MARY AND JOSEPH LIFE CENTER (MJLC) AT THREE: PROMOTING SANCTITY OF LIFE, EMPOWERING LIVES, & NURTURING FUTURES

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By Ms. Esther Kibe, MA & Sr. Jovalet Ariho, MA.

The Mary and Joseph Life Center (MJLC) continues to provide tremendous empowerment and hope, in theory and practice, leaving an indelible mark in the lives of many vulnerable and marginalized persons in over 10 major informal urban settlements (slums) in Nairobi. Approximately two million people live in these slum-environments around Nairobi. For the past three years, the center has implemented more than 270 strategic educational and transformational workshops and seminars, empowering 7,026 women with solidarity and supportive guidance: psychological, spiritual, and economic livelihood resilience; 2,807 pregnant girls and women have benefited from ultrasound (sonogram) services and 771 clients (individuals and groups) engaged in more holistic and intensive counselling.

Sr. Sarah Ngigi KRCHN, MJLC’s Nursing and Counseling Officer, with a nine-month-old baby, one of the many success stories of the Center. Her mother was having a crisis pregnancy and was considering having an abortion, but through the support from the MJLC team, she delivered her baby.

 

In its short but impactful existence, the center has become a transformative force, owing to its dedication to promoting the well-being and dignity of women and children (unborn and born), offering psychosocial support to young women and girls, instilling responsibility in men and young adults, and shaping a future where families and communities thrive.

The MJLC team members with young mothers and babies who are part of MJLC’s success stories. These women, owing to their life’s challenges and traumatic experiences, were either considered or were being coerced to have abortions, but through the support from the MJLC team, they delivered their babies. A big welcome to our MJLC support member Ms. Sarah Jordan from New York who generously came to view the work of the Center; “thanks Sarah”.

 

The three main purposes of the Mary and Joseph Life Center are to:

  1. OFFER Pregnant women and girls, fathers responsible for the pregnancy, and families, who are considering and/or are being coerced to have abortions, other options to have their baby(ies) born.
  2. OFFER Educational workshops/seminars that are oriented to help prevent crisis pregnancies and help those already in need with supportive guidance for psychological, spiritual and economic livelihood resilience.
  3. OFFER Counseling, medical support, guidance, and empowerment to women who have had abortions and are seeking assistance for trauma, self-esteem and healing in one form or another.

Protecting the Unborn Babies from all acts of violence

MJLC’s commitment to the sanctity and dignity of life cause extends beyond language and expression; it is manifested in practical initiatives aimed at protecting unborn babies. By providing comprehensive support to pregnant women and girls, the center offers free counselling sessions and free ultrasound services to ensure that the women receive the care and guidance needed to make informed choices. MJLC believes in fostering an environment where every life is valued, and this culture permeates through its interactions with individuals and the community. Additionally, the Center recognizes that a peaceful family environment is essential for the well-being of its members, especially children. Through counselling, workshops, and support services, MJLC empowers individuals to be peacemakers within their families, fostering relationships built on love, understanding, and mutual respect.

Ms. Rose Anyango, MJLC’s Sonographer, conducting an ultrasound session. The center offers free ultrasound services, benefiting over 2,807 pregnant girls and women through ultrasound (sonogram) services to date.
Sr. Sarah Ngigi KRCHN, MJLC’s Nursing and Counseling Officer, with young girls and women from Kabiria Informal Urban Settlements. The women received free ultrasound services and participated in group counselling sessions at the center.
Rev. Fr. Patrick Devine, PhD, MJLC’s Founder and Project Coordinator of Patrons and Promoter, with one of MJLC’s babies and a young mother who has immensely benefited from the center’s Crisis Pregnancy Resource Center. Both the mother and child appreciate the professional services they received from the center. The center remains a beacon of hope to many vulnerable women facing the challenge of crisis pregnancies.

MJLC’s Mission of Empowerment.

At the heart of MJLC’s mission is empowering young girls and women in crisis pregnancy, single mothers and fathers, parents of the of the girls/women having the crisis pregnancy crisis, teenage girls and boys, young adults, young mothers and fathers, women in commercial sex work, and parents of children with disabilities to become protectors of unborn babies, stewards of their lives, advocates for personal development, and peacemakers within their families and communities.

Sr. Jovalet Ariho, MA, Shalom-SCCRR in-Training Capacity Program, MJLC’s Community Development and Social Worker, in an interactive discussion with young adults on the value of self-awareness and effective communications in their families.

Through empowerment programs, participants are encouraged to become leaders within their families and as influential opinion and change shapers in the broader community. The MJLC acknowledges that nurturing the potential of women has an enabling effect, leading to positive change at every level of society.

Recognizing the importance of male involvement in family life, MJLC incorporates programs to train men to be responsible fathers and husbands. By fostering a sense of responsibility, accountability and providing guidance on positive parenting, the Center contributes to developing strong and supportive family units.

MJLC’s Counselling Team, Ms. Julia Wangari, MA Candidate, and Sr. Julitah Timano BA, conducting a group therapy session with young mothers from Kawangware informal settlements. These group sessions are helpful as the young mothers go through difficult, distressing situations – Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – and other mental health challenges, are identified and guided towards healing through free counseling services at the center.

