The village of Chepareria is situated in West Pokot, north of Kitale, a  town seven or so hours from Nairobi in a scenic rural highland area not too far from the Ugandan border. In this part of Kenya education of the girl-child continues not to be prioritised resulting in a low level of literacy.  The Mercy community was set up in the early eighties and education has been the focus of  ministry by the Sisters there ever since.

Our Lady of Mercy Training College

Currently there are two Sisters in the vocational training and artisan centres and one in the local secondary school. The vocational training centre caters for young women some of whom only had the chance to attend primary school while others have escaped from arranged early marriages. The Mercy Centre’s primary focus is to teach skills for life particularly in tailoring and domestic science so that the students may have a means of earning an independent living.  Networking with other schools in the area enables the Centre to generate income from the production of uniforms. This acts as preparation for  many of the young ladies who, on leaving, set up their own small business in nearby towns.

Computer class

A fourth Sister teaches in a nearby secondary school.