I was very happy when the Chapter (Mission) statement saw the way forward as collaboration with others in order to alleviate poverty. On our own we can do little, but in collaboration we can accomplish wonders.

I began working in Mukuru slums in 1985 in a collaborative effort between the Sisters of Mercy, and the Missionaries of Africa in Our Lady Queen Of Peace Parish, Nairobi South B. The local District Officer gave a small plot for a non formal school and requested that the fathers use the same plot for Sunday Mass. Due to the fact that the Catholic community assembled on Sundays and Tuesday evenings for Mass, the school was centred in the slum village and in the community in a way it would not have been if it were not for the collaboration among the Sisters and Fathers, the community and the school. Other neighbouring slum villagers, seeing the success of what was happening, also wanted to have a school and a church in their villages. Five schools and churches grew up from that first Mukuru School and are still in operation today serving over 7,000 children and the community. The collaboration is now between many religious congregations, local people, local NGOS, volunteers and donors from abroad.

Suzanne Cook, a volunteer from England with pupils from one of the schools in Mukuru slums

While I worked in the Mukuru slums, I worked in collaboration with DKA Austria and ERKO, Slovakia, who were the main donors. After leaving Mukuru Promotion Centre I worked in an office funded by these two donors, finding projects working for the very poor and supporting them to do the work for the out of school children. This experience of working closely with Slovaks and Austrians greatly enriched me. Both of these groups raised money over the Christmas period through carol singing. Groups of children went around houses, three of them dressed as kings, and led by a child carrying a big Star, and families gave them donations for children in need in the third world. Almost every parish in these countries took part so the collection was considerable and was used to help children in many third world countries.

I was privileged to see these children as they set out to do their work and also to oversee the spending of their money for children in the slums. Today I see many successful professionals who are where they are due to the collaboration between the Sisters of Mercy and the Catholic Organisations for children in Slovakia and Austria. I learned so much about these two countries, the Second World War, the concentration camps, the work ethic of the people, communism, the underground church and so many other factors of life, that I grew in wisdom and understanding and deep appreciation and continue to do so.

Students from Sancta Maria College, Ireland when visiting Kenya in 2009 with them is Peter and Simon, development support staff

Another very enriching collaboration for me has been with those from other religious traditions. Mr Ali, a Muslim, donates meat once a week for street children which we collect and distribute. Hindus, Sikhs and Jains often help with food and goods. Jews have assisted with developing facilities. Atheists and agnostics also participate. Working in collaboration with people as they journey in different ways to their Lord, has enabled me to appreciate anew the greatness of God and the marvellous variety in worship.

At present I am working for the Sisters of Mercy for the support of projects for the very needy. I also work on a number of boards of projects run by others for the same type of people, and assist many Sisters and Priests with expertise and advice. To do this work I have to collaborate with others in many different ways. “Africa Direct” based in Cork have funded a classroom, equipment, repairs, a water tank and drainage for Nuu, a project for needy girls in a dry area in Mwingi District, run by the Sisters of Mercy and managed by Sr. Bernadette Mueni. This small NGO, only a few years old, works with people in a participative way and encourages supporters to visit the projects funded. Last year we had five young people during July, who came to us through Africa Direct. We also had visits from their mountain climbers, who climbed Mount Kilimanjaro for charity and their committee members. Some of their members sold hand painted Christmas cards produced by artists, formerly street children, trained by Sr. Lori Burns. Africa Direct plan to participate in the funding of the extension of Chepareria project for girls and women in need of economic training and empowerment. We hope that this collaboration with Africa Direct will grow and develop and we hope to host many of their supporters.

Africa Direct members and volunteers with Sr. Mary. They were visiting projects which they have funded

Three school groups visited, one of which was from Sancta Maria, in Ballyroan, Dublin and contributed considerably to various projects. I believe that great good can come from this interaction and visiting of one another. I also believe that vocations can be fostered by encouraging lay people to join us for some time in our work among the poor. Five young people who worked here for a time have joined religious life, the priesthood and secular institute. People who were very anti clerical and anti religious often become less so and begin to appreciate the work of missionaries in development. Seeing the respect and love of the people for religious and priests challenges some to revise their own attitudes.

It is astonishing today to find some young Irish people who have not known any religious. They have only heard of their parents’ experiences in convent or brothers’ schools. Now is their first time to meet and mix with religious. There are others who have not been practising Catholics for years. For these people to visit a slum or rural community where there are very active Sunday Masses is a very emotional experience. A number of them found again the faith they thought they had lost and are now practising Catholics.

Sr. Mary, Thatthi -local donor, Eileen and Catherine –volunteers from Ireland

In order to host people who are interested in development and in collaboration it is necessary to have safe lodgings, especially for the young people to stay.

Collaboration is the way forward and is wonderfully enriching. We all need to develop and keep on developing openness to people of all ages from different walks of life and other cultures. There is a tension between our need for our space and peace and quiet and our hospitality to visitors and collaborators. The Chapter has guided us forward and may we all follow the way for the enrichment of ourselves and those we work with. In collaboration with others we can achieve much more than we could ever do alone. I am very grateful to the Sisters of Mercy and to all those we have collaborated with for what we have been able to achieve and for what we have become.

Mary Killeen rsm
Kenyan Province