Visit reflections: Safeguarding at the forefront of our work and mission in Kenya

Visit reflections: Safeguarding at the forefront of our work and mission in Kenya

Visit reflections: Safeguarding at the forefront of our work and mission in Kenya

Visit reflections: Safeguarding at the forefront of our work and mission in Kenya

Visit reflections: Safeguarding at the forefront of our work and mission in Kenya

Visit reflections: Safeguarding at the forefront of our work and mission in Kenya

SHARE

By Michael Walker, Congregational Director of Safeguarding, Rome

As the new Director of Safeguarding for the Congregation, I recently had the privilege of visiting Kenya to meet with our sisters and mission partners and observe how safeguarding practices are being implemented at both the Unit and ministry levels.

Upon arrival, Sr. Margaret Lee gave us a warm welcome, and throughout my visit, I was met with incredible hospitality from all the sisters I encountered.

I was joined on this trip by Sr. Jane Nway, the Safeguarding Coordinator, and our primary objective was to meet with the recently established safeguarding committee for the Province of ECAP. They presented their safeguarding action plan, outlining the steps they are taking to protect the vulnerable in their ministries.

The next day, Sr. Donatus and Josh Sigu, members of the safeguarding committee, accompanied us to the Euphrasia Women’s Centre (EWC). As we traveled from the city into the countryside, transitioning from paved roads to dirt paths, the stark contrast between urban and rural living conditions became evident.

EWC was founded by the sisters to empower women, girls, and children from disadvantaged backgrounds by providing them with vocational training and government-approved qualifications. This initiative helps them secure employment and build careers in their chosen fields.

During our visit, we met with the Director of Operations, who gave us a tour of the facility. The center offers training in various subjects, including dressmaking, tailoring, fashion design, hair and beauty, catering, baking, pastry-making, food and beverage services, and IT. Additionally, it provides literacy classes and a weekly mentoring program for around 80 children. A dedicated social worker collaborates with staff to offer extra support to those in need.

Meeting the students and staff at EWC was an inspiring and humbling experience. Their dedication and resilience were truly remarkable. Before we left, we even had the pleasure of tasting freshly baked bread and cooked corn from the local fields!

During this visit, we also met with the community of contemplative sisters and the formator, where we were reassured to see that they are well-informed about safeguarding and actively engaged in training initiatives.

Later in the day, we visited the Mission Development Office (MDO), where the staff presented the various projects they are involved in. Their work focuses on lifting people out of poverty while ensuring their safety through the implementation of safeguarding measures. After an engaging Q&A session, we returned to our accommodation for a safeguarding presentation by Tina Campbell, Chairperson of the Congregational Safeguarding Committee.

One of the highlights of our visit was the opportunity to engage with leaders during the RIMOA meeting, which brought together Unit leaders from across Africa. These discussions helped foster open dialogue on both existing and future safeguarding initiatives.

As I begin my journey in this role, this visit has given me a clearer understanding of how safeguarding is evolving across different ministries. While the level of implementation varies depending on location, it is evident that everyone is working diligently to keep safeguarding at the forefront of their mission.

Every day, sisters and partners-in-mission are clearly working hard in sometimes very difficult circumstances to ensure that safeguarding is in the forefront of our work and mission as we strive to empower lives, uphold rights and restore the dignity of the women, girls and children we work with in our global mission.

 

EN  /  FR  /  ES

our global presence

Africa and Middle East

Kenya, Congo, South Sudan, Uganda

Madagascar, Mauritius, Reunion

Senegal, Burkina Faso 

Europe

Belgium, France, Hungary, Netherlands

Italy, Malta, Portugal, Spain

Latin America

Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, Honduras

Brazil, Paraguay