altitude areas lie between 1,500 m and 2,100 m above sea level and receive low rainfall in addition to being predominantly pastoral land. The low altitude areas include Alale, Kacheliba, Kongelai, Kitelakapel.

The Pokot have always been solidly rooted in their own traditions and lifestyle, so only recently have they started to value school education, and the general level of scholarization remains low. Families are mainly polygamous, girls are often married at a very early age, which means, for those going to school, dropping out, as in the case of underage pregnancies, which are also quite common.

The families are quite fragmented, with cases of divorces and separations, causing inevitable consequences on the children’s behavior, feelings and wellbeing. Among young and adults, there is a widespread problem of alcohol and drug addiction, as well as HIV and other sexually related illnesses. Kitelakapel community has 90% of very poor and 10% of middle class consisting mainly of teachers and local government officials and a few commercial farmers.

The agricultural sector is growing and improving given favorable consistent rain and fertility of the soil by application of cow dung. Mostly they plant maize and vegetables in wide fenced area to avoid animals on free range system to destroy them, high breed animals have been introduced to a few to increase milk and meat production.

With improvement in the soil and constant rains the members are fully engaged in growing maize at a large scale which is used for domestic and commercial consumption. Since Majority have a lot of land, the need of equipment’s like a tractor, fertile soil and good seeds will support the community have enough food that can be stored and used in the dry and drought seasons. Maize being a food and cash crop, some households use it to look after chicken and animals which has increased income and food like meat , eggs etc. Reclaiming the dry and idol land trough irrigation that needs availability of pumped water from the underground, onions green paper, tomatoes and greens are coming up from the abandoned land.

A new project: the KITELAKAPEL INTEGRATED COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT COMMUNITY BASED ORGANISATION (KICE-CBO):

This is a CBO which we have recently formed in Kitelakapel, as an instrument to empower our community and family households. 175 members have officially applied and joined the CBO and we are still receiving more applicants willing to join the group. We are now fully registered and certified by the government, and we are at the stage of starting a set of income generating activities, for example bee-keeping, handicrafts, catering, poultry keeping, etc. It is also a SACCO, so the revenues will be given to the members as loans, as well as interests for their savings. We are hoping that this will enable men and women, especially those who don’t have any other source of income, to get involved in economic activities which will allow them to be independent and stay away from addictions and violence. The people love unity and self-support groups through which they are able to get opportunities, save money, trade and participate in socio-economic activities.

Members of KICE –CBO during AGM “It was an honorable atmosphere of joy, great unity, smile for the photo and a good feeling of belonging together to a certified Community Based organization in a village of the poorest and most abandoned

Comboni lay missionary Pius Oyoma Showing the certificate of registration and constitution to THE KITELAKAPEL INTEGRATED COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT -CBO members.

As the coordinator Comboni Lay Missionary of the international community of Kitelakapel, member of parish development committee and treasurer of CLMK with my profession as a business administrator and accountant and project management skills, sharing my skills to unite and empower people gives me satisfaction through impactful positive influence to the local people that are in need of my work. This helped the group to be certified and recognized by the government and the community. The catholic universal church encourages unity and development through JPIC, CARITAS, parish council, development committee and other NGOs.

The Board members and Leaders of the KICE CBO from the left is the treasurer Christable Cheyech, v/chair Musa Napa, v/secretary Ann Barasa, secretary Samson Changorok, chairlady Paulina Titika

The AGM meeting of the KICE-CBO

Other positive effects of the creation of the KICE-CBO:

In my encounter for the 1st year the majority of men never wanted to go to church, you could only find two but after the campaign SEND MEN TO CHURCH through CMA and KICE –CBO today we celebrate more than 30 men attending church and excited to integrate with women to work for a common goal.

The CWA and CMA visit each other and to support those in serious need with money contributions and prayers.

Integrating and empowering the CMA, CWA, YOUTH and the non-Catholic to build a solid community is a game changer for Kitelakapel, as previously people where not united but staying far apart from each other

Pius Oyoma, CLM Kitelakapel (Kenya)

Everything is grace, everything is a gift.

Monica
Monica

Everything has been a GIFT from GOD. An undeserved super gift, for which I am infinitely grateful. I am overflowing with joy at the details, the tenderness, the caresses and embraces of the Lord during these days through people and situations….the Lord cares for us day by day with such delicacy…and this certainty, which is sometimes clouded in the daily stress of Madrid, has become clear and explicit in every minute of my missionary journey in Kenya: (passing through Nairobi) in West Pokot, Kitelakapel, a community of Comboni lay missionaries who have welcomed me so amazingly well, and in each of the Pokot people in the parish, in the schools, in the town or village… everything was like being in heaven, “I am in Heaven” I would say to the missionaries. It was a privilege that I feel unworthy of, but for which I have been infinitely and consciously grateful every day.

