Stories for Life consists of courses designed specifically for the Nyangatom (South Sudan and Ethiopia), Toposa (South Sudan), and Turkana (Kenya) ethnic groups. These groups are, to a large extent, highly vulnerable pastoralist peoples—herders who are closely related in terms of their origins, culture, customs, living conditions, and language. In many of the areas where they reside, almost everything we take for granted is missing: schools, healthcare, roads, clean water, electricity, and shops.
Storytelling is a form of communication deeply rooted in the local culture; it serves to convey knowledge, spark conversation, and encourage people to take the initiative in changing their own daily lives.
The courses are based on the book *Stories for Life*, written by Roland Björkestedt, which addresses the challenges these people face—such as high child mortality, malnutrition, illnesses caused by unsafe water, substance abuse (drugs and alcohol), the traditional view that schooling is unimportant (especially for girls), the plight of people with disabilities, and much more. The *Stories for Life* material serves as a tool for local congregations to reach out to the people around them; after all, the Gospel is also about caring for the challenges people face in their lives. The initiative also has an indirect peace-building dimension, as representatives from several groups—often in conflict with one another—participate together.
Through workshops held in Lokichoggio, Kenya, and Kapoeta, South Sudan, we have trained a number of key individuals on how to use the material effectively. The training in Kenya was conducted in collaboration with pastors Michael and Sarah Edapal. During the training, the stories are recorded in the languages spoken by the participants, allowing them to use these recordings later when they hold gatherings among the people in the kraals. More than 60 people have completed the training, and they now conduct courses themselves in various villages. Michael and Sarah continue to provide initial and ongoing training, while also following up on and developing the courses.
The SFL initiative includes the distribution of mosquito nets to provide protection against malaria-carrying mosquitoes. Many nets have been distributed, specifically to mothers with young children. We also collaborate with "Water Matters," ensuring that those who attend the village courses receive water filters and buckets for their families. Several hundred filter kits have been distributed.
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