President Uhuru Kenyatta on Saturday, January 23, made a personal donation of Ksh10 million to Loreto schools as part of an endowment fund and scholarship programme.
He had attended the celebration of 100 years of Loreto Eastern Africa Province at the Loreto Mary Ward Centre in Karen, Nairobi County.
As an alumnus of Loreto Convent, Valley Road he recalled his two years as a pupil of the then mixed primary school, saying the institution shaped him to be a person who values hard work and respect for others.
“As a child, having spent two years in Loreto, I was eager to learn. My childhood foundation gave me the spirit of hard work, honesty, duty to my country, respect for others and, most of all, the fear of God,” said Uhuru.
According to a statement by the President’s Strategic Communications Unit the Ksh10 million donation is meant to jump-start an alumni endowment fund to help needy students.
As part of the centenary celebrations, the president also announced the government's approval and support for the construction of a new Loreto School in Kilifi to accommodate 500 girls.
Further, the Head of State challenged fellow alumni to partner with Loreto Sisters in preserving the century-old history of the institution and directed the Ministry of Lands to grant a title deed to Loreto Msongari.
“My humble request to the Loreto Sisters is to preserve the history, icons, and artifacts of Loreto at Loreto Msongari. This way we will afford to give future generations the full breadth and perspective of the great story that is Loreto.
“To ensure that we do not have any interference or threat of disposal or alteration of this success, I hereby direct the Ministry of Lands & Physical Planning jointly with the Ministry of Sports, Culture & Heritage to ensure Msongari remains in the hands of the Loreto Sisters as a matter of public and historical interest,” the President directed.
Kenyatta noted that through its Christian ministry and investments in education, social ministry and other acts of mercy, Loreto Sisters have transformed the lives of many people and made Kenya a better country.
“The contribution of Loreto Sisters in our nation is inked in their alumni, which include a president, bishops, scientists, leaders in government, academia, legal minds, captains of industry, entrepreneurs, sportsmen and women,” the president said.
Uhuru mentioned the late Nobel Laureate and environmentalist Professor Wangari Maathai, educationist Eddah Gachukia, Lady Justice Joyce Oluoch, Lady Justice Njoki Ndung’u, journalist Julie Gichuru and consultant Tina Njonjo as some of the prominent alumni of Loreto schools.
“Loreto’s training has contributed immeasurably to the creative and performance arts, to politics, governance, religion and theology, environmental protection, community service, among many fields," he added.
