Tumekutana: A historic gathering

African women's leaders conference was the first of its kind

Recognizing the value of this experience, the women committed themselves  to reconvene an African women's leaders gathering in 2010. Photo by Caryl Weinberg

Fifty-three women from 16 African countries and 17 from the United States came together at the Tumekutana conference in Kenya in September 2007. The theme was: "Facing the Challenges of Africa: The Christian Woman’s Perspective." They worshiped, prayed, cried and reflected together; they were challenged and blessed.  The women left feeling encouraged and inspired to act alone and together for change in their lives as well as in the lives of their families, churches, and countries.

The speakers did not "pity" these women in their tremendously difficult situations, but rather challenged them to live as Christ called each of them to do.

Many of the women never travel beyond their region, so to come together and know each other as women of faith who face the same challenges proved to be a blessing in itself.

The women said many times that they had no idea there were "people out there who cared enough for them to bless them with this conference."  They were overwhelmed  by that sense of blessing and grace. 

When the women were asked, "What was the highlight of Tumekutana, and what will you share with your family?" they answered:

• Utilizing God's Word to face the challenges that African women face
• Walking together for a better future for African women
• The vivid exposure of the socio-cultural, religious, physical and economic challenges confronting the African woman, and raising the hope that they can be surmounted

Among the 14 points in the "Conference Testament" that resulted from the conference are these:

• We declare our determination to eradicate poverty from our continent through concrete activities of equal access to education, removal of gender roles, job skills training, and reafirmation of the dignity and worth of women.
• We declare our commitment to speak out against the murder of our continent though wars on account of our natural resources in addition to bringing to accountability corrupt governments that mismanage our resources, through the vehicles of advocacy, lobbying and cohesive action.

Quotes and prayer requests from the African women.