Kenya is one of the poorest countries in Africa with more than 52% of the population living below the poverty line.

Recent progress however has led to education reforms with more children in school and a good balance between girls and boys. The fight against HIV and AIDS has seen prevalence fall from over 11% to 6.1% over the last five years. Access to better water and sanitation is improving and Kenya has recorded two years’ of positive growth (4.3% in 2004 and 5.8% in 2005).

But, despite this growth, Kenya slipped 20 places in the 2005 Human Development Report to 154 out of 177 countries (based on 2003 data).

Since 2005 we have been sending aid to the Little Sisters of St Francis, a religious congregation of indigenous African sisters, working in different Dioceses within Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. 

Founded in 1923 by Mother Mary Kevin, an Irish nun belonging to the Franciscan Sisters, Mill Hill, St. Mary’s Abbey in England, the Little Sisters have established 14 schools, clinics and refugee centres where people in need are helped and, in particular, orphaned children are educated and provided loving care.