The 2024-2029 strategic plan was developed by Prestige Management Solutions, a Nairobi-based financial consultancy firm, and is to be implemented by the 22 individual Orders of women Religious that are members of the Association of Sisterhoods of Kenya (AOSK).
The strategic plan is a result of numerous meetings the consultancy firm had had with CASAK and representatives of the 22 women Religious Orders; it is a successor of the 2023-2024 one, which was done when CASAK was established.
Religious Sisters at the launch of the Care for the Aging Sisters Association of Kenya (CASAK) strategic plan in Nairobi. Credit ACI Africa
The plan, which considered the 22 member Congregations of AOSK, has been prepared based on the mission and vision of CASAK, which is to provide holistic care for the elderly and the infirm.
Speaking at the launch, the Managing Director of Prestige Management Solutions, William Ngung’u, said the goal of the CASAK strategic plan is “to try as much as possible is not to have the infirm, but to have Sisters who are aging peacefully.”
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William Ngung'u, the Managing Director of Prestige Management Solutions at the launch of the Care for the Aging Sisters Association of Kenya (CASAK) strategic plan in Nairobi, Kenya. Credit: ACI Africa
The plan outlines a set of objectives aimed at ensuring that aging Sisters live in dignity. They include the improvement of infrastructure in member Religious Congregations to ensure that the Sisters live in “habitable” environments.
The plan has also been designed to ensure that Sisters lead healthy lifestyles to minimize complications that come with old age.
The other objective is to create awareness on global issues such as climate change to ensure that Sisters understand how extreme weather patterns have the potential to cause them discomfort in old age.
Launch of the Care for Aging Sisters Association of Kenya (CASAK) strategic polan in Nairobi, Kenya Credit: ACI Africa
In her address, Sr. Kangogo expressed CASAK’s commitment to creating what she described as “adaptable, empathetic and age friendly systems” that she said would prioritize the dignity of ageing Sisters in Kenya.
She said, “Human dignity is something we uphold, and even our Pope Francis is encouraging us that we have to see the face of God in each and every one of us, and even in our aging sisters.”
The DSH Provincial Superior of the Eastern Africa Province said that the fact that ageing Sisters are not able to go out to minister, does not mean that that they have lost their dignity.
Credit: Communication Network for Catholic Sisters-CNCS KENYA
Highlighting CASAK’s plan to engage in sustainable partnerships and community engagement, Sr. Kangogo said, “We want to collaborate with health care providers, faith-based organizations and community leaders. We cannot do this alone; we need many people to come on board, so that we can take care of our elderly aging Sisters.”
She expressed optimism that all the 175 members of AOSK would come on board of CASAK.
The 2024-2029 strategic plan, Sr. Kangogo said, is a road map for the future, ensuring CASAK continues to lead in elder care and community support in Kenya.
Credit: Communication Network for Catholic Sisters-CNCS KENYA
Appealing for the support of aging Sisters, who she said are a “treasure” of the society where they have made immense contribution, Sr. Kangogo said, “Let us all embrace the elderly, with the warmth of our hearts, because of the contributions they have made, in our society.”
In her opening remarks at the launch, CASAK Managing Director, Sr. Agnes Wamunyu, described the October 11 event as a milestone for AOSK.
Sr. Agnes Wamunyu, CASAK Managing Director of the Care for the Aging Sisters Association of Kenya (CASAK) at the launch of the CASAK strategic plan in Nairobi. Credit ACI Africa
She said that in the strategic plan, CASAK hopes to advance care for the elderly. “We want to join hands with everyone, especially those who feel neglected and abandoned because of their age. We want to make this journey with you in our trainings, and in our consultations. We also welcome those who would like to join us as partners,” she said.
In his keynote address at the event, former Governor of Kenya’s Nyandarua County, Francis Kimemia, pledged his support to the CASAK project, saying, “There are many Catholic professionals who will be willing to support you to achieve your objectives.”
Francis Kimemia, former Governor of Nyandarua County in Kenya at the launch launch of the Care for the Aging Sisters Association of Kenya (CASAK) strategic plan in Nairobi. Credit ACI: Africa
Underlining the need for CASAK to seek the goodwill of the Church, Mr. Kimemia said, “Unless the Bishops and Priests support you, you will not go far.”
“Let us work with our Bishops,” the former Kenyan Governor said, and added, “There is a time I tried to support a Sisters’ project but eventually it collapsed because of the conflicts the Sisters had with their Bishop.”
He proposed that CASAK links its initiatives with the various Congregations’ ways of life and spirituality.
Credit: Communication Network for Catholic Sisters-CNCS KENYA
Mr. Kimemia lauded the contribution of Catholic Sisters to the society, saying, “You are doing great work, and you know your sacrifice in hospitals, in schools, on the streets where you are serving vulnerable children is invaluable. I don’t see many of you driving; many of you walk to these places.”
In his homily at the event, Bishop David Kamau Ng’ang’a, one of the Auxiliary Bishops of ADN, described old age as “a fact of life.”
Bishop David Kamau Ng’ang’a. Credit: Communication Network for Catholic Sisters-CNCS KENYA
“You can doubt many things, but you can’t doubt the fact that you will get old,” Bishop Kamau said.
Sharing his experience with the elderly, he added, “I take care of my aging mother, and I know it is not easy. We need to help our aging Sisters because by helping them, we are also helping ourselves. We are all candidates to old age. If we take care of others, you will also get people to take care of you.”
Bishop David Kamau at the launch of the the Care for Aging Sisters Association of Kenya (CASAK) strategic polan in Nairobi, Kenya. Credit: ACI Africa
The Kenyan Catholic Bishop expressed optimism that the CASAK strategic plan would train the younger Sisters to know how to take care of themselves in old age. “Young ones must be trained not to think that they will always be young and in good health,” Bishop Kamau said.
Agnes Aineah is a Kenyan journalist with a background in digital and newspaper reporting. She holds a Master of Arts in Digital Journalism from the Aga Khan University, Graduate School of Media and Communications and a Bachelor's Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communications from Kenya's Moi University. Agnes currently serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.
Sr. Josephine Kangogo, Chairperson of the CASAK Board of Directors at the Launch of the association's strategic plan in Nairobi, Kenya. Credit: ACI Africa
Launch of the 2024/2029 Care for the Aging Sisters Association of Kenya (CASAK) strategic plan in Nairobi. Credit ACI Africa
Credit: Communication Network for Catholic Sisters-CNCS KENYA
Religious Sisters at the launch of the Care for the Aging Sisters Association of Kenya (CASAK) strategic plan in Nairobi. Credit ACI Africa
Launch of the 2024/2029 Care for the Aging Sisters Association of Kenya (CASAK) strategic plan in Nairobi. Credit ACI Africa
