Director's Remarks- 2024
I must begin by commenting on the state of the nation, Kenya, because what happens at the macro level directly impacts micro systems and organizations within the country, county, and local community. Kenya is in freefall, both politically and economically, due to incompetent governance at all levels. The widespread corruption and mounting national debt have impoverished the nation, particularly affecting the delivery of essential state services—especially in health and education. Unfortunately, this has made the mission of Ruben Centre even more indispensable.
I would love to see a just and prosperous nation render our work unnecessary, but that was not the case in 2024. Our dedicated staff kept the Centre alive and thriving, showing up every day in challenging conditions and giving their best.
The Christian Brothers came into existence in response to an educational need in Ireland at the beginning of the 19th century. The sight of an entire generation of boys growing up without education moved Edmund Rice to act. In 1802, he opened his first school. Other young men joined his endeavor, and for the first 100 years of the Brotherhood, these brothers established schools all over Ireland and later ventured overseas with the Irish diaspora, continuing their educational mission.
In 1991, the first three Christian Brothers from Australia arrived in Kenya. At the turn of the century, in 2000, Sr. Mary Killeen of the Congregation of Mercy Sisters invited the Christian Brothers to administer Ruben Centre, which at the time was primarily a primary school and a small health clinic.
This year, 2025, marks the silver jubilee of what we now know as the Christian Brothers Ruben Trust, making this the perfect time to reflect on the past 25 years. In a special way, this 2024 annual report is more detailed than all previous reports, capturing the full scope of our world-class humanitarian development project. The information gathered will serve as the foundation for planning and implementing the next 25 years.
Major Developments in 2024
Legal Trust Formation
2024 was a significant milestone, as Ruben Centre officially began operating as a legal Trust. I was deeply involved in fostering the development of the Christian Brothers Ruben Centre Trust, nurturing leadership and organizational capacity among the trustees. This transition has been challenging, but progress has been made through training and capacity building, as outlined in our new Charter for Trust Operations.
Growth and Development
The personnel on the ground have changed, but one constant in the Ruben Centre story has been our Australian-based development foundation, Edmund Rice Foundation Australia (ERFA). In the first year of the Christian Brothers at Ruben, ERFA was instrumental in building drains and improving infrastructure, culminating in the construction of the Reuben Police Post, which opened in March 2001.
Recognizing the community's security needs, the founding brothers took steps that later led to the rebuilding of the police post in 2020, transforming it into a fully operational police station. This foresight reflects the Centre's holistic vision, which has led to the complete rebuilding and expansion of Ruben Centre into what I now call a "One-Stop Shop" for thousands of Mukuru residents.
Key Achievements Across Projects
In 2024, Ruben Centre operated 16 fully functioning projects across its four strategic objectives:
Education
Health
Social & Economic Training (SEETE)
Advocacy & Networking
Health – The Largest Beneficiary Sector
The Ruben Health Centre provided over 115,000 health services in 2024, making it our largest strategic objective in terms of beneficiaries and budget.
Maternity Care:
Managed 1,266 expecting mothers
Admitted 1,046 mothers
Facilitated the birth of 9,042 babies
Transferred 98 mothers via the Centre’s ambulance for specialized care
My first stop every morning is the maternity ward, where I witness firsthand the dedication of our medical team and the resilience of mothers who enter the facility in labor and pain but leave 24 hours later with joy and hope.
Challenges and Responses
Flooding in Mukuru Slums
One of the defining events of 2024 was the devastating floods that destroyed homes and displaced families. Ruben Centre stepped up as the primary relief provider, distributing:
Household items
Mattresses
Food supplies
Clothing and other essentials
A special thank you to Team Pankaj Shah and the Cubit Family, whose generosity enabled us to respond effectively.
Education Sector Shifts
A major event for the school was the retirement of long-serving Headteacher Scholastica Opiyo after 26 years of dedicated service. She was honored with:
Avenue of Honour: 26 trees were planted along a new walkway named after her
A commemorative plaque on the Centre’s Honour Board
After five weeks, Mr. Peter Kanyago was appointed as her replacement. He arrived full of energy and fresh ideas, bringing a renewed sense of purpose to the school.
Unexpected Government Policy Change
In October 2024, the Kenyan government announced that all primary schools must retain Grade 8 students for an additional year instead of transitioning them to Junior Secondary Schools.
KSH 8 million was allocated for building 8 new classrooms for 625 Year 9 students
The funds arrived late in mid-November, forcing a rushed construction project
Despite setbacks, the new nine classrooms were completed by January 5, 2025
The Headteacher and foreman took charge, ensuring that the school term started on time—a remarkable achievement.
Community Engagement & Partnerships
Ruben Centre continued to serve as a community hub, providing space for government and social programs. Notable events included:
World Toilet Day (Nov 19): UNICEF officially opened a new block of school toilets
Nairobi County Feeding Program: "Dishy Na County" launched in January 2024
5 KSH per meal per child
Electronic wristbands enabled seamless meal distribution
For many children, school meals are their main source of nutrition, reinforcing the program's critical role in supporting education and health.
Conclusion
The year 2024 was filled with challenges—the biggest being funding shortages and donor dependency. Despite these obstacles, Ruben Centre remained resilient, thanks to the unwavering support of:
Edmund Rice Foundation Australia (ERFA)
Generous donors and partners
Our dedicated staff and volunteers
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all who contributed to our mission. May we continue to serve the Mukuru community with dedication and hope in the years ahead.
Br. Frank O’Shea
Director, Ruben Centre