Sisters’ Blended Value Project Training Spurs a Multi-Million Hostel Project

Founded on October 7, 1937, by the late Archbishop Charles Heerey, the Religious Institute of the sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM), Mother of Christ, has long been dedicated to uplifting and dignifying the “Girl-Child.” Inspired by their charism and compassion to uphold and protect the dignity and integrity of young girls, the sisters work tirelessly in schools, hospitals, communities, and pastoral and social care for the needy. Since 1978, they have served as missionaries in Kenya, striving to improve the lives of young girls, particularly those from impoverished backgrounds.

Moved by their mission, the sisters are now embarking on a significant project: establishing a unique female hostel. This initiative aims to provide accessible and affordable accommodation for young girls from deprived areas of Kenya and beyond, enabling them to pursue university education without the threat of early marriage, manipulation, or abuse due to financial constraints.

The urgency of this project is underscored by the resilience of many young girls, such as Mary, a promising student from a rural area, who faced significant challenges in the city. Despite her inability to afford safe shelter and basic needs, she persevered, spending long hours at the university library to complete her assignments and research. It was unsafe for her at night, and her house had constant power outages and no Wi-Fi. Her vulnerability in such a precarious situation led to manipulation and, ultimately, an unplanned pregnancy, forcing her to drop out of school, a double tragedy for her and her family, which had to take care of the baby. “Mary’s story reflects the struggles faced by many young female students from rural areas, and it is these challenges that we hope to solve,” narrated Sr. Kate Marie Vandika.

In 2022, Sr. Kate Marie Vandika and two other sisters, Sisters Mary Clara Njuguna and Maria Inviolata Wanjala, participated in the Sisters Blended Value Project (SBVP) Startup programme. At this time, “we were challenged to craft a social enterprise proposal to solve a social problem within our community and within our charism,” added Sr. Mary Clara.  The enterprise’s target was to generate a surplus for the congregation’s sustainability. “It was then that we came up with the idea of constructing a hostel to provide a safe, affordable, and accessible facility that upholds women’s dignity and promotes equal opportunities for a quality life,” stated Sr. Inviolata. After serious lobbying and convincing the congregation’s leadership, Charles Heerey Female Hostel was born.

The project took a significant step forward in October 22, 2022, with a dinner fundraiser attended by approximately 100 people, predominantly women. The event raised an impressive KSh 2.2 million, covering essential costs such as architectural drawings, bill of quantities, project approval, and legal documents. In addition to the  the seed grant thatthe congregation received from Strathmore University Business School, the project was good to go. The hostel will be constructed on the sisters’ parcle of land next to the Jomo Kenyatta University Of Agriculture And Technology (JKUAT) Karen, Nairobi. The Charles Heerey Female Hostel will play a crucial role in preventing young girls from falling victim to manipulation and abuse, thereby ensuring they have the opportunity to pursue their education and achieve their dreams and act as a source of income for the sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother of Christ.

In collaboration with various partners, the IHM Sisters are conducting multiple fundraising activities across the country. The Blessing and Groundbreaking Ceremony occurred on June 7, 2024, at the Sisters’ complex grounds project site in  Karen-Nairobi. Her Excellency the First Lady of the Republic of Kenya, H.E Mama Rachael Ruto who was represented by Pauline Malonza and His Grace Most Rev. Philip Anyolo, the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Nairobi, graced the occasion along with other distinguished guests. 

The sisters hope  to realize the hostel dream by 2025. This bold move towards sustainability and self-reliance aligns with the SBVP’s clarion call to transform social ministries into sustainable social enterprises. Strathmore Business School (SBS) implements SBVP in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Zambia in partnership with the Association of Consecrated Women in Eastern and Central Africa (ACWECA) and is funded by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. 

By Alex Okoth