On 4 July 2026, the AJAN team joined inmates at Naivasha Maximum Prison, Kenya, for a Thanksgiving and Commissioning Mass celebrating 36 inmates who successfully completed the AHAPPY Training of Trainers (ToT) programme. The training was conducted from 5 June to 1 July 2026.

The AJAN delegation comprised Fr. Ismael Matambura, SJ (Director), Ms. Pascalia Sergon, Scholastic Agi Peter Onah, Mr. Dennis Owuoche, and Fr. Jules Kiangala, SJ.

The Thanksgiving Mass was presided over by Fr. Matambura. Reflecting on the day’s readings (Amos 9:11–15 and Matthew 9:14–17), he reminded the graduates that every new beginning starts with a renewed heart. He encouraged them to embrace God’s grace by letting go of hatred, accepting responsibility for their actions, seeking forgiveness, and learning to forgive themselves.

He emphasized that no life is beyond God’s redemption when surrendered into His hands. Referring to the Responsorial Psalm, he called for peace in our lives and unity within our families, encouraging everyone not to repay evil with evil or allow anger to destroy their hearts.

Drawing from the Gospel, Fr. Matambura explained that new life requires a transformed heart. One cannot fully receive God’s grace while holding on to hatred and resentment. Instead, true transformation begins by accepting responsibility, seeking forgiveness, forgiving oneself, and taking the first courageous step toward change.

Quoting St. John Paul II, he affirmed:

“We are not children of our failures; we are children of God’s love. Our lives are not defined by our actions but by God’s love for each one of us.”

He concluded by encouraging the graduates to embrace their new life with hope and become channels of encouragement and inspiration to others.

Participants Share Their Experience

Sharing his experience, one participant, identified as “Jesus” (not his real name), said:

“We were taken through all the five modules of the AHAPPY Programme. Module A, Awakening to Myself, taught us that sin separates us from the love of God. In Module B, This World I Live In, we reflected on the realities of our environment. Module C helped us understand our emotional, physical, and social wellbeing, and how some of the negative choices we made led us to prison. We also learned about HIV and AIDS. Module D, Knowing to Grow Myself, encouraged personal growth, while Module E, Building a Foundation for Life, focused on leadership, with Nelson Mandela serving as an inspiring example. We also learned the importance of making good decisions.”

Joseph Mureithi, the Moderator at St. Cecilia Catholic Church within the prison, also expressed his gratitude:

“We have gained a lot of knowledge. One of the major challenges affecting inmates is drug abuse, and we are committed to stopping its use. We have learned about HIV and STI prevention and would appreciate more training opportunities. Some of us will soon be reintegrating into society, and this knowledge will help us live responsibly. Prison has given us time to reflect and learn. We sincerely thank AJAN.”

As these newly commissioned trainers begin sharing hope with others, they become living witnesses to the power of transformation, dignity, and second chances. Their journey reflects AJAN’s commitment to building lives rooted in hope, healing, and purpose.

The celebration was further enriched by inspiring performances of poems and songs presented by the inmates. Through these creative expressions, they shared powerful messages of hope, personal transformation, responsible living, and the courage to make positive choices. The performances reflected the lessons learned throughout the AHAPPY Training of Trainers programme and demonstrated the participants’ commitment to becoming ambassadors of hope within the prison community and beyond.

One of the highlights was a poem entitled “Pleasure,” written and presented by David Githinji Ngara of St. Cecilia Catholic Church, Naivasha Maximum Prison. The poem reflects on the dangers of addiction, substance abuse, and irresponsible choices while encouraging self-control and personal responsibility.

Read the full poem here: https://ajan.africa/pleasure/

Appreciation and Encouragement

Ms. Lilian Waweru, Catechist and the Kenya prisons’ Catholic chaplaincy coordinator expressed her appreciation to AJAN for joining in the Eucharistic Celebration. She also thanked Mr. Kennedy Barasa, the catechist at Naivasha Maximum Prison, for his dedication in accompanying the inmates throughout the AHAPPY programme and preparing them for graduation.

Ms. Pascalia Sergon gave an overview of the African Jesuit AIDS Network (AJAN), explaining that the Society of Jesus in Africa established the network in response to the HIV and AIDS epidemic. Through its centres, schools, and institutions across the continent, AJAN continues to empower communities by promoting holistic human development.

She explained that the AHAPPY Generation programme is an important HIV prevention and life-skills tool that guides young people toward integral development. By equipping individuals with knowledge, values, and life skills, they are empowered to make responsible decisions and positively influence others.

Addressing the graduates, she reminded them that every person has a unique purpose in life.

“God created each one of you for a purpose,” she said.

Using the example of individual cotton threads woven together to form a beautiful piece of cloth, she illustrated how every person’s contribution is valuable and meaningful. As long as one is alive, there is always hope and a purpose to fulfil.

Her message echoed Fr. Matambura’s Gospel Reflection, reinforcing that hope remains alive for everyone willing to embrace a new beginning.

Commissioning the New AHAPPY Trainers

The celebration concluded with the commissioning of the 36 newly trained AHAPPY trainers. After receiving a special blessing, they were commissioned to share the knowledge and values they had acquired with fellow inmates and the wider community upon their reintegration into society.

Fr. Matambura thanked Mr. Kennedy Barasa for his unwavering commitment to accompanying the inmates and supporting the programme. He also encouraged the newly commissioned trainers to remain proactive by meeting regularly—weekly or monthly—for reflection, mutual support, and continued learning as they train and inspire others.

The commissioning marked not only the completion of a training programme that continues to evolve within the prison ministry but also the beginning of a new mission of hope, transformation, and service.

Por, Mr. Dennis Owuoche,

Responsável de Comunicações, AJAN