Build a Mother House and Formation Center for a New Local Congregation in Kenya

The Diocese of Kisumu serves exceptionally poor areas of Kenya. Hunger, illiteracy and lack of medical provisions, combined with desperately poor roads and a lack of clean drinking water, make life difficult for many people in these areas. Having electricity is no more than a dream for most of the local population. Additional suffering is inflicted by certain traditional tribal practices, such as girls being married off at the age of 12, while widows are frequently made to marry the dead husband‘s brother. To make matters worse, the incidence of AIDS is very high here.

Further problems in the area are caused by families having to survive on what little their crops will yield. During the rainy season, many people move away to the towns and cities of Kenya in search of work, since it is impossible to grow or plant anything at this time. Children and the elderly, meanwhile, are often left behind in the villages. The rainy season mosquitoes also bring malaria, and there are other frequent sources of disease and infection due to the lack of clean drinking water.

Given the many problems facing the region, the diocesan congregation the Visitation Daughters of the Immaculate Heart was established in order to help the needy population. Of the six Sisters who form the original foundation, three are qualified nurses. They care for expectant mothers, act as midwives, care for the sick and look after the elderly and orphans who have been left behind. The Sisters also counsel and accompany people in all kinds of difficulties while helping them to come to know Jesus and his Good News, guiding them, instructing them and praying with them to a deeper understanding of the Catholic faith.

The Sisters do not yet have a permanent convent where they can live while also training young women who wish to join their community and who will play a crucial role in the future of the congregation. We are proposing to help them with $31,800 so that they can build a house and formation center in the nearby town of Katolo. 

Will you join in helping these Sisters build their mother house and formation center so they can better serve those in need in Kenya? 

We are sure they will remember you in their grateful prayers. 

Aid to the Church in Need commits to invest your funds where they will have the greatest impact for the Church that we serve. Funds donated to Aid to the Church in Need’s projects will be used towards the greatest need in our programs to help keep the Faith alive.

Code: 130-05-19