Praying for a better future

Self Help Group members and their children 

meeting in Nairobi, Kenya

2013 has been a challenging year for refugee families living in the Somali diaspora in Kenya. In the community of Eastleigh, the rise in insecurity has led many people to return to Somalia. In the past three months, we have seen dozens of families in the Canadian Baptist Ministries self help program flee Nairobi. “Many of the rooms in our building are empty,” shared one SHG leader. “We pray that things will be better, may God’s will be done.”

Sharing with our friend Aisha and some of the leaders from the SHGs, it is interesting to hear their perspective on how fear and insecurity are affecting the lives of women. “Life is very hard for the women in our groups, they often have to fight for their independence, especially now.” shared our friend. “Just last week one of the groups was broken up by an angry man. He didn’t agree with women meeting together. He was violent and upset. He took his wife from the group and forbids her from going outside now.... this is not uncommon.”

Often in times of great upheaval, people retreat into what they know. Traditional values and patterns of life are seen as safe and secure. It is no wonder that young women interested in more non-traditional roles within their culture experience resistance and opposition. Interesting that around this past national election, there have been greater incidence of intergenerational division and conflict, than along tribal or ethnic lines. We have a friend who is leading peace building work throughout Kenya who also sees youth culture and youth movements as far more significant than old tribal division and interest.

It is encouraging to see SHG groups standing up for one another. This month, the groups have chosen 25 children (mostly young girls) within the groups to sponsor for school. “Education is so important,” shared Aisha. “It is a door to the future.” The women of the SHG program have great dreams and hopes for their children. Hopes for a new generation of young women that will experience life of peace and freedom.

Certainly the understanding of the rights and equality of women is a major issue among youth in Eastleigh and beyond. Lack of education, low literacy rates, prevalence of early arranged marriage and early child-bearing, high maternal mortality, and domestic violence are all pieces to the greater picture. One of the central pillars of the SHG program is helping women to address issues that affect their families and community. As they recognize and value each other, the SHG members are empowered to speak up for their sisters and for their families. Together they have a powerful voice!

Please continue to pray for the women of Eastleigh and their families. You can read more about the situation in their community in a recent Aljazeera Article describing the challenges facing the community of Eastleigh.