On May 26th, 2008 I visited the village of Kitui in southeast Kenya, the project I had worked on with Fr. Angelo D’Agostino in the year 2006.  Fr. D’Agostino died in late November 2006 and before I left Nairobi I visited his grave site at the Jesuit retirement home cemetery.

My great teacher and loving friend rests in Africa after completing his greatest life’s work there among the children he so dearly loved.  Visiting the village was exciting because much had been accomplished there and it is where I learned so much from the experiences shared with Father D’Agostino.  He taught me to never lose faith in what I believe in no matter how often you are tested, “Just don’t quit believing in yourself and God,” he used to say.

“Don’t let people with small minds stop you from doing what you believe in and doing the things in life you want to do especially for others.”  He would always say keep your options open, we’ll work together in the future,” and so as I do my work here and I feel his spiritual presence and echo of his loving encouragement.

Visiting the village was also sad because the acting administration and Board in Kitui, Kenya are distant to me, although they are doing a good job moving the project along.  They have a different energy and method than the enthusiastic, jovial and temperamental (at times) Father D’Agostino. 

My role there ended with Father’s passing and all those who were loyal to him have pretty much been dismissed.  However, the village is now functioning with over 250 orphans and 15 grandparents.  All of them seem healthy and content.  The school is open and so are some of the other facilities.  The water system nourishes the property and population with trees, plants, animals, vegetables, fruits and safe drinking water.

I visited some old friends there and others in the surrounding villages.  The project is now well funded and I believe will continue to grow and succeed.  What the future holds for my involvement there is unclear but I keep my options open since I continue to have many friends in the Nyumbani organization in the U.S., Italy and many still in Kenya.