Faith, Justice and Formation

St Patrick’s College Lenten Appeal 2026 - Partners 

We are well into Lent and thus half-way through our annual Lenten Appeal. Each year the College supports a Justice Partner we have a relationship with, usually from Edmund Rice Ministries. EVERY cent we raise in the Lenten Appeal goes to our partners, thus going to the people who need our support the most. 

Our Christian tradition has long had almsgiving as a practice, especially in Lent. It is about giving things up and donating the money you would normally have spent on that to the Appeal. For example, if you bought a can of soft drink every day but gave it up, you would be donating that $3 every day to those in greatest need. Even more basic than this is donating spare change each day or week. We live in a world now where cash is used less, thus we have offered electronic tap machines., However, when I visit homerooms to offer this most students say no. I can only hope they are donating cash, though this is not what we are seeing. 

While every family circumstance is different and many need our assistance like those we help in the Lenten Appeal, the majority of our community has spare cash to donate. If every boy gave $1 per school day in Lent, they would give $31, aside from purchases from Lenten stalls. With this in mind, the average homeroom should raise approximately $500 in Lent. 

The different ways to donate to the SPC Lenten Appeal include:  

• spare change donations in Homeroom 

• a lump sum in Homeroom to consider the days of Lent and the extra we have (cash or card) 

• running and/or purchasing from a Lenten Stall happening most days in Lent (cash or card) 

• extra donation through flexischools when placing a lunch order  

• extra electronic or cash donation made at the Finance Office. 

Lent is about the extra we do and give. 

Our Lenten Partners 

In the Encyclical, Fratelli Tutti (all brothers and sisters): On Fraternity and Social Friendship by Pope Francis he states that "Jesus asks us not to decide who is close enough to be our neighbour, but rather that we ourselves become neighbours to all" and "We can be friends with people no matter where they live! Caring for people like they are our friends, can change the world!". 

While we may not have met our Lenten Partners in person (though I had the privilege to do so last year) we are still called to care for them as neighbours. Here is a bit about them.  

Mary Rice Special Unit 

Provides dignity for children living with disabilities, and their families. 

Children and young people living with disabilities in Kibera informal settlement (slum) face extreme barriers to education and inclusion. Families lack funds for specialist support, and stigma often leaves children isolated. 

The Mary Rice Special Unit (MRSU), run by Edmund Rice Centre Nairobi, changes this by providing individualised education, therapy and nutrition for children and young adults with intellectual disabilities, autism, and multiple disabilities. Their vision is for an inclusive Kibera where every person living with disability is valued and empowered to reach their full potential.  

The Unit focuses on: 

• Children– Special needs education, therapy, daily living skills, inclusion and transition 
• Families– Socio-economic empowerment, caregiver training, advocacy training  
• Adolescents and Young Adults– Pre-vocational and vocational training, job coaching, day-programs. 

Families are also empowered through training, peer support groups, and home visits. This creates stronger households, promotes inclusion, and shifts community attitudes toward disability. 

With our support, children living with disabilities in Kibera can live with dignity, purpose, and equal participation in their community. 

The impact we can create: 

• 160 children and young people supported 
• Dignity for people living with disabilities 
• Greater independence, wellbeing, and family resilience 
• Growing community understanding of disability  
• Reduced poverty gap for households with members with disabilities  
• Policy and system improvements for disability inclusion in Kenya.  

Edmund Rice Catholic Education Centre (ERCEC)  

Education that opens doors. 

In Embulbul (the suburb), children from disadvantaged communities miss out on quality education that opens doors to a better future. Without strong academic foundations and practical skills, opportunities for further study and employment are limited. 

ERCEC provides holistic education to over 800 learners from preschool to high school and vocational levels. The school combines academic excellence with practical skills and value-based learning. 

ERCEC focuses on: 

• Strong academics and vocational pathways for self-reliance 
• Character, resilience, and leadership development 
• Growth through sports, arts, community service, and spiritual formation. 

This approach equips young people to become confident learners, skilled workers, and community-minded citizens. Our support can continue to provide education that transforms lives - giving children the skills, values, and confidence to shape a better future for themselves and their communities. 

The impact we can create: 

• 785 children and youth supported 
• Better educational outcomes and life skills 
• Support of social enterprises to earn money for the community.  

As mentioned, I was fortunate enough to visit these two educational settings last year. I was constantly struck by the hospitality, commitment to learning and desire to improve lives. I was in awe of the appreciation for education, leading to employment and survival, and for many the ability to move out of the informal settlements. Those who work in these places and bring dignity to the lives of people who are afforded very little fill my heart with love and showed me the power and wonder of those who operate out of compassion, following the example of Blessed Edmund Rice. For people with less than nothing, the little we can do can truly change lives. We have several students visiting these partners later in the year to see firsthand where our funds will go, thanks to the Edmund Rice Foundation Australia who support most Edmund Rice (Christian Brothers) projects around the globe, and who enable our support to be a reality. Please give what you can to our neighbours and remember ‘I am because you are (Ubuntu).’ We are a global family. 

Thank you in advance for your support. 

Gillian Daley 

Director of Identity