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JPIC-FA MAASAI COMMUNITY CLIMATE CHANGE RESILIENCE PROJECT- OLEPOLOS ISINYA -KAJIADO COUNTY

 

The Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation,Franciscans Africa(JPIC-FA) is a Regional faith based organization which seeks to promote and nurture the reign of God through conscious prayer and action to transform the world in the spirit of the Gospel through lives of Justice, Peace and Care for our Common home and was established to evangelize and spread the gospel  guided by the teachings and values of St. Francis of Asisi.

JPIC-FA was caught by surprise around October 2022, when Citizen TV (one of the Kenyan leading TV station) and other local mainstream media were a wash with news of herds of cattle dying in very large numbers forcing headers to sell their animals @ 500/- each, something that was unimaginable knowing too well that at normal times, this was after a drought that affected most parts of kenya especially in the arid and semi arid areas in the counties in  northern , eastern and southern parts of kenya.

The outcry from the local communities made a team of four JPIC-FA staffs/volunteers accompanied by three SVD (Divine Word Missionaries) travel more than 60km to Isinya kajiado county where on arrival the team found the ground was rather choking, saddening and unbelievable by finding mountains of carcasses of animals heaped in different positions around the Isinya abattoir , large numbers of birds of prey feasting on the carcasses and a choking stench filling all the Isinya atmosphere and the community converging around in small groups whispering to each other filled with grief and horror for what seemed awaiting for their future.

The JPIC-FA and SVD team had carried small foodstuffs for the local community and after touring the villages led by Pastor William, they concluded that there was much needed to  help the community as nothing was left to sustain them. The drought led to family issues, migration, unemployment, school dropout, child trafficking, depression, early forced marriages and suicides and because of these challenges JPIC-FA joined hands with  other well-wishers to provide food and other basic needs including school fees to school going children of which was not enough therefore thinking of coming up with sustainable projects for the community.

 The initiative helped communities from four villages in Isinya which are Olomunyak Village, Olepolos Village, Reto Village and Ebeneza Village, the food relief program has been done several times in October and December 2022, February and April 2023 and it will continue until the communities are able to sustain themselves.

JPIC-FA is also engaging and educating the local communities on how to start and establish garden farms to help sustain them so as not only depend on livestock keeping, supporting women to venture into small businesses especially art and bead works to be able to generate income and sustain them. And as a way of combating climate change, JPIC-FA has been educating communities on the need for agro ecology, environmental conservation and tree planting.

 

Interfaith Youth Forum on Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty

JL6 Call to COP27 for an immediate phasing out of Fossil Fuel

The people of Faith are showing their commitment to raise the voices of communities and victims of the climate crisis in Kenya and Africa.

The office of Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation Franciscans has gathered 600 participants from different Faiths and schools in a Conference that turned to be global due to the launching of the new Film from Vatican The Letter.

On Saturday 15Oct 2022, the Film became an excellent tool to engage with various stakeholders. Most importantly, the Member of Parliament Honorable Felix Oduor known as Jalango responded to our invitation and made a commitment to support our journey on mitigating climate change effects and give support on the Fossil Fuel Non-proliferation the Star news.

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MP Felix Oduor commitment to support climate action

 

The famous MP  Jalango launched then the “Clean Energy School Champions  Program” Which will be conducted in  15 secondary schools and 5 Universities as pilot from 2023-2030. In Secondary Schools, it will focus on building the capacity of students on the clean energy concept, artivism, Social media Campaigns, social movement building, and clean energy innovation.  In universities, the program shall be focusing on clean energy dialogue, lobbying, and advocacy for clean energy policy.

The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty was read by two young people one being indigenous (Maasai) and another being a lady representing gender, the Treaty was presented to the guests. The MP promised further dialogue regarding our request on building a Fossil-free Kenya.

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Student's engagement on Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty

At the end, students raised their voices with messages on placards addressing leaders who will attend COP27. They were requesting for climate justice now and the funding loss and damage.

Some of the partners that were present are the Laudato Si Movement, Focoral Movement, Mercy Education office, Harmony Institute, Jamia Mosque, Kenya Catholic Conference of Bishops,  AMECEA, UNEP-Faith4Earth, etc. Schools were Light International Academy, Mama Africa, Huruma Girls, St Michaels, St Anne, The Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Tangaza University College, Africa Nazarene University, MKU, and religious people.

The conference was organized by JPIC Franciscans Africa and hosted by The Catholic University of Eastern Africa, supported by 350 Africa, and covered by Capuchin TV, KBC and TV.

You can find here the photos of the conference and the wrap-up video of the conference.

 

Partners:

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                                                                                  “Destroying the planet is against our religions”

In line with COP26, Laudato Si Generation members in Kenya, through the office of Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation Franciscans Africa (JPIC-Franciscans Africa) managed to create space for interfaith leaders and youths who did not get a chance to attend the Glasgow conference in the Uk, for them to get chance to stand in solidarity with all stakeholders who were part of Glasgow conference and also by raising the concerns and recommendations of voiceless people from grassroots. As we joined Pope Francis with other global faiths leaders who met on 4th October 2021 for

“ Faith and science towards COP26”, we organized two major events at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Nairobi- Kenya: An interfaith Prayer Day and Faith Art Climate workshop.

1. Interfaith Green Prayer Day Event

Prior to COP 26 on Sunday 17 October 2021, members of the Laudato Si Generation in Nairobi together with religious communities, CUEA students, and guests from different faiths gathered for climate action. It started with a Catholic Eucharistic Mass celebration inside of The Catholic University of Eastern Africa. During Mass, Faiths leaders Guest was warmly welcomed and was given enough time to address the congregation on matters related to climate issues globally and locally, the role and power of people of faith in influencing effective solution, and they appealed Kenyan Government and major financial institutions to take in consideration the demands from Faith leaders in regards with COP26. The Catholic University of Eastern Africa has a strong motivation to be the host of such climate actions, just remind that it was the first Kenyan Catholic institution if not in the whole Eastern Africa to declare divestment on 18th May 2020 through the Laudato Si Movement, GCCM at the time.

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The key massages of the day were: Destroying the planet is against our religions and demand was an immediate end to new fossil fuel projects, deforestation, and related financing, a massive commitment to green jobs to reduce climate pollution and end poverty for millions, reparations from wealthy countries to equip vulnerable nations for a better future of Kenya.

After Mass, the faith leaders addressed a Press communique through Capuchin TV and sent a message articulated on our demand to the World leaders who attended COP26 and Kenya Government for a just and sustainable future.

The capuchin TV covered the whole event https://youtu.be/bFsDqvjIQ7g and watch the short video here

We twitted the event under hashtag #Faith4Climate, from the Vice-Chancellor of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa the Very Rev. Prof. Stephen Mbugua and we tagged all partners 

https://twitter.com/VcCuea/status/1450079978654154758?s=08 find here  Pictures of the Event.

2. Faith Art Climate Workshop

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                                                                                                                        “ People to the front ”

On 5th Nov 2021, as the global conference was still going on we decided to remind leaders in Glasgow that we are watching them. The youth raised loudly the voices of the people emphasizing that in all discussions that took place in Glasgow conference leaders should put people to the front.  As the first event was meant for religious leaders, this one gave space to youth from different faiths to send their voice to leaders gathered in COP26.

On that day, youth spoke through art painting and drawing as well as a live concert with songs and poems. Find here link to the video of the day

Guests and stakeholders reiterated the need of our governments, major financial institutions, and church institutions to stop putting money in any fossil fuel project and invest in clean energy.

There was a live streaming of the event on Twitter with key messages and art pieces of which tagged the COP26 and partners around Kenya and the whole world. The power of art stands in hands of youth and they demonstrated that as all pledged the end of any new fossil fuel projects, so as to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

We are convinced that climate change is a moral and spiritual challenge, therefore we remain together in prayer and solidarity for a just transition from Fossil fuel finance towards clean energy investment.

Here is the link to the photos of the day

We appreciate the support from our partners 350.org, Green Faith International Network, The Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Harmony Institute, and Mother Earth Network. Our gratitude goes to our guests and partners from the Laudato Si Movement African office, Muslim community from the host university, G75 Green Faith circle, Interfaith youth from Mount Kenya University, Franciscans OFM Conventual brothers, Franciscans Missionaries of Mary sisters, the Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya, Hare Krishna Temple, Bahai Temple, Green Anglican, Youth Network for Interreligious Brotherhood and Capuchin TV.

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As 12th December marks the 5th Anniversary of the Paris Agreement, the world had pledged to cut their emissions and to take climate action needed that will keep the planet at a liveable temperature of 1.5 oC.  However, 5 years later many are failing or putting forward false solutions.
As an Interfaith youth platform in Kenya and Africa, we have been fighting to kick coal out of the country and our continent. As we celebrate this anniversary, young people from Laudato Si Generation Africa members call on our government to demonstrate real climate leadership to stay within 1.5C  by keeping in the ground and not funding fossil. 
Join our Interfaith Poetic Youth Forum and see how talent speaks. Poems, spoken words, songs, and motivational speeches. Mr. Omar Elmawi will share his experience in Decoalonize movement. Rukia Ahmed a Muslim young climate activist from OLM Girls Shauri Moyo Secondary School will share the dream of young people by breaking down the theme of the day “We rise again”
 
Carry your candle and message on a paper. We shall light candles in solidarity with communities victims of climate change and Coivid-19. We shall raise messages during a striking moment.
Choose a message here: - Keep in in the ground
                                         -Honor the Paris Agreement
                                         - Stop Coal business
                                         - Stop Fossil fuels business
                                         - Yes for Renewables 
                                         - We need a just recovery
 
Time: 4.00-5.30 PM, Nairobi
 
Topic: INTERFAITH POETIC YOUTH FORUM
 
Join Zoom Meeting
Passcode: 965312

 

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The interfaith youth platform in Nairobi led by the office of Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation Franciscans Africa, joined the Fridays for Future movement on 25 Sept 2020 by a virtual event.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the closure of schools, it was impossible to gather thousands of students that we engage with in various schools. The green festival was organized in line with our annual interfaith youth forum on peace and environment, also inline with global climate strike. It was meant to creating an online space for children for them to express their opinion of the issue of Coal mining in Kenya (Kitui and Lamu) as well as the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline (Uganda and Tanzania).

Two experts: Sheikh Muhamad Khan from international Inter-religious Association of Peace and Development was there to give information and updates to children on the danger caused by the coal project in Kitui and Lamu; and Prince Papa from the Global Catholic Climate Movement Africa chapter elaborated on the local and regional risks related to EACOP.

Children from different schools, different faiths plus religious people took the online stage performing with various items for climate advocacy. We can mention few items like: the famous

poem of Sister Jacinta Mwende, the song of Anne Wambui, the spoken word by Allan Kariuki from Global Hope Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre, motivational speech by Sarah Khan etc.

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        Some key messages of the day

All participants had carried placards on which were written key messages of the day: a just recovery, resistance and vigilance, no to fossil fuel, stop EACOP, yes for renewable energy, support young leaders in climate action , Decoalnize Kenya etc.

We got time to raise our messages and shout slogans, we also got time to light candles in solidarity with all children who were taking action around the world. The lighting candles meant also our solidarity with all victims of climate crisis and Covid-19.

At the end , the Song Afrika Vuka https://youtu.be/pQrqxcZDzf8 was launched officially  and all participants celebrated the day by dancing the song which has also the message of no fossil fuels and advocating for a just recovery. Watch the livestreamed event  https://youtu.be/i1EFENwqjgc, and here the uploaded version https://youtu.be/UUEq0X4skho.

Find here also some pictures of the event here Interfaith Green Festival Pictures.

Among participants, we had some from Tanzania and Uganda. Two children homes that have been very active in advocating for climate justice were present and the boys represented their respective schools, Global Hope Rescue and Rehabilitation Center (Ngong Township primary school, Ngong Township secondary schools, Nakeel Boys, Olooluwa primary school, Olooluwa secondary school) . The children from Mary Immaculate Rehabilitation Center represented schools like (St. Michael’s Secondary school, St. Catherine’s primary school, St Peter and Paul school in Embu, Mangu High school, Mbakkini secondary school. Others were schools of Mercy (Ngarariga Secondary school, Huruma Girls, Our Lady of Mercy Girls Shauri Moyo, Harmony Institute, Young Mercy Ecology, Hare Chrisna Temple, Younnib,  Franciscan Youth in Mulogoro TZ, Bright Doves of St Francis of Assisi in Uganda, Sisters of Mercy, The Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Interfaith Health Network Initiative from New York/US, a Young Muslim representative from Minnesota /US and Little Sisters of St Joseph and others.

The event was live on JPICFA YouTube channel and GCCM Africa Facebook page, as well as twitter #FaithAction_KE#JustRecovery#AfrikaVuka.

Note: Some students who were to present failed to join in the Webinar due to technical problems

The event started 4.10 and ended at 6.20 pm. Live participants 103 including YouTube and Facebook page. To make this event possible, we say thank you to all organizers and students from various school, especially 350 Africa for supporting us financially and technically.

Sustainability and way forward

Despite that we can not reach out to all students we have been engaging with, at least we got a number of high school students who are ready to keep movement. Schools Managers and parents are also willing to release children for this noble cause.

Thanks to  350.Africadownload

 

Steeven Kezamutima

JPICFA-Program Manager

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                   CARRY YOUR CANDLE AND A PLACARD WITH A MESSAGE
 
Carry your candle, hold a paper or a placard written on a message for the Global climate strike. That was the call to join the world in an interfaith global voice for climate justice, Friday 25/09/2020 at 4.00 pm Nairobi time or 9.00 AM Eastern time 9US and Canada)

Below are the messages used by participants on their placards.

-We need a just recovery
-No to fossil fuels
-Africa is not a dumpster
-Yes for renewable energy
-We resist and insist 
-We are all vigilant 
-Jubilee for the Earth
-Afrika Vuka
-Support young climate activist
-There is no planet B, etc
-Decaolonize Africa
 
There was a time to raise messages and a time to light candles in solidarity with all children around the world who are crying for climate justice.

 

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Church leaders invited Christians to celebrate the Season of Creation

 

 

JPIC FRANCISCANS AFRICA  joined Christians across the globe in prayer and action for the environment 

Against a backdrop of multiple crises, Christian leaders are focusing on caring for the environment as a way to heal divisions and build a more healthy community. 

JPIC Franciscans Africa and Franciscan Family Kenya Association lead activities to care for the environment during the Season of Creation, a season of prayer and action for creation that was celebrated by Christians around the world.

It was a strong statement of support for environmental protection and gave hope to many. JPIC Franciscans Africa knows that environmental destruction ultimately harms people and vulnerable people above all. 

By healing the planet that provides for us, they hope to encourage a culture of prudence and responsibility. This kind of activity unites the people across Africa to care for each other and the home we share. 

For decades, Christians across the globe have reconciled with our Creator during the annual Season of Creation. Church leaders from Pope Francis to the Archbishop of Canterbury to the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew have invited the world’s Christians to participate in this transformative celebration. The season runs from 1 September through 4 October each year.

The theme of repairing the bonds with all of creation was especially pertinent in the year 2020, as the world continues to endure both the coronavirus pandemic and the worsening climate emergency.

More information about the Season of Creation can be found at SeasonOfCreation.org.

 

 The JPIC FA and Franciscan family organized an event to launch the season of creation on 5th September at the PORTIUNCULA CENTRE in NAIROBI. 

 The Theme was: FRANCISCANS ENJOY THE SEASON OF CREATION

His Excellency the NUNCIO blessed the event with his presence as the main celebrant in the Holy Mass at 10 am and the Capuchin TV broadcasted the celebration.

Prof Dr. Stephan Mbugwa the Vice-Chancellor of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa also honoured the event with his participation.

 

FRANCISCAN FAMILY DAY - Franciscans Enjoy Season Of Creation

Launching of Season of Creation by Archbishop Hubertus Matheus Maria van Megen, Nuncio in Kenya

 

 Thank you for Joining the Season of Creation

 

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Everything Is Connected.

Laudato Si Week Celebration.

During Laudato Si week JPICFA  invited the public to an online Zoom event, on  22nd May 2020  at 4.00 PM, Nairobi time. Many special guests Attended, one of them on the poster. There was an exhibition session of photos and success stories of what we've been doing together. We had also entertainment by our CUEA Band.

welcome on Twitter: FaithAction_KE

 

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To envision a society where Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation are lived and
promoted as gospel values and in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi.

Get in touch

P.O. Box 15155-00509

Portiuncula, Franciscan Centre,

Lang'ata, Nairobi, Kenya.

Tel: +254 20890190

Email: jpicfa@gmail.com 

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