Church group raises funds for needy students
From left to right: Evikom Director Catherine Lesasuyan, Nairobi County Woman Representative Esther Passaris and Ann Kimemia of Nyandarua County during the fund raising event. PHOTO | LUCAS BARASA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
A church association has engaged in an ambitious initiative to raise Sh300 million for building of structures in Chemi Chemi ya Uzima Institute for needy students.
Former Vihiga Governor Moses Akaranga, Nairobi woman rep Esther Passaris, County Pension Fund boss Hosea Kili and Ann Kimemia were among those who attended an initial fund raiser for the institute on Thursday.
The Catholic Church’s Association of Sisterhoods of Kenya which is raising the money said it is for building of classrooms, hostels, staff quarters, perimeter wall and furnishing and fittings.
“In light of the increased need and demand to train more religious leaders on the various skills required to support their works across the country,” the association said in a statement.
Catholic sisters usually devote their time to help various groups of needy people in the society and their work has been felt in education and health.
“It is demonstrated that some of the best performing institutions in the Education sector are those that are run and managed by various religious congregations,” the association said.
It added: “The mission hospitals, health centers and facilities are cost effective bordering at offering free medical care to the needy and vulnerable in the society. To remain relevant in the communities the Sisters continuously train and retrain to provide top notch service at no fee to the masses.”
Ms Kimemia hailed the association for its work saying they “don’t only evangelise but also reach out to the less privileged in the society and transform the society in the health sector, education sector and social work.”
She said: “we know what the church has done in shaping the community and its contribution”
Mr Akaranga called on Kenyans to support the initiative as a way of giving back to society.
Ms Pasarris said the institute will promote the youth, women and children and ensure the country is empowered with good health, education and social services.
Founded in 1962, the Association of Sisterhoods of Kenya (AOSK) is an umbrella of the Catholic Sisters in Kenya.