In the small difficulties, I always had the help of my guardian angel, who made me discover that “every cloud has a silver lining.” More than once, my guardian angel manifested itself in Belinda, a young Kenyan lay missionary from Nairobi, who accompanied me at all times, always attentive and willing, also in Pius with his joy and spirit of service, and in Linda with her good organizational skills and energy. All of them had a fervent missionary spirit rooted in their deep faith in God. And let’s not forget Father Justus… there are no coincidences… 100% divine providence.

The hard-working Pokot farmers and ranchers, especially the women who raise families of 10 or more children! From such a young age… so much tenderness and joy… and they feel so fortunate…

Anyway… there are so many people there who have made me see God face to face… that I want to go back right now.

Grateful and enthusiastically contemplating the wonders of His Creation: rain that watered the fields and made them beautiful, even though it sometimes made it difficult for us to move around, nature with all its living beings: animals of all kinds and conditions living alongside people… and what wonderful people! I am still moved by the memory of the ladies of the CWA of the parish or neighbors and their babies, of the men transporting on piki piki (motorcycles) what we would carry in a truck (unimaginable), the children dancing, singing, playing, and learning so many things… and their creative clapping… (elaborate and dedicated applause)… Overflowing joy…

EVERYTHING IS GRACE EVERYTHING IS A GIFT FROM GOD

Monica

Communities celebrate 40 years since the martyrdom of Father Ezequiel Ramin and reaffirm their commitment to justice and faith

LMC Brasil

This Sunday (20), the Father Ezequiel Ramin Community celebrated a historic and symbolic milestone: the 40th anniversary of the martyrdom of the Comboni missionary Ezequiel Ramin and also the 40th anniversary of the existence of the community that bears his name, in the municipality of Mirante da Serra (RO). The event brought together around 300 people, with representatives from neighboring communities and the Father Ezequiel Settlement, which also celebrates 25 years of its foundation.

The celebration was part of the 10th Pilgrimage of Father Ezequiel Ramin, which will take place on July 27th at the Fr. Ezequiel Ramin Community in Rondolândia, Mato Grosso. The Pilgrimage aims to keep alive the memory of the young missionary, who dedicated his life to defending the poor, rural workers, and indigenous peoples of the Amazon.

One of the most moving moments of the celebration was the presence and testimony of Fabiano Ramin, Father Ezequiel’s younger brother, who came from Italy especially to participate in the program commemorating the 40th anniversary of the martyrdom and the founding of the community. In his speech, marked by restrained emotion and profound gratitude, Fabiano emphasized the power of the memory that remains alive among the people Ezequiel chose to serve with his life.

“I feel like crying, but I won’t. Old people feel like crying when they’re very emotional. So, I’m in that situation. I’m the youngest of the Ramin family, and I’m very grateful to you for this celebration, for this occasion that commemorates not only the murder of Father Ezequiel, but also the birth of the community, the baptism of a people who continue to fight.”

He emphasized that the celebration is not just a remembrance of the past, but an act of hope and continuity: “I’m very happy to see that this community is alive. It fights, resists, and organizes itself. As the parish priest said, it requires sacrifice, time, and effort. The Christian mission, as Ezekiel wrote, is proclamation and denunciation. Denouncing injustice is part of faith. And you continue this mission.”

The presence of Comboni missionaries in Mirante da Serra throughout Missionary Week reaffirmed the continuity of the charism and mission of Father Ezequiel Ramin, who was also a Comboni missionary. They participated in pastoral activities, home visits, and moments of listening and prayer with the families of Our Lady of Migrants Parish, Diocese of Ji-Paraná.

The missionary presence reinforces the international and liberating dimension of the Church in the Amazon—a Church that walks with the people, listening to their pain and hopes. By visiting homes, the Comboni Missionaries strengthened community bonds and also revived Ezekiel’s missionary spirit: a faith that denounces injustice and proclaims hope.

The celebration continued with a community lunch, listening to residents, a performance by Clown Liro and closing with community bingo.

One of the most symbolic moments was the mystical performance performed by young people from the community, which portrayed the struggle for land and denounced the structures that led to Father Ezequiel’s martyrdom: “He was murdered because he defended the landless, the squatters, the indigenous people. Because he believed in a just society.

CLM Brazil

You may read the original full version: https://iper-amazonia.com.br/noticias/comunidade-celebra-40-anos-do-martirio-de-padre-ezequiel-ramin-e-reafirma-compromisso-com-justica-e-fe/

Missionary Day in Guatemala

LMC Guatemala

“Neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow” (1 Corinthians 3:7)

On July 5, we had the opportunity to carry out a missionary day in the community of León El Manzanillo, an enriching experience for both us and the local residents. During the morning, we visited community members in their homes, approaching them with the purpose of informing them about the initiatives we had planned for that day. We also took advantage of each conversation to introduce ourselves as a missionary group and extend a special invitation to participate in the monthly celebration of the Eucharist, which takes place on the second Sunday of each month.

