Italy – Comboni Lay Missionaries

Updates on Cyclone Jude!

28 July, 2025 by Alberto de la Portilla

Dear friends,

After a long time, we are finally able to write and give you news about this important and delicate humanitarian aid project, which we are developing and carrying out with all our heart and strength.

We are involved in many projects and activities, and we are trying to do our best for the good of these people. We left you with news of an initial emergency intervention supported by our missionary team (lay people together with the Comboni Fathers) working in the parish of Carapira.

If you remember, on the day of the cyclone, we gathered together and opened the doors of the church and other buildings to welcome the displaced people affected and, as a first response, provide them with food and shelter for the night. A few days after the disaster, the district of Monapo, which had intervened with some associations to support these families, asked us for help in reaching as many people as possible. Of course, we did not back down and we supported everything until the situation became a little complicated, because some people were not receiving aid. After various interventions together with them, we perceived and intuited that the support that needed to be given had to take a different form, so we asked ourselves what would be the most appropriate way to help and how. Because let’s face it, we are all capable of giving things and we can all call ourselves missionaries, but the right question is: how can I help them to really give support? So that they can continue to have a dignified life? So that they do not remain in a situation of dependence, but can build their lives from this experience! From this profound question, all our reasoning as a missionary team began, putting all the risks and possibilities on the table. The Lord is great!

From these reflections and seeing the general situation a little more broadly, we started immediately, conducting a general census of our parish, that is, of all 98 communities that comprise it, together with all our regional representatives and the people who work with us in the various ministries, involving every elder of the community and the communities themselves. We assure you that even this first step was not easy, because communicating with everyone in a place where most people do not have a telephone, plus the great distances that separate us from some regions and not having means of transportation, took time. Then Cyclone Jude destroyed some bridges, so it was also difficult for us to reach certain areas by car. (There are some areas that are still inaccessible.) This is to give you an idea of how basic life is and how long it takes to get things done. Starting from this initial census, there were many questions: Who do we help? How many communities? What criteria do we use to choose? How? And if someone comes to us for help, what do we do? But here too, Providence was immense, and all this could only open our eyes even wider, and we were truly amazed at how much good and concrete help came from you! From these initial questions, which on the one hand weighed heavily on us, trying to help/make a difference without excluding anyone, in truth, little by little, all the pieces fell into place. Obviously, we always intervened immediately with food and first aid/help whenever they came knocking on our door. But let’s get to the beauty that was achieved thanks to each one of you.

As mentioned earlier, given the long distances that the regional representatives had to travel, we started by buying five bicycles, one for each regional representative, and delivered them to each of them at the parish council. It was impossible to give a bicycle to all the participants in the various ministries of the parish because there are so many of them, but at least it was a first step for the regional leaders who are always running around their region and their beloved communities, thus helping them to reduce the time it takes to reach the various communities in their region. We started with these five regional leaders to conduct an internal census in each of their communities together with each elder and each area leader responsible for their own area. In the end, your generosity allowed us to help build a house in each community, for a total of 98 houses, for the poorest and most needy families that they themselves identified… The house will not be made of brick, because the costs are exorbitant and we will never be able to intervene with everyone and on a large scale, but here too we have considered supporting the construction of a house with a wooden pole structure and the side structure will be made with blocks of mud mixed with cement, which means a stronger and more durable house… Then the roof will be built with bamboo and a large, strong, resistant tarpaulin that insulates to keep water out, all donated thanks to your great support… Each community will commit to the construction itself by providing manual labor, commitment, and enthusiasm.

We have also intervened to support the construction of almost 30 brick chapels for the moment… they are already working to try to complete the work before the rainy season arrives and, above all, before more cyclones hit. The chapels will be built in brick because, in the future, with more cyclones, they can be used as shelters for displaced people.

You really cannot imagine their happiness, the little hope you have kindled in their hearts despite the many difficulties they face every day… Just think that Carapira is called ‘little Italy’ by the people: they have great esteem for us Italians because, apart from the help they have received, they have always found Italian missionaries who have loved them dearly!

But that’s not all… in addition to helping with houses, chapels, etc., we have bought blankets, mosquito nets, soap, etc., so that we can distribute them to other families and thus reach more people in need.

Some of the missionary team, in particular Wiston and Maria Augusta, with great joy and passion, are also taking a course in natural medicine and are going to various regions to teach basic first aid, since they cannot afford to buy medicines, nor can they find them, and also because after the cyclone the health situation has become much more complicated (simple malaria kills many people every day). Now, little by little, we are building a small nursery for natural medicine plants, and in time we would like to give them these small plants or at least be able to support them a little in medicine… other future ideas: working on the seeds to give them, etc.

So there is no shortage of work, and despite the many hardships we experience every day and share with them, we are not lacking in joy. On the contrary, we give thanks and pray that the Lord will always keep us healthy and build a path for us to remain in the future.

