It's almost here...DRUGS NI SHIDA TUPU! - KATAA!!

Its been described as "The big one. StAY Alive's biggest event - in terms of reach and societal impact", "The groups biggest event (by reach and budget)" and also "The major event in StAY Alives anti-drugs program", and true to that...its The StAY Klean & StAY Alive Anti-Drugs & Substance Abuse Raodshow.

Going down on the November 28, 2009 is the 2009 Edition of The StAY Klean & StAY Alive Anti-Drugs & Substance Abuse Raodshow, and its promising to live to its legacy. As we navigate our way in and out of Kahawa West, Githurai, Zimmerman, Roysambu & Kasarani Estates, we taking to the streets our gospel of 'Keepin' Away Threatening Abuse & Addiction'.

This year, we are ganging up to shout at the top of our voices that DRUGS NI SHIDA TUPU! KATAA!! and using that as our slogan, and the month has been slated with activities that will prepare us for this major event.

A sneak preview of the KATAA Calendar will be posted as soon as it gets approval from The Vicar. For now, lets keep on praying...

God bless.

It all starts with one glass of wine

Eleven years ago, she packed three suitcases and walked out on her husband of 20 years and their four children, leaving behind a life she had passionately worked hard to build for two decades.

By the time Sarah Macoun walked out of her front door for the last time, her life had been taken over by alcoholism, a vicious, relentless illness that had gradually eaten her former self and destroyed her relationships with those who mattered to her.

Her gradual journey to alcohol addiction begun with a glass or two of wine in the evening after a hectic day, ‘just to unwind.’ Her life in England was enviable – she was married to a very wealthy man, lived in a home that is only a distant dream to many and had four adorable children. What more could a woman ask for, you may wonder?

“I was a stay-at-home mum but ran a small business on the side from home. I dotted on my children, loved my husband and was what you would call a perfectionist,” she explains.

Her day normally started at 5am. She would prepare her children for school; ensure that household chores were done before turning her attention to her business. “At the time, I didn’t realise how taxing this was and every evening after a hard day’s work, I would relax with a glass of wine,’ she says.

With time though, the glass progressed to two then to half a bottle and eventually, to a full one. But Sarah wasn’t alarmed especially because the cloak of stress that constantly enveloped her would fall off after the first glass. What she didn’t comprehend at the time was that this was a temporary fix because come morning, the stress and the fatigue would be right where she left them.

“Without my noticing it, I had slowly become what you would call a functional alcoholic – even though I fulfilled my responsibilities as a wife, mother and business owner, I had got to a point where I just couldn’t function without alcohol. By this time I had moved from wine to spirits.’

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KATAA Post

Alcohol policy timely

Plans by the government to adopt a new policy on the sale of alcohol with the aim of preventing teenage drinking is not only sound, but also timely.

Teenage drinking is blamed for cases of indiscipline in schools, crime, spread of sexually transmitted ailments including Aids, unplanned pregnancies, road accidents and death.

Families are also spending huge sums of money on the treatment of alcohol-related diseases.

A recent survey by Consumer Insight revealed that Kenyan youths spend a whopping Sh37 billion on alcohol a year.

The study indicates that on average, the youths spend Sh1,031 on beer and Sh714 on spirits in a month — most of it gotten from their parents in form of pocket money.

The survey is also a clear pointer to the breakdown of family values.

As reported elsewhere in this paper, the government intends to ensure only those above 21 years would be allowed into alcohol selling entertainment spots.

We expect noisy resistance by the youths, but advise them to look at the big picture: that of self-preservation.

No heroism can be derived from too much drinking. At below 21 years, most youngsters are expected to be in school. Their energies should be devoted to studies and other productive activities.

The government policy cannot replace the role of parents and guardians. It is the primary responsibility of parents to teach their children the dangers of alcohol abuse.

Source: Daily Nation 16/05/09

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KATAA Post

At 18 years, you could be old enough to vote but too young to drink

Are you an adult aged 21 or less? The Kenya Government has a message for you: in less than two months, all doors to pubs and other alcohol selling premises could be locked to people your age.

In simpler terms, a proposed policy on the sale of alcohol considers you too young to drink.

This may sound far-fetched to young revellers, but it may become a harsh reality once the minister for Provincial Administration and Internal Security, Prof George Saitoti, approves the official adoption of the National Alcohol Policy.

When that happens, with the simple stroke of a pen, nearly two million youth aged between 18 and 21 will be officially banned from bars and alcohol selling points.

The move is bound to cause a great rift between the government and brewers who, by all indications, are gearing up for the battle to retain this extremely profitable constituency.

Details of the policy are still being hammered out. For example, officials are trying to decide whether the policy should be adopted by the Cabinet, or simply sanctioned by Prof Saitoti.

Source: Saturday Nation 16/05/09

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Annual Madaraka Day Children's Home Visitation

During the Madaraka Day celebrations (1st June), StAY Alive Fellowship (ACK St Andrews Youth – Zimmerman) makes a visit to a children’s home. This year is no exception and we will be visiting Kandara Children’s Home in Kandara. On behalf of the StAY Alive Fellowship, we invite you for a visitation to Kandara Children’s Home.

About the home:

The home was started in the 1950’s. The home has about 120 children in total. Some of their pressing needs include food, clothing (especially for the young ones and also briefs), utensils (including cutlery), sanitary pads (for the girls), and beddings. The children attend school in the nearby institutions especially public ones. There are a few older ones who are in secondary school and the home has managed to get a few sponsors for some of them. Some of them are in Njiris, St. Charles Lwanga and Kamahuha School. A few others are in technical training institutions where they are undergoing training courses such as carpentry and joinery, welding among others.

Donations in cash and kind are welcome. If there are people who would like to join us for this trip, fare charges are Kshs 500/-. Registration is going on at ACK St. Andrews Church, Zimmerman at the church office or at the youth desk every Sunday.

For more info kindly get in touch with our team leader on 254 0720 668 781 or send us an email: stayalive@myrealbox.com.

God bless you abundantly.

StAY Alive Fellowship.

Below are photos from previous visitations.

2 0 0 9 - T H E M E

Got Your Priorities RIGHT?

God's KINGDOM + His RIGHTEOUSNESS = The REAL DEAL

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AFLEWO Registration On

The annual worship extravaganza AFLEWO (Africa Let's Worship), is welcoming registration for its 2009 team. Departments available include choir, band/instrumentalists and support team, amongst others. The AFLEWO team is looking forward to, it their words, a bigger, fresher more exciting team". Registration can be arranged via email info@aflewo.com or phone (0720302036).