KENYA: CUEA Raises Over 3M Shillings for needy student’s Scholarships
CUEA Raises Over 3M Shillings for needy student’s Scholarships
On Friday, November 8, the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, CUEA, held the annual Cardinal Otunga Memorial Mass, Public Lecture and Scholarship Fundraising at LRC, Auditorium under the theme,” Positive Change, Human Dignity and Ethical Justice Lessons from SoG Maurice Cardinal Otunga”.
The Memorial Mass was celebrated by Very Rev. Prof. Stephen Mbugua, the Vice Chancellor, on behalf of His Eminence John Cardinal Njue, Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi who could not make it.
During his homily, the Vice Chancellor encouraged the congregation to give all that they can to the needy.
The Mass was followed by a panel discussion on the theme of the day, led by Fr. Simon Ng’ang’a, Procurator of Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi, Fr. Celestino Bundi, KCCB and Hon. George Muhoho former leader at Kenya Airports Authority (KAA). The presenters outlined the lessons learnt from Cardinal Otunga, which included humility, furtherance of education, love that transforms, defending the institution of the family, among others.
During his speech, the Scholarship Chief Fundraiser, H.E Hon. Francis Kimemia, Governor for the County of Nyandarua mentioned that he vividly remembered Cardinal Otunga when he visited their parish when he was a young man. He said that he commemorates him when he visits the Resurrection Garden in Karen, Nairobi, where he loves going to pray the Rosary.
He also advised the Vice Chancellor and all leaders at the University to have a strategic direction, build the institution and create a new organizational culture and values.
Over 3.4 million shillings was raised, with the Governor’s personal contribution of approximately Us Dollars 3,000 (Ksh.300,000) to be followed by an annual contribution of Ksh.720,000 for three years to cover the fees and accommodation costs for at least four students per semester.
The University launched the Cardinal Otunga Memorial Mass, Lecture and Scholarship Fund Programme on 29th September 2005 as an initiative to honour and remember the late Maurice Cardinal Otunga who is one of the founding Fathers and Trustee who played a key role in the establishment of CUEA.
Since its established in 2005, the Cardinal Otunga Scholarship Fund has benefited close to 300 Students coming from needy backgrounds and it is the aim of the University to continue with the same and also to grow the fund to support many more students.
By Stephen Mbobu
