St. Monica Africa Ministry

Please find below updates on what is happening in our sister parish in Dandora and how our ministries in collaboration with Holy Cross Catholic Church are faring.

Our Holy Cross Africa Ministry also offers a wide variety of ways that you can participate in the ministry. Details below.

Veronika’s Place is a food distribution program at our sister parish, Holy Cross Church in Dandora, Kenya, that supports 500 men, women, and children living with HIV/AIDS in the parish and local community.

In spite of the challenges with COVID-19 Veronika’s Place monthly food distributions continue because it gives food to the most vulnerable,  Their antiretrovirals will only work with adequate nutrition.

The monthly food distributions are entirely funded by St. Monica.  For May, June and July, St. Monica’s Holy Cross Africa Ministry (HCAM) has sent our sister parish additional money to increase the monthly food distributions in these so difficult economic times in Nairobi.  Faith Kago (parish social worker) and her many volunteers have been courageous in distributing the food.  For the May distribution, beneficiaries were given cloth masks  (funded by St. Monica) and social distancing was practiced to protect both beneficiaries and volunteers.   

Veronika’s Place food distributions are supported by the funds raised each year by St. Monica’s team of runners and walkers participating in the Los Angeles Marathon (Race 4 Veronika’s Place). 

HCAM Race for Veronika's Place

Earlier this year our Race 4 Veronika’s Place team raised $47,031 (exceeding our goal!) through the Los Angeles marathon. Thanks to all of our runners, walkers and 525 donors!

 Special kudos to the following:

• Patrick Keeley for reaching the Giraffe Level ($650), our top full marathon fundraiser AND completing his first marathon. 
• Dennis Hardwick for reaching the Lion Level ($2600), our top half marathon fundraiser, This was his 5th race.
• Loraine Lerner for reaching the Gazelle Level ($1300), top 5K fundraiser. She with Angela Castellano built a team of seven with Gary, Kat, Kathryn, Regta, and Robin. 
• Top fundraiser goes to  Trevor Rodrigues! The cheetah is the most challenging level to reach. This is his 3rd year reaching Cheetah ($5000). 
• The chairs of the R4VP Committee: Anna Rodrigues, Sharon Arnett and Mary Jane Sahagun. 

Asante Sana, thank you, to all!

The ministry organizes trips to visit our sister parish in Dandora, Kenya, offering parishioners an opportunity to meet face to face with our brothers and sisters, witnessing the progress of joint projects, and participation in prayer and worship activities together. So far, over 170 St. Monica travelers have experienced the beauty of Kenya and the faith of her people.

Is this the year God is calling you to join us? Contact Peter Heller at [email protected]  for more information.

A special message for Summer of 2020

It is with deep regret that Monsignor, the Africa Ministry and the Trip's Committee have recently decided to postpone the Africa 2020 trip to Kenya and to our sister parish in Dandora. There is a possibility of a smaller group traveling sometime in the fall.

This decision wasn’t taken lightly and there was robust debate on whether or not to proceed...and when. Weighing all the benefits as well as the downside of postponing now - rather than deciding next month - we felt this was the best way to care for our sister parish in Kenya as well as our travelers. Indeed we still do not know the possible extent of the virus in Dandora although, to date, there have only been 303 cases reported in all of Kenya (including 14 deaths). When the pandemic would reach its peak there and how long the recovery would take all factored into our decision. As of now the borders are still closed to all international flights and travel."

We hope to reschedule. Watch for future announcements.

Each year our parish travelers bring back wonderful crafts, treasures and handmade gifts from Kenya – in fact, many of the items are handmade by the Dandora Catholic Handcraft Group, the local trades association at our sister parish, Holy Cross Church.  We sell these items a few times a year after Masses at St. Monica, with all proceeds benefitting Holy Cross Dandora Parish.  We invite you to get involved in any of the following ways:  marketing and arranging the items, helping with after-Mass sales, and giving feedback about the types of crafts to bring back next time. 

Please contact Delis G. Alejandro at [email protected] if interested.

The Faith and Culture committee organizes opportunities to pray with our brothers and sisters in Dandora (for example, at the First Friday Masses celebrated concurrently in the two parishes) and organizes events to introduce the faith and culture of Kenya

 Volunteers welcome and can contact Delis at [email protected].

The HCAM Medical Committee works to develop sustainable health care at our sister Parish, Holy Cross, in Dandora, Kenya. By providing medical supplies and sharing of medical knowledge and technology, we strive to improve health outcomes at the Brother Andre Dispensary. 

The Building Committee of HCAM supports infrastructure projects at Holy Cross Parish. In the past, the Building Committee has sponsored the building of classrooms at St. James School and the drilling of a borehole to create a well that provides fresh water to thousands of residents of Dandora. (dedicated in 2006).

Mortality of both mothers and babies is high in many developing HCAM supports maternal and infant health through its partnership with Dandora Africa Wellness Network (DAWN). Its first initiative is building a maternity hospital on the grounds of Holy Cross Parish. For more information or to provide financial assistance, visit www.newdawnafrica.org.

Our Lady of Visitation Maternity Hospital

Like most institutions worldwide, Brother Andre Medical Center suffers the effects of the COVID 19 pandemic. After a two month hiatus, the Medical Center’s 24-hour patient services is gradually resuming. Besides maternity, patient services were suspended due to a government imposed curfew and drastically reduced numbers. Staff reductions and salary cuts depress a community already on the margins. Despite these challenges the Visitation Maternity Hospital is also a place of joy as baby girl triplets were born on April 17 at the Clinic, and were placed in incubators. Mother and babies are in good health and have just been sent home.

For more information and how you can help please contact the Holy Cross Africa Ministry Team at [email protected].