Kenyans in New England Prepare for a Weekend of Celebration 

By Harrison Maina
Lowell, Mass., April 15, 2009 - Hundreds of Kenyans in New England area will this Sunday , April 19, 2009, throng Saint Stephen’s Church in Lowell, Mass ., to attend a special Easter service.

“We are inviting Kenyans and friends from all walks of life, tribes, races and other affiliations to come give thanks to God, pray for President Barack Obama, America and Kenya while enjoying great traditional foods,” said Bishop David Karaya of Christian Community Church, one of the participating churches.

The event is organized by Kenya Pastors Fellowship in America under the chairmanship of Bishop Karaya and will be hosted by Rev. Samuel Kimohu of St. Stephen’s Church. It is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. and is expected to last for several hours.

The celebration will feature prayers, music from various gospel artists and an array of Kenyan dishes. It is expected to draw a large number of Kenyans from Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut and other neighboring states.

Two American farmers have donated a bull, a goat and 15 chickens, which will be added to a variety of mouthwatering Kenyan traditional foods to be served at the event.

Manny Moreira of Manny’s dairy, Lancaster, Mass., donated a bull and 15 chickens, whereas Dennis Oliveira of Oliveira Piggery, Tewksbury, Mass., gave a goat for the occasion.

The duo has sold goats and fresh farm produce to Kenyans in New England for more than a decade.  

Moreira vowed to donate the animal and poultry last year if Senator Barack Obama won the presidential elections, a promise he honored this week.

 “I promised to give a bull and chicken so that Kenyans can get together and celebrate if Obama wins,” he said. “Now I am keeping my word, and I will be there on Sunday with my wife, Maria.”

A group of Kenyan men and women with vast culinary skills will prepare the foods.

The Easter celebration will provide a much-needed respite for the Kenyan community, which is still reeling from four deaths of Kenyans in Massachusetts in two months.

“People from everywhere should show up in big numbers even during these tough times,” said Abdi Lidode, owner of Beverly Schools of Kenya Project.

“It is very encouraging that Kenyans of different tribes are now coming together and trying to face major challenges in our community as Kenyans.”

Lidode said the festival provides a rare opportunity for Kenyans to come together and brainstorm on different ideas. He plans to attend the event despite living 60 miles away.

“This Easter festival is a great opportunity because we can come together as members of one nation in the Diaspora, share ideas- big or small- and find a way of moving on,” he said.

Other Top Ajabu News
Invest in Real Estate Now
Relationships: Once Bitten Twice Shy
Mungatana’s Exit, Narc-Kenya’s Strategy for 2012
History:Did you Know ?
Man Gets Seven Years for Sexual Acts with a cow
n Obama, African Leaders Should Learn

Return to Home Page