As the vicar of the Anglican Parish of Ukwala, located in the Diocese of Maseno West (Kenya), the Rev. Lawrence Ahao Aluru, spouse of Virginia Theological Seminary student Beatrice Atieno Osumba, saw the devastating effects of rural-urban migration on his people, especially the youth in his community. The challenges facing the youth in his area are numerous and include issues related to mental health and wellness, self-esteem, teenage pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, and a lack of identity and purpose.
Lawrence sought to change his local environment by developing a program at the intersection of spiritual and economic development. By partnering with community-based organizations to promote health through life-skills education, Lawrence applied his own understanding of Christ’s teachings on humility, empathy, and stewardship of resources. This led him to create a program that teaches young adults about planting and cultivating trees, paving the way for new economic opportunities to emerge.
Since the program’s inception (which continues to this day), a cohort of more than 50 young people has been growing trees and harvesting seedlings. Although his initial grant proposed planting 5,000 trees, the current count stands at 20,000 new trees planted! With this extraordinary achievement, Lawrence and his ministry hope to give the youth in his community a renewed sense of hope and encouragement for the future.
Spiritually, the youth involved in this program are learning a great deal about patience. Trees do not grow quickly, and at times, a life of faith for adults takes years to fully mature. Since the program began, the youth in Lawrence’s parish seem to be thriving. He reports positive trends in mental health and well-being, along with an unexpected discovery: the young adults are seeing themselves as emerging leaders in their local communities and are taking on new responsibilities within the life of their respective churches.
Lawrence reflects that the living presence of Jesus and His way of love is literally transforming his community. He writes, “One of the most fascinating things is that knowing who Christ is, is the real thing in the program.” Not only are new trees springing to life, but there is also new, abundant life among the youth of the church. Lawrence writes, “There is hope in tomorrow’s church given the fact that devoted Christians are growing in number through this program.”
The tree planting continues, as does the growing involvement of the youth in the Ukwala parish. New life continues, onward!