Working in a pandemic
The coronavirus pandemic affects also the work of St. Martin CSA. With the lockdown and social distancing, many of our usual activities had to be halted or re-organised. And at the same time, new needs appear in the communities that need to be addressed. Simon Maina, coordinator of the Community Programme for Children in Need, explains how his team is dealing with the situation.
Happy Easter!
Easter is a time to give. It’s a time when we receive many visitors in our rescue and rehabilitation centres. Unfortunately this year you will not be able to visit your beloved boys and girls due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fortunately, you can still support them through prayers, sending them a message of goodwill or even making a financial contribution through MPESA. The paybill number is 921023.
Protecting our beneficiaries
The beneficiaries of St. Martin CSA belong for the most part to the high-risk group regarding the new coronavirus. Therefore and in accordance with the measures taken by the Kenyan government, we have taken a series of steps to ensure the safety of our beneficiaries and our staff with the aim of still being able to serve the community.
The St. Martin Approach
In the context of the development of the new St. Martin CSA Strategic Plan in 2019, an Independent Consultant evaluated the St. Martin Approach. It received a good rating on its impact on the lives of the programmes' beneficiaries and adaptability for upcoming areas of work.
Handling Addiction in Prisons
In a 5-day training, 35 prisons officers were introduced on how to handle addiction. The event was organised by the Community Programme for Addiction and Mental Health CPAMH.
Corporal Punishment
Corporal punishment is still widespread and causes much suffering among our children and youth. It can lead to mental disorders, fear and anxiety and poor academic performance among others. This video by St. Martin aims at raising awareness and demonstrate some alternatives to corporal punishment.
St. Martin CSA meets Mental Health Task Force
In December 2019, the Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Health, Sicily Kariuki, formed a task force to assess the mental health situation in Kenya. On January 21 this task force visited Nyeri and our colleagues from the Community Programme for Mental Health were present to showcase the approach St. Martin CSA uses to improve the situation of persons with mental health issues.
Child Right Situation Analysis
During the second half of 2019, the Community Programme for Children in Need CPCN conducted a Child Rights Situation Analysis in Nyahururu Sub-County. The results were presented at three forums to disseminate them and discuss further actions.
New Director
After 7 years of leading St. Martin CSA, Fr. Mariano Dal Ponte is stepping down as director. His successor is Irene Iwamithi.
The long way of recovery
The Community Programme for Addiction and Mental Health CPAMH brought together 53 people for a workshop, some in active addiction and others in their early stages of recovery. The workshop was designed to address some of the most disturbing issues in addiction and the recovery process as a way to prevent relapse. These included improving self-esteme in recovery, identifying and avoiding triggers to lapse and relapse, intimate relationships in recovery and motivation enhancement.
Footsteps of Gratitude and Openness
On November 9th, the activities around the 20th anniversary of St. Martin CSA culminated in the final celebration on the grounds of the Nyahururu DEB Primary School. The numerous participants from the area and guests from abroad were welcomed by the founder of St. Martin CSA, Fr. Gabriele Pipinato, and enjoyed a beautiful day.
Dancing for Kenya
On Sunday 24 November, Simona Atzori performed her dancing piece "Disegnati cosi" (Designed like this) in Padova, Italy, to support of the 20th anniversary of St. Martin CSA. Over 500 spectators contributed towards our mental health project.