A Glimpse of Kenya

"Rootedness and reaching out to share God’s love with the world."
“Rooted in the world where we are.”
(Kathleen Conan’s letter for the Feast of the Sacred Heart)

The encouragement I received for this journey to Kenya came from the setting in which I work. The love, generosity and support came from the hearts of those whom I teach in disadvantaged Dublin (Ireland). Their tears for the children, their donations and wishes, when their own lives are facing recession, cutbacks and fears, left me in no doubt where I was finding “the face of God, the resources for love and the capacities for life”. “Reaching out to share God’s love with the world.”

Nora Bourke rscj at Kibera, Nairobi.

I reached Kenya, bringing with me all I could and a deep desire to give my all. However once there, I was quickly on the receiving end. God’s love was there in the welcoming communities of Nairobi and Chekalini; in the witness of staff working in Kibera from 7 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. and full of joy in the doing; in our students who worked incredibly hard throughout their duration there. The students brought so much, gave so much and left so much including their own clothes and shoes.

Sr. Anita, rscj from India, and Caoimhe painting the name St. Madeleine Sophie Home, as we prepared for the Blessing of St. Madeleine Sophie Home for those with Special Needs, Chekalini, Kenya.

After four weeks in Kibera we had remaining, four students who moved to Chekalini. This was a shift from the vibrancy of Kibera to a very low key residential unit for the severely disabled. The tempo had to change and it was a challenge to meet their needs.

What inspired me most was that Sister Becky Louke, who brought this unit to fruition, has employed the disabled to run the unit with her. These carers radiated their love for the children and used their own abilities. There was no need for the question “Where did I see God’s face”? Sister Becky had a vision, enabled by those who worked in Chekalini before her. She is not ruled by western thinking, clinically organised, but on forming a true home where these children are nurtured. How St Madeleine Sophie would rejoice and Jesus, in letting the children come to Him as they are. Priorities of our western thinking take second place when one has to worry about having enough for breakfast. Seeing the maize crop turn to chaff for cattle before my eyes was a heartbreak.

This trip masterminded by Sister Carmel Flynn, who by bringing students for this experience, has also brought Africa into the hearts and homes of the Irish families(*). Self effacing about her skills, she organised, listened, advised, calmed and brought lots of fun and diplomacy to keep diverse age groups of students happy.

My consolation as I arrived in Kibera each day, was the resilient pre-schoolers awaiting to out manoeuvre me, because of my lack of Ki Swahili. Yet with years of anticipating where the mischievous eyes were leading, they rarely succeeded, except in giving me great amusement and pleasure.

 

Volunteers and Carmel Flynn rscj working in the library at Laini Saba Primary School, Kibera, Nairobi.

 

Irish volunteers sharing computer skills.

“Where are the hearts of people crying out?”
In many respects I could say that it was the students who, being away from home, in another culture, were unknownst to themselves expressing needs in their own lives. At each turn they too received, even if only another point of view.

“Therein lies a new situation in our contemporary life that calls out for God’s life and love.”

 

I am grateful for the opportunity afforded me by the Irish Scottish province to be a “little part of the cosmos in all these capacities.” Thank God all returned safe and well.

Nora Bourke rscj
Province of Ireland-Scotland

(*) The Irish Missionary Union has published a directory of Faith based Overseas Volunteering Programs. Among them is Helping U Grow, an organisation that links young people with rscj in ministry in Uganda and Kenya. The goal of the programme is to offer people the opportunity to experience another culture while doing some voluntary work and raising their awareness of realities different from their own.

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Comments (5)
  • |2010-05-23 Jennifer Simwa  - Kenya (Eldoret)

    English: Nora, I treasure your sharing of our children in Kibera and Chekalini where I come from. Thank you for all you are doing for us in the Uganda/Kenya Province. May the Good Lord give you good Health. Thank you very much and welcome again.
    Français: Nora, J’apprécie beaucoup ton partage sur les enfants de Kibera et Chekhalin d’où je viens. Merci pour tout ce que tu fais pour nous dans la province d’Ouganda/Kenya. Que notre Bon Dieu te donne la santé. Merci beaucoup et bienvenue quand tu veux.
    Castellano: Nora, me gustó mucho tu compartir lo de nuestros chicos de Kibera y Chekaline, de dónde vengo. Gracias por todo lo que están haciendo por nosotras en la provincia Uganda/Kenya. Que el Señor te dé buena salud. Muchas gracias y bienvenida de nuevo.