In the afternoon, we shared with those in attendance a brief reflection on the Sacred Heart of Jesus, seeking to spread his message of love and mercy. The day ended with a practical workshop focused on caring for the environment, during which we taught how to make baskets using recycled newspaper, thus fostering creativity and ecological awareness.

As we mentioned, one of the objectives of the missionary work in Manzanillo is for the inhabitants to participate in the Eucharist. After sowing the seed and continuing to water it, it is God who will take care of its growth in their hearts. On Sunday the 13th, some of our members accompanied the community in the Eucharist and noticed that more people attended, which gives us great joy because the Eucharist is the center of our faith.

Gathering on July 20

On Sunday, July 20, in addition to sharing as a community and reviewing our missionary work, we received the following formation topics:

  1. The first proclamation and the missionary role

As missionaries, we must remember that our work does not focus on worrying about results, for triumphs or failures are not evaluated according to human parameters. The essential thing is that when we sow the seed of God’s love, we trust that it will be the Lord who will take care of the harvest. Within the content of the proclamation of the Kerygma, we reflected on the main idea: God is a loving Father who loves us personally and unconditionally. His love does not depend on our being good, but on His being good. However, we may not experience this divine love because of sin, from which we cannot free ourselves by our own strength. Likewise, we cannot defeat our main enemies on our own: the world, the flesh, and Satan. Therefore, we need salvation.

But THE GOOD NEWS is that Jesus has already saved and forgiven us by paying our debt with the sacrifice of his blood. By dying and rising again for us, he has given us new life as children of God, a gift we can receive by believing in him, trusting in his love, and continually converting ourselves. A true encounter with Christ leads us to become part of his body and brings us closer to our brothers and sisters, especially those most in need, in order to build the Kingdom of God.

This central message must be adapted to the particularities of each person, considering the different levels of spiritual development in which they may find themselves. Therefore, when proclaiming the GOOD NEWS, we must first analyze individual needs and develop an appropriate plan that responds to them.

  • Consciousness

Human beings are made up of three fundamental areas which, although closely interconnected, are analyzed separately in order to better understand and address them. These areas are: the mind, the body, and the spirit.

Consciousness is an inner force that allows us to discern and make sense of every situation in our lives. It plays a crucial role in the search for purpose, helping us to identify meaningful values, goals, and objectives.

To illustrate the concept of consciousness, the parable of the compass was presented as a metaphor:

  • Direction: symbolizes the most relevant goal in a person’s life.
  • The body of the compass: represents the individual’s mindset.
  • Needle: reflects a specific responsibility necessary to achieve the goal.

It is important to foster both social awareness and personal awareness. Social awareness involves having empathy for the perspectives and emotions of those around us, respecting collective norms, and behaving responsibly within the community. On the other hand, personal awareness is oriented toward introspection, managing our emotions, understanding our feelings, thoughts, and the way we interact with others.

By cultivating our awareness as part of our integral development, we take a firm step toward authentic freedom.

CLM Guatemala

I have the passion of someone who follows a dream

Romeria Ezequiel Ramin

“I would like to say something special to those of you who are sensitive to beautiful things: have a dream! Cultivate a beautiful dream and follow it throughout your life! A life that has a dream is a happy life. A life that follows a dream is a life that is renewed every day. Our life, which seems long, is actually short. May your dream make not only everyone happy, but also future generations. It is beautiful to dream of making all humanity happy. It is not impossible!” – Ezequiel Ramin

Father Ezequiel Ramin, a Comboni missionary, wrote this text four years before he was brutally murdered by gunmen on July 24, 1985, in Cacoal, in the state of Rondônia, at the age of 32. He had a dream. The dream of the Kingdom of God. He embraced the cause of the poorest. He died defending the small and unjustly treated, farmers and indigenous people. This year we commemorate the 40th anniversary of the martyrdom of Father Ezequiel Ramin, martyr of justice in the Amazon.

It is estimated that more than two thousand people from Rondônia and other parts of Brazil and the world participated in the 10th Fr. Ezequiel Ramin Pilgrimage and commemorated his martyrdom in Cacoal/RO and Rondolândia/MT on July 26 and 27. In 2025, the Comboni missionaries will also mark 50 years of presence in Rondônia.

May the testimony of Ezequiel Ramin encourage us in our mission.

If my life belongs to you, my death also belongs to you.” – E. Ramin

Fr. Ezequiel Ramin, present!

LMC Brasil