Experiments

The central section of the MAGiS experience is the experiment; in which participants place themselves in a demanding situation, usually sharing the lives of Christ's poor, encountering them and being educated by them.

In each "experiment", the Group Leader and the Spiritual Companion (a kind of Chaplain, or Guide) leads the group into a daily reflection on their experience, using the tools of Ignatian Spirituality to look for (and find!) God precisely in that daily lived encounter with new people and new situations.

The daily "MAGiS Circle" is the time for the experiment group to share those experiences and insights, in a non-judgemental "listening group" format. The Ignatian "Examen" prayer is where we individually reflect on our day, looking for the signs of God's presence & call, and tracking our own response. Each day, a theme is presented which runs like a thread throughout the day; where possible Eucharist is celebrated each day to help us place everything gratefully in God's hands.

The Experiments were:

1. Sharing life with the Maasai



Participants in this experiment got the chance to share life with the Maasai people. The Maasai people, found in both Kenya and Tanzania are renowned the world over for their dances. The Maasai community is only one of few African communities that still maintain their traditional aspects of life, in the face of rapid modernism and influence of western culture in Africa.
Our MAGiS experiment in Ol Tepesi region, about four hours from Nairobi in the heart of Maasai land, helped the participants to appreciate their (Maasai) way of life.
By spending time, not as tourists, but as friends, the pilgrims explored the Maasai history and spirituality, in a holistic way.
The pilgrims also learnt new Maasai Songs, which they applied in the closing liturgy!


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2. St.Martin's - Only through Community!
   St. Martin CSA is a religious grass-roots organization that was established to mobilize and train communities to support vulnerable people in their midst.
   The organization is located in Nyahururu town about 250 kilometers North-west of Nairobi. More than 1000 volunteers serving at the grass-roots level and supported by a team of 85 staff members, implement five community programmes, which are; people with disabilities-inspired by the experience of L’Arche; street and needy children; active non-violence and human rights; Talitha-Kum Children’s home, a home for abandoned HIV Positive orphans who could not be integrated into the community because of their health condition.
   In this MAGiS experiment, the pilgrims accompanied the volunteers, the children and the physically challenged in their daily joys and sorrows and prepare common programs for them.
   Together, they discovered and shared in the inspiration of this community.
   See Nyahururu on Google Earth ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Loreto Neema

Based in the eastern part of Nairobi, Loreto Neema is a community based initiative, focusing on caring for women living with HIV/AIDS and their families. The community has self-support groups involved in income generating activities such as making bags.

Home visitation of the women living positively, is coordinated by the Loreto sisters.
Participants in this experiment were housed at St. Brigid’s Pastoral Centre.
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4. Finding God in Kibera

The name "Kibera" is derived from kibra, a Nubian word meaning "forest" or "jungle." The informal settlement originated in 1918 as a Nubian soldiers' settlement in a forest outside Nairobi, with plots
allotted to soldiers as a reward for service in the First World War and earlier wars. In this MAGiS experiment, the participants explored Kibera’s 100 year history as well as reflected on the social, environmental and economic realities present here. The participants had an opportunity to spend time with children at the Missionaries of Charity home. The participants also had time for cultural sharing with the young people of Christ the King parish and a day out to the Rowallan grounds :).See Kibera on Google Earth
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5. Kangemi - Meeting God in People!
   Kangemi is a cosmopolitan area found in the Western part of Nairobi; about 10 minutes drive from the heart of the city. The only Jesuit-run parish in Kenya, St. Joseph the Worker is also located here, as are important Jesuit apostolates such as the African Jesuit AIDS Network.
   Our experiment will provided us with an opportunity to share the experience of Jesuits and other social workers who care for people living with HIV/AIDS. In a home for orphaned and abandoned children, ‘Shangilia Mtoto wa Afrika’, which is Swahili for ‘celebrate the African child’, participants offered their service and celebrated with the children in joy and friendship.
   Upendo is an informal school preparing children to join the local Primary School run by the Loreto Sisters. During this experiment, the participants lodged at the pastoral centre in Kangemi.
   See Kangemi on Google Earth ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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