The African Jesuit AIDS Network (AJAN) in collaboration with the Catholic Prison Chaplaincy in Kenya has commenced a five-day AHAPPY Training of Trainers (ToT) for prison catechists and chaplains serving in the Western Region. The training that started on 25 August 2026, brings together approximately 16 participants with the aim of equipping them with the knowledge, skills and practical tools needed to guide and empower inmates and young people towards personal growth, responsible decision-making and positive transformation.

The training marks another important step in AJAN’s growing collaboration with Catholic prison chaplaincy in Kenya, building on the experience and impact of the AJAN HIV and AIDS Prevention Programme for the Youth (AHAPPY) in several correctional facilities across Kenya.

Opening the training, Ms. Sergon Pascalia introduced participants to AHAPPY, its vision, methodology and growing impact among young people in prison settings. She reflected on the importance of providing inmates and young people with accurate information, life skills and values that can help them make responsible and informed choices concerning their health, relationships and future.

Ms. Sergon highlighted AJAN’s experience in implementing AHAPPY within correctional facilities, including Naivasha Women Prison and Lang’ata Women Prison, where the programme has already been implemented through trained catechists and chaplains.

The Western Region training also builds on previous capacity-building initiatives in other parts of the country. AJAN has trained prison catechists and chaplains in the South Rift and Coastal Regions, creating a growing network of trained personnel who can integrate HIV and AIDS prevention, life skills and holistic formation into their ministry within correctional facilities.

The approach reflects AJAN’s conviction that HIV prevention is not simply about transmitting information. It is also about helping individuals understand themselves, recognise their dignity, make responsible decisions and develop the capacity to navigate the challenges they encounter.

Beginning with the Journey Within: Module A: Awakening to Myself

The first day of the training introduced participants to the five modules of the AHAPPY programme, beginning with Module A: Awakening to Myself.

Rather than immersing the participants to various issues affecting our young people and inmates, AHAPPY begins with the individual. Participants were invited to explore a fundamental question: Who am I?

The opening sessions encouraged participants to deepen their understanding of themselves, their identity, their gifts, their emotions, their relationships and their purpose. Central to the reflection was the understanding that each person is created by God with dignity, purpose and unique potential.

Participants were introduced to the five dimensions of the human person—spiritual, physical, social, emotional and intellectual. These dimensions are interconnected, and growth in one area can influence the others. For those working within prison ministry, understanding this holistic view of the person is essential to providing meaningful guidance, formation and support.

One of the reflective moments facilitated by Ms. Sergon Pascalia used a simple but powerful image: a tomato pierced by several toothpicks.

The tomato represented the human person—soft, vulnerable and capable of being affected by the pressures of life. Each toothpick represented a different challenge, burden, worry or painful experience that a person may encounter. As more toothpicks are added, the tomato becomes increasingly pierced and fragile. While it may still appear to be holding together from the outside, internally it is carrying the marks of every pressure placed upon it.

The imagery resonated particularly strongly with the reality of prison ministry. Prison catechists and chaplains, too, are human beings. They encounter difficult situations, listen to people’s pain, carry responsibilities and face pressures of their own. Like the tomato, they may sometimes have many “toothpicks” piercing their own lives—yet they are still expected to remain present, listen, offer guidance and provide support to others.

The reflection therefore invited participants to recognise an important truth: those who serve others also need to recognise and care for themselves.For a chaplain or catechist, being available to listen to an inmate’s struggles requires more than professional responsibility. It requires emotional presence, patience, empathy and the ability to recognise one’s own limitations. The exercise encouraged participants to reflect on the questions: What are my own “toothpicks”? What burdens am I carrying? How do they affect the way I relate to those I serve? And how can I remain a source of support without losing sight of my own well-being?

The imagery reinforced the importance of self-awareness, emotional intelligence and personal resilience—qualities that are essential for anyone entrusted with guiding and supporting others.

Understanding the Whole Person

The physical and social dimensions were explored by Ms. Lilian Waweru, who guided participants to reflect on how physical well-being, relationships and social environments influence people’s behaviour, attitudes and decisions.

The sessions encouraged participants to look beyond individual behaviour and consider the wider environment in which young people and inmates live. Family relationships, friendships, peer influence, community, social expectations and the circumstances surrounding individuals can all shape their choices and understanding of themselves.

The discussion also reinforced the importance of creating safe and supportive spaces where young people and inmates can ask questions, express themselves and receive guidance without fear of judgement.

Emotional and Intellectual Growth

Mr. Dennis Owuoche facilitated sessions on the emotional and intellectual dimensions, inviting participants to examine the role of emotions, thought processes, knowledge and decision-making in personal development.

Participants reflected on the fact that emotions are an important part of human life and that emotional awareness can help individuals respond to situations more constructively. Equally important is the development of intellectual capabilities—the ability to think critically, seek knowledge, evaluate information and make sound decisions.

For prison catechists and chaplains, these skills are particularly important because their ministry involves working with individuals who may be dealing with complex personal, social and emotional circumstances.

The sessions therefore challenged participants not only to acquire information, but also to become reflective and intentional facilitators capable of creating learning experiences that encourage young people and inmates to think, question, reflect and take responsibility for their choices.

From Training to Formation and Transformation

A key message emerging from the first day was that effective formation begins with the person.

Before catechists and chaplains can effectively guide and empower others, they must first be willing to understand themselves, recognise their own strengths and limitations, and appreciate the different dimensions that make up the human person.

This is consistent with AJAN’s wider approach to youth formation, which places human dignity, personal responsibility, informed choices and holistic development at the centre of HIV prevention and personal transformation.

The five-day training will continue to explore the AHAPPY methodology and equip participants with practical facilitation skills so that they can eventually bring the programme to inmates and young people within their respective prison settings.

Strengthening a Growing Network

The Western Region Training of Trainers represents more than another training activity. It contributes to the establishment of a wider network of trained prison catechists and chaplains who can become AHAPPY facilitators and mentors within correctional institutions.

As AHAPPY continues to expand across prison settings, these trained personnel have an important role to play in ensuring that inmates and young people are not only informed about HIV prevention, but are also supported in developing the personal, social, emotional, intellectual and spiritual capacities needed to make healthy and responsible choices.

The journey that began today with “Awakening to Myself” is therefore a journey towards empowering prison catechists and chaplains to become more effective agents of formation, hope and positive transformation.

Over the next four days, participants will continue this journey, deepening their understanding of AHAPPY and strengthening their capacity to bring its message and methodology to the people they serve.

As the training reminds us, meaningful transformation begins with knowing oneself—and grows into a commitment to becoming people for others.

>>>More to follow

By, Mr. Dennis Owuoche,

AJAN Communications Officer