SIX YEARS’ PLAN 2006 - 2011

1) INTRODUCTION

We Comboni Missionaries have been working in Kenya since 1973. Our first commitments have been in West Pokot (Kapenguria and Kacheliba), Marsabit (Sololo and Moyale) and in Kariobangi parish. With the years, we have moved into the dioceses of Lodwar and Ngong. In the past, we also had various commitments in Nyeri, Machakos and Nakuru dioceses. Our presence in Nairobi has greatly increased with three houses of formation (Postulancy, Brother Centre and Scholasticate), the mission animation community, New People Media Centre and teaching commitments in Tangaza College.
Our work has aimed at the evangelization and animation of the local Church. Some of our confreres have also given great contribution to the knowledge of the peoples we serve. We can take as example the work in the areas of linguistic, the liturgical and pastoral publications in Pokot and in Turkana. In the field of animation we can quote the preparation of the official texts of animation in view of the third millennium and the work done by our confreres in mission animation of the local Church. Confrères worked for some time for the formation of the Apostles of Jesus in Tanzania and, more recently, with the Contemplative Evangelisers: the Comboni Missionaries were actually the founders of both Congregations. 
In all the zones of our province we can look back in time and see the work done in first evangelization, justice and peace, formal education and health. The formation of catechists and lay leaders is another characteristic of our presence. We have been among the founder of Tangaza College and offered there a specialized service since the beginning. Many confreres have helped in the formation of priests and Church leaders in the different institutes of the College. Our province has also been asked to care for services for the institute international formation houses and it is the seat of the Media Centre for English speaking Africa.
Looking back at our past we are grateful for the work done by those confreres who preceded us. We want to continue this work at the service of the local Church and Nation.
Today, inspired by the XVI General Chapter, we realize the need to give greater emphasis to being missionaries to enhance our doing mission. More specifically to foster attitudes of unity, communion and reconciliation within ourselves, our local and apostolic community and the people with whom we are living and working. Internationality and the value of cooperation invite us to shun form individualism in the way we live and work, to plan together the pastoral activities and so become witness of unity for the people.
We see the need that our communities become more international and cultural differences become an asset and an opportunity for personal and communitarian growth, but also a challenge which demands each other’s tolerance, patience and mutual respect.

2) THE COUNTRY

In the past years, Kenya has gone through a social, political and ecclesial transformation. The end of the KANU (Kenya African National Union) era and the advent of NARC (National Alliance Rainbow Coalition) were greeted with relief and joy by most Kenyans. Yet, the new government has proved incapable of fulfilling some important  electoral promises. People do speak openly against evils in society and are readier to face politicians. Unfortunately, this new awareness is not nurtured by the media, which are retreating from social concern and prefer to give space to superficial and non committal news and opinions.
The problem of the distribution of land has come once again under the spotlight. Political leaders are either inciting these claims or fast to use the land issue as a political platform. Little is done to understand the problem for what it is and propose real solutions that would bring about justice and respect for the rights of all. HIV/AIDS’s prevalence4 in the country is still high. Urbanization trends show that Kenya is fast moving towards a deep change in its social structure and culture. A large percentage of the population lives in urban areas, i.e. in towns or places otherwise heavily influenced by town life. The trend will continue for the next two decades and by 2025 about 51% of the population is projected to be in urban areas. There have been clashes among pastoralist groups. Some of these tensions were politically motivated. Yet, the desire of pastoralist groups to have a greater say on their future, and control over their land rights, cannot be downplayed. The chasm between rich and poor remains wide and becomes more visible in time. While 2% of Kenyans enjoy high earnings, the great majority (56%) lives under the poverty line; cases of hunger, under nourishment, lack of health care are common and on the increase. Women’s participation in the public arena is increasing, but much is still to be done to achieve real equality in society.
The Catholic Church has made impressive gains in the past decade. About 25% of Kenyans declare themselves to be Catholic, while only 13% affirm to belong to Evangelical and Protestant Churches. Still many people are following Traditional Religions (ATRs) while Islam is spread especially on the coast and in the North- East of the country. Pentecostal and Evangelical churches are assuming a higher profile. They speak loudly and seem to attract many people. Yet, they do appeal to dimensions – feelings, Bible, fellowship – which we should recover in our own methodology. The Church is now facing social and ecclesial changes and needs to answer to the wish of higher levels of co-operation between the clergy and the laity, transparency in the way the Church is led and more accountability by Church leaders.
Reading these signs of the time, we are called to answer to the challenges Kenya offer today. Urbanization trends do not tell us only how many people live in towns. These trends tell us also where the future of the country lies. In Kenya, the great decisions that will influence the future of the nation are taken in urban areas. It is here where the youth flock in search of work and a future. Urban areas are a challenge to us, a world in need of evangelization. Pastoralists are asking for a redistribution of land, a land so often illegally taken away from them. Poor farmers are also up against large land owners who can dictate production and market prices. The redistribution of national resources is a question of justice that the Church cannot ignore. There is also the need to help the nation journey towards reconciliation in various areas. We are also called to help the Church become more open to the action of the laity and to offer a real service to the country through its commitment at all levels of society.

