Parents day

Today, august 22nd is an important day. The first seminar on parenting skills. Rehabilitation is only done with the boys, but the problems often originate from the situation at home. The officials from Kenya are enthusiastic about our approach and will come over from Nairobi to open the seminar.

Parents and other familiy members of the boys are tracked down en will visit OGBC for the seminar today.

The boys all participated in the preparations by building the tents. The boys and staff all got a t-shirt with the seminars theme: “Sio rahisi lakini twaweza” in Kiswahili or in English "It's not easy, but we can".

Below you can find a report on the day in Instagram messages

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Part 1 On 22nd August 2020, at Onesimus Good News Boys Centre we had a milestone. It was a day of joy, celebration, and tears as children and their parents met for reconnection and reconciliation. The theme of the meeting was in Kiswahili “Sio rahisi lakini twaweza” (It is not easy, but we are able). The children and parents were given an opportunity to forgive each other and reconcile and agree to move on. There was a special session for parents and children to identify the problem that made them part ways, ask for forgiveness, and make an agreement on how to start the reconciliation process. The focus was on forgiveness. The process of reconciliation started immediately in small groups where one-on-one dialogues took place in the presence of a mentor or counselor. The Project Director, Joseph Matheka started and led the process. This was the first time in our intervention program, after working for 14 years, where we were able to bring so many parents in one place and have them together with their children. We had 35 parents who were privileged to meet other parents facing the same problem. The program has children. We experienced God's presence and strengthening as we watched in amazement as parents and their children sat in different groups talking with each without strife. There were peace and healing. Several parents and children cried together. Parents and children sought forgiveness from each other, and some prayed together. It was also tearful for several children whose parents did not come. It was amazing to see God move in different groups. Many children raised their hands and said they had forgiven their parents. #s2skidshomes #onesimusboys #rehabilitation #forgiveness #reconciliation

A post shared by Shoulder 2 Shoulder Kenya (@shoulder2shoulder_kenya) on Aug 24, 2020 at 4:04am PDT

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Part 2 The occasion was graced by government officers, the Kilifi and Mombasa Children's County Coordinators, and local leaders. There were two special guests from the government department sponsoring the program, the Street Family Rehabilitation Trust Fund (SFRTF). The Chief Guest of honor was Hon. Linah Jebii Kilimo the chair, Board of Trustees SFRTF, and an Assistant Minister for Agriculture. She was assisted by Ms. Caroline Towett, the CEO of SFRTF. The Chair said they were very happy about the good work the program is doing and would be happy to continue the partnership. They commended the new model of shifting the focus from an only child, to focus on both child and parents. It is a very important part of preparing children for long-term reintegration. #s2skidshomes #onesimusboys #rehabilitation #streetrehabilitationtrustfund #thankyou #asante

A post shared by Shoulder 2 Shoulder Kenya (@shoulder2shoulder_kenya) on Aug 24, 2020 at 4:06am PDT