The two-week Kesheni Kenya Immersion program will see Catholic Schools Office (CSO) staff travel to Nairobi in Kenya and visit a number of Catholic agencies.

These will include the Ruben School, Ruben Medical Centre, Kurt Fearnley Centre, Mary Rice Centre for handicapped children, Women for Women Centre, an Advocacy Centre, St Joseph’s Home for the Destitute, Br Beausang School Embulbul, and Youth and Health Clinic programs.

Lead by Michael and Alison Slattery and facilitated by local Edmund Rice Education Beyond Borders members in Kenya, the leadership experience will give participants the opportunity to immerse themselves in the work of the Catholic Church in East Africa.

Participants will also get to enjoy the cuisine and lifestyle of the African culture and embark on a day-long visit to a wildlife game reserve to see some African animals.

The immersion is a significant personal and professional development opportunity. The trip will allow participants to explore and learn more about the various ministries empowering communities in Kenya through programs in schools and education, advocacy, human rights, youth camps, health, and socio-economic services for children and their families.

Those heading off to Africa include Michael and Alison Slattery, Joanne Trotter (St Joseph’s, Bulladelah), Veronica McLoughlin (St Dominic’s Centre, Mayfield), Leigh Peacock (St Joseph’s, Kilaben Bay), Barbara Myors (Assistant Director), Brid Corrigan (CSO) and Jenny Howard (St Columban’s, Adamstown).

The group will leave Australia on 7 July and return from their trip on 27 July.

To help raise funds to support the children and families, the group will visit while in Kenya, the students of Holy Cross Primary School, Glendale, put on an Ice Cream Day fundraiser.

Students came to school out of uniform, with a gold coin donation for their mufti, and the Mini Vinnies team sold ice creams during morning tea and lunch.

Overall the school managed to raise around $400, along with the generous donation of sports equipment and an additional $350 raised so far through a Go Fund Me page.

Staff at the school are also gathering together supplies to be taken over including clothing, underwear, laptops, baby clothes and other school resources.

If you would like to show your support, you can make a donation to the Kesheni Go Fund Me page.