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Journey with Kenya

Sr. Sheila Kinsey, FCJM, has a discussion with Br. Benard Isanda, CMM, about his incredible work in Kenya developing an organic farming project that is helping communities and the youth of Kenya, as well as offering training in the prinicples of noviolence.

Part 1.

This video is an interview with Brother Benard Isanda, CMM, who coordinates a program in Kenya that integrates sustainable agriculture and job skills with the values of active nonviolence. The initiative aims to combat the interconnected issues of poverty, violence, and Kenya's high youth unemployment rate. Brother Bernard's team has trained 40 facilitators and reached nearly 30,000 people in schools and settlements. The program’s impact has been profound:

  • Students have adopted principles like respect, leading to a reduction in gossip. They’ve also learned to address family violence, apologize to parents, and seek counseling for serious issues, including abuse. The lessons inspired them to take responsibility by planting trees and caring for animals.
  • Communities have mobilized to expand the training and engage in sustainable organic farming. This effort directly addresses food insecurity and unemployment while generating necessary income.

Brother Bernard has successfully replicated this model in South Africa, providing workshops on gender-based violence and offering vocational training to 250 youths in skills like carpentry and organic farming. As a result, 146 young people have been employed in large-scale organic farming projects, helping to improve their livelihoods.

Part 2.

This is the second clip from the interview with Br. Benard Isanda, CMM, where he and Sr. Sheila Kinsey, FCJM, discuss the success of the youth program's practical initiatives, specifically a system for keeping chickens as part of the organic farming program.

The project's high success rate (approximately 80-85%) is attributed to teaching the participants project management. The core strategy was to start small, ensuring the project matched the available environment and resources.

A key aspect is risk management: the chickens are kept in an enclosed compound so they can roam without damaging neighbors' crops, and the system is easy for busy young people to manage. While the area's dense population minimizes predators, cleanliness and proper management are vital for health. The youth are trained to identify sick chickens, isolate them, and immediately contact veterinary services.

The overall message is that success is built on teaching problem-solving, responsibility, and accountability. This thoughtful, manageable approach earns the community's trust and ensures the sustainability of the projects.

Part 3.

This is the third video from the interview with Brother Benard Isanda, CMM, where he discusses the foundational source of his passion and missionary work.

His commitment to transforming livelihoods began with his experiences witnessing poverty in rural areas as a Marion Hill Missionary. To make his mission more effective, he pursued training in key areas, including Project Management, Community Development, and Human Resource Management. These skills have made him a valuable asset to both his religious congregation and the wider community, allowing him to successfully run development programs across different countries.

Br. Bernard emphasizes that his work is a fulfillment of his congregation's motto: "Better fields, better homes, and better hearts". He strives for holistic development by helping people identify and build upon their existing assets. He expresses deep passion and a "fire within" him that comes from achieving these goals, which aligns with his faith and the Church's teachings on the development of peoples.

Part 4.

The fourth segment of the interview with Brother Benard Isanda, CMM, focuses on his holistic, competence-based approach to combating youth unemployment in Africa. He argues that the solution lies in labor-intensive projects that tap into the "gift of the hands" for the majority of young people, including school dropouts, who lack formal certifications.
The program's structure is highly effective:

  • Market-Driven Skills: Training is based on local business needs to ensure immediate demand for graduates.
  • Individualized Placement: Learners are observed and moved between trades (like farming or carpentry) until they excel—a key element of the competence-based model.
  • Job Readiness: Graduates receive certificates, are placed in local businesses for work experience, and often get hired immediately. They also gain experience by performing real repair work for institutions, earning a stipend.

Crucially, the program includes training on nonviolence, discipline, and morals. Brother Bernard emphasizes that these elements of holistic development are what ultimately keep a person in a job, not just the technical certificate. He concludes by advocating for the expansion of this successful model through strong partnership.

 

If you're interested in more information about Br. Benard's project, please fill out the form on our Contact page. LINK

 

 

 

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Date updated: 01/05/2026