University News

Alumnus Rev. Francis Ndolo is heading home to Kenya with a master's degree in counseling from Western Illinois University, as well as new skills that will help him help children impacted by the AIDS epidemic there.
[Download Print-Quality Image]

Pictured is a sacred traditional dance by youth from the Kabati parish (Kenya) during the August 2007 Diocesan Youth Music Festival, Catholic Diocese of Kitui.
[Download Print-Quality Image]

Alum Heading Home to Kenya with Degree, Skills to Help Children Impacted by AIDS Epidemic

April 6, 2011

Share |
Printer friendly version

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL -- For Americans doing missionary work in Kenya -- those dedicated individuals helping children left parentless by the AIDS epidemic, at a school with dirt floors and no electricity and only sunlight by which to learn -- it isn't hard to find examples of the disparity between the wealthy, safe and comfortable life in the United States and what Kenyans endure. It also isn't hard to find ways to help. When people have next to nothing, it doesn't take much to make an immense improvement; yet help is difficult to find within the African country.

In the case of native Kenyan and Western Illinois University alumnus, Rev. Francis Ndolo, this time the missionary came to America so he could bring back support to those in need at home. Ndolo took up the challenge of raising money in the U.S. for his diocese and orphans in Kenya.

"It is very difficult for orphans who've been impacted by the HIV/AIDS epidemic in my village to learn. Many of them have lost parents and family members to AIDS or have the disease themselves," Ndolo said. "It's a struggle for them to concentrate and learn new things when they live in constant worry and fear."

Ndolo's mission led him to the U.S. in 2005, where he spent time at various dioceses throughout the country to raise awareness and funds for orphans in his parish, the Catholic Diocese of Kitui in Kenya. Yet he didn't come here with an outstretched hand expecting money to flow easily; he assisted in different parishes and campus ministries delivering masses and performing other pastoral work.

When he arrived in the Peoria (IL) diocese, he learned from Rev. Ken Hummel that the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Student Newman Center at WIU in Macomb needed help delivering mass, as well as with other duties that priests perform. Without hesitation, Ndolo agreed to help.

Once settled in Macomb, Ndolo learned about the counselor education graduate program at Western, and he realized the skills and knowledge he would gain from the program could benefit his parishioners. He offered to work with the Newman Center's campus ministry in exchange for the chance to earn a master's degree in counseling.

The arrangement seemed to work out well with a few adjustments. Ndolo -- who graduated with his master's degree in counseling last December -- said his professors, fellow students and co-workers helped him learn about dressing for, and driving in, the snow and ice, as well as helped him acclimate and learn about American culture, customs, food and traditions.

"Dr. Leslie O'Ryan was a tremendous help to me, as well as so many other educators and students at Western," Ndolo said.

O'Ryan, an associate professor in WIU's counselor education program, in turn, found some very special qualities about Ndolo.

"Francis was an exceptional student. He is knowledgeable in traditional healing and counseling, and he volunteered at AIDS Project in the Quad Cities. I recommended him for EMDR training, at which he excelled," O'Ryan noted.

EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) is a type of therapy said to be an effective treatment of trauma widely defined, according to O'Ryan.

Ndolo's knowledge of EMDR therapy and his degree in counseling are tremendous tools to help him address the needs of the Kenyan children, who are dealing with the loss of their parents or who are coping with the devastating HIV symptoms family members may have.

"I come from an area where there are two doctors for every 600,000 people. Nearly 1.2 million children in Kenya are orphaned due to AIDS," he said. "I feel better prepared now to return to my homeland, so I can help educate caretakers and teachers there who are dealing with these children, to help them cope with parents who are suffering with, or the loss of their parents who have died from, the disease. Medication isn't always the best cure and is very hard to get in my country. The government tries to help, but it's still not enough. The Catholic Church, through the health care system, is involved in addressing this problem," Ndolo added.

Next week, Ndolo returns to Kenya with an advanced degree in counseling, funds raised in the U.S. and skills to help orphans and their families. But, in a country the size of Texas with 38 million people, his work ahead will be a challenge.

"I'm so grateful for my experience here at Western and all the people I've met who have taught me so many things. I hope I have taught them many things about my experiences and the country in which I live. I'll take back many friendships with me when I go home," he said.

Ndolo added that he still has much work to do and funds to raise for his diocese. To help Ndolo with his efforts for the Diocese of Kitui, contact Rev. Jeremiah in the Kitui Mission office in St. Mark Parish (Peoria, IL) at (309) 550-1155 or at (309) 673-1763. More information about the Kitui Mission is available at www.dioceseofkitui.org.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing