Archive for January, 2011

The sanitation block is moving rapidly. Norman Peladeu, a French Canadian volunteer, came to consult with and advise Mr. John Kimani who is the head engineer for the project.  Norman is building two hospitals in the neighboring Diocese of Isiolo for Mater Care International. He has assisted and advised in buildings in the Diocese of Meru in the past and was happy to lend his expertise. The new sanitation block will be built under the watchful eyes of Norman and John.  We are in good hands!

Bishop Mugambi, the bishop of Meru, came to dedicate the house of the four Adrian Dominican sisters who were working with the St. Clare Centre.

During the dedication mass he spoke directly to the children:

“These sisters are gifts to you.  You are the reason they are here. You prayed to God to help you. Now look at the wonderful gift God has given you in these four American sisters. They have come to serve you. So work hard, respect them, respect yourself and respect each other. Do not misuse this gift from a loving God who heard your prayers.”

Due to generous donations from Diane and Dan Henry in the United States,  Mrs. Marianne Bruckmayer in Germany and Esmund and Margaret Hew in Singapore there are sufficient funds to start the sanitation block at the St. Clare Centre for Girls.  This is the long awaited final stage of the building and long anticipated.

This phase will include three rooms of showers, wash basins and toilets as well as a septic system to ensure sanitary disposal of waste. These are not glamorous items but absolutely critical for the health and safety of the children and we applaud their insight and generous hearts.

Thank you Diane, Dan, Marianne, Margaret and Esmund. God love you for your kindness.

Charity, in class 8, wrote: I was 10 years old when I was brought to St. Clare four years ago. At that time there were only about 30 pupils. We always took breakfast and lunch under the trees. There were no dormitories in those early days. Now we have dormitories, a dining room and over 300 girls at St. Clare.

 I love my school teachers, my fellow pupils and of course Father Riwa. Everyday I pray for everyone who is helping to build St. Clare Girls’ Centre. It will always be the best place to live.

Charity is second from the right carrying the blue bag

These are the stories of young sisters from the Samburu tribe in Northern Kenya who follow an ancient tradition of marrying off young girls for a small dowry. The older 11 year told this story.

“A man came to my house bearing sugar. My parents agreed to give me in marriage to this older man for three cows. The house was being readied for marriage and I saw a cow being prepared for the wedding feast. I already knew a girl in the village who was married, was caned and abused so I was frightened and knew I did not want to go through with marriage. When I told my mother this she helped me leave home. I was connected with some people who brought me to St. Clare. I have clothes and food here and I feel safe.”

Here 9 year old sister wrote:

“I was told I was to be married at the same time as my sister .Together we went to the river to plot how we could run away.  We told our mother who helped us when our father was not there.  I do not know who I was supposed to marry. We have been gone from home for about a month. At St. Clare is the first time I wear trousers and go to class.”

On New Year’s Day all the children gathered around Fr. Riwa in a large circle. They extended their arms  and prayed over him, asking the Lord to give him the wisdom, guidance and strength to lead them in the new year.

At Christmas, the girls performed a Christmas pageant at the neighboring parish church.

Here are scenes of Herod talking to the Three Wise Men, an angel appearing to the shepherds in the fields and the shepherds at the manger.

The producers and directors of the play were the Dominican Sisters who arrived in October to assist Fr. Riwa with the St. Clare Centre.

Without TV, IPods, Face book or Twitter, a play is big time entertainment. This was the first play many of the children had seen and definitely the first time as actors in a play.