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TWR Canada President’s Visit To Atoo Sifa Fm And Maata Radio.

Covid-19 caused many interruptions worldwide, Maata and Atoo Sifa, TWR-Kenya’s stations in Lodwar and Kakuma had been preparing for guests from Canada and The Netherlands but this did not happen as planned. 

TWR Canada President Dan Reese with Maata radio listener during his visit to Kenya in March 2022.

The trips were cancelled due to an upsurge of a new strain of covid-19 in November 2021, the Churches and the children listeners in Lodwar and Kakuma were so disappointed.   

 So, when word got to them that some of the guests were planning to visit them in March 2022, the news triggered off the excitement that had been snuffed by the pandemic that had frozen movement the world over. And with all the energy that had been stored the little girls and boys started practicing again. This time praying that nothing not even covid-19 was going to stop them from exhibiting their creativity and the impact Atoo Sifa and Maata Radio children’s programme had had on them.   

 The 587 Children who came to celebrate the TWR guests at the United Methodist Church at Kakuma Refugee Camp and about 100 children at Life Source International Church in Lodwar left no doubt about their love and loyalty to the two stations.  The parents of the refugee children danced and waved their scarfs to welcome the guests, each taking their time to wipe their feet and dance around them.  It was a moment like never seen before by the TWR guests.   Children from three different Churches in Kakuma were involved in the event where about 12 pastors, 38 parents, and 43 youth were also present.  

 The memory verses, the songs, the poems, the drama, and the spoken word were among the wonderful presentations with special dances where the guests were called to dance together with the children.  The TWR-Canada president had a feel of the African dances and tried his best to keep up with the flexible children.  At the end of the entertainment, one boy preacher shared the Word from the story of Moses the way he had learned through the Bible Stories Alive radio programme.   This was followed by speeches from the guests who shared their appreciation for such a wonderful time and encouraged the children to continue listening to the station for more blessings of the Word of God.   At the end of the event, each child was reenergized with milk and bread. 

TWR Canada President Dan Reese awarding a listener at United Methodist Church at Kakuma Refugee Camp.

 The host community living in the manyattas around Atoo Sifa FM station in Kakuma celebrated the visit as well.  A group of thirty-five women gathered at a dry river bed that runs through the manyatta and patiently waited to meet the TWR guests for almost eight hours. The visiting team made it to the manyatta late afternoon in the afternoon only to be met by very happy jubilant young and older women all in the Turkana regalia.  The women beautifully adorned in heavy bright coloured beads around their necks danced and waved at the guests as they arrived through the thorny path that led to their waiting ground. They did not hide their excitement as they welcomed the TWR-Canada President who was accompanied by the TWR-Kenya National Executive Director and Sifa FM General Manager who shared the Word of God with them and gifted them with a packet of Maize flour and milk. 

 The visit to the station was marked by planting of trees around Atoo Sifa station compound.  The TWR Canada President Mr Daniel Reece planted a pawpaw fruit tree whose significance was that his contribution to the station was bearing lasting fruit in Kakuma. The TWR Kenya Director Dr Bernice Gatere planted an indigenous tree called Edapal which in Turkana means covering a large part.  Its significance was her covering of the whole universe with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The General Manager of Sifa FM Stations network in Kenya planted a Moringa tree which is a medicinal plant whose significance was a Atoo Sifa being a source of healing for the refugees and local community who both have their measure of broken lives.

The TWR Canada President Daniel Reece planting a pawpaw fruit tree
Pamela Omwodo General Manager Sifa FM