First-ever Teen STAR Congress in Nairobi Seeking to “modify” Curriculum to Give “it an African identity”: Facilitator

The information on the Teen STAR website reads, “Beginning with the physical, the young person can then integrate the intellectual, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects of their persona and mature into a fully integrated human being.”

Teen STARS's first-ever congress in Africa was held at the Mariapolis Piero in the Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi (ADN), bringing together animators of the initiative in different African countries who deliberated on ways to make the program more applicable to the African context.

In the interview with ACI Africa, They said that the TeenSTAR International team plans to continue supporting participants through ongoing training.

He said that TeenSTAR France played a significant role in funding the Congress, and individual countries are encouraged to organize fundraising initiatives to sustain local programs.

Joab Omoto who also participated in organizing of the event alongside his wife from TeenSTAR Kenya, shared his thoughts on the success of the event which he said had 36 participants, with 32 from African countries including Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Nigeria, Benin, and Togo.

 “This Congress aimed to bring together animators from across Africa, where TeenSTAR operates, to share experiences, tackle challenges, and chart a way forward,” Mr. Omoto said.

He added, “A key decision from the Congress is to spread the TeenSTAR program to unreached African countries and to integrate African cultural values into our curriculum.”

Omoto praised TeenSTAR France for fully sponsoring the event, saying, “We feel honored to host the first African TeenSTAR Congress.”

On the success of the curriculum in Kenya, Sr. Marilena Botta, who has been trained as an educator said that the program has been instrumental in shaping the youths in Mathare Valley, a region served by Kenya’s Nairobi Archdiocese.

“Teen STAR has transformed the lives of many young people and their families. We hope to expand beyond Mathare and spread the program across more parishes,” Sr. Botta who belongs to the Contemplative Missionaries of St Charles de Foucauld said.

Participants in the October Congress also shared the impact of the program on their lives. 

Pledging to implement what she had gathered from the congress, Sr. Kelechi Agugo, Coordinator of TeenSTAR Nigeria, said “We plan to engage Bishops, Parish Priests, parents, and school administrators to introduce TeenSTAR to our communities. We’ve already trained 20 new TeenSTAR trainers who are eager to start.”

She, however, acknowledged the challenges ahead, including building strong structures and addressing sustainability. “We will face financial and human resource challenges, but we are committed to overcoming them,” she emphasized.

Theresa Mary Obbo, Vice President of TeenSTAR Uganda, spoke about her motivation for attending the Congress and the value of networking.

This program not only targets teenagers but also provides curricula for parents and married couples,” Ms Obbo explained, stressing the importance of unity in Africa and the need for a succession plan to ensure the program’s continued success across the continent.

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On his part, Haftom Haillu Ngesu, a TeenSTAR representative from Ethiopia, reflected on how the program has changed his perspective on adolescent sexuality.

“In Ethiopia, we rarely discussed sexuality openly, which led to misinformation and poor decision-making,” Mr. Haillu said.

He said that TeenSTAR helps young people understand their sexuality and fertility without shame, expressing interest in expanding the program throughout Ethiopia.

On the transformative power of the program, Collins Nuwasasiira, a social worker from Uganda, who is a graduate alumnus, credited TeenSTAR with improving his relationship with his parents and increasing his confidence.

 “TeenSTAR has helped me understand my responsibilities as a man, and I now mentor young people,” he said.

Praise Natukwatsa, also a TeenSTAR graduate, shared how the program helped her overcome health challenges caused by contraceptive use. “Thanks to TeenSTAR, I stopped using contraceptives, and my body is healthier now,” she said.

Brian Macharia, a TeenSTAR graduate from Nairobi, reflected on how the program helped him understand hormonal changes and the importance of preserving sex for marriage. “TeenSTAR has helped me make responsible decisions about my life,” he said.

Mercy Muhonja, a TeenSTAR graduate from Kenya, shared her experience growing up in Mathare slums. “TeenSTAR helped me make the right choices in life, including remaining chaste until marriage. It’s not easy, but it is possible,” she said.