Virtues and Community Development for Kenya

At a time when a pandemic is affecting all parts of the community, leading to increases in violence in the home, school, and community, The Virtues Project is making a positive difference. 

Here are evaluation comments from participants in virtues training held for the staff of the Child Protection Desk:

"To have self-esteem and believing in yourself through practicing all the gifts of character will better the next generation."

"Having facilitators break down all the virtues helped me to understand with ease, hence changing my mental perspective in a positive way."

"Attending this workshop was enjoyable and opened my inner mind to understand the changes possible."

"Virtues Training can help me change my family, village, community, and even the nation."

"The Virtues Program has positively changed my life and that of my family members.  We are more peaceful and ever grateful to our facilitators."

 By using the Five Strategies of The Virtues Project, and the random Virtues Pick, an activity, we are influencing the community to identify teachable moments thus preventing the harmful effect of violence on children, family, community.  We are transforming the attitude of those who come to us.

We continue to work in the Child Protection Unit where we are able to lower the number of juveniles referred to the judicial system.  

We trained  a group consisting of 20  school board members and teachers on 22nd May, 2021.

Their evaluations were uplifting:

 "I have learned to teach young children using the Virtues way."

"I appreciate the presenters for their commitment to teach us about Virtues. They were determined and loving."

"I learn  to set goals in raising up children."

"The workshop has transformed me to associate with family members and friends."

"The workshop has just been amazing, educative, informative, and motivating."

We are in the process of translating virtues cards into our native language so that we can share more easily with those we serve.

We continue to help our students advance in school as we raise the funds or receive donations.

Thanks to your generosity and support we continue our work and we want you to know it is making a positive difference in the lives of those we touch at home, school, and in the community!  

As the pandemic continues to impact Kenya government operations, commerce, schools at all levels, our community, and now our own families, we continue our virtues training throughout the community with courage and care.

Since most of our activities are carried out face to face, at this time we have limited ability to meet and provide training in our groups.  Our Virtues trained groups carry out their activities with collaboration and solidarity through phone contacts.  We  continue to carry out counseling using the Virtues Strategies and Virtues Cards in the community, Children Protection Unit, Kakamega Police Station and through the Lutonyi Catholic Church Gender Based Violence and Children Protection Desk.    We have continued to receive requests for training but are slowed by government restrictions at this time. 

• Faith communities are embracing virtues training throughout their communities saying, "it harmonizes their relationships."
• As a woman peacemaker and a virtues practitioner, I intervened when the sexual assault of a school girl  left residents threatening to kill the perpetrator and harm his family because he was free to walk the streets.  I called on my courage and talked to the area Assistant Chief of police.  We agreed to work toward peacefulness. I convinced him that what the residents required was Virtues training as, "it has yielded harmony elsewhere." He agreed to mobilize the residents for Virtues Training and that the attendees would be Covid – 19 regulations compliant. We provided training to 100 residents at a local Catholic Church, 70 finished the training. I am pleased to report that no chaos has taken place and that the residents embraced peacefulness.
• CHILDREN PROTECTION UNIT, KAKAMEGA POLICE STATION The power in counseling using Virtues Strategies and Cards can be seen at this unit within the police station. Many matters affecting the family, e.g. failing to provide food for the family, family conflicts, disagreements with children, are resolved without being referred to the courts.
• LUTONYI CATHOLIC CHURCH GENDER BASED VIOLENCES AND CHILD PROTECTION DESK. The Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Bonface Kibaki, All Angels Lutonyi Parish, who is Virtues Trained and Catholic Diocese of Kakamega Education Secretary, organized for Virtues Training for leaders of the parish. His intention was to roll out training to other Church groups. Covid – 19 situations raised many challenges in the families and community. Arising from cases which have been handled at the church, we discussed with the priest and he has established the Lutonyi Catholic Church Gender Based Violence and Child Protection Desk. The committee who were elected to handle matters at the desk are Virtues trained. The Parish Priest is the Patron and I am the coordinator. We have a vision to establish a child/adult rescue center, a Virtue school and other relevant projects as resources allow.

We thank you for your continued support and caring.  Your generosity has made our work possible, and our community  more harmonious and tranquil.