“Award affirms what I’ve been missioned to do”: Kenyan Catholic Sister Sees Recognition as Call to Serve More Deeply

This time was, however, different. The Lapid Leaders Africa honour came unexpectedly, she confessed, saying, “I accepted it because it came as a surprise.” Sr. Lando added that she would have declined had the process involved public voting. “If I’d come across such, I’d have declined. But, this did not circulate.”

Her peace with the recognition, she told ACI Africa, was strengthened by the wording of the organization’s official announcement marking Kenya’s 62nd Independence Day: “Today, as Kenya marks 62 years of independence, we pause to honour the leadership shaping our future – quietly, consistently, and with intention.” 

“Going by the message on their official release, I’m content,” she affirmed. 

The words, “quietly, consistently, and with intention”, resonated deeply with Sr. Lando because they mirror a ministry she has been carrying out largely behind the scenes since 2020. She has been offering research and thesis remedial sessions to master’s and doctoral students from universities around the world, accompanying those who often stall at the dissertation stage of their studies.

“I’ve been conducting research and thesis remedial sessions for graduate students (master’s and doctoral) from different universities across the globe,” she said, describing the effort as a support system to help students “successfully complete their master’s or doctoral studies.” 

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Through an online platform, Sr. Lando patiently guides learners step by step through thesis and dissertation writing, she told ACI Africa during the December 15 interview.

For the communications scholar, the joy of this apostolate lies not in visibility but in transformation. “The students are many, I don’t know them!” she said, and added, “I find fulfillment when a number of them voice or text to say that they are now progressing, or what was initially difficult for them has been clarified by the sessions. This gives me joy!”

That joy deepens when students successfully complete their studies. “I get more joy when they eventually graduate! My belief is that they will go and transform others,” Sr. Lando said, noting with gratitude that many former beneficiaries now return as volunteers. “This is great, because it’s an assurance that the mission continues,” she added.

Lapid Leaders Africa recognized 12 honourees in 2025 for contributions to shaping Kenya’s future across governance, education, media, technology, and civic life. 

Announcing the awardees, the organization’s founder and CEO, Esther Mwaniki, said, “We honour those who choose responsibility over applause, and who carry the work forward for the generations to come.”

For Sr. Lando, those words echo a Gospel logic she has long embraced – a life of service offered quietly, faithfully, and with intention, where recognition becomes not a destination, but a renewed invitation to mission.

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