3) OUR PRIORITY: to give greater emphasis to BEING missionaries to enhance our DOING mission

The main aim our province in the next six years will be to revamp our enthusiasm for the mission. The chapter identifies some difficulties that we are to be aware of: identity problems; a superficial spirituality and worldliness; a tendency to focus solely on one’s personal projects; we also run the risk to repeat out of habits patterns which are old and incapable to meet today’s challenges (Chapter Acts ‘03, 22)
Because of this situation we are called to give grater emphasis to being missionaries so that our way of doing mission is fostered; to develop a sense of belonging to the institute freeing ourselves from individualism; to grow in passion and mystical love for the mission; to cultivate mutual esteem and friendship; to mature in the ability to live cross-culturalism and to make use of the human and spiritual and missionary wealth of our elderly sick confreres. (CA ‘03, 52).
This personal and communitarian renewal will be achieved through a process of ongoing formation: this is what re-qualification of commitments essentially implies.

3.1 At personal level, to foster our passion for the mission means to be committed to our prayer, formative reading, spiritual direction and annual retreat, in short, to have an organized spiritual and human growth process.
3.2 “Life in common – the Chapter states – is already in itself the proclamation and translation of the Gospel that we announce, a bringing into being of the Kingdom (…) The energies and the time invested in the building up of an authentic community are not spent to the detriment of the mission, but in its service”. (CA ‘03, 84) The Province shall strive to form viable communities, i.e. communities with enough personnel to adequately work in a given field, and able to carry on the activities even in the event of an emergency. Forming viable communities means also to give quality time to our prayer life, ongoing formation, reflection and discernment. So doing mission will flow from new attitudes and deeper motivations. We shall also strive to build an attitude of collaboration with other pastoral agents. In the next months, we wish to rewrite our community charters.
3.3 At zone level the various zones will prepare zone charters which will be a step in the direction of building a unified ministry and presence in the zones, giving prominence to the pastoral priorities of the zone.
3.4 At provincial level we strive towards unity, communion and reconciliation in the Province. The Assembly will remain the main moment of growth. Yet, other moments of ongoing formation may be achieved in groups: under 40s, middle aged and elderly confreres which could tackle specific needs. Every two years the Province organizes an Introductory Course to Kenya mainly for the Comboni family.

The task of animating the confreres in this process of ongoing formation is the Provincial and his Council’s responsibility; it is also the duty of the Secretariats of the various Provincial secretariats, the zone coordinators and the superiors of the local communities.

We believe that the pastoral priorities of the previous Six Year Plan are still valid for us today:  1st Evangelization, Urban and slums ministry, Missionary Animation. However, other issues demand our attention: First formation and vocation Promotion, Justice and Peace, Institute of Social Ministry in Mission at Tangaza College.
Keeping in mind our priorities we also consider the situation of personnel in the Institute. The Chapter stresses that “in the course of next years the number of young confreres will probably decline. To increase personnel in some Provinces it will be necessary for others to have less” (CA 03, 133). This undoubtedly requires courageous but also painful decisions on the number of commitments we can reasonably carry out.

4) OUR COMMITMENTS

4.1 MINISTRY AMONG PASTORALISTS

We are committed to first evangelization, especially amongst pastoralist groups. We believe that this commitment is a mark of distinction of our Province. Our work can be effective only if there is an adequate knowledge of the local language and culture, and an availability to work with the local people. It is by inserting ourselves in the local culture that we will be able to empower the local community both at Church and society level. We believe that Inculturation, Dialogue, dedication to Reconciliation and the struggle for Justice and Peace are fundamental dimensions of 1st Evangelisation. We realize the value of avoiding building structures that the local Church would find hard to manage. We see the importance to revive zone life to give more opportunities for meeting and sharing our experiences. This needs to become a process of ongoing formation based on our reflection and evaluation of our activities.

