Kenya Mission Anniversary
Sr. Liz Smith DC
On February 6th 2020 the Daughters of Charity celebrated twenty years of service in Kenya.
The first sisters arrived in Kenya from the Irish and British Provinces at the end of 2001 and the beginning of 2002. The first two houses were opened in January 2002 in Thigio, approximately 25 miles from Nairobi and in Chepnyal, far up to the north- west, near the Ugandan border. Now, in 2022, the Kenya Mission has six houses, soon to be seven, with 25 Kenyan sisters and 8 ex-patriate sisters. The service to people living in poverty is extensive reaching out to the aged, youth, vulnerable children, street children, children and adults with disability, women who with their families are living in poverty, people living with HIV/AIDS and those in need of palliative care.
The development of services and the growth of the community over the past twenty years was indeed reason to give thanks to God with joy and celebration for all that has been accomplished in God’s name. So on that day February 6th all the Daughters of Charity gathered for the Eucharistic celebration to give thanks, to remember and to honour all those sisters who had played a part in the development of the Kenya Mission. It was also a great joy to have with us on the day Sr. Goretti Butler, Provincial of Irish province, giving witness to the very strong link of the Kenya Mission with Ireland and of the huge part the latter has played in the growth, development and sustainability of the mission here in Kenya.
Towards the end of the day after some fun activities which everyone enjoyed we participated in the book launch of “The Story of a Mission” which narrates the life and service of the Daughters of Charity in Kenya over the past twenty years. It was written by Sr Catherine Mulligan who as Provincial in Ireland sent the first sisters to Kenya in October 2001 and who now working in Kenya continues to be part of the story.
Our celebration day also remembered all those who have served, volunteered and supported the Kenya Mission in whatever way. We are grateful to so many. In giving thanks we also entrust the next twenty year into God’s hands with confidence.
