The culmination of a seven year building programme came to fruition today with the opening of the boys wings of our GLO Transition House and the The Good Shepherd Chapel. This house is the next step in preparing our older children for life outside our walls, we will learn them to clean, wash, iron & prepare meals for themselves under the watchful eye of Uncle Hemed & Auntie Christine. We will also learn them how to budget which will be a new hurdle to cross for the children.
As you can imagine there was much excitement this past week and everyone worked so hard preparing for this special day. Serving pilau for over 150 people, preparing a full Mass with a very vocal choir and preparing our three boys to make the transition from Maguire & Kilroe Houses to their new home took many hours of preparation. With Madam Mercy, Madam Sharon and Papa Kevin at the helm it was a big operation but one that would run like clockwork.
The amount of work that went into the day was just unbelievable but all went to plan and we were so happy to have Kim & Vincent Maher and Dermot & Jackie McKenna visit from the UK to celebrate our special day, with Father James Clarke visiting from Manchester as well all was set for a tremendous occasion.
Father James met Father Moses from our nearby parish in Mtwapa to discuss the finer details of the Mass and with Mr Stephen & Madam Elizabeth leading our choir and Father Gabriel co-celebrating the Mass a great day began. Dermot & Jackie brought up a goat as a gift to Father Moses, although this is the normal in Kenya it did raise a few eyebrows from our visiting guests. The sound of the voices of the choir was just delightful and once Mass was celebrated and The Good Shepherd Chapel was blessed we moved onto the other entertainment for the day.
Last month our very dear friend Joe McErlean lost his younger brother Liam, both Papa Kevin & Mama Mary have very fond memories of Liam and we were privileged to dedicate the paintings in our Good Shepherd Chapel to the memory of Liam, again unveiling this plaque brought a tear to our eyes but every day children will visit our chapel and enjoy these paintings so Liam’s memory lives on in this little spot in Kenya, knowing Liam we do think this would make him very happy.
The choir sang some original compositions from Mr Stephen, the older children said a very moving poem but the highlight was the traditional dancing with some of our KG 1 & 2 pupils accompanying our Standard 8 pupils, it was a fantastic sight with everyone joining in the dancing and celebrations. Following this both guests planted trees to commemorate the day, it was indeed a time to reflect and celebrate our achievements at The GLO.
Next we unveiled the plaque for the Transition House with Dermot & Jackie McKenna cutting the ribbon so our boys could enter the Transition House, it was indeed a watershed for the project and everyone felt very emotional. Seeing Dermot’s reaction to the plaque dedicated to his parents Johnny & Mary made us all realise the deep significance of the day.
Following the blessing of the new building, our older boys Abdullah, Collins & Saidi moved across from Maguire and Kilroe Houses to their new home, with the help of our supporters and the dedication of our staff we had made a dream become reality. From we turned the first soil in January 2013 to this opening day in March 2014 we have had a few mountains to climb but thanks to the belief of our supporters we have managed to succeed and now have this wonderful new building.
Together we can make a difference and what has been achieved here today is indeed a miracle.
In the words of Robert Kennedy “The purpose of life is to contribute in some way to making things better”, our Transition House is indeed going to make things better for our children and we thank you all for being a part of this.
Absolutely fabulous so proud to know these people who care enough about others to turn this dream into a reality
Well done to all the people who has helped along the way
And another new start for so many may God Be with You All to Guide You On Your Way xx
Well done to all involved!!!! Xxxxx
Big love x
What you have done is really great. Your sponsors and supporters have had great faith in all of you.
I hope the new house is a great success. I’m sure it will be!
Vincent
Congratulations to you all. It looks and sounds like a fantastic celebration for the opening. Many young people will benefit from the Transition House in the future.
So very proud of you both. Well done. You are helping those that need it. Mary & Johnny will be smiling down with pride
Big hugs & fairy wishes xxx
Mary and Kevin, you are an inspiration. GOD BLESS you both. the building looks great.
We both felt very privileged in being invited to share this day. Our sincere best wishes to you both for continued success in this very worthwhile project.
Diane and Evan
well done to all of you humanity at its best
Heartfelt congratulations Mary and Kevin, and to all the wonderful people who helped you get to this day. You must all feel so proud at achieving another milestone at the GLO.
The dedication to my brother Liam is a truly magnificent gesture, and one that will bring so much comfort and solace to all his family, in Ireland, Switzerland and England. Liam would feel very proud and honoured. Thank you so much.
The word inspiration cannot be overused in comments about the work that goes on at the GLO.
A huge ‘well done’ to each and everyone of you, especially of course, to Mary and Kevin.
Well done to everyone for the fantastic work you have all done. May God bless you all.
Congratulations! What an achievement.
Wishing Abdullah, Collins & Saidi best of luck on the next stage of their lives, although they will be just across the way it is a big step.
Sejalx
Congratulations to everyone at GLO on the opening of the Transition House. Such an achievement, you guys continue to inspire everyone who is lucky enough to have met you.
Good luck Collins, Saidi & Abdullah. I hope when I come back you will be able to show me your cooking skills!
Lots of love
Beth
xxx
Dearest Kevin and Mary
It has been an honour and pleasure to have been involved in this great day, everything went so well, I could see how proud and touched you both were as the day unfolded. It’s true that a LOT of work went into the day, but it was worth every minute. Mass was splendid with amazing music and dance, the formal transition of the children leaving their old houses and mams had everyone in tears, and the exhibition of traditional African dance afterwards lead to the completion of a truly inspiring day. God bless you both for all that you have done for these children and for the countless generations ahead who will benefit from this little miracle in Kenya.
WOW!!!
What a wonderful occasion and another fab achievement for you all!
The children are blessed indeed 🙂
Congratulations to you all xx
Im so proud to have such a wonderful brother and an outstanding lady he is married to . The warm generous ” nothing is impossible ” mama Mary
Des
Kevin & Mary,
We can’t believe how quickly it has been completed.
Congratulations. What an incredible achievement (to add to all the rest), and what an impact it will have on the lives and futures of the young adults at the GLO.
The children will are delighted with the news of the opening and we will continue to fundraise.
Thinking and praying for you all, here at Holy Family, Salford.
Clare
Mary, Kevin and the rest of the team, a massive very well done to you all. The opening of this new facility will be of great benefit to all who pass through it. Paddy & Lisa xx