Change: June Centre Meeting

“I will be leaving Ruben Centre as of 1st July 2024 to return to Australia. I am stepping aside as the “on the ground” Director in Nairobi. I am still the Director, but we do not need me to be here on the ground for things to run,” said Br. Frank O’Shea OAM as 17 project leaders gathered for the June monthly Centre meeting. The Director explained that after his return on February 1st, 2023, he was given a one-year appointment to stabilize the faults within the system, a feat he has successfully achieved. The appointment of a new Programs Manager and Operations Manager, oversight of registering the organization as a Trust, appointment of five members as members of the Board of Trustees, and most importantly, rebuilding donor confidence are some of the key roles Br. Frank has accomplished in the past 16 months.

The Centre meeting began earlier than usual to allow staff to leave earlier due to the ongoing high-tax protests nationwide, with minutes from May’s Centre meeting being reviewed. Two new members introduced themselves, starting with Sr. Angelica, who said in her first month at the Centre, the organization is a “miracle in the (Mukuru) village by transforming the lives of the people.” Mr. Joseph Kuya introduced himself to the team as the Onsite Safeguarding Officers team lead and appreciated the management for recognizing the Safeguarding Department. Festus Mwaniki spoke about the 2023 Audit Report, saying the final report was out and just needed a signature from the Board of Trustees. The Operations Manager, Albanous Gituru, chimed in and expressed his satisfaction with the report.

The meeting moved on to updates from other project coordinators, as follows:

- Catherine Njuki (Social Worker): The social department has been very engaged in the aftermath of the floods and demolitions between May and July 2024. Support from Mark Cubit, Buddhist Global Relief, Team Pankaj, MAMA Project, Red Cross, Sarova Hotels, Richer Life Foundation, Jonathan Jackson Foundation, among many others, reached over 500 families.

- Lenah Cheruiyot (Deputy Headteacher): Ruben Primary & Junior School remains on midterm break and resumes on 1st July 2024. Current enrollment stands at 3,546 learners, with 71 teachers, 17 of whom are seconded from Ruben Centre. Madam Grace Kyuli is the new senior teacher, taking over from Madam Catherine Kibaya, who has proceeded to retirement. Madam Christine will take over as the Onsite Safeguarding Officer at the school, also a position held by Madam Kibaya. The school boasts a new ICT hub, courtesy of Ruben Centre through the tremendous efforts of Lisa Pope and her partners Ann and Brian from Australia. Learners from the school participated in Zonal Music competitions, and 16 items will proceed to the regional levels.

- Chrescent Ebembe (Human Resource Manager): The organization’s HR manual has been updated due to the upgrading of the organization’s status from a Non-Governmental Organization to a Charitable Trust. The last update of the manual was in 2020. The updates were a collaborative effort between the Operations Manager and the Human Resource Manager. Significant changes include recruitment, probation criteria, supervisors’ roles, induction, intellectual property and security, flexible working arrangements, and leave days, among others. The manual will be available to all staff members publicly soon.

- Tony Okolla (Monitoring & Evaluation Officer): There has been a change in the organogram. The position of ICT has been added to the administration team. The safeguarding officer’s reporting structure has also been upgraded. New projects in hospitality and digital literacy have been added to the Human Development and Skills Training Program (HDSTP).

- Veronica Mukati (Programs Manager): ERFA mid-year and quarter two reporting are upcoming. Save The Children visitors toured the organization and are keen on bringing on board a significant partner that would benefit the organization.

- Thomas Ochieng’ (Ruben FM Station Manager): Ruben FM tournament is back.

- Elizabeth Kagwima (HDSTP Coordinator): The project will be relocating the tailoring & dressmaking course, as well as the production unit, to the Theresa D’Orsa Training Centre on Friday, 28th June 2024. The space vacated by the two units will be occupied by digital literacy training and podcasting. The first batch of funding worth Kes 375,000 from the Association of Sisterhoods Of Kenya has been released to support learners in the cosmetology course. The HDSTP has made new uniforms for all staff at the Ruben Health Centre.

The meeting concluded with the Director’s sudden announcement of his departure. Veronica and Albanous will be the leaders working on an alternative administration model. While in Australia, Br. Frank will connect with major donors to address the 19.1% budget deficit, which translates to Ksh 25,013,405 or US$ 173,067. In his closing remarks, Br. Frank reminded all staff members present that "We are Ruben, We believe, We accept, We can, and We will!"

By: Gregory Barake