KENYA: Catholic Nun Receives Award at Pan-African Congress on Theology
Sr. Jane Wakahiu
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
During the Pan-African Catholic Congress on Theology Society and Pastoral Life, held at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) in Kenya’s capital Nairobi, a number of African women were feted for their outstanding contribution in the continent’s development.
Sharing with AMECEA online about her award, one of the awardees Sr. Jane Wakahiu a member of the Institute of the Little Sisters of Saint Francis (LSSF) expressed her appreciation saying, “I am overwhelmed with gratitude to be considered for the award together with these phenomenal women.”
The four-day biannual congress which ended Friday, July 22, reflected on various thematic themes including the achievements of African women where participants resolved “to show solidarity in building a better society where African women will always flourish.”
In her appreciation message, Sr. Wakahiu who was honored “for being a trailblazing woman Religious and the first African woman to occupy position of the Associate Vice President of Programs Operations and Head of Catholic Sisters Initiative at the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, recognized the efforts of other women for the services they offer for the good of others acknowledging that “Sisters are an embodiment of a vital church in Africa.”
“I accept this award in honor of so many Catholic Sisters across the globe who are doing remarkable transformative work in underserved and marginalized communities,” Sr. Wakahiu the former executive director of the African Sisters Education Collaborative (ASEC) noted and explained further, “These women are silently going about their work, making a difference one life at a time, under very challenging circumstances.”
She further recognized the unsung women heroes who nurture faith in the society saying, “With sincere gratitude, I receive this award in honor of many women who tenaciously work and struggle to raise families and build our society from the bottom up.”
Stressing through her appreciation that one’s success depends on support from others, the Kenya-born nun expressed her indebtedness to women Religious on whose shoulders she stands including the founder of her congregation Mother Mary Kevin, who gave the “totality of her life to improving human dignity and the commongood in Africa,” and her own mother who instilled in her ethical values. 
Other African women awarded Wednesday, July 20, by the congress whose theme was “Walking Together for a Vital Church for Africa and the World,” included Sister Angelique Namaika the founding sister of the Pious Association of the Blessed Anuarite of Compassion of Dungu-Doruma, an Association of Religious life in DRC, who was awarded for her courageous spirit and faith-filled ministry to the most vulnerable.
Mama Rose Ochieng a Kenyan-born whom the congress honored for being a valiant woman, for opening her heart to those in need and for being the hands and feet of Christ.
Sr. Rosemary Nyirumbe from Uganda, was awarded for her nurturing spirit that has provided healing to many souls traumatized by violence, war and forced displacement.
On the other hand, Sr. Anne Béatrice Faye a Senegalese from the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception of Castres received her recognition for accomplishments in the academic field and for proudly flying Africa’s flag on the global stage through the work with the Vatican and a board member of the Concilium.
The Association of Consecrated Women in Eastern and Central Africa, (ACWECA) which is a regional body comprising National Associations of Sisterhoods (women Superior Generals) from ten English-speaking countries of Eastern and Central Africa was honored for pioneering the work of empowering women Religious and building a strong network of Catholic Sisters