Implementation
4.1.1. New confreres joining the province will be given time to learn English and Swahili, and at least one year to study the local language and culture.
4.1.2 We encourage the production of material for catechesis and evangelization in local languages, as well as liturgical adaptation. We also support publications of studies of local languages and cultures.
4.1.3 We will study the possibility to collaborate and share experiences with the Province of Uganda, particularly with our confréres working among the Karimojong people.
4.1.4 We will hand over the management of the boarding of the school in Kacheliba in dialogue with the Bishop, the sisters and local people. At the same time, we shall find ways to develop pastoral programs for the youth and maintain a presence in the schools.
4.1.5 In the next 6 years, we shall hand over one community per zone:
a. Marsabit: Sololo. We shall retain Marsabit Cathedral and the Pastoral Centre with a team working in it.
b. Turkana: Lokori.
c. West Pokot: In due time we shall hand over Kapenguria mission. Meanwhile this parish can be retained until elderly confrères will be in the position to run it. However once Kapenguria will be handed over we shall maintain our presence in the area: the manner of this presence has to be thoroughly studied. We shall also study the possibility to hand over Kacheliba and start a new commitment in West Pokot, while retaining Amakuriat.

4.2 URBAN AND SLUM MINISTRY

The phenomenon of urbanization in Kenya is a complex and challenging reality. In urban areas, a new culture is developing. It is here that many youth come looking for a future, and often clashing with a reality of poverty, lack of direction, need for human formation. We feel the importance of working in urban/slums areas to evangelize and support the life of the local Church. In urban areas we would like to work among the poorest, through inserted communities, but also engage in the cultural and social challenges the society poses.

Implementation
4.2.1 We shall hand over Ongata Rongai according to local demands and in dialogue with the Bishop of Ngong.
4.2.2 We believe Korogocho should become a parish: consequently Kariobangi is to be gradually handed over.
4.2.3 In this case, we shall see the possibility to have a new inserted community within another slum area.
4.2.4 We shall foster co-operation with associations and networks with which we share common targets in Church and social issues.

4.3 MISSION ANIMATION

One of our priorities has always been the mission animation of the Local Church. It is important for us to help the local Church to be aware of its missionary identity and call. In the coming years, we would like to see a growth in the cooperation with the New People Media Center and with other Missionary Institutes. We want to animate the Local Church on its duty towards first evangelization in Kenya.

Implementation
4.3.1. Each community will be an agent of promotion of our media and other productions. As youth ministry is an important part of our service, each community will find the more suitable ways to be involved in the schools and in youth organisations.
4.3.2 To improve collaborations and planning with the zones
4.3.3 To prepare a charter of Mission Animation
4.3.4 To have a team animated by one confrere in which the participation of a Comboni     Lay Missionary and Kenya Lay persons is encouraged.
4.3.5 The mission animation team will be moved from the present location in Lavington. Pending the approval of the BOG of NPMC, we will study the feasibility for the Mission Promotion team to form one community with the NPMC community.
4.3.6 The Provincial Superior will find ways to encourage local dioceses to share their personnel with other dioceses for first evangelisation.

4.4 VOCATION PROMOTION AND BASIC FORMATION

In line with the charism of Daniel Comboni, we promote the missionary vocations of young Kenyans who want to join the Institute. This requires a concerted effort between vocation promoter and formators. We need to discern properly the vocations of candidates to improve the quality of our formation. We also stress that each confrere, in his own way, is a vocation promoter and a formator. The desire to serve the Church as missionary usually springs from the personal witness of missionaries. We are aware that our way of working and relating with people is the first vocation promotion young people come in touch with.

Implementation
4.4.1 Personal and community level: Each community is invited to welcome our students in formation during their holidays. Keeping in mind that each confrere is a formator, each community will appoint one member to guide our students while in the community. This guidance will extend to pastoral service and spiritual life. The community will prepare a program for each student and will share with the formators on the spiritual journey and pastoral service of each student.
4.4.2 The vocation promoter will be working closely with the formator in the postulancy.
4.4.3 To prepare guidelines for vocation promotion and a formation charter.
4.4.4. To give to the vocation promoter and formators specific training
4.4.5 To have two formators in the postulancy
4.4.6 To study the feasibility, in dialogue with the Bishop of Ngong, to build a new postulancy in Ongata Rongai with the possibility to accommodate other confreres

4.5 COMBONI LAY MISSIONARIES

The Comboni Lay Missionaries are a new and important reality which has to be taken into consideration in the planning of our activities.

