Africa

As the CLM are looking for new candidates for their missions, an interesting experiment was done in Kitelakapel: an international summer camp, or mission animation experience, organised for a group of young adults from Italy, in collaboration with the Italian CLM, and particularly the group of Verona. Actually, the whole idea originated from Verona, where the local CLM dealt with the formation of the participants and all the necessary arrangements. On our side, we welcomed the idea and agreed to accompany the group in their discovery of our mission and our community here in Kitelakapel and other areas of Kenya. Indeed, the programme was super rich: first, three weeks in Kitelakapel, with the CLM community, then a week in Kariobangi near Korogocho – one of the main slums in Nairobi – hosted by the Comboni fathers, and finally some days of safari and activities by the sea, not to forget the experience of moving around the different areas of Nairobi with all their contradictions, where the gap between rich and poor is as evident as it could be.

A full picture of Kenya, from the far, marginalised area where we live, to the touristic coast, passing by the congested yet creative realities of the slum. And the variety of lifestyles one can choose: from the condition of living in a lay community, to that of a religious one, and that of individual tourists.

The group was led by CLM candidates, Giulia Lampo and Laura Materazzo from Italy, while three CLM couples were constantly in touch with them from Verona, also accompanying through online communication each of the group members individually. Pius, Marzena and Linda (Kitelakapel community) were obviously involved in the organisation, and Linda accompanied the group also in their tours out of West Pokot. Towards the end of their stay in Kitelakapel and during the week in Kariobangi, they were joined, for some parts of the day, by fr. Paolo La Torre, who helped them particularly with moments of sharing, reflection, and Mass. It was therefore an almost fully “lay” experience, done by lay people, led by lay people, and in a community of lay people!

In Kitelakapel, after a warm welcoming to the sound of a very famous Italian song (thanks to the creativity of our Marzena!), the group settled both in our home and another house the fathers have near the chapel. We all shared meals together, and moments of prayer, following the rhythms of the community. The participants were also included in our regular cooking and cleaning chores, therefore taking full part in our daily life as a community.

And then, of course, they accompanied us in all our activities, collaborating with the teaching of life skills in the schools, discovering Marzena’s work in the dispensaries of Kitelakapel and Kacheliba, the pastoral activities with the youth, including catechism, visiting families around, and playing with the children in our compound. It goes without saying that we also took them to visit the parish in Kacheliba, meet the Comboni fathers, climb the little mountain near the parish, and walk around the market. Not to forget the beautiful scenery by the waterfalls near Makutano, where we had a nice picnic. And lots of moments of reflection and sharing, which were so needed as such an experience can make one feel overwhelmed in a storm of emotions, while the encounter with such a different reality and culture brings up tons of questions.

In Kariobangi, where they were hosted by the Comboni fathers, the group visited some of the projects the MCCJ run in the parish, accompanying workers and volunteers in their activities, especially visiting the families or individuals whom they support in the nearby slum areas. These were members of the community affected by HIV, young single mothers, street children and children with physical disabilities, who are in a physiotherapy programme. It was another intense experience, before the more relaxing final days in Kenya, which were spent in yet another setting, that of the coast.

Of course, in Nairobi our friends had the chance to meet the Kenyan CLM and attend part of their formation meeting. Not to mention that they were so lucky as to get the chance to meet also our general coordinator, Alberto de la Portilla, on that very occasion, and to spend some time with him as he was preparing to leave Kenya for Egypt in his round of visits.

It was a well-rounded experience for the participants, and, as we hope, one that will change their lives, pushing them to make missionary choices in their future, whether abroad or in the place where they live, and possibly join the wonderful journey of being Comboni Lay Missionaries. We also hope that other summer camps or similar mission experiences will be organised in the future, whether in Kitelakapel or other missions, as part of our common effort to expand our movement, reach more people with our testimony and change theirs and other people’s lives through mission animation.

You can read the testimony of one of the participants to the camp at this link.

Linda, CLM Kenya