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Father Hiran: Thankful for a Priest Who Changed Our Lives

Written by: Dr. Vincent Kituku

Article Overview: It's thirty years since this Irish priest stood in front of 120 freshmen and spoke to us mixing English and Kikamba, our native language. He encouraged us to have vision, dress like gentlemen and participate in extra curriculum activities.

Father Hiran: Thankful for a Priest Who Changed Our Lives

Father Hiran: Thankful for a Priest Who Changed Our Lives

"Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying whom shall I send...? Then said I, here am I; send me." Isaiah 6:8

His nickname was Mwana, the fondly used name for a child, son or daughter by my Kamba people of Kenya, Africa. He called students Mwana. A parent visiting his office was also Mwana to him. And a stranger was a Mwana, too.

Mwana became his name. Tala high school, where he was the principle for years became kwa Mwana (the place of Mwana). I regret attempting to describe a life committed to a community with a few words. Yet, the inspiration to do so compiles me to go ahead. He is a man who answered the call from above to serve a community that needed him. I am one of thousands thankful for his impact in our lives.

Mwana was more than a missionary to those of us who had the privilege of attending Tala high school. We were not taught to pass exams but to live life of fulfillment. That, for many, relegated exams to just a part of the process of life.

It's thirty years since this Irish priest stood in front of 120 freshmen and spoke to us mixing English and Kikamba, our native language. He encouraged us to have vision, dress like gentlemen and participate in extra curriculum activities.

But there were some disturbing backgrounds that could curtail the dreams he imprinted our eager minds. Most students came from cash stricken homes. His school was a day school, unlike the boarding schools that were started by other missionaries. Father Hiran made arrangements for seriously subsidized lunch to be made available to students.

This preacher persuaded businessmen to construct rental apartments near the school so students could have the opportunity for private studies in the evenings, weekends and during holidays. This made him the God appointed driver should any student be ill (day or night) and need to be rushed to the hospital about ten miles away.

What, however, set Mwana apart was his involvement in students development. He coached basketball, volleyball and hockey. He made arrangements for outstanding student athletes to join colleges in America or be employed by organizations, like the Armed Forces or Police that could utilize their talents.

Our principal established various clubs where students could learn life skills. There was the Wildlife club, debate club and dance club among others. My favorite was Young Christian Students (YCS). Involvement in this club provided me with the opportunity to teach adults to write and how to count. We raised funds for needy people. The cream of it were the seminars we attended to learn about leadership.

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Article Tags: boarding schools, businessmen, curriculum activities, eager minds, evenings, few words, freshmen, gentlemen, irish priest, isaiah, kenya africa, missionaries, missionary, native language, people of kenya, preacher, private studies, rental apartments, thirty years, voice of the lord



Related Forum Posts
Joke of the Day - Here's one I received via email recently, I trust no one finds it offensive, if you do please be sure to let me know! MY DAD IS A FATHER A little boy got on the bus, sat next to a man reading a book, and noticed he had his collar on backwards. The little boy asked why he wore his collar that way. The man, who was a priest, said, "I am a Father." The little boy replied, "My daddy doesn't wear his collar like that." The priest looked up from his book and answered, "I am the Father of many." The boy said, "My dad has 4 boys, 4 girls and two grandchildren and he doesn't wear his collar that way." The priest, getting impatient, said, "I am the Father of hundreds," and went back to reading his book. The little boy sat quietly thinking for a while, then leaned over and said, "Maybe you should wear your pants backwards instead of your collar."
Re: Just a simple comparison & contrast of our truths in crisis. - I I totally agree you have to be extremely grateful. I am extremely grateful because I have all my body parts complete, look all the people that don't. Look at all those soldiers that honoring their country go to war get killed. Believing in their cause not only now but threw out history that never left no children. We all must be Thankful for those that helped our loved ones the old ancestors that were so wise in been abundant and fruitful that left us a body to live in. Man and how blessed are we can you imagine how many people never had children or couldn’t and we are the lucky descendants of the ones that could. Come on now bless be the Lord Almighty King and Lord of heaven. By just existing you should be humbled and eternally meek for such success. A sacred quote from a very wise woman If that is not enough, look at all the sperms that fought for your place and you’re the winner. I wish I could have reached that Billionaire with this or any person thinking that it is a great shame and people should mourn and be sensitive to that evil that won and prevent it from happening again. A person in that position or any alive would have influence allot more people before going. But unfortunately you do not know what you have until you don’t have it. That’s why it is wise to be close to your creator the founder while you can.


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