Members

Kenya

The Grail in Kenya began in the 1970’s when the Episcopol Council of Kenya invited two Grail members, Anne Hope of South Africa and Sally Timmel, from the United States, to train Church development workers (priests, nuns and laity). The work of these Grail members impressed several lay women who were working in different dioceses in Kenya. They were interested to learn more and attended weekend gatherings from time to time in different locations. Grail teams began to emerge in Nairobi, Kisumu, Kitali and later, in Machakos.  In 1979, four women made their commitment in the Grail, officially giving birth to the Grail in Kenya.   

Our community includes over 30 committed members as well as young women aspiring to become Grail members. We engage in activities that promote transformation of the world, mainly focused on the U.N Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

  • protection of the environment
  • educating young girls and providing education to underprivileged pupils with the aim of eliminating poverty
  • empowering young women and girls through health and gender education
  • encouraging practical lessons on sustainable agriculture
  • embracing clean energy. 

We are active in communities where our members reside, forming small women’s groups and working together for development purposes, sharing knowledge, skills, information and ideas.  We also engage in activities to grow our spiritual life through reflection, prayer, retreats, scripture study, and celebrations with song, food, and dance. We welcome women to pray and celebrate with us and to share issues that affect us as women.  We live harmoniously with hope for a bright future as we work to transform the world. 

Projects and Activities

KISUMU is the location of the Grail National Center, built and established in 1986.   

Grail projects include:

  • The St. Elizabeth Grail Academy: Established in 2013, the school offers early childhood development and primary education.  
  • The Grail Community College:  Initiated in 2006 to offer tailoring, computer and life skills training to the less privileged in the community.  
  • COFIDO- Community Organic Farming Integrated Development Organization is a project begun in 2006.  COFIDO enables women to live positively with HIV to overcome stigma and discrimination.  The women work hard to feed their families, educate their children, and carry out their daily chores through table banking.  The group has dairy goats and cows, participates in counseling sessions, and has regular follow-up to endure drug adherence.  
  • Advocacy for green energy through installation of water tanks, solar lighting and tree planting. 

 

KITALE, located in the Northern Rift Valley, is an agricultural area bordering Uganda and Sudan.  Since 1980, we are working with young women in various projects, such as tailoring, sustainable agricultural and basic computer knowledge.  

MACHAKOS Grail Team activities:

  • Nursery schools in Machakos and Makueni
  • Youth formation in schools and family life education for married couples. Youth formation entails self-awareness, self-esteem, sexuality, and health relationships.
  • Participation in varied church leadership, ministries and leadership 
  • Monthly gatherings for prayer and reflection and to share information, ideas, talents, knowledge and skills 

NAIROBI Grail members engage in transformation work among women and girls, especially in the slum communities of Mukuru kwa Njenga, Gorogocho and Kibera.  We help them cope with challenges such as: developing sustainable income generating projects; women’s rights on family property ownership; health and taking care of their environment, violence against women, and issues concerning the girl child.  We use our professional opportunities as teachers, counselors, mid-wives and nurses to educate, create awareness, and address issues that women and girls face in contemporary society.