DRUGS AWARENESS CAMPAIGN(D.A.C.A.)KENYA - AUGUST 2007.
http://www.peacemakers-international.com/articlelive/articles/9/1/DRUGS-AWARENESS-CAMPAIGNDACAKENYA---AUGUST-2007/Page1.html
Len Little
Retired Police Officer, Len has devoted a great deal of his time to teaching young people about the dangers related to drug abuse. His experience within the Police service has meant that he has dealt firsthand with the horrors to drug adiction and he continues to work with both teachers and parents to raise awareness. By Len Little
Published on 10/1/2007
Madame Grace, Len, Patrick with Charles, one of the original four.
Between 31st and 15th August 2007, Len Little of Peacemakers revisited the youth project known as D.A.C.A. for the fourth time. The project had initially been set up in April 2004, with the assistance of our two main Kenyan co-ordinators, Pastor Patrick Kavungura and Madame Grace Kauma, Principal of Plainsview Academy, Runyenjes. Madame Grace had introduced Len to four young men with drugs and alcohol related problems. This group has now evolved into a project that encompasses some 1,000 plus young men and women who have formed themselves into groups, under the banner of Peacemakers - D.A.C.A. Leaving substance misuse behind, they work together in micro-enterprises, training skills courses and apprenticeships etc and are able to build their self-esteem and self-worth. By finding employment, they are, in many cases, able to obtain financial independence and are able to provide for their families. They have changed their lives, with the support of the Peacemakers team. This spirit in action is amazing for us to witness in our Kenyan brothers and sisters. Their drive and recovery, with a small amount of resourcing, is incredible to see.
This year, we were accompanied by five young people from the U.K. They worked for eighteen days on two training courses. One for P.E. in schools, which included 103 Kenyan teachers on a week-long residential course at a local High School, and a second for Youth Sports Leaders. The ages of our young Brits were between 17 and 20 years.
Len Little held a number of Drugs Awareness Seminars with these groups and additionally, with the permisswion of the D.A.C.A clients, some of the young people were able to sit-in on counselling sessions which offered diversionary procedures for the Kenyan youths trying to stop their drug misuse. We have many experiences and stories over the last three years, but one in particular which moved our young people, was the story of Dennis. Today, he is five months into a year-long apprenticeship as a tailor at a shop in Runyenjes town. His history was outlined to Len and our young visitors. Len has heard it many times, but nonetheless, shocking to hear his testimony. At ten years old, he was working the streets and schools as a drugs dealer, to support himself and elderly grandparents who had no income. Apart from his own transformation in the last two years, he encourages other young Kenyans to join D.A.C.A., and change the direction of their lives. He is a role model for the changes and achievements that can be reached. A truly awe-inspiring young man - he gives us all encouragement.
AApart from visiting and counselling our D.A.C.A. group Len and Grace visited Nanyuki Hospital (located on the other side of Mount Kenya from Runyenjes and Embu) to arrange a week-long residential course in HIV/AIDS Education. This course will be for Patrick, Grace and ten other members of D.A.C.A. They will then become peer group educators. Amazing to think that some of these members, former drug abusers, will learn the skills to educate their own communities and so benefit many. How far they have come on their journey!
Without the support of donors in the U.K., none of this could have been paid for by Peacemakers-International. We need your support financially, no matter how small. (Please see other web-site links regarding provision of footballs and net-balls for schools, seeds etc.)
We are ever mindful of the fact that we are responsible for the delivery of every penny to where the need is greatest and where the benefit is life changing for our Kenyan brothers and sisters. Our reward is clearly stated in the Bible - Matthew 5 v.9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God".
Update of work of DACA-PEACEMAKERS- INTERNATIONAL
Established initially April 2004 with the interviewing of four young Kenyan men
with regard to their misuse of drugs and alcohol in the towns of Runyenjes and Embu, Kenya.
Madame Grace, Len, Patrick with Charles, one of the original four.
DRUGS AWARENESS CAMPAIGN (D.A.C.A.) KENYA - 2007.
Madame Grace, Len, Patrick with Charles, one of the original four.
Between 31st and 15th August 2007, Len Little of Peacemakers revisited the youth project known as D.A.C.A. for the fourth time. The project had initially been set up in April 2004, with the assistance of our two main Kenyan co-ordinators, Pastor Patrick Kavungura and Madame Grace Kauma, Principal of Plainsview Academy, Runyenjes. Madame Grace had introduced Len to four young men with drugs and alcohol related problems. This group has now evolved into a project that encompasses some 1,000 plus young men and women who have formed themselves into groups, under the banner of Peacemakers - D.A.C.A. Leaving substance misuse behind, they work together in micro-enterprises, training skills courses and apprenticeships etc and are able to build their self-esteem and self-worth. By finding employment, they are, in many cases, able to obtain financial independence and are able to provide for their families. They have changed their lives, with the support of the Peacemakers team. This spirit in action is amazing for us to witness in our Kenyan brothers and sisters. Their drive and recovery, with a small amount of resourcing, is incredible to see.
This year, we were accompanied by five young people from the U.K. They worked for eighteen days on two training courses. One for P.E. in schools, which included 103 Kenyan teachers on a week-long residential course at a local High School, and a second for Youth Sports Leaders. The ages of our young Brits were between 17 and 20 years.
Len Little held a number of Drugs Awareness Seminars with these groups and additionally, with the permisswion of the D.A.C.A clients, some of the young people were able to sit-in on counselling sessions which offered diversionary procedures for the Kenyan youths trying to stop their drug misuse. We have many experiences and stories over the last three years, but one in particular which moved our young people, was the story of Dennis. Today, he is five months into a year-long apprenticeship as a tailor at a shop in Runyenjes town. His history was outlined to Len and our young visitors. Len has heard it many times, but nonetheless, shocking to hear his testimony. At ten years old, he was working the streets and schools as a drugs dealer, to support himself and elderly grandparents who had no income. Apart from his own transformation in the last two years, he encourages other young Kenyans to join D.A.C.A., and change the direction of their lives. He is a role model for the changes and achievements that can be reached. A truly awe-inspiring young man - he gives us all encouragement.
AApart from visiting and counselling our D.A.C.A. group Len and Grace visited Nanyuki Hospital (located on the other side of Mount Kenya from Runyenjes and Embu) to arrange a week-long residential course in HIV/AIDS Education. This course will be for Patrick, Grace and ten other members of D.A.C.A. They will then become peer group educators. Amazing to think that some of these members, former drug abusers, will learn the skills to educate their own communities and so benefit many. How far they have come on their journey!
Without the support of donors in the U.K., none of this could have been paid for by Peacemakers-International. We need your support financially, no matter how small. (Please see other web-site links regarding provision of footballs and net-balls for schools, seeds etc.)
We are ever mindful of the fact that we are responsible for the delivery of every penny to where the need is greatest and where the benefit is life changing for our Kenyan brothers and sisters. Our reward is clearly stated in the Bible - Matthew 5 v.9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God".