Our latest project, which is still in the process of being built, was supposed to be started in 2012, but due to some unforeseen circumstances, the building was only started at the end of 2018.
Thankfully, as of April 2020, it has almost reached completion. We just need some more funds to finish the rooms in the upper section and to get an underground tank. This project is called Umoja Youth and Community Education and Sports Centre. “Umoja” means unity, as funding was given by Celtic Junior Academy after the post-election violence of 2007-2008, to build a special place where the community, especially the youth, could come together to play sports, learn about topical issues, share ideas and, ultimately, build peace. Assistant Director of CJA, Martin Miller and his wife, Geraldine, came to Kericho at that time and witnessed first hand the destruction that was caused in the area due to the post election violence.
The complex consists of several sub-projects under the same roof: The Tommy Burns Memorial Stadium, the Santa Chiara Day Care and Nursery School, St. Francis Vocational School as well as the community education component. It has been funded mostly by Celtic Junior Academy and by Bishop Brian McGee’s youth groups from the Dioceses of Paisley and Argyll and the Isles. Misean Cara, Ireland, also gave us a grant of just under €10,000 which we have used to finish the vocational classes and put in half the seating in the stadium. Family and friends of Sr. Placida have also contributed a considerable amount over the years. Special mention must go to Rosemary, Jenna and Jonathan Burns who donated 4,000 pounds towards the building of the stadium in memory of the late great Tommy Burns who was a famous Scottish footballer and manager – not to mention a fantastic role model. Tommy was the Director of Celtic Junior Academy at the time they were fundraising for this project. He was also a great example of a committed family man and faithful Catholic.