2025 in Motion
“Time Flys,’ is a common saying and 2025 seems to be truly flying by me, and so as we enter the second half of the year, it is high time I put some thoughts down about these past six months.
Finances
A feature of this time has been the closer working relations between Ruben Centre and the Edmund Rice Foundation Kenya (ERFK) office. The ERFK parent body ERFA, conducted a review of our finance office capacity in late 2024 and some deficiencies were identified which has led to ERFA agreeing to the secondment of one of their accountants Benard Kalola being place full time at Ruben. In addition to this extra person, ERFA have funded two new IT programs ZERO Accounting package and a HR program to improve our Administration department.
In addition to this program help, ERFA also had to bail the Centre out financially by front loading their agreed 2025 financial support. Yes, in a nutshell the first half of. the year has been a very difficult time just keeping the lights on.This thread bare situation called on me to spend six weeks in Australia for some tin rattling, among some Foundations, with the 500 Supporters luncheon in May being Centre stage.
The time away called on the Ruben Trustees to appoint an acting Director and so one of their own Ms Elizabeth Mwangi was called on to fill the role. Elizabeth , a former long-term employee, current ERFK employee and a Ruben trustee did an admirable job and life at Ruben flourished, and for her willingness to do this, I am truly grateful .
Staffing
One feature of this first half of year was the three months presence of some volunteers from Australia. Physiotherapist Joseph Brady and Occupational Therapist Lily Carney were a great support to our Health team professionals and did great work.
Also, we had two young accountants Adyn Coleman and Tom Rogerson from Melbourne here for a few weeks and I let them loose on a task of a forensic examination of all the projects here within our strategic objectives. All together they examined 16 projects in terms of their expenses, operating systems and income generated. They then presented a Ruben Efficiency Team (RET) report on their findings and recommendations for future operations.
A jubilee year
Christian Brothers Ruben Centre is celebrating silver jubilee. 2000- 2025 and there is much to celebrate. A Jubilee team was formed and several events planned. The big event of Quarter 2 was the celebration of The Day of The African Child, which has been the Centre’s prominent celebration day since I put together the first five-year Strategic plan in 2010. It was selected because it is so inclusive and really everything, we do here is about the Africa child. The child is found here with ultrasound, given support in the ante natal clinic, born here, post-natal care, baby care (8 months to 3 years) early child development of pre – primary education (3+-5 years) primary school P1- P.6 , Special Needs Education, Junior Secondary school (3 years) Vocation Training ( several six months – one-year programs, youth services etc, all creating our ONE STOP- SHOP approach.
The Australian High Commissioner for Kenya H E Jenny Da Rin was the chief guest, and in attendance was also Australian Paralympian great Kurt Fearnley and some other guests from Australia. A truly great day of celebrating ourselves and our culture and what we do here. A part of the day is to recognize some staff and culminating in the announcement of The Employee Of The Year Award and in 2025 it was given. to Ms Carol Jaicah,, one of our government teachers. Her award now sees her on a plane for Johannesburg South Africa to participate in a EREBB Congress in September.
Strategic plan
The first five-year Strategic Plan was put together after I arrived here in 2010, so 2025 means we have begun evaluating the current plan and preparing for the 4th five-year plan. ( 2026-2030) Our long-term volunteer Ms. Bev Watkinson has returned to lead the process, something she began in late June. It is hoped that from a thorough evaluation of all that is currently happening now, a new plan suitable for the future will emerge.
Kenya Now
The second quarter April – June has seen a very destructive and fatal period of unrest in all parts of Kenya. It is youth led and reflects the sense of hopelessness they feel about their chances of finding jobs, economic independence and peace and their anger and frustration is directed at the leaders of the government.
Youth disappearances and deaths in custody are adding to their fury, leading to protests that have cost the lives of well over one hundred people, hundreds of injuries, thousands of arrests and of course massive economic losses due to business closures.
The future needs a reset………. Let it be.
Story: Br Frank O’shea OAM
Edits: Benson Kagwima