 

Economic Livelihood Resilience and Entrepreneurship

To fully actualize our second purpose, which seeks to offer educational workshops/seminars oriented to help prevent crisis pregnancies and help those already in need with supportive guidance for psychological, spiritual and economic livelihood resilience, the center initiated the MJLC Livelihood Program last year. The program is conscious of the vulnerabilities of women and girls in urban informal settlements entrenched in their complex and dangerous social circumstances, cultural norms and practices, lack of opportunities, and marginalization, to mention but a few. Therefore, the program empowers women and girls with holistic livelihood resilience capacity, survival skills and mechanisms. The five-week Women’s Economic Livelihood Resilience and Entrepreneurship course trains the women on (i) Capital planning for micro-businesses, (ii) Starting a micro family business,(iii) Record keeping for businesses, (iv) Soap manufacturing and (v) Marketing for micro-businesses. Other program training units are in the pipeline.

Mrs. Nancy Mirera, MA, MJLC’s Counseling Psychologist and Mental Health Expert, conducts training sessions for the MJLC Livelihood Program. The program empowers women and girls with holistic livelihood resilience capacity, survival skills, and mechanisms.
Mr. Remmy Ndiema, CPA, BBM, Shalom-SCCRR Assistant Accountant, conducting a training workshop on record keeping for micro-businesses with young women from Mutuini Informal Urban Settlements. The women were trained on the importance of record keeping, the different types of records, and best practices for record keeping.
Ms. Esther Kibe, MA, and Sr. Catherine Mutua, guiding a group work session on the key strategies for marketing in a micro business. The women discussed the practical methods they employ in marketing their products in their locations.
Fr. Patrick Devine, PhD, joined women from Waithaka and Kabiria informal settlements (slums) during a product manufacturing session. The women were taught how to produce and market soap. The program aims to give girls and young women practical skills to build micro businesses’ livelihood resilience and survival mechanisms.

Through the MJLC Livelihood Program, women gain the practical knowledge and skills to assess their environment and identify income-generating opportunities. This has not only fostered their personal development but also contributed to their families’ economic stability. Issues of morality, ethics and respect for legitimacy runs through the formational processes.

Community Outreach Approach

MJLC has pioneered a distinctive approach to community outreach that sets it apart. This unique approach fosters meaningful connections through weekly empowerment training workshops/seminars and outreach initiatives. Through these weekly community outreach visits, the center has become an integral part of the social fabric, actively engaging with the community, and proactively building trust, understanding and creative developments.

Fr. Patrick Devine, PhD, joined women from Waithaka and Kabiria informal settlements (slums) during a product manufacturing session. The women were taught how to produce and market soap. The program aims to give girls and young women practical skills to build micro businesses’ livelihood resilience and survival mechanisms.

 

Ms. Esther Kibe, MA, MJLC Lead Project Officer, interacting with women from the Waithaka informal settlement during a project progress of their soap-making micro businesses. The women completed the livelihood course and are now implementing the soap-making business in their respective areas.

Building a Brighter Future

The community’s youths have also been a focus of Mary and Joseph Life Center. Recognizing the importance of nurturing the next generation, the Center has developed programs for young people, ever sensitive to the fact that young people have immediate needs that need attention right now.  These programs include self-awareness, fertility care and support, theology of the body, promoting the sanctity of life, nurturing healthy relationships, career counselling, mentorship, drug abuse, and mental health, among others. Many young individuals who participated in these programs have shown remarkable growth. They have become more resilient in the face of adversity, developed creative problem-solving abilities, and have been inspired to pursue higher education and meaningful careers. The center’s support has instilled a sense of purpose and direction, enabling the youth to envision and work towards a brighter future.

Celebrating Graduations of the MJLC Empowered Women Groups

Appreciation Expressed to MJLC and Shalom-SCCRR

Sr. Lucy Njori, B. Com, St. Josphat’s House Project’s Administrator with girls and young women from Kabiro, during MJLC’s Community Outreach in Kawangware Informal Settlements. The girls were provided with sanitary items, which are essential to many vulnerable and marginalized girls/women in Nairobi’s slums and informal settlements.

 

A Glimpse into the Future

As MJLC marks its three-year milestone, it stands as a testament to the positive impact that can be achieved through unwavering dedication and a holistic approach to community development. The center envisions a future where unborn babies are protected, women and girls are empowered, families are at peace, and communities thrive. MJLC continues to be a catalyst for change, shaping a brighter tomorrow for all those it serves. As Mary and Joseph Life Center continues to grow, its vision of a thriving, empowered community becomes ever closer to reality. Now more than ever, we are committed to address all acts of violence against women and children from conception to natural death. We appreciate all our donors, partners and supporters all over the world who help us actualize our vision for a society where the dignity of human life, women and children, including the unborn, are free from violence and unjust social structures.’

As noted by one of our participants, “Everyone here on the front line is grateful to our donors for enabling the results to emerge and for bringing joy, hope, and life to many people.”  Well done to the donors so far! You have made all this possible. So much done, and so many in need (born and unborn) still awaiting your and our help.

Authors:

Ms. Esther Kibe MA, MJLC Project Coordinator

Sr. Jovalet Ariho MA, MJLC In-Training Capacity Program

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