In this article, Fr. Joseph Ngángá demonstrates how education encompasses an integral role in the Comboni Missionaries’ broader mission of evangelization, highlighting the significant contributions and achievements of the Comboni Missionaries in Kenya over the past 50 years, and envisions the continued importance of this dual mission for future generations.
By Fr. Joseph Ngángá, Mccj
The Integration of Education and Missionary Work: A Comboni Perspective
Education and missionary work go together. The Comboni Family is missionary in every way. This is the great missionary mandate received from Our Lord Jesus Christ: “Go, therefore, make disciples of all nations; baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you” (Matthew 28:19-20).
Following the Missionary Vision: St. Daniel Comboni’s Holistic Approach
In fulfilling this mandate, we follow the inspiration of the missionary St. Daniel Comboni, whose missionary approach focuses on the human person as a whole. To do this, there are two necessary tasks in Comboni missions: to baptize, meaning to evangelize; and to teach, meaning to educate. This allows full development of the human person and a total experience of the Christian life.
Education and Evangelization: Two Sides of the Same Mission
Education and evangelization are joined at the hip. In the Comboni approach, wholeness requires both conversion and transformation. Thus, an educational institution is a place of mission just as a spirituality centre. In other words, a school and a parish are both fruits of the missionary activity. And, they have the same ultimate goal: full stature with the fullness of Christ himself (Ephesians 4:13).
Interwoven Mission: Educating through Evangelization and Vice Versa
As Comboni missionaries, although we distinguish between education and evangelization, we do not separate them. By educating, we evangelize, and by evangelizing, we educate. Because of this, the Comboni Missionaries in Kenya are present in the education sector at all levels, right from preparatory to post-graduate.
Diverse Contributions: The Comboni Missionaries’ Impact on Education
This presence is diverse in its nature and form. Directly, where there are no schools, the Comboni Missionaries in Kenya have funded schools and later handed them over to the government or the diocese. Also, here in Kenya, there are Comboni Missionaries who are directly teachers, lecturers, and administrators of educational institutions. Indirectly, Comboni Missionaries help as chaplains in schools and spiritual sponsors of individual students.
Celebrating 50 Years: Reflecting on Educational Achievements and Impact
Therefore, as we celebrate 50 years of the presence of Comboni missionaries in Kenya, we are appreciating the positive impact and the footprints that Comboni missionaries have made in the area of education in Kenya. We educate as we evangelize and evangelize as we teach.
Highlighting Contributions: Notable Educational Institutions and Their Impact
Let us remember some of these educational institutions. By mentioning them, we join in joy with the many people who are their alumni and those who are currently there. In a special way, we rejoice with the poor and the needy whose lives would not have been transformed had Comboni Missionaries opted out of the education sector or separated evangelization and education. Think of a child in a remote area where the only education institution around is a nursery school (ECDE) started by the Combonis within a chapel building!
Regional Impact: Contributions in Nairobi, Mount Kenya, West Pokot, Turkana, and Marsabit
In Nairobi area, the educational institutions started by Comboni missionaries or are involved in the running include: Institute of Social Transformation within Tangaza University and Kibiko Polytechnic. In Kariobangi: Our Lady of Fatima Secondary School, Kariobangi, St. Daniel Comboni Primary and Junior High School Kariobangi, St. Martin Primary School, Watoto Wetu School, St. John Primary and Junior High School. They have already been handed over to the Archdiocese of Nairobi. In Utawala, we have St. Daniel Comboni High School and ECDE.
In the Mount Kenya region, the Comboni missionaries were involved in starting Bishop Gatimu Ngandu Girls Secondary School, Gilgil Polytechnic, and other technical skills institutions. In Ukambani area, the Comboni missionaries started and handed over to the government: Kiongwani Boys, Kasikeu Boys, and Mbitini Secondary School.
In West Pokot around Kacheliba, schools started by Comboni missionaries but later handed over include: Kacheliba Girls Primary School, Holy Cross Boys Kacheliba, Chelangani Girls Kacheliba, Holy Trinity Girls, and others. Around Amakuriat, the Comboni missionaries started and have handed over 24 schools in total. These include: St. Comboni Boys Secondary School Amakuriat, St. Anne’s Girls Secondary School Chelopoy, Nauyapong Mixed Primary School, Natemeri Primary School, and Korkou Primary School. The newest is an ECDE Centre. Around Kapenguria area, such schools include Tata Girls, etc.
In Turkana, the Comboni Missionaries have started and/or supported schools in Katilu area, Lokori, Lokichar, and Nakwamekwi. The nursery schools (ECDE) and primary schools are mainly attached to every outstation or local centre. The huge work is in early education centres. Currently, Comboni Missionaries in Turkana (Lokichar and Nakwamekwi) area attend to 44 local centres. Because of the huge gap, this literally means starting and supporting 44 nursery schools or more.
In Lokichar, we have 23 local centres in which we have started 23 nurseries, of which we have handed over 17 to the government and are now developing six. The recently built nurseries are Nakuruchanait, Kapese, Lokichar, Kaegete, Chibilet, etc. Within Lokichar, the primary schools started or at one point directly supported by Comboni Missionaries are: Lokichar Girls, Kapese, Lochwa, Kangakipur, Kekorisogol, Nakaalei, Kakalel, Kasuroi, Kamarese, etc. Currently, we are developing Christ the King Comprehensive School in Lokichar.
In the 21 local centres under Nakwamekwi, there are 21 nurseries, the majority of which still use the chapel building as the only classroom and others still learn under trees. The nurseries we have built recently are: Lokipetot, Namoru, Naurenpuu, and Nataparkakoko. In Nakwamekwi, such primary schools include: Nakwamekwi, Kaitese, Lokatul, etc. Currently, we are more involved in St. Daniel Comboni Girls Primary and in St. Daniel Comboni Secondary which have been handed over to the diocese.
In Marsabit area, the presence of Comboni Missionaries in the education sector is currently being directly felt in Consolata Nursery School, SKM Comprehensive School, Fr. John Memorial Primary, Dakabaricha High School, Moi Girls High School, Marsabit Mixed High School, Marsabit Boys High School, etc.
Looking Forward: Continuing the Mission and Addressing Future Challenges
This extensive, diverse, and fruitful missionary presence of the Comboni missionaries in education in Kenya for the last 50 years is a reason to celebrate. Its good impact is huge and far-reaching, especially in helping create a balanced generation: with a lifelong faith and grounded spirituality; capable of giving reasons for the faith and considering values and moral implications of policies, decisions, and choices; willing to stand up against injustices of all kinds and make sacrifices for the sake of others and the common good.
One may ask: After all these, what next? Should we relax or withdraw? It would help to remember that the mission of a Catholic school or a Catholic-sponsored school is evangelization and education. And to consider the changing dynamics in the education sector. The proposal is to take this expansive educational presence among the neediest as a stepping stone towards a deeper, more diverse, and specialized missionary presence.
The Path Ahead: Envisioning the Future of Missionary Education
The mission received from God is not only to evangelize and baptize but also to teach, educate, and form holistically. After conversion comes transformation. For this reason, the future of missionary presence in Kenya may well be in education. On behalf of all the beneficiaries of Comboni initiatives in education, we say Kudos Comboni Family! Congratulations on your Golden Jubilee! Long Live Comboni Charism!
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