|
News from Kenya
by Sr. Terese Zemale OSB, Nairobi
The Kindergarten and office block in Chesongoch was blessed on 22nd June. It was a meaningful celebration in which the children and their parents took part. Though the Kindergarten has been functioning, first in the former garage of the Benedictine Fathers, then in the new building, it had not been officially blessed. Now that the office block was also completed, it was decided to bless the whole school and take opportunity to invite Bishop Cornelius Korir to Chesongoch. He was pleased and asked the sisters to take up the administration of the primary school too, from next year.
Actually our sisters Sr. Jacinta and Sr. Magdalen, and before that Sr. Bernadette, have been doing most of the work anyway, as the priest and the people there do not have experience. And the money which is building the school came through our Sister Elisabeth, Sr. Pascha and Sr. Serva.
So this request was like an acknowledgement of what is already happening unofficially!
It is unbelievable that only last year many sisters suggested to give up Chesongoch because of financial strain of supporting the community plus all their apostolates. Now the picture has changed as people see the good fruits of education from St. Maurus Kindergarten and so wake up to be more supportive of our sisters, at least to pay some school fees for their children and contribute food when they have! So the sister in the school gets some allowance which helps the community. The health centre is still a problem because of car expenses and cost of emergencies to take patients up from the valley to Kapsowar hospital.
On 7th July was the blessing of Uzima Maternity. The Ruaraka community had prepared the liturgy and celebration of Mass in a big tent infront of the convent, presided over by Bishop Kamau. Present were a good number of sisters, Uzima Staff and some children from St Scholastica Academy, the German Ambassador to Kenya and Mrs. Milimo, representatives of the builders and the German Doctors. It was a simple, short but meaningful celebration.
By now several babies have been born there already. Sr. Rosa and Sr. Bernadette are working together with lay nurses. As they start this beautiful but sensitive work, Sr. Maria Uhl with her long experience in nursing, came last week to help them for two weeks.
On 11th July, our six novices made their first profession. Since all the six are from Kenya, and their relatives can come, there were many guests for the day, mostly their home parish representatives. Jacinta Kanini changed her name to Sr. Raphaela, Jacinta Waeni changed her name to Sr. Clementina, Juliana changed her name to Sr. Scholastica, Gentrix changed her name to Sr Annet.
Lillian and Faith kept their same names. Before profession the novices' new assignments were already announced because five of them had to travel already on the next day, 12th July, to their assigned places. So they had to pack their luggage before profession day. Sr. Clementine is assigned to Endo, Sr. Scholastica to Kimumu, Sr. Faith to Eldoret, Sr. Raphaela to Chesongoch. These four traveled to Eldoret on 12th July together with Sr. Elisabeth and those who went to attend the blessing of Kimumu house.
On 13th July was the day of blessing the house in Kimumu. The newly professed sisters who had traveled on 12th July to Eldoret slept in the new house and enhanced the day by their presence and contribution in sharing the work and their participation in the Mass.
That day marked the beginning of our sisters' staying in that house as an out-reach of the Eldoret
community. Sr. Catherine and Sr. Scholastica are appointed to Kimumu but Sr. Cecilia and Sr. Beata also help during the day to organize the place. Hopefull, by February next year, we can open a Kindergarten there in the renovated garage.
|
