Loreto Convent Msongari celebrates its centