JPIC-FA COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND SUPPORT
AWARENESS ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING
On 11th April 2024, our office of Justice, Peace and Integrity of creation Franciscans Africa (JPIC-FA) in partnership with the Centre for social justice and Ethics-Catholic university of eastern Africa and the local communities in Isinya from Reto, Olepolos and Olomunyak organized a charity event that was held at MCK Olepolos Church.
With the growing cases of human trafficking that have been experienced targeting youths and children. Sr. Martina -LSSJ and Steeven Kezamutima shared on the importance of creating awareness to the young people on the impacts, forms and challenges resulting from human trafficking.
The office has been engaging the communities in isinya on issues of human trafficking since when the office started donating food especially during the drought that was experienced in 2022. This drought forced many young people to drop out of school as they faced hunger, lack of school, forced migration, this led to many young people falling into the traps of human trafficking as they looked for employment and family also trafficking them in forced marriages.
2 FOOD DONATION
As a way of listening to the cry of the poor as per Pope Francis call in the encyclical Laudato Si, the office of has been in the frontline since October 2022 in mobilizing food donation activities to the communities affected by drought in Isinya, a journey that has continued up to now.
The charity food drives have benefited communities from three villages (Reto, Olomunyak and Olepolos) who are nearly 3000 people. Recently on 11th April 2024 JPI-FA organized a food donation and we were joined by the center for social justice and ethics (Catholic university of eastern Africa)
The communities who have benefited have been grateful to the JPIC-FA and the donors for their continued support not only to the food but also the other essential needs such as the soaps, sanitary towels and stationeries.
3. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND CONSULTATION
As a way of building a strong bond and better understanding of the purpose of the JPIC-FA Laudato Si’ community that is intended for community growth through training on sustainable development programs that will be trained in the center especially on Agro ecology, small kitchen garden farming, zero grazing animal keeping and group focused training on entrepreneurship, Awareness and empowerment programs.
The office has been organizing group focused (Women, Youths and Men) consultations and engagements that will help in understanding what the different groups have in mind, their expectations and their wishes that will help have a common understanding and a common vision.
The consultation meetings have enabled the office and the community to collaborate and work together for the growth of the center and the wellbeing of the community, this has made them work together and build a center comprising of a water borehole, Demo farm, Zero grazing unit, community hall and a greenhouse
4. YOUTH AND CHILDREN INTERACTION
The Youths and children who are the backbone of the society in most cases are left behind. The office of JPIC-FA has been engaging this young generation through programs that are focused on giving hope, empowerment and awareness on issues they face.
The JPIC-FA intends to give the young people a platform to realize their dreams, talents and leadership.
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