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Community empowerment at the Worcester Jamhuri day celebrations

A section of guests during the 48th Jamhuri Day celebrations in Worcester, MA

By Ajabu Africa, posted December 16, 2011

WORCESTER, Mass.,_Powerful messages of community empowerment came in plenty at the Kenya’s Jamhuri day celebrations in Worcester last Sunday afternoon from several guest speakers.

Guests from religious leaders to community leaders and immigration each spoke passionately about the power of Kenyans working together and seeking help.

Father Kariuki of the Nashua New Hampshire Catholic parish spoke about the Kenyan sacrifices towards the church leaders. He said that many Kenyans in New England have stagnated economically while some religious leaders in the community continue to demand more.

“You work so hard and sleep for five hours while we pastors sleep for ten hours,” he said. “If you don’t sleep for at least eight hours, experts say that you will have problems in the old age.”

He also said that there are often times when some religious leaders have mismanaged the funds contributed in church for personal gains while colleagues turn a blind eye.

Kariuki said that many people in the Kenyan community continue to exploit each other during funeral fund raisings.

“Some people raise more money depending on how close they are to certain pastors,” he said. “Other people get very little.”

The cleric supported calls for the proposed burial fund in the Kenyan community that would ensure a fair cover of funeral and burial expenses.

“People need to come together and help change these things”, said the pastor.

He asked Kenyans to protect their marriages by tolerating each other when things get difficult so as to build a stronger community.

"Divorcing from your spouse is not the solution as you will not likely find a better spouse than the one you have right now. Tolerate each other," he advised.

Randy Feldman, an immigration attorney based in Worcester, said that Kenyans need to seek professional advice because the immigration law under President Barack Obama has changed tremendously in favor of most immigrants with no criminal records.

"Have courage" , says Father Kariuki

�� “No one should live in fear anymore,” said Feldman. “Now it is difficult to be deported under the new Massachusetts law and particularly Worcester. You need to seek professional advice and avoid relying on paralegals that may misinterpret the law and lead you down the wrong path.”

He encouraged those in need of legal advice to contact his office for updated information on specific cases.

Professor Fr.Nicholas Mbogo, from the St. Joseph’s Catholic Society in Grosvenordale, Connecticut (near Webster, MA) said that every Kenyan needs to know that according to the United Nations declarations of human rights of 1949 , they have their basic human rights to be in any foreign country at any time.

“However, you have to have to respect the local laws of any country you immigrate to as you wait to harmonize your status. That way you will not have problems,” said Prof. Mbogo.

Dr. Melinda Boone, the superintendent of schools in Worcester County, spoke about Kenyan parents supporting their children in school.

She asked them to continue to provide support to make sure that their children attended a four-year college.

Peter Mwaniki, an interim official for the New England Kenyan Association, told Kenyans to set aside money towards funeral expenses. He said that the time has come for all Kenyans in the region to come together to form a benevolent fund aimed at solving their most pressing social problem.

“We want to start the New Year with new things and put this problem behind us,” said Mwaniki.

He thanked the Worcester catholic community for partnering with NEKA to host the 48th Jamhuri day celebrations and hoped that the same cooperation would continue for the benefit of the Kenyan community.

Others who addressed the event included Monsignor Francis Scolen, the pastor of the St. Peters Catholic Parish in Worcester.

He noted that the Kenyan community is a hard working community and that it has always helped whenever called upon.

Chris Bihiga, a refugee from Rwanda who grew up in Kenya, thanked Kenyans for the opportunity they gave him to get a good education.

Bihiga, who is the Chairman of the African Catholic Community in Worcester, asked all parents to ensure that their children graduated with at least a college degree if they aspired for a better life.

The event was attended by more than 300 adults and dozens of children who enjoyed everything from traditional dance to food and to the inspirational speeches.

“This was a very exciting Jamhuri day,” said Dan Kiio , speaking to AjabuAfrica.com. “There were so many people and important information provided that we did not know especially the immigration rights and the benevolent fund.”

“It was a very fantastic Jamhuri day,” said Irene Kangi carrying her four-year old daughter waving a Kenyan mini flag in one hand, and an American flag in the other hand. “We had a very good time and the children are very happy. I am looking forward to the next one.” ��

The Worcester catholic community has held Jamhuri day celebrations for the past five years. This year however, the catholic community hosted the event together with the New England Kenyan Association (NEKA), in recognition of what the organization is doing to unite Kenyans of different backgrounds.
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Edited by Jeff Kanani, AjabuAfrica.com

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