“You know, Sister, we grew up in a village where every adult felt responsible for the education of each child. Here in Nairobi, instead, the extended family does not exist; we are alone in caring for the growth of our children and, at times, we do not know what to do nor to whom to ask for help.” These words, which were spoken to me by a father of a student of the school Urafiki Carovana, where I teach in Nairobi, made me think. Nairobi is a city that is different from the idea that one commonly has about Africa: it is a reality in continual expansion, a crossroads of different ethnic groups. Life is more fast-paced with respect to the villages and, above all, social interactions are completely different. The parents of my students are part of a generation that is passing through a period of great changes. The majority of them studied, have criticisms of the rigid and at times violent way in which they were educated, and they desire to have a closer relationship with their children. At the same time, they struggle to find a model to follow. In a word, the question about educating children is one that, as teachers, we often hear posed.
This gave rise to the idea of organizing courses for parents, with the aim of covering certain topics that might help them on this fascinating and delicate journey. We started with topics suggested by the parents themselves (such as communicating with their children, dealing with technology, sexuality, and growing up). We contacted some people who could help us, and that’s how the parenting courses came about. The meeting begins with a prayer together, followed by a brief introduction and then the speaker addresses a topic. Among the most recent speakers are some parents who, having heard about the project, wanted to make themselves available. This is followed by my favorite part: the parents are divided into groups and discuss a question we have prepared. They get involved in the work, sharing their life experiences related to their children and families. At this point, everything that has emerged is presented to everyone; it is always a valuable opportunity to learn from one another. It is very beautiful to see their happy faces, reassured by the fact that someone else is experiencing the same difficulties, that they are not alone, that it is possible to share life and walk together.
When I think about our mission here in Nairobi, I see that the schools, the parish, the hospital, and all the places where we work are called to become a single village where relationships are revived and people accompany each other in life. For me, it is a source of gratitude to discover on the other side of the world, in people who come from a history and culture completely different from mine, companions on the journey who share my same desire to educate and from whom I continue to learn.
