PCEA Pwani Presbytery 'WHEAT' Project
The Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) has long had a history of involvement in outreach through rural development.
PCEA Pwani Presbytery, which is located in SE Kenya and centred on Mombasa, holds to the belief that this form of ministry brings a lasting impact on communities; not only bringing the Light of the Gospel to people, but in lifting them out of poverty; giving hope to many, both now and for eternity.
Derek and Linda Roulston and family moved to this Presbytery in 2002, to establish a new project in an area called Galana and, to date, most of their work has been with that community.
In 2008, the Pwani Presbytery undertook a comprehensive review of the work of the Galana Community Development Project, as it was known at the time. In evaluating the work and considering its future, the working committee was encouraged to consider widening the vision for outreach and development, taking in other communities beyond the immediate Galana area.
This led to the formation of WHEAT, which stands for:
- Working to improve
- Health
- Education
- Agriculture &
- The environment
In the seven years they've been in Galana, Derek and Linda, who are supported by a dedicated working committee, have seen enormous changes in the community there.
This community were once renowned for being valiant elephant hunters and, since time began, they coexisted with the wildlife within the general area of what is now the Tsavo National Park. However, when the area was designated a National Park in 1948, the community were forced off their ancestral lands and banned from hunting. Having no other skills besides hunting, they quickly became marginalised, desperate, and poor.
Thanks to the efforts of PCEA over the past seven years, this community has once more found a sense of purpose, with real hope for the future and many reasons to celebrate!
The recent completion of a footbridge, is now providing the local community with a safe and quick way of getting across the crocodile-infested Galana River. Something they appreciate so much, following numerous crocodile and hippo attacks in recent years.
Agriculture
In 2002, PCEA in conjunction with Kenya's Ministry of Agriculture started a four-year teaching programme to instruct the community in sustainable farming techniques and to give assistance in marketing these crops.
Their efforts have been extremely successful with the community prospering as a result.
The irrigation has been so successful that fourteen new schemes have been installed, which has brought into production 130 acres of land. This will enable a large amount and varied selection of produce to be grown all year round, providing food and creating employment in the area.
Education
The people of Ireland have provided funding to build a much-needed primary school and health clinic, which were both completed in 2005.
There are now almost 400 students attending the school with 13 teachers committed to raising the education standards.
Health
The health clinic not only seeks to treat the sick but is also involved in HIV/AIDS education and awareness, as well as running vaccination programmes for babies and young children.
A delivery bed introduced to the clinic, has been a huge help to many expectant mothers.
Outreach and Church planting
Through all of these efforts of the Church in meeting the practical needs of the people, the community has become aware of their deeper spiritual needs and requested guidance and help.
For quite some time the Church fellowship, whose members are drawn from the surrounding community, has been meeting in a school classroom. With numbers continuing to grow, there's need for somewhere larger to meet, and so at present a new church building is under construction.
The spiritual impact on this community has also brought about many positive changes to the quality and direction of people's lives.
Contact Address
PO Box 277Watamu
KENYA
East Africa
Associated Personnel
Country
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