Fire rages down the manager’s house

By Soila Munyaka

A manager’s house was burned to the ground in the early morning of 3^rd of August, at the MRTC, in Isinya.

The fire, which started at 2:00am, is said to have started after an exercise to smoke out a swarm of bees on Tuesday evening, leaving a piece of burning wood unattended which later ignited the fire.

No injuries were reported although none of the few items in the house could be salvaged from the house. The County’s firefighters arrived at the scene at around 5:00am and there was nothing much they could do.

Ronny Briggs, the manager at the MRTC was set to move to the house on Saturday 6^th after completion of renovation process. That has unfortunately changed because a new house will have to be constructed a fresh.

Tap! Tap! Tap! What is that on the roof?

By Soila Munyaka

There has been a prolonged shortage of water in Isinya, and this problem is going to be around for a long time, since the only source is from some few shallow wells and private boreholes.

This has forced the residents to dig deep into their pockets so as to access this very fundamental and scarce commodity; and with the inflation rates hitting the ceilings, it can only get harder.

The underground tank at St. Patrick's church compound

Following the announcement by the weather man about the coming of El-Niño rains, in late last year, the ACK St. Patrick’s church constructed an underground tank with a capacity of 205 cm³ for harvesting rain water, which to many was a looming disaster at the time. 

The water from the tank will be used in an income generating activity of organic farming using greenhouse technology. 

In future, similar underground tanks shall be constructed to harvest rain water from all the buildings in the compound; as a long-term plan. This will create job opportunities for the youth as this can be a water purification and bottling enterprise.

Most water sources in Isinya provide hard water, and so the water collected from the seasonal precipitation will provide the much precious soft water; with just a little purification, there will be pure drinking water available to the community. As the saying goes, water is life.

ALIN Partners With the Church

By Soila Munyaka

Following a partnership between ALIN and the ACK Diocese of Kajiado, in mid last year, Isinya Maarifa Centre has since been moved to St. Patrick’s church compound.

 

Diocesan Bishop, Rt. Rev. Gaddiel Lenini cuts a ribbon to the containers that house the library and the computer room

More people are going to benefit since it is more accessible compared to its former premises at the MRTC. The church is also planning to establish an all-round Educational Centre, and this move is quite convenient.

 

Computer room

The services that were being offered for free at the Maarifa Centre are now being offered at a low fee. They include library and internet services, and also computer services including training.

The library

The future is quite bright for the residents of Isinya, with formation of linkages to create a fully-fledged information Centre. Plans are underway to bring more partners on board, who include the Kenya Library Services, Practical Action and some Government Ministries; to provide the necessary information materials for the community.

All these activities seek to have an empowered community of Isinya and beyond, because information is power.

Christians usher in the Lent season

By Soila Munyaka

Ash Wednesday marks the first day of the Lenten season, which is the 40-day period of fasting, introspection, confession and penance for many Christians.

It is one of the most popular, important and holy days in the liturgical calendar. It signals the approach of Easter, the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Ash from palm branches

During this season, Christians are expected to shun from sin, skip meals and also fast from hobbies like social media, football and other forms of entertainment. They are also expected to appreciate people in their lives, help the disadvantaged in the society, and visit the sick among many other good deeds.

Ash Wednesday derives its name from the practice of blessing ashes made from palm branches blessed on the previous year’s Palm Sunday, and placing them on foreheads of participants.

During the service

The day is observed by Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians and Roman

Catholics.

Best wishes to Christians throughout the world during this holy season.