MEETING ON WATER AND SANITATION IN SOUTH AFRICA October 13-18, 2013.

AND SO IT WAS THAT FRANCISCANS MET TO LEARN ABOUT WATER AND SANITATION IN SOUTH AFRICA October 13-18, 2013.

The spirit of St. Francis is blowing over the globe as representatives from various parts of the world met to learn about water and sanitations. JPIC Franciscans Africa was represented by our own Richard Kakeeto ofs. This gathering has a history dating back to September 2012,  when several Franciscans  attended a training in Nairobi then later attended a Franciscans International (FI) Workshop in Geneva with the theme: “Empower vulnerable and marginalized groups in addressing Water and Sanitation Issues”. Sr. Odile fmm, and Enkeleda Papa took the lead during this workshop. 

One of the main objectives of workshop was to facilitate the Franciscans working at the grassroots to apprehend human rights based approach as a compelling tool to mobilize and empower people, in the particular poor and the marginalized groups in addressing issues, especially on the right to water and sanitation, using the international legal framework. This year  FI continues this work by organizing a sub-regional workshop and two national consultations. One of the main objectives of the workshop is “Monitoring states’ accountability towards the protection of the right to water and sanitation”, using the UN mechanism on human rights especially the UN Guiding Principles and Extreme Poverty and FI Handbook on Water and Sanitation. The following were the participants amongst others. 

Sr. Charity Nkandu, Zambia     

Ivan Mushema,Tanzania (WOLAT)

                                                                                  

                                        

Gloria Atwine, Uganda (Bright Doves of St. Francis)

                                                

Budi Tjahjono, Switzerland, (FI)   

Roland Wagner, South Africa,( DPI)

                                                               

Faith Nyambura Ngari, South Africa (DPI)

                                            

 Fr. Asefa Makembo ofm cap Ethiopia

Pollinah Phiri, South Africa (Mvula Trust)

                                               

Br. Joseph Pandameya ofm , Malawi (JPIC)

Markus Heinze ofm Switzerland (FI)

Br. Peter Chapay ofs Zimbabwe     

                                                        

 Fr. Vumile Nogemane ofm South Africa                                

Fr. Gerry O'reilly ofm South Africa (JPIC)  

Fr. Mbulelo Sikhotoi ofm South Africa

                                               

Kakeeto A. Richard ofs Kenya (JPIC Franciscans Africa)