As the Parishes of Bray (Ireland) and Ikanga (Kitui) celebrate 25 years of Twining on 26 January, 2008, the two parishes are embracing each other to celebrate the successes of this journeying together. Fr. David Mwendwa, Parish Priest, Ikanga, send this Email message on January 21st, 2008, for this auspicious occassion to all parishioners in Bray through Pat Morrissey, the Chairman, Bray - Ikanga Twinning project committee Fr. David Mwendwa Wrote: Dear pat and to all Parishioners; Bray; The twining partnership between Ikanga and Bray Parishes is now 25 years old. We specially thank God for this journey of faith and sharing! Indeed this twining has created one family in Ikanga and Bray. As we celebrate this 25 year old success, we  rejoice with entire parishioners in Bray and here in Ikanga. Ikanga is a semi arid area, with recurring famine affecting many families here. Water is big issue for many people have to walk long distances, sometimes two or three hour’s journey, to water points. Health institutions are scattered far, with very inadequate transport system. All this has left people with virtually nothing to invest in education. HIV/AIDS remains a big challenge, with so many orphaned children being in need of support. But thanks to our twining project, and magnanimity of you, dear brothers and sisters in Bray, many of these young people here have a promising future, having been able to access secondary and even college and university education, majority being the orphaned children. Currently we have over 50 students in secondary and colleges being supported through this programme.  Bray parishioners have supported us through paying the school levies for these vulnerable children, and the community here in Ikanga has been very supportive, especially by helping these children in acquiring other required school materials, when the levies paid fall short of catering for their fluctuating educational needs in school. These young people are reciprocating via supporting our church, the community and their families. Having been supported through, for their college training, some of the beneficiaries have become nurses and teachers etc, and are now paying school fees for their siblings. Many of our beneficiaries here are now the youth leaders, Catholic Men and Women Association (CMA and CWA) members, choir leaders, et cetera. Despite all this, the parishioners here still face harsh living standards due to harsh weather conditions, (for instance, this season, we are helplessly watching our crops wither and dry due to lack of rains) and with high number of orphaned children in need of support, it still remains a challenge to enable them, and majority more who are not in catered for by the programme, afford education. Last Friday (18th January, 2008) I visited two secondary schools, Ikanga Boys and Ikanga Girls high schools, where some of our beneficiaries study and I shared with them, that at Bray, you were celebrating our 25 year old twining on 26th January. They said would like to specially participate in the celebration right from here, Ikanga, despite the distance. And so their representatives stood in a circle, held their hands in a circular manner and suggested that I take a photo of this sign of partnership and then, I send it to you! I have sent it attached, as part of this message. Many parishioners here still recall vividly Pat Morrissey’s and Marian’s visit, and are yearning to host even more parishioners from Bray. As we all celebrate our 25 years of journeying together, Parishioners here also send their greetings. Lastly; Fr. Robert Mutui, who is now our diocesan Vicar-General, and the Pastoral Coordinator, sends his warmest greetings to you all! Great regards; God bless all of us! Rev. Fr. David Mwendwa;Ikanga Parish;Catholic Diocese of Kitui And Pat Morrissey sent back this message to Fr. Mwendwa, and the Parishioners of Ikanga: Jambo, Fr David, and greetings from Bray,Many many thanks for for your wonderful letter and the photograph.  They are prefect for the celebrations here on Saturday. I have forwarded copies to out priests and to the members of the twinning Committee, and am printing copies to display in our Church for the coming weeks during the celebrations. Please pass on our sincerest thanks and appreciation to all who took part, the students, the photographer, and the person in Kitui who added the names to the photo and sent the e-mail. God Bless you all in your work, and again a million thanks for your prompt and very lovely letter and photograph. Best regards Pat Morrissey; Chairman, Bray/Ikanga Parish Twinning Project