2009 Children’s Easter Convention

On Saturday April 11, Children from Koinonia’s various Koinonia rehabilitation homes celebrated Easter together at the Nairobi Arboretum, a quiet oasis of nature right at the heart of metropolitan Nairobi.

The children from Kivuli, Ndugu Mdogo, Anita and Tone La Maji received spiritual nourishment, shared lunch on the grass together, entertained themselves and generally enjoyed each other’s company.

The day was a combination of fun, celebration, and spiritual formation. It began with a couple of bible readings and prayers guided by Fr Simplicio Marufu, who then delivered a short homily and invited the children to spend a quiet, personal moment of reflection. As the children searched their souls, the humble Zimbabwean priest retreated to the foot of a great Brazilian Silk Floss tree, where those in need of penance followed him.

The tranquillity of the Nairobi arboretum, with its green open spaces, lush picnic sites and jogging trails, brought out an air of excitement in most of the children. Social workers from the centres had carried a packed lunch comprising of bread, eggs, mandazi, milk and soda, with bananas for desert - which they gladly gobbled as the birds chirped away in the tall green trees above.

Entertainment came after lunch. Spirited songs were performed, but the boys from Tone La Maji were the toast of the day. They presented a short hilarious comedy that sent everyone to stitches. However, their subject matter was no laughing matter; the play was a humorous look at the divisions that had afflicted Kenyans after the deadly post election violence that engulfed the country in 2008. Over a thousand people were killed, and the boys’ message - though hidden under a heavy blanket of humour - was simple: that Kenyans should make a decision to reconcile, just as Jesus reconciled man with God through His death and resurrection.