Implementation
4.5.1 Community level: According to local possibilities and demands and in agreement with the sending Provinces, collaboration with the CLM is to be increased.
4.5.2 Provincial level: The Provincial Council will work closely with the confrere in charge of CLM to study the possibility to start a local CLM programme. 
4.5.3 We are available to support the CLM initiative to create a pilot project as envisage in CA 03, 126.

4.6 JUSTICE, PEACE AND INTEGRITY OF CREATION

“Justice and Peace and integrity of creation are an integral part of the mission of the Church"(CA 03, 46), indeed it is a dimension of evangelization. In line with the Chapter decisions, we cooperate with diocesan J&P offices, and with other associations with similar aims.

Implementation

1. Personal and Community level: each confrere and community is to promote reconciliation and justice within the community first and then in areas marred by conflicts and divisions.
2. The Province will study the feasibility to have a full time person in charge of Justice and Peace

INTER-PROVINCIAL AND INSTITUTE COMMITMENTS

Our province is offering many specialized services to the Institute, both at inter-provincial and congregational levels.

1. NEW PEOPLE MEDIA CENTRE

The Centre has been established to have a presence in media for Mission Animation. Through its publications and digital media production, NPMC works to raise social awareness, explores issues of Justice and Peace, broaden the horizons of the local Church and promote vocations for mission. The centre is also playing an important role in the training of young media people.

Implementation

1. The personnel at the Centre will continue to be available to help parishes and dioceses for training in media. The Centre will also be available to help in the zones.
2. We envision a meaningful collaboration between the Centre and Mission Animation.
3. The Provincial Council will work closely with the BOG to foster the presence of a larger team at the Centre.

4.7.2 TANGAZA COLLEGE
We are among the founders of Tangaza College. With the years, we have been involved in this institution both with teachers and in creating the Institute of Social Ministry. We see in this college an opportunity to improve our service to the Church in Kenya and beyond.

Implementation

1. Confreres working in first evangelization and those involved in urban/slum ministry will work in mutual collaboration with the ISMM, to help elaborate our pastoral experience and formulate new pastoral proposals. We believe that the ISMM can become a source of pastoral reflection for us Comboni Missionaries working in Africa.
2. We shall explore the possibility to organize workshops and courses on mission issues. These workshops will be open to pastoral workers both in urban/slums ad pastoralist settings.
3. The teachers will avail themselves to co-operate with the confreres of the zones for ongoing formation activities.

1. BROTHERS’ CENTRE AND SCHOLASTICATE

Our Province is the seat of these two formation houses. The young confreres present in these communities are part of the life of our Province. We wish them to be welcomed in our communities. This requires our openness to welcome our younger confreres and share our experiences with them. We encourage our confreres to visit the houses of formation spending time with the Brothers and Scholastics.

Implementation

1. The Province will continue to organize and introductory course for Brothers and Scholastics. These are in turn encouraged to learn the social and ecclesial realities of Kenya and –when possible – to have a working knowledge of Swahili.
2. We shall invite confreres in formation to make use of our work in their research and thesis, and pastoral experiences.
3. The formators will be invited to actively participate in the life of the zone.

1. SHARING OF GOODS

Since the goods we use are a means of our missionary commitments, we believe that “economics is an important sector in human and missionary life”, but also that “in a world dominated by neo-liberalism, economics is one of the sectors of life that is least evangelized” (CA 03, 101).
We want to grow in the sharing of our resources for the mission and in our sense of accountability and responsibility.

Implementation

At personal level

1. To make proper use of goods used for apostolate and of every community property. To have a simple life style.
2. To give reliable account of all money used

At community level

1. To pool together all income in one account that is managed in common agreement under the leadership of the superior.
2. To take care of the needs of the poor following community discernment, avoiding paternalism and meaningless donations, while promoting self-reliance of the people.

At zone level

1. In case of need we commit ourselves to mutual support within the zone/province

To prepare a feasibility study on how to implement a zone common fund in view of starting the Provincial common fund

At provincial level

• To keep a sharing fund which is fed by 15% of all offerings, benefits from the procure and any other donation.
• The Secretariat of Finances will animate and help the communities with book-keeping, transparency and co-responsibility.
• The Provincial Council shall look for a person to be trained to become the Provincial Bursar, and a second person to be trained to help the P.B.
• The PC will see how best to implement the rule regarding the superavit (Kenya Provincial Directory no. 92).