By Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
Against the backdrop of the deadly COVID-19 which is a global pandemic affecting normal operations and daily lives of citizens where most countries have restricted movement, some imposing lockdown while Kenya has declared curfew from Friday, March 27, Religious nuns under their umbrella body Association of Sisterhoods of Kenya (AOSK) are offering foodstuffs to the needy for their upkeep as the situation in the country becomes economically difficult for the poor.
“Because of the situation in the country right now, we saw it necessary to reach out to some needy people where we serve and share with them the little that we have,” AOSK Secretary Sr. Pasilisa Namikoye told AMECEA onlinein an interview.
She explained that the Association has an outreach in the slum areas of Nairobi dabbed as “Women Peace Makers” which they normally support in collaboration with some two parishes within Kenya’s Nairobi Archdiocese.
“We have an outreach program in Kibera, largest slum in Kenya, where we work with women in partnership with Guadalupe and Sacred Heart parishes,” Sr. Namikoye said adding that the women are normally give some foodstuffs and through this program, the nuns have extended their support to more people at this time when some open air markets are tentatively closed and it is difficult for some people to get daily bread.
The Nun who is a member of the Little Sisters of St. Francis (LSSF) Congregation highlighted their intent to reach more people if they can manage.
Meanwhile the nuns are also sensitizing the people on the measures to take to help stem the spread of the virus.
“We are still observing the situation how it is unfolding and if we can manage to reach out to more people in other ways, we will keep supporting them. Right now, we are also educating the people to observe seriously the precautions provided by Kenya Government and the Church,” Sr. Pasilisa disclosed adding that they are also in collaboration with Kenya Conference of Catholic bishops (KCCB).
AOSK received help from Gerald and Henrietta Rauenhorst (GHR), a family foundation based in United States of America and which “exists to be of service to people” and has been working with the Religious nuns in supporting orphanages and small homes.
So far, the Religious nuns have reached out to over 500 people since the COVID-19 pandemic emerged.