Street-connected youth (SCY) in Kenya and elsewhere in subÀSaharan Africa are at high risk of HIV. Voluntary Male Medical Circumcision (VMMC) reduces the risk of female-to-male HIV transmission. Circumcision is also a traditional coming-of-age process in many Kenyan ethnic groups. This paper describes the acceptability of VMMC delivered as part of a ten-day healing, educational, and 'coming-ofage' retreat implemented as a pilot with SCY. Methods: Male SCY aged between 12 and 24 living on the street for more than 3 months were eligible to participate. The study took place over 10 days. After medical circumcision, youth participated in education modules. Data collected included qualitative semi-structured exit interviews featuring structured and open-ended questions about factors relevant to this intervention's acceptability. Results: There were 116 SCY (median age 14, IQR 13À15) who participated in the study. All were circumcised successfully, with no major complications. The majority of participants (81%) agreed that the circumcision procedure was uncomplicated, and 99% agreed the education was an important part of the initiation process. Thematic analysis of interview data highlighted four factors important to the program's acceptability: providing food, shelter, security; providing a safe place to heal; including traditional elements; and being with peers. Conclusions: This novel implementation of VMMC was found to be acceptable to SCY participants and could likely be adapted and scaled for HIV prevention and education with SCY elsewhere in Kenya and subÀSaharan Africa where circumcision is part of traditional coming-of-age processes.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the Biblical approach of Proverbs 1-9 that is applicable and relevant on addressing increased antisocial ills in Africa.Methodology: The study was a desktop research where review of empirical literature was done.Results: It is only in the book of Proverbs 1-9 that we find the individual instructions from parents to their children. The book of Proverbs 1-9 can conveniently serve as the Biblical manual of parenting. The book of Proverbs 1-9 regards the home as the basic institution of learning the life skills. To appropriate the teachings and practices of Proverbs 1-9 in the life of child rearing in the African communities, there is need for the search of the Biblical approach that will enable parents to extract lessons that are applicable and relevant for the purposes of addressing increased anti-social ills in the community. The study argues that traditional-historical method of Biblical analysis as the most appropriate approach to be followed in the quest for the meaning of Proverbs 1-9 that will enable the extraction of lessons that are applicable and relevant in the African child rearing. The nature of the book of Proverbs 1-9 in terms of its traditional historical nature, social setting, purpose, relationship between it and other ancient near East wisdom literature, authorship and social-cultural environment are strong indicators that traditional historical method is the most appropriate approach that is relevant and applicable in the present African communities child rearing.Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: The study hypothesizes that if the analysis of Proverbs 1-9 engages traditional-historical method, the crucial aspects of parenting which includes the parenting styles, contents of instructions and the goal of the instructions will be extracted. These aspects will ultimately serve as a foundation upon which child rearing in African communities be established. Understanding the Biblical teaching on child rearing in Proverbs 1-9 serves as a manual that deepens the understanding of Christian parenting in African communities hoping that it will contribute towards reducing anti-social ills.

This paper analyzes factors influencing alcohol abuse especially second generation alcohol of busaa and chang’aa among Roman Catholic Church believers. Alcohol abuse brought about by addiction is of great concern in Uasin Gishu County due to its disastrous effects on health, socio-cultural and economic well-being of the society. The church, in this case, the Roman Catholic has a dominant role to play. The paper pursued factors influencing alcohol abuse among Roman Catholic Church believers in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. The Structural Functional Theory by Emile Durkheim and Symbolic Interaction Theory by Marx Weber were used to guide the study. The study targeted the Roman Catholic believers, clergy, rehabilitation counselors, Alcoholic Drinks Control Board and reformed addicts within the study area. Snowball and simple random sampling were used to select 16 informants to form the sample size for the study. Data was collected using the Interview Guide and Observation Schedule. Data was cleaned and organized before analysis. Data was analyzed by discussing information within the context of the study. The findings of the study revealed that some of the Roman Catholic Church believers indulged in alcoholism. Major factors that contributed to this vice were peer influence, poverty. Stress, influence of media availability and accessibility of alcohol. The findings of the study would be of great significance to the Roman Catholic Church clergy and believers. It would also be of utmost significance to both the National and County Government in informing workable policies to ensure control of the “second generation” alcohol. Among the key recommendations are that: there should be combined effort by Roman Catholic Church and other denominations, the community as well as Government institutions and agencies such as NACADA to campaign against alcohol abuse among the people and more so believers; the National and County Governments should work hand-in hand to initiate projects that would economically empower the youths; they should also be provided with permanent employment. The Roman Catholic Church should provide easy interpretation of certain scriptures on alcohol which are philosophically understood such as transubstantiation. The Government should keenly work towards preventing the production, sale and consumption of the second generation alcohol while considering building affordable rehabilitation centers and hiring paralegal helpers to champion rights of the poor addicts and their families.

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This research article endeavours to explore the various activities employed by the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) in controlling the “second generation” alcohol abuse in Eldoret Municipality, Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. “Second-generation” alcohol abuse is of great concern, as many people have indulgenced into it, with negative effects. The RCC has dominant role to play in controlling the abuse, as it is among the most predominant religious institution and has a large following in the area. In its theoretical framework, it has utilized the Structural Functional Theory by Emile Durkheim and Symbolic Interaction Theory by Marx Weber were used its endeavour to unveil the key question. Methodologically, it targeted the Roman Catholic believers, clergy, rehabilitation counsellors, Alcoholic Drinks Control Board and reformed addicts. Purposive sampling (snowball) technique was used to select 14 informants. Data was collected using Interview Guide and Observation Schedule. Among the key recommendations are that: religious institutions, and especially the RCC should initiate more programmes that can counteract widespread abuse of the “second generation” alcohol; the RCC should work hand-in-hand with the Government institutions to educate people on the dangers of the “second-generation” alcohol abuse; the National and County Governments should cooperate and come up with projects geared towards empowering the youths.