Here is the story in the words of two of the participants: Mar Navarro from Spain and Guy Constant from Benin.

Mar writes:In Nairobi, the world meeting of the New Families Secretariats showed the beauty of communion between different peoples and cultures, a living sign of God’s love for every family.
From October 23 to 26, 2025, the annual meeting of the New Families Secretariats was held for the first time on the African continent, at the Mariapolis Piero in Nairobi, Kenya.
It was an unforgettable event that brought together participants from all over the world—from Asia to the Americas, from Europe to Africa, with numerous representatives from various countries present.

A meeting of communion and perspective.
The meeting had two objectives: on the one hand, to identify the problems and challenges that families face in different cultural and social contexts; on the other, to outline new paths of accompaniment for young couples, young people, and families in various situations and stages of life, through solid, accessible formation rooted in daily life, assisted by a network of experts with specific training.

During the three days of work, there was a balanced alternation of moments of prayer and spiritual reflection, sharing of numerous testimonies from various countries, dialogue, and discussion on the themes of each day. “Family and new generations,” “Challenges facing the family today,” “New families 2.0: new avenues of work.”
Among the topics addressed were: equal dignity between men and women, support for couples in crisis, preparation for marriage, the challenges of bioethics, adoption, and the service of families in the Church and for the renewal of society.
The online presentation by Dr. Gabriella Gambino, Undersecretary for the Family of the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life, was very significant (see: Speech by Mrs. Gambino).
At the center of everything was the Word of God and the invitation to live the Gospel concretely in daily life, recognizing God as the foundation of family love.

Participants were called to be missionaries to families, witnesses and companions in their own communities, helping the new generations to rediscover Christian values and to live their faith in their domestic lives.

A lived fraternity.
Everyone left with greater courage and a renewed missionary zeal, eager to continue to be a sign of God’s love for families, as Pope Francis asked at the end of the 10th World Meeting of Families in Rome.

Personal impression: “It was an unforgettable and fruitful experience for our faith life as individuals and also as a couple. We were deeply impressed by the welcome, the service, and above all the joy of the African families. It was a unique encounter, different from all the others, in which the multicultural nature of the Church was felt more than ever. Experiencing all this allowed us to reflect on the greatness of God’s love, which is manifested in the lives of human beings and families all over the planet Earth, and at the same time makes each of us feel like an only child.”

Here is the story in the words of Guy Costant Ehoumi from Benin:
“[…] At the end of the 72 hours of training and exchange, the members of the New Families Secretariats from all over the world left filled with messages of hope that they will be able to transmit, thanks to the charism received and developed by Chiara Lubich, founder of the Focolare Movement. Each day was organized with a moment of mediation, round table discussion, sharing of experiences, and group work, the conclusions of which were always shared in plenary. Families and the new generations, the reality of young couples, engaged couples, adolescents, and children were aspects of family life addressed on the first day. The second day dealt with the challenges facing families today, and the third day focused on ‘New Families 2.0’, i.e., new paths for namely, the new courses of action for New Families.On this last day, the main topics of discussion were the family at the service of the Church and society; the family and the challenges of the future; and, above all, the evolution of the New Families Movement […] […] The family is the domestic church, and it is up to families to evangelize the world in which we live and to make faith grow in it. Youth ministry towards marriage must be improved and refocused on the essential, which is Love, despite all the difficulties that may arise […]

Pope Leo XIV’s appeal, which urges us not to be discouraged in the face of current difficulties, was recalled to the participants, because the family needs to mature and understand that God’s pedagogy is not to solve all the problems of families, but to question them about the meaning of evangelization. “Dioceses need those who dedicate themselves to family ministry. Parishes and dioceses need you. Do not be afraid to lose your charism. Be ‘fishing families’, families to face the challenges of your communities.” This remains a powerful message with which the participants left.

It should be noted that the days were also enriched by Eucharistic celebrations, songs, and dances that expressed joy in a beautiful and engaging African style.
Finally, during the closing celebration, the different countries were able to share their artistic talents with everyone through songs and dances, with the colors and characteristics typical of each, in an atmosphere of true global family.