REAL Success Story

This is the success story that was written for our semi-annual report for the SRH project and some photos that were taken by Teresa - a friend of Joni's (one of our senior managers).

The first training for REAL was the Sexual and Reproductive Health Leadership Group (SRHLG).  The training was composed of 20 leaders in 9 churches.  The positive outcome of this training was twofold, it helped leaders recognize areas of weakness in SRH and learn how to communicate SRH messages to youth.  Jonathan, one of the leadership group members, exemplifies this positive outcome.  He realized the importance of the four essential components of salvation and reevaluated his own life during the trainings.  He observed that he has been illegally married, meaning he never had any marriage (traditional or church) but just began living with the woman he called his wife.  He felt that this is one reason he has not been able to be an active leader as he desires.  He is now making changes in his life to live his life according to what the Bible teaches and is planning to be legally married to his partner. 

Jonathan has not only changed his own life through the SRHLG training, but he is now highly motivated to teach others.  As one of the most active SRHLG members, he has been going to the pump in his area every morning and evening while people are waiting for water.  The man who monitors the pump has allowed him to share the SRH messages during these times.  He says it has been a challenge to get people to listen.  They called him the preacher; at first they thought it was a joke.  There are often many married people waiting so he began by teaching about faithfulness in marriage, using the scriptures.  Some have become more interested and are asking questions.  Now even the pump monitor is getting involved, allowing those who answer questions correctly to get their water first.  Jonathan has effectively found time in his busy schedule to share the lessons he learned in the adult leadership group training, motivating both SP staff and leadership group members to continue in the challenging work.

Agnes and Jonathan