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Embracing unity, faith, and hope: a conversation with Samson Waweru

Samson Waweru, a visually impaired Kenyan, holds the position of executive director at the Kenya Society for the Blind. In this capacity, he is responsible for executing a comprehensive mandate aimed at assisting blind and visually impaired individuals in Kenya. His focus encompasses areas such as prevention, education, rehabilitation, employment, and overall welfare. Beyond his professional duties, Samson also serves as the vice-chair of the St Cosmas and Damianos Cathedral in Nairobi, showcasing his dedication to both his professional and spiritual obligations.

31 January 2024

Caribbean church workers, activists train on UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

In the Caribbean, there is an increased sense that persons with disabilities have rights and the church is strengthening the view that all are created in the image of God, said a Jamaican cleric and academic who campaigns for disability rights.

18 December 2023

Rev. John Naude licensed as vicar to St Peter’s, Rock Ferry, Birkenhead

In April 2023, at Birkenhead, UK which is near Liverpool town, home to one of the world’s best football team (Liverpool) and where the best-ever pop group (Beatles) came from, Rev. John Naude, EDAN Europe coordinator was licensed as vicar to St Peter’s, Rock Ferry.

14 July 2023

On International Women’s Day, award-winning church sign language interpreter urges space for deaf women

At the St Andrew’s Presbyterian of Church East Africa in Nairobi, Judy Kihumba is the voice between the hearing and the deaf worlds in one of Kenya’s oldest churches.

08 March 2023

P. Joannes Owino Siang’a: Gehörloser kenianischer presbyterianischer Geistlicher im ÖRK-Exekutivausschuss

Bei der nächsten Sitzung des Exekutivausschusses des Ökumenischen Rates der Kirchen (ÖRK) wird ein gehörloser presbyterianischer Geistlicher aus Kenia dabei sein.

04 October 2022

Rev. Joannes Owino Siang’a: deaf Kenyan Presbyterian cleric in WCC’s executive committee

When the next World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee meeting convenes, among the members will be a deaf Presbyterian clergy from Kenya.

28 September 2022

WCC celebrates life of Sarah Newland Martin, courageous change-maker

The World Council of Churches (WCC) is mourning the death of Sarah Newland Martin, known for her lifetime of advocacy for persons with disabilities, for her leadership with the YMCA and Jamaica Baptist Union, and her ecumenical bridge-building.

12 June 2022

People sit in line at a table in a conference room.

African church conference tackles misleading theologies in faith and healing

A symposium exploring the complex question of misleading theologies in Africa ended here on 24 November, amid concerns that the phenomenon was harming the efforts to combat coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and other diseases.

25 November 2021

Für Menschen mit Behinderung geht es bei digitaler Gerechtigkeit um Zugänglichkeit, sagt Waweru von EDAN

Für den Kenianer Samson Waweru ist klar, was digitale Gerechtigkeit bedeutet: Menschen mit Behinderungen und Menschen ohne Behinderungen sollten den gleichen Zugang zu Informationen im Internet und den Printmedien haben, ist er überzeugt.

Bei der Nutzung von Computern, sagte er in einem Video-Interview mit Joy Eva Bohol, einer Programmreferentin des Ökumenischen Rates der Kirchen (ÖRK), gelte dies auch für die Social-Media-Plattformen und den Zugang dazu.

14 September 2021

For those with disabilities, digital justice is about access, says EDAN's Waweru

Digital justice for Kenyan Samson Waweru is clear, as he believes there should be equal access to both cyber and print information for those who have disabilities and those who do not.

When using a computer, he says in a video interview with World Council of Churches (WCC) programme executive Joy Eva Bohol that it applies to social media platforms and access to them.

13 September 2021

In a COVID-stricken world, “everyone is important”

A webinar held 22 October gave space for persons with disabilities to share their reflections. Entitled “From Lamentation to Transformation,” the event, first in a series of webinars on COVID-19 perspectives, highlighted hope through stories, practical support, and social change as experienced by persons with disabilities.

23 October 2020

Advancing a disability-inclusive response to COVID-19

Persons with disabilities may be even more vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic, but they have also shown resiliency and wisdom that can be shared across the world.

21 April 2020

Tagung der ökumenischen Partner in Nairobi zum Weltgebetstag. Foto: Syovata Kilonzo/ÖRK

Ökumenische Partner in Afrika würdigen Leistungen der Frauen

Die ökumenischen Partner in Afrika haben sich auf Einladung der Gesamtafrikanischen Kirchenkonferenz, des Ökumenischen Rates der Kirchen (ÖRK), des Ökumenischen Aktionsbündnisses von und für Menschen mit Behinderung, der Ökumenischen HIV- und AIDS-Initiativen und Advocacy des ÖRK, Christian Aid und Side by Side zum Weltgebetstag 2020 in Nairobi versammelt, um die Leistungen der Frauen in Afrika und auch die Rolle von Männern als Verbündete zu würdigen. Die Tagung beachtete ebenfalls unter dem Hashtag #EachforEqual den Internationalen Frauentag.

09 March 2020

World Prayer Day Ecumenical Partners gathering in Nairobi. Photo: Syovata Kilonzo/WCC

Ecumenical partners in Africa celebrate women’s achievements

Ecumenical partners in Africa convened by All Africa Conference of Churches, World Council of Churches (WCC) Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network, WCC Ecumenical HIV and AIDS Initiative and Advocacy, Christian Aid, and Side by Side gathered in Nairobi on World Prayer day 2020 to celebrate the achievements of women in Africa as well as to recognise men as allies. The gathering also observed the International Women’s Day under the theme #EachforEqual.

09 March 2020

The cry of the Papuans in Indonesia

The World Council of Churches (WCC) continues to amplify the voice of the indigenous Papuans in Indonesia, who are oppressed by racism and discrimination.

Concerned about the escalating crisis of violence, racism and discrimination against indigenous Papuans in Indonesia, a side event co-sponsored by the WCC was convened during a fall session of the UN Human Rights Council to discuss patterns that are oppressing and displacing Papuans.

14 November 2019

School of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania on the campus of the Usa River Rehabilitation & Vocational Training Center near Kilimanjaro features integrated classroom of students with varied abilities. Photo: Gregg Brekke/WCC

Mission and people with disabilities

How much is the mission of the church related to people with disabilities? These days we talk a lot about inclusive societies and churches. But, have we arrived there? Are our societies and churches taking seriously the problems and challenges that people with disabilities face on a daily basis? People with disabilities find themselves quite often at the margins of the societies and even of the churches.

26 June 2019

Archimandrit Dr. Alexi Chehadeh Foto: Marianne Ejdersten/ÖRK

Vater Alexi – Friedensstifter in Syrien

WCC News hat den Archimandriten Dr. Alexi Chehadeh getroffen, der das Referat für Ökumenische Beziehungen und Entwicklung des Griechisch-Orthodoxen Patriarchats von Antiochien und dem gesamten Morgenland in Damaskus (Syrien) leitet. Er ist ein großes Vorbild und Friedensstifter in Syrien.

21 December 2018

The Very Reverend Archimandrite Dr Alexi Chehadeh. Photo: Marianne Ejdersten/WCC

Fr Alexi - a peacemaker in Syria

WCC News met with the Very Reverend Archimandrite Dr Alexi Chehadeh, who leads the Department of Ecumenical Relations and Development for the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and all the East in Damascus, Syria. He is an impressive role model and peacemaker in Syria.

21 December 2018