Religion has never been a big part of my life. My mother is Jewish and my father is Catholic so growing up we celebrated Hanukah and Christmas, Easter and Passover etc etc. However, these celebrations were always lighthearted and based more on family and less on religion. I have probably attended church 3 times in 23 years and temple only for the occasional bar/bat mitzvah. So to say the least my exposure to organized religion has been quite limited. In coming to Kenya I was aware that Christianity in particular was a big part of many people’s lives here. In fact about 70% of Kenyans subscribe to some sect of Christianity. Therefore I was open and ready to observe how this was benefiting the lives of people in Nairobi.
During my second week in Kenya I was able to be part of two separate events that demonstrated the positive affect religion was having on people here. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday I visited the Daily Vacation Bible School (DVBS) in Kibera and on Sunday I attended service at the Nairobi Chapel with my friend and coworker, Kajani. While the purely religious aspects of these two experiences made me a little uncomfortable I could not deny some of the positivity that was being communicated to the audience.
DVBS is a program that was held in Kibera this week for youth ages 3 to 15. From nine to one each day the program held activities for Kibera kids while they are on holiday from school. In the morning the kids had worship and songs, followed by smaller bible study groups, games, tea time and craft hour. The Zana field officers and I organized and facilitated the games (which were a huge success I must say) and included sack races, jump rope, football and some games in Swahili that the kids were clearly better at then me. My Swahili is kidogo and is going very pole pole. It was clear during games especially what a wonderful program DVBS is- there were only smiling faces and laughter. It gave the youth in Kibera a week of activities during their school holiday that allowed them to interact with their peers. Even the sermons provided positive messages that included but were not limited to respecting your parents, staying in school, avoiding drugs and approaching sex safely.
The weekend after DVBS I was invited to attend church with my coworker, Kajani, at Nairobi Chapel in Jamhuri. I have to admit that the service was a little longer than what I am used to but it was beautiful. The gospel songs were truly a treat to listen to and attempt to participate in. I also appreciated the sermon which seemed to be more of a conversation with the congregation rather than a preachy lecture. There was no pressure by the pastor or the worshipers to convert to certain beliefs or any message of damnation if you had not accepted Jesus Christ as your savior. I felt more comfortable than I expected to. However more special to me than the service itself, was the conversation I was able to have with Kajani after it concluded. I asked him what his primary reason for attending Nairobi Chapel was and he told me that it was important to him for “spiritual growth.” Going to church makes him feel part of a special community that shares his belief an enables him in turn to be a better person. Kajani told me that he felt that if it were not for this community he would not be where he is today. And his position today is wonderful. Not only is he a field officer at ZanaAfrica, serving Kibera youth every day, but he is also working on his career as an electrician. Not to mention the kindness and support he offers to every person that crosses his path- traits that he made apparent to me on our first meeting.
While I wouldn’t say that I have been converted, I have opened up my mind to the beautiful things that can be imparted to people by participating in religious activities. The messages that I was subject to were positive and gave people common ground, to believe in something together. Hope is important in any situation but becomes especially significant in difficult times. What do you do to keep hope alive in your own life?
