Kenya: Turkana pupils prepare for first-ever exams at new school

Bishop Dominic Kimengich of the Diocese of Lodwar, in northwest Kenya visited London recently. Two years ago, the diocese went through a time of violent ethnic tensions between rival tribes competing for water and grazing land, but this year, Bishop Dominic says, the situation has become calmer and there have been several positive developments - as well as new areas of concern.

Since he arrived in Lodwar, Bishop Dominic has established two primary and two secondary schools - Our Lady Queen of Peace girls school, St Augustine boys school, St Daniel Comboni school for girls, and this January, St James boys' secondary school. In November this year, the first-ever group of 14 year-olds will be taking their final exams.

Another positive development has been a change in the Kenyan constitution, introducing devolution for all Kenya's 47 counties. This means that or the first time, instead of being governed from Nairobi, Lodwar and Turkana have their own local government and have started running their own affairs. "This has brought a lot of changes, new people moving into the area - more work and the need for more schools" Bishop Dominic said. "Turkana used to be seen as a place of conflict, famine and drought - nobody was interested - but now the government is."

At the same time, recently oil has been discovered - about 100k from Lodwar in the southern part of Turkana. The oil companies are interested in training young people to work for them, Bishop Dominic said.

On the other side of Lake Turkana, wind farms are being built. Geologists have also discovered huge underground water aquifers - one near Lodwar. "If that water is good, with the political will and investment, it could provide food and will change the dynamics of the area," the bishop said.

'Furrows in the Desert' - an Israeli project, working with the St Paul's Missionary Community, is introducing date palm trees, mangos and other crops, Bishop Dominic explained. "Currently almost all food is imported. The land is idle or just used by pastoralists for grazing - but there is a huge potential from crops if the soil can be irrigated." - "Transformation is possible."

A more worrying development in Lodwar Diocese has been the arrival of many thousands of refugees, mostly from war-torn South Sudan and Somalia. Kakuma camp was established in 1990 to host unaccompanied minors fleeing the war in Sudan. In recent months the population has grown from 60,000 in 2014 to more than 250,000. A second camp is now being built. While UNHCR is caring for the refugees' basic needs - many of them are Catholic, and the diocese is endeavouring to support them spiritually. "It is a real crisis" Bishop Dominic said. " Basically its a new parish of 200,000 people. They are being served by two priests from the Salesians of Don Bosco. They desperately need help, lay personnel, nuns and priests."

Lodwar Diocese, bordered by South Sudan, Ethiopia and Uganda, covers a rugged, semi-desert area of 77,000 square kilometres - about the size of Austria. There are 28 parishes with more than 100,000 parishioners, served by 60 priests - 13 of which are local.

The St Paul's Missionary Community works in the Diocese of Lodwar on education, health, water and agricultural projects. The Community is supported by the UK-based New Ways charity, run entirely by volunteers. The parish of Our Lady of Peace in Todonyang is twinned with Holy Apostles, Pimlico in London.

The mission urgently needs doctors, nurses, teachers, engineers - equipment and support of all kinds.

Just £5 will feed a child in Turkana for a month. If you would like to make a donation to their work or find out more about volunteer opportunities, visit: www.newways.org.uk/ - or send an e-mail to info@newways.org.uk

See earlier report: ICN 23 November 2016 - Turkana: Missionaries on the periphery www.indcatholicnews.com/news/31403