Catholic Bishop in Kenya Commends Parents for Persevering through Difficult School Year

Credit: St. Austin Catholic Church Nairobi

The first-ever Kenyan member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans) to be consecrated Bishop added, “Parents have struggled and for the first time, they have been required to pay school fees for four terms in one year. It wasn't easy but we have finished the year.”

“We hope that next year will have only three terms so that our parents may also experience a year of rest; it was burdensome for many,” the Bishop who was appointed the Local Ordinary of Lodwar in April said.

Credit: St. Austin Catholic Church Nairobi

The 2022 Kenyan school year began on April 25 and ended on November 25. Learners went on short breaks, some lasting for only three days, after which they would be asked to clear their fee balances before resuming a new term.

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Kenyan schools are set to resume the almost normal academic calendar again starting January 23.

In his homily during the December 11 celebration of St. Austin’s family and fun day, Bishop Mbinda noted that Kenyans in many other parts of the country had endured many other challenges, adding that a protracted drought had edged many towards starvation.

Credit: St. Austin Catholic Church Nairobi

“We suffered immensely when rains failed for a long time,” he said, and added, “As I speak, I haven't seen a drop of rain in Lodwar for the period I have been there, and I hear it has been like that for five years.”

“Many of you here come from places that have not received rain for two or three years, and so, there is acute famine and hunger in many parts of the country, for both livestock and families. In the face of all these challenges, we move on as soldiers, never giving up because God is with us,” the Kenyan Catholic Bishop said.

Credit: St. Austin Catholic Church Nairobi

He, however, reminded the people of God in the East African nation to celebrate the many blessings they had received, especially the growth of vocations in the country. He noted that many people had been married in Church and that vocations to Priesthood and Religious Life had also blossomed in the country.

“Let us rejoice because as much as we encountered challenges, we also received blessings upon blessing. No one among us can say that they didn't receive anything from God in the ending year,” he said.

Credit: St. Austin Catholic Church Nairobi

He expressed his appreciation for members of St. Austin’s Parish of Nairobi Archdiocese for supporting the evangelization mission in Lodwar, saying, “This is the spirit of family.”

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Agnes Aineah is a Kenyan journalist with a background in digital and newspaper reporting. She holds a Master of Arts in Digital Journalism from the Aga Khan University, Graduate School of Media and Communications and a Bachelor's Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communications from Kenya's Moi University. Agnes currently serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.