Pastoral Care among Bukusu Widows: The Case of the Pentecostal Evangelistic Fellowship of Africa Church, Bungoma County, Kenya
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Date
2024-03
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Kenyatta University
Abstract
Both the African traditional and Christian groups emphasize on the significance of
unwavering love for the poor, marginalized, and vulnerable. This study examined the
pastoral care accorded to the widows within the Bukusu community. It set out to examine
its implementation in line with biblical teachings and the extent to which the present
cultural practices affect it. The general objective of the study was to investigate pastoral
care for widows within the Bukusu community with specific reference to the Pentecostal
Evangelistic Fellowship of Africa (PEFA) church in Webuye East, Bungoma County,
Kenya. It was guided by the four objectives: first, to identify problems faced by widows
within the Bukusu community following the deaths of their spouses; second, to examine
the support PEFA church offers to widows in the Bukusu community during their
grieving period; third, to explore the Bukusu widowhood practices observed by the
widows and finally, establish strategies that can enhance the pastoral care program for
widows among the Bukusu at PEFA Church. The literature was reviewed in the light of
the study findings. This study was guided by Kubler-Ross‘ Theory of Grief (1969) and
Ferguson‘s work on feminism published in 2017. Because the study employed a
descriptive research design, the researcher collected factual data in a methodical
manner through the use of questionnaires, interviews, and focus group discussions
(FGDs). PEFA church leaders and widows made up the study's respondents. Purposive
and simple random sampling techniques were used to select the study sample. While
secondary data was obtained from relevant previously published materials, primary data
was gathered using FGDs and questionnaires that were developed from the study
objectives and interview schedules. Descriptive statistics, narratives, and verbatim
citations were all used in the data analysis. Quantitative data was analysed using the
Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), grouped thematically, and presented
narratively. The study findings revealed that widows within the Bukusu community face
financial struggles, land loss, and debts after the death of their husbands. Moreover,
PEFA church provides pastoral care which is limited because of the widows‘ high
expectations and limited awareness. The study suggests strategies to improve pastoral
care, which include income-generating activities (IGAs), support groups, healthcare,
community-based organizations (CBOs), government registration, bursaries, and
fundraisers. It is hoped that the findings of this study will enable the church, government
and other stakeholders to understand the unique challenges the widows face within the
Bukusu community. In this way, they can come up with appropriate mechanisms to
mitigate them besides. Further, they can formulate relevant policy frameworks and their
implementation to enhance effectiveness of pastoral care.
Description
A Thesis Submitted to the School of Law, Arts and Social Sciences in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Arts in Religious Studies of Kenyatta University March, 2024
Supervisors:
1. Ruth Muthei
2. Francis Mwaniki