By Bibiana Andabwa | Project Leader
I began my journey in 2004 when I attended a virtues training provided by the Education Secretary of the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Maseno North Diocese. The Ministry of Education was enforcing the government ban on corporal punishment and caning in schools. Being a teacher by profession, she understood the conflict teachers would encounter in maintaining discipline in class when the cane was being withdrawn without a replacement discipline tool being provided. She started to train virtues to teachers in ACK schools as a tool for discipline. I participated in her training sessions where I acquired a deeper understanding of The Virtues Project program.
I live in a poor peri-urban location within Kakamega Town, Kenya. My neighbors used to have frequent conflicts. There was a need to embrace peacefulness. I began using some of the skills I gained at virtues training sessions to arbitrate conflict. Some of those conflicts were driven by poverty. In a small way, I used some of our family resources to assist where possible.
In the year 2007, Kenya had a general election. I decided to run for a political seat, Councilor of Shibiriri Ward in Kakamega Municipality. During my campaign, I preached peacefulness. Many of the virtues contained within The Virtues Project program fit very well with peacefulness when addressing a public gathering. When elections were held, I had a landslide win. I had been preaching peacefulness and people were ready for it. We had only one death in our ward, and it happened in a neighboring ward. Having won the election overwhelmingly, I felt empowered, and in a very special way developed an inner vision for the electorate. I now had political power and was virtues trained.
I felt a strong urge for mentorship. Being a poor community, I, along with a small group of well-wishers, started supporting them to establish small scale income-generating projects. This reduced over-reliance on me for economic support. I had supported some children to attend school and carried out water and sanitation improvement in the past. Once I became a Facilitator for The Virtues Project, I carried out virtues training for all in my community and this was the key to all of us living harmoniously together. This was the beginning of Virtues and Community Development for Kenya.
Coming Soon, Part Two: Bringing Virtues to the Community
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