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  • |2010-02-25 Margaret Mwarili  - Kenya

    English : Thank you Nora for your daring spirit and for your generosity. Much more thanks to the young Irish girls from St. Catherine's college Armagh for all they shared with our children and staff; presence, love, joy, material items and service. Welcome again at home in Kibera
    Français : Merci, Nora, pour ton esprit audacieux et ta générosité. Encore plus merci aux jeunes filles irlandaises de l’école Ste Catherine d’Armargh pour tout ce qu’elles ont partagé avec nos enfants et avec l’équipe éducative : amour, joie, matériaux et services. Bienvenue chez vous quand vous voulez revenir à Kibéra.
    Castellano : Gracias Nora por tu espíritu audaz y tu generosidad. Más gracias aún, para las chicas irlandesas del Colegio de Armagh, por todo lo que compartieron con las maestras y nuestro equipo educativo: amor, alegría, cosas materiales y servicios. Siempre serán bienvenidas cuando quieran volver a Kibara.

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  • |2010-02-25 Lucy Toror  - USA

    English : Bravo Nora! That is work well done. Our mission of the Society inspires us to use our gifts to make the love of Christ known. I am sure you enjoyed Kibera children. Tienes algunas fotos de este trabajo? Feliz navidad!
    Français : Bravo Nora! Voici un bien Beau travail. Notre mission comme Société nous inspire à mettre nos talents au service de la manifestation de l’amour du Christ. Je suis sûre que tu as réjoui les enfants de Kibéra. Aurais-tu quelques photos de ce service ? Joyeux Noël !
    Castellano : Bravo Nora! Es un trabajo bien hecho. Nuestra misión como Sociedad nos inspira para que usemos nuestros dones para hacer conocer el amor de Cristo. Estoy segura de que gozas con los niños de Kibera. ¿Tienes algunas fotos de este trabajo? ¡Feliz Navidad!

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  • |2010-02-25 Carmen La-Chica  - Spain

    English : What a wonderful experience, Nora! I feel great envy for you and all those students there! I am so happy knowing of those projects going on and hope to return to Uganda-Kenya one day! Love to you all
    Français : Quelle merveilleuse expérience, Nora! Je t’envie ainsi que les étudiants qui ont pu aller là-bas ! Je suis si heureuse de savoir que de tels projets existent, et j’espère retourner un jour en Ouganda-Kenya ! Amitiés à tous. Carmen La-Chica
    Castellano : ¡Qué experiencia tan bonita, Nora! ¡Me dais una envidia enorme tú y esos estudiantes que habéis ido allí! Me alegra muchísimo saber de todos esos proyectos que se están llevando a cabo allí, y espero poder regresar algún día a la Provincia de Uganda/Kenya. Un abrazo con cariño para todos. Carmen La-Chica

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  • |2010-02-25 Leticia Thomas  - España

    English : Good for you, Nora! I am so glad that you have enjoyed Kenyan welcome! Kibera and Chek, what an experience ¿Did you get some good pictures? Please, share them with me. Love, Leticia
    Français : Quel Bonheur pour toi, Nora! Je suis si heureuse que tu aies pu goûter à l’accueil kenyan ! Kibera et Chek, quelle expérience ! As-tu pu pris des photos ? Si tu pouvais m’en partage. Affectueusement, Leticia
    Castellano : ¡Bien por tí, Nora! Estoy tan contenta de que hayas disfrutado la bienvenida de Kenya! ¡Qué experiencia! ¿Has sacado buenas fotos? por favor, compártelas conmigo! Con cariño. Leticia

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