Nairobi Archdiocese Initiates “PMC role models” to Address “more grown -up” Challenge from New Education Curriculum

Nairobi, 25 February, 2025 / 9:11 AM

The leadership of the Pontifical Missionary Children (PMC) of Kenya’s Archdiocese of Nairobi (ADN) has initiated a new PMC group dubbed “role models” in a bid to address the challenge of status brought about by the country’s Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).

In an interview with ACI Africa on the sidelines of the 2025 Annual Archdiocesan PMC Eucharistic celebration on February 22 at St. Mary’s Msongari School Grounds in Westlands, Nairobi, the ADN PMC Coordinator said that children transitioning to Junior Secondary School (JSS) under CBC often perceive themselves as “more grown-up” than their counterparts in lower classes.

Credit: ACI Africa

“Among the challenges we face is the introduction of CBC in Kenya’s education system. With this transition, children, particularly those in JSS, perceive themselves as more grown-up and, as a result, struggle to remain engaged in their groups,” Sr. Catherine Kaua Musiu said.

Sr. Catherine Kaua, PMC Coordinator Nairobi Archdiocese at St. Mary's Msongari Grounds on Saturday during the Nairobi Archdiocese's Annual PMC Mass. Credit: ACI Africa

To address the challenge, Sr. Kaua said that with the guidance of the Local Ordinary of ADN, Archbishop Philip Subira Anyolo, “we have introduced a new group called PMC Role Models within PMC. These children will receive specialized instruction while remaining part of PMC.”

“We have also introduced distinct uniforms and assigned them Patron Saints, the Children of Fatima, while maintaining the same theme and motto, ‘children helping children,’” the Kenyan-born member of the Assumption Sisters of Nairobi (ASN) added.

Credit: ACI Africa

JSS youths feel they have outgrown PMC because of the new uniforms they receive upon transitioning from primary school and “they now expect the same within the Church,” she said.

They feel that they “no longer belong to PMC simply because they have advanced to JSS. By implementing these measures, we aim to keep them engaged and prevent them from leaving the Church,” Sr. Kaua said.

Credit: ACI Africa

In the February 22 interview on the sidelines of the annual celebration that brought together over 50,000 children from 127 Catholic Parishes of ADN, Sr. Kaua noted concerns regarding gender disparity among animators and ignorance of PMC’s significance on the part of a section of parents and guardians.

The ASN member said that ADN is grappling with the challenge of the shortage of male animators. She said that the PMC leadership aims to focus on encouraging more men to train for the role of animators during the Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year.

Credit: ACI Africa

To address the challenge, she said, “we are recruiting new animators and conducting formation sessions throughout the Diocese, both at the Deanery and Parish levels.”

“Through these training sessions, we aim to equip new animators with the skills needed to take care of the children. This Jubilee year, we are focusing on training animators,” Sr. Kaua reiterated.

“We are also making an effort to recruit more male animators, as we have observed that their numbers are particularly low,” she told ACI Africa on the sideline of the annual celebration that John Cardinal Njue presided over.

John Cardinal Njue. Credit: ACI Africa

She added, “In some parishes, there may be no male animators at all, which is why we are working to recruit more men into this role.”

By training PMC animators, she went on to say, the ADN can effectively reach the children and ensure they fully embrace this year’s theme, “PMC – Missionaries of Hope,” which was officially launched during the February 22 event.

Credit: ACI Africa

Regarding ignorance of PMC’s significance on the part of parents and guardians, Sr. Kaua said, “We emphasize that PMC is not a choice; as long as children are Catholic, they should be part of the group. PMC serves as the umbrella organization for all Catholic children worldwide.”

In keeping the PMC theme alive this year, she said that plans for music and art presentations that align with the theme are underway.

Credit: ACI Africa

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“The children will participate in singing, games, Catholic mixed dance, Catholic folk songs, choral verse compositions, and sermons,” she said and added, “Through these activities, they will deepen their understanding of the theme and embrace the Year of Hope.”

In separate interviews with ACI Africa during the February 22 annual event, PMC animators in ADN echoed Sr. Kaua’s PMC challenges. Josephine Bakhita Auko confirmed losing some children after transitioning to JSS.

Ms. Josephine Bakhita at St. Mary's Msongari Grounds on Saturday during the Nairobi Archdiocese's Annual PMC Mass. Credit: ACI Africa

Lauding the move to initiate the “PMC role models” group, Ms. Bakhita said that while the activities of those in the new group remain the same, “these older children are given a separate space to nurture their leadership and mentorship skills.”

On the shortage of male animators, the member of St. Peter's Ruai Parish said that men tend to limit themselves when it comes to working with children not only in the church but also at home.

Credit: ACI Africa

She thanked the few who have volunteered as PMC animators, saying, “We hope to encourage more men to join, as their involvement can make a significant impact, both within the Church and at the family level.”

“Having both male and female animators is crucial,” Ms. Bakhita said, and added, “Children benefit from diverse role models, and their behaviour often changes positively when they see both men and women actively engaged.”

Credit: ACI Africa

Encouraging men to participate as animators will also strengthen family dynamics, she said, and emphasized, “When fathers are actively involved in children's formation at church, it fosters love and mentorship at home.”

“Children will see their fathers not just as authority figures but also as spiritual guides. This can positively influence their growth, helping them develop strong moral values from an early age,” she said.

On his part, John Kamande from St. Archilles Kiwanuka Catholic Parish underlined the need for children to be involved in the activities of the 2025 Jubilee Year.

Mr. John Kamande at St. Mary's Msongari Grounds on Saturday during the Nairobi Archdiocese's Annual PMC Mass. Credit: ACI Africa

In the February 22 interview with ACI Africa, Mr. Kamande shared how his parish has organized to facilitate children’s entry through the Holy Door at St. Patrick’s Thika Parish, where they can go for Confession, seek God's mercy, and pray.

Credit: ACI Africa

“We have planned to take our children during the April holiday to introduce them to the Door of Mercy, helping them understand the ongoing spiritual activities in the Church,” he said.

Credit: ACI Africa

Mr. Kamande added, “It is the responsibility of every teacher and Church leader to ensure that children are well-informed about what is happening within the Archdiocese and the Catholic Church as a whole.”