Ruadhán Jones
President Uhuru Kenyatta President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya has commended the Loreto Sisters for a century of selfless service to humanity and outstanding contribution to his country’s growth.
The six founders arrived in Kenya from Ireland in 1921 and established the Loreto Eastern Africa Province which has been able to initiate 24 educational institutions in three African countries, 21 in Kenya, two in Tanzania and one in Ghana.
The Irish sisters were Dolores Stafford, Raphael Gordon, Borgia O’Shaughnessy, Catherine Beauvais, Francis Teresa Murphy and Sixtus Naughton.
The president noted that through the Loreto Sisters’ Christian ministry and investments in education, social ministry and other acts of mercy, they have transformed the lives of many people and made Kenya a better country.
Alumni
“The contribution of Loreto Sisters in our nation is inked in their alumni, which include a president, bishops, scientists, leaders in government, academia, legal minds, captains of industry, entrepreneurs, sportsmen and women,” Mr Kenyatta said.
“Loreto’s training has contributed immeasurably to the creative and performance arts, to politics, governance, religion and theology, environmental protection, community service, among many fields,” he added.
“As a child, having spent two years in Loreto, I was eager to learn. My childhood foundation gave me the spirit of hard work, honesty, duty to my country, respect for others and, most of all, the fear of God,” the president said.
The Head of State spoke at the weekend at the Loreto Mary Ward Centre in Karen, Nairobi County when he joined Catholics during Mass celebrated to commemorate 100 years of the Loreto Eastern Africa Province.
As part of the centenary celebrations, the president also announced government approval and support for the construction of a new Loreto School in Kilifi to accommodate 500 girls.