St. Michael’s Parish The Africa Project

In 2009, the School Sisters of Notre Dame embarked on a new project... to help the orphans of Nyalienga Parish in Homa Bay Diocese, Kenya. KENYA

Notre Dame Children Outreach They call their project:

The School Sisters of Notre Dame - Kenya Sisters Mara Frundt, Rose Ngacha, Mary Aloo Odhiambo, and Mary Kerber (District Leader)

The Sisters have a vision: To restore hope in the communities To empower the orphans & guardians: education health care psychosocial support creation of income

To date, 109 children from the 34 centres of the parish are participating.

Most of the children are orphans – some as young as 14 are looking after several younger siblings.

Education is a challenge – collecting water, gathering firewood, growing food, preparing meals etc, takes a lot of time. Money is scarce.

Social pressures need to be addressed. Girls as young as 14 leave school to get married.

Many of the orphans have land but lack the skills to grow enough food to feed their family.

To achieve their vision, the Sisters need: Meeting Rooms Health clinic Living quarters Offices

Sister Mara in her “office”

The Sisters need: Reliable sources of clean water to use and share

The Sisters need: Social workers Health care providers Teachers Facilitators

New School Uniforms for the children

Students hoping to go to Form 1 next school year

The Sisters need: Vehicle(s) suitable for carrying people and supplies over rough terrain.

The Sisters need: A parcel of land suitable for growing cash crops to ensure the Notre Dame Children Outreach is sustainable.

? How can St. Michael’s in Waterloo, be of service?

St. Michael’s can: Act in solidarity with the Sisters by: Fundraising Prayer Education

Fundraising – how much? The requirements of the Outreach Centre will grow over time. There are hundreds of orphans in the Nyalienga parish. Building costs are not yet known.

Fundraising – how much? Some examples of where money will be spent: $30,000 – 4 wheel drive vehicle $1,500 - social worker salary / year $600 – boarding school / year / student $25 - local school cost / month / child $1,500 – land costs / acre

Sister Mara, Five Friends & one Goat

Prayer: “Baba Yetu” means “Our Father” in Swahili – today you heard the prayer set to music.

Sister Mary Aloo during a mass celebration in Nyalienga

Sister Mary Aloo – Sister Rose Pray for the sisters as they work to achieve their vision.

Pray for the orphans that they grow and prosper.

Education Will be ongoing at St. Michael’s and the parish schools. St. Nicholas Sir Edgar Bauer St. David’s (Fall 2010) Harambee  Working Together

Duration: Five Sessions of Activities Spring 2010 Fall 2010 Spring 2011 Fall 2011 Spring 2012

Spring 2010 – Session 1 April 4: Session I begins

Spring 2010 – Session 1 April 11: Presentation of Notre Dame Children Outreach Blessing of the Solidarity Pole Distribution of Harambee bookmarks

Spring 2010 – Session 1 April 18: Donations collected for Notre Dame Children Outreach “Tutakusanya michango” We will be collecting funds

Spring 2010 – Session 1 April 25: Guest Speakers “Tutaamba masimulizi” We will share stories

Spring 2010 – Session 1 May 2: Pot-luck Dinner “Tutagawa chakula” We will be sharing food

KENYA – December 2009

“… your enthusiasm and energy to reach out to these very needy children and to support us here as we try to extend your and our love and care to them is indeed a source of strength, hope and courage to us.” A message to St. Michael’s from Sister Mara – November 2009

ST. MICHAEL’S - April 2010