We are grateful to life for this journey, for your continued trust in us, and we do not have enough words to thank you personally. We know the importance of transparency and its value, and every day we fight for a better world and for dignity, especially for the poorest and most distant.

Thank you for believing in us and continuing to walk with us, never leaving us alone, but rather making us feel like family and co-responsible. Knowing how to choose every day and live true values is important for the good of all. Therefore, we feel very responsible for what we receive and towards all of you, and we apologize again if we are unable to respond immediately because so many of you write to us and we are busy on a thousand fronts, but, in our own time, we will get there.

We also have some big news that we want to share. For the brave and not so brave who would like to come and see and touch with their own hands what we do, we invite you to spend some time with us. What we can offer you is certainly a lot of fun, the joy of welcoming you, and a great opportunity for us to open our hearts and learn about the mission that belongs to everyone… and what you will experience firsthand is true humanity and a people who will welcome and love you. What will you take home with you?

Real life and humanity lived… but we will leave that for you to discover… and for those who are ‘afraid’ of malaria, don’t worry, a little prevention during your stay and you won’t notice a thing. We are waiting for you to come and live this life with us because we are all missionaries! This mission will certainly be a mission among the people… but we will leave it to you to discover its beauty!

With great affection, esteem, and gratitude, we send you a big hug; for those we are unable to hug in Italy, we look forward to seeing you in Mozambique for an experience you will remember for a lifetime!

Ilaria and Federica CLM Carapira

Welcoming Giulia to Kenya.

4 July, 2025 by Alberto de la Portilla

The Comboni Lay Missionary community in Kenya recently welcomed Giulia, a missionary from Italy, who arrived on June 23rd to begin her journey in Kenya. A group of enthusiastic Comboni Lay Missionaries gathered at the airport to greet her, filled with anticipation and heartfelt greetings.

Our Kenya community is growing, and we’re happy to receive new members like Giulia. Together, we’ll work towards creating a more just and compassionate society, inspired by the Comboni charism.

We extend a warm welcome to Giulia as she embarks on this new chapter in Kenya. We’re confident that her dedication and compassion will shine brightly as she serves alongside us.

CLM Kenya

Mental Health and Education Project at Kitelakapel

30 September, 2024 by Alberto de la Portilla

Greetings to all.

We leave you a video that we have received from Kenya telling us about the project that the CLM community of Kitelakapel-Kenya is doing on Mental Health issues in collaboration with Hani (CLM of Egypt).

In it you will be able to hear first hand how it is being developed and the continuity they want to give. It is a nice example of collaboration with the presence of Hani and then the second time with the arrival of Mira (candidate from Egypt) and where financial support has been received from Spain.

Thank you all for your prayers and support to our CLM service in the places where we are present.

Mission Animation: A Summer Camp in Kitelakapel!

26 September, 2024 by Alberto de la Portilla

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

Testimonial: Kitelakapel village experience July-August 2024

25 September, 2024 by Alberto de la Portilla

During my three weeks in the village of Kitelakapel, I had an experience that deeply enriched and changed me. From day one, I was welcomed with warmth and joy by the Comboni Lay Missionaries-Linda, Pius and Maya-and by the villagers. Each day was an opportunity to learn, share and grow with them.

We spent much of our time visiting local schools and working side by side with the village children and youth in the compound. Despite the lack of material resources, there was an incredible human richness: all it took was a look, a smile, a hug or a laugh to feel immediately at home. The simplicity of their lives taught me to appreciate the little things and to rediscover the value of essentiality.

What impressed me most was to see how the children and young people enjoyed themselves with so little. Every game, every moment together was precious, because what really mattered was being there for each other. Their joy and gratitude was a constant reminder of how much we often take for granted in our lives.

If you want to go first, run alone; if you want to go far, walk together-this is a Kenyan proverb that I got to hear and learn during my stay, and now that I have returned to my daily routine, I can say that this proverb has universal value. In our modern lives, which are often geared toward individual success, we forget the importance of walking together with others. Whether in personal life, work, or community, walking together leads not only to a greater sense of belonging, but also teaches us the humility and strength that comes from being part of something bigger than ourselves. In the village, I experienced what it means to be community: the important thing is not to focus only on the speed of our journey, but on the quality and depth of our relationships along the way. It is a reminder that in order to build something meaningful and lasting, it is essential to walk together, step by step.

I am grateful to God for allowing me to have this extraordinary experience. It has filled my heart and soul with rejuvenating emotions, and it has shown me how much you can receive even when you think you are going there to give. Give what you don’t have,” wrote Alessandro Manzoni back in the 1800s, ”the secret of happiness is precisely this: giving goes beyond the simple act of giving something material, it is an invitation to offer others what, on the surface, we might lack ourselves, but which can be generated and shared through our being and our spirit.

I will always carry with me the faces, smiles and stories of these wonderful people who taught me the true meaning of sharing and Love for self, others and God.

Elisabetta