The Augustinian Friars in Britain

Our Hearts are Restless until they Rest in You, Lord

Youth Group Walk to Help Augustinian Parish in Kisumu, Kenya

On Saturday 16 February, St Augustine's Youth Group led members of the parish on a sponsored walk along the river from Hammersmith to Putney. The aim was to raise money for St Monica's parish in Kisumu, Kenya, which suffered the effects of the fighting earlier this year. Fr Jacob Ariek OSA, the parish priest of St Monica's, was in Hammersmith for a few weeks last summer and e-mailed the youth group to tell us that many people's houses had been burned down or destroyed and lots of people had fled the area. St Augustine's Youth Group had already been in contact with youngsters in Kisumu through Fr Jacob before Christmas. In an attempt to get to know young people in another Augustinian parish and learn about their way of life, they had sent photos and written about themselves and their life in London. They even made a video of Hammersmith by night!

 

After news that fighting had broken out over new year, the teenagers decided to do a sponsored walk and got the parish involved. The huge response from parishioners meant that over £2000 was raised. Some of this included money from a raffle of 2 tickets to a Chelsea match that someone had generously donated . Also, young adults in the parish volunteered to undertake collections at a few of the tube stations on London Underground which also helped boost funds.

 

Fr Jacob Ariek has said that people are returning to the parish now, although the reconstruction will take some time, and people are still suffering the trauma from the shocking events. It was encouraging to hear that the young people of St Monica's Parish in Kisumu are helping other parishioners to rebuild their houses. In their own way, the youth group and the parishioners of St Augustine's have also able to lend a hand in the reconstruction.