It has been an amazing time for the malaika mums as our vistors has been with us for two weeks. It was good to see old friends and also to make new friends who came with the team.
The climax of this teams visit was the seminars that malaika mums attended with other 50 women. In a patriachal culture that has little or no place for women, this seminar meant everthing for these women. They learned about boundaries, communicating with their spouses and how to relate and talk to their kids on sexuality and other sensitive issues that affect them every day. The seminar also covered an important training on health and nutrition and how to use the available resources and foods to provide the healthy bodies. The conference room was full of energy with women getting the sense empowerment and hope of freedom. It was a great time together.
During the seminar the women experienced art therapy for the first time. They learned about colors and how to communicate feelings using colors. It was sad to see some with their life sorrounded by red signifying danger while others painted black as a sign of hopelessness in life. They were in tears while told to share their stories.
Finaly the all the women went to the mural wall and practice what they hd learned. To express their feelings through art and it was so powerful to see all of them scrambling for paint brushes to paticipate in the gratest mural they have ever seen. Thanks to Kaitlin and her sister Leah for coming for the first time in Kenya to help all of us experience the joy of art.
At the end of the day, it was very evident that people need the information and knowledge to be given to them so that they can exercise the freedom that belongs to them.
Will keep you updated as more continues to unfold.
By Liz Josiah
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