It was a great pleasure to be nominated by Archbishop John McDowell to represent the Church of Ireland as part of the Misean Cara 20th anniversary visit to Kenya. As a member of Misean Cara, CMS Ireland has benefitted from the mission accompaniment model of practice as well as receiving financial support for several of the projects delivered by our global church partners in Africa and Asia. As a member organisation we have access to advice from experts in development project management and also become part of a mutually supportive network of like-minded congregations sharing similar purposes.
The 20th anniversary visit to Kenya was a real highlight. The programme was very full, the organisation and logistics worked smoothly and not a moment was wasted. In Kenya, Misean Cara support projects delivered by each of the three member church denominations, the Catholic Church, the Presbyterian Church and the Anglican Church of Ireland. Travelling with representatives from each provided a rich opportunity to discuss the variety of approaches and models of practice adopted as well as the wide variety of development projects being delivered. This was informative and thought-provoking.
The programme included four project site visits. Each place was very different but in every case it was clear that much careful thought had been put into developing responses determined by the particular needs of the place, the local culture, geography, existing services and available resources.
One location was very rural, focusing on improving local agricultural practices through appropriate technology as well as finding solutions to the challenges of climate change, access to water, and educational opportunities for children and literacy for adults.
Two locations were based within informal urban settlements where people exist in extremely deprived and unhealthy conditions. The projects focused on educational provision and access to educational resources, youth initiatives, care for the elderly and family support. Long term presence within these communities was key to enabling change through community action and advocacy.
One location was semi-rural seeking to provide a variety of health related services. The most notable of these was a day school for children with disabilities. The facilities, variety of activities and quality of care was outstanding.
The most striking impression from all of the locations visited was the dedication and servant-hearted nature of those involved in delivering the projects. The quality of care and commitment to the communities where they were living, pride in their work and the clear difference being made in peoples’ lives, was remarkable. Long term sustainable change has been enabled through long term commitment by Irish mission personnel and the funding availed through Misean Cara.
