Workshop to create "Wisdom Circles" in Sabatia Division, Vihiga District, Kenya East Africa

SUBJECT: TRAINING REPORT

Preface.

This report outlines topics that were covered during a training of women in Vihiga district 9th July 2005.  The training was conducted at Chavakali CPDA Hall for one day. The workshop was sponsored by Peace of the World International (USA) and Christian Partnership Development Agency.  Dr. Sophia C. Crocheron, founder of Peace of the World International facilitated the workshop. Participants were representatives of older women (65 to 93 years of age) from Sabatia division, Vihiga District.

Introductory remarks.

The executive director of CPDA gave an introductory speech. She welcomed all members and asked them to feel free and participate actively in the workshop. She gave a short introduction of the Wisdom Circle concept and the Peace of the World International (USA). She advised women in Vihiga to think positively, politically and development wise, as these things go hand in hand. Participants understood that they have had male political leaders since independence with very minimal achievement and women involvement in development issues. She advised that women should cultivate the spirit of unity and support to one another. 

Workshop Objectives.

The main objective of the workshop was to raise the capacities of the participants to be able to understand and appreciate their roles and value in development issues in the society.

Procedure.

In four groups, participants discussed and presented in the plenary their suggestions to the following questions: 

Have you had visions of our future?

What do you see ahead for us as women?

What are your thoughts about the role of women in your society/culture and the world?   Does this role need to change? If so, how and why?

As a woman, daughter, mother, do you feel valued?

Do you think that you have a voice that is heard within society to make changes? If not why?

What message(s) have you received from spirit within you concerning our children?

How do you explain the events that are going on in the world around you today?

What do you suggest we (your sisters in Diaspora) do to bond with you and heal our selves?

What is your prescription for peace?

In plenary, participants came with the following points;

They have a vision, which is to see women in leadership.

They feel obliged to assist others in whatever they are doing both at local level and the world at large.

In summary they want a change, support each other to realize improvement.

Respect towards any body goes per ones conduct in the society and the relationship with the community.

If women come together and elect women in leadership, it will stop child labor and improved education advancement. Women leaders will advocate for proper funds distribution that takes into account women’s issues.

Women have problems with children not finishing school pass primary education because of finances. After class eight level, children are left to idle around and become drug abusers. The unity of women will come up with a way forward.

Peace comes from good governance and yet currently there is bad governance. This can be seen in prices of food that has gone up and the community’s purchase power is low. 

If we have peace, love, unity, trust and prayers, these will guide us in selecting our female leaders to take us through to realizing our goals. We trust that a woman leader will strive to enhance our capacities in national issues like -- the budget, women rights and facilitating our children to complete education.

We need, and are going to advocate for, peace and respect that should come from the bottom of our heart to be practiced in homes and in all situations. This will result in a healthy and wealthy community with know-how and wisdom.

In conclusion, it was suggested that in future it will be more helpful to have group gathering a little longer and more often. Unity is the only thing if women want to bring change. They should increase the number of women in meetings so that the agreed message  of unity and support  can spread wider. Larger forums will put other women who are not aware and confident to air their views and remove shyness.

Participants requested the  facilitator to make a return to Vihiga to give more advice assess the progress. They also requested the Wisdom Circles of sisters in the US to assist in initiating income generating activities so that they become engaged as they promote unity.

The Wisdom Circles of Sisters in the U.S follow the belief that Health + Wealth+ Wisdom = Joy. Vihiga Sisters added God blessings from our prayers to qualify their prescription for Joy.

Lessons Learned

This work shop was an eye opener to women in Sabatia to explore their potentials and utilize every opportunity available to make themselves self-reliant. Already they have groups that are registered in the government, which gives them a legal backing to initiate income generating activities.

Gender biasness in the District had created an impression in women that they have no place in development agenda. This has been proved wrong after from the workshop on the activities by the Wisdom sisters.  It was encouraging to the participants to realize that other women beyond Kenya are working together for wealth and wisdom. 

As a result of the workshop, one group of widows affected with HIV has come up engaging Horticulture with emphasis on Amarrhanth for management of HIV and selling for income .

Challenges

Lack of self confidence and consideration among women is still a major challenge. Sensitization and cross visits will therefore need to be stepped up and enhanced so that more women be brought on board to learn and demand for their rights both in government and as custodians of culture.

Inadequate supply of basic needs at household level has reduced cohesion among women as most of them spent three quarters of their day's time looking for food. The HIV scourge has widened the situation because most widows are subjected to discrimination and self-stigma.

Conclusion

This kind of workshop is rare in our communities and yet very important. There is therefore a high need to make  follow-up meetings to enhance the engagement in search on wealth and wisdom.

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