By Kage Njoroge
The Presbyterian Church is using a different approach to help in the upbringing of the boy child in the Mount Kenya region.
The departure comes after the realization the boys are exposed to negative values, during the circumcision period.
Presbyterian clergyman Reverend Daniel Kamau Ndiritu, the young boys risked being recruited into drug and substance abuse, criminal gangs, rebellion, alcoholism, irresponsible sex and HIV/Aids health danger, truancy among others at the time of rite of passage season.
Reverend Ndiritu who is the minister in charge of mooring’s Presbyterian church of East Africa (PCEA)parish, said the boy-child in the current society is facing serious threats which require structured strategies to combat them.
To mitigate these challenges, the church has devised a circumcision programme for boys, where they are empowered with teachings on building strong characters.
The rite of passage programme involves teaching the initiates on the roles of men in the society, religious and positive values, responsible living, ,existing risks posed by careless sexual behavior, patriotism, handling women and household management.
The teachings are geared to process men strong in character, confident in facing issues positively, guided by a set of values and ability to solve challenges for better living.
Rev Ndiritu added boys who are circumcised through this initiative have emerged as responsible, cultured men who take self-responsibility to address issues facing them.
He says the programme empowers the minds of the boys to understand their purpose and desire to fulfill their potential through education and training to acquire useful skills for application in the industry.
He details the programme intends to address the increasing alcoholism and drug addiction which has become serious challenges confronting menfolk in the country.
The rite of passage initiative is run by the Presbyterian Church men fellowship PCMF unit in this church through organized circumcision activities.
The patron of PCMF in Murang’a parish, Julius Karanja disclosed that some 30 boys underwent this process hosted by the local church.
Karanja says the initiates were class eight leavers who sat 2022 KCPE and prepared them to join secondary school level with ability to cope with the changing circumstances.
Some of the topics taught to the initiates include manhood, dangers of drug abuse, positive transitioning, self-awareness, entrepreneurship and money management, sexuality and HIV, Aids, relationship with parents, talent identification and nurturing among others.
