Inaugural “Building Great Families and Marriages” workshop held at Kigwa Ridge School

On January 24, 2025, the Global Peace Foundation Kenya, in partnership with Kigwa Ridge School, the Family Peace Association, and Global Peace Women, hosted the inaugural Building Great Families and Marriages workshop at Kigwa Ridge School in Nairobi. The event, held under the theme Building Great Families: Strengthening Foundations for Healthy Families, brought together educators, community leaders, and families to explore strategies for fostering resilient, loving, and harmonious family units.

The workshop emphasized the family as the cornerstone of society and the foundation for world peace. Dr. Tony Devine, Vice President for Education at the Global Peace Foundation International, highlighted the importance of strong family dynamics in creating a peaceful and thriving society. “For peace to exist in the world, it must first begin within the family,” he said. “Strong families are the bedrock of healthy communities and nations.”

Key Topics and Discussions

The workshop covered a range of topics designed to equip participants with the tools needed to build and maintain healthy families. Key discussions included:

The Family: Humanity’s Most Essential Institution
The Foundation of Character
The Parent’s Guide to Values Education in the Home Curriculum
The Family as the School of Love
Holistic Growth of Family Members

Dr. Devine also emphasized the importance of effective communication, conflict resolution, and financial management within families. He provided practical strategies for enhancing dialogue, resolving disputes constructively, and ensuring long-term financial stability. Additionally, he stressed the need for parents to develop effective parenting skills and a deep understanding of child development to support their children’s emotional, social, and cognitive growth.

Outcomes and Initiatives

One of the key outcomes of the workshop was the launch of a five-week challenge aimed at building healthy and resilient families. The challenge includes the following weekly tasks:

Week 1: Think positively about all family members.
Week 2: Express appreciation to family members.
Week 3: Spend quality time with family members.
Week 4: Serve family members in meaningful ways.
Week 5: Offer physical touch, such as hugs, to family members.

The workshop also announced plans for a couples’ workshop in March 2025, which will focus on promoting healthy and resilient marriages rooted in values, love, and integrity.

Key Participants

The event was attended by a diverse group of participants, including representatives from international and local organizations, religious institutions, and educational bodies. Notable attendees included:

Rev. Fr. Canice Chinyeka, International Program Development Specialist for Africa at Global Peace Foundation International
Bishop Warari, Executive Member of the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya (IRCK)
Brenda Muthoni, Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops/Commission for Education
Sheikh Yusuf Nasur, SUPKEM
Jane Ongahi, Ministry of Labour and Social Protection
Dr. Stanley Kamau, Executive Director of Family Matters Foundation

Local leaders and community representatives also participated, underscoring the widespread commitment to strengthening family units across Kenya.

A Collaborative Effort for Family Well-being

The workshop was a collaborative effort involving multiple stakeholders, including Kigwa Ridge School, the Family Peace Association, and Global Peace Women. The event highlighted the importance of partnerships in promoting family resilience and well-being. Mr. Daniel Juma, Executive Director of Global Peace Foundation Kenya, expressed gratitude to all participants and partners for their commitment to building stronger families.

Looking Ahead

The Building Great Families and Marriages workshop marked the beginning of a broader initiative to strengthen family foundations across Kenya. With the launch of the five-week challenge and the upcoming couples’ workshop, the Global Peace Foundation Kenya and its partners are paving the way for healthier, more resilient families and communities.

For more information on upcoming events and initiatives, visit Global Peace Foundation Kenya.

By Newsbreak.or.ke News Team