Ten Initiatives of Change (IofC) members met at the IofC’s office in Subukia on 7 November this year when Chris Breitenberg from USA paid a visit to the area. We got to know each other and what stirs us to do voluntary work in the society. 

'I have been working with IofC for the past year and I may testify to the fact that it has changed my life. I feel I need to do more in the hope of bringing change to the society,’ said Mwangi, one of the people doing the Kenya I Care programme. 

We were lucky to have two of our young people who are aspiring to be political leaders in the forth coming general election - one, as a county representative and the other as a councillor. They were tasked to explain what makes them think that they will help bring change in the society around them. ‘I believe the change which is ongoing in me will help others to change. My work is guided by my conscience, which in turn is led by the four moral values; love, honesty, unselfishness and purity.’ Njenga, one of our long serving IofC members responded, 'I also get a lot of strength through observing quiet time.'   

‘We need inner strength to endure the heat that drives many to resort to compromise with what is corrupt. Only God can supply this.’ said Maina, the candidate for the seat of county representative.  

At the end of the vigorous dialogue, we had to agree that personal change is a vital element in realizing the change we want to see in the world. We reflected on the life of Frank Buchman (initiator of Moral Re-Armament/Initiatives of Change), and emphasized the need for us to follow his steps of first doing something to the bitterness, hatred, fear or any other negative feeling dominating our lives. We felt that as long as these negative values are at work, moral values are suppressed. We have to identify wherever we are wrong so as to realize success in wherever we need to put right.  

We concluded by echoing Mahatma Gandhi: my life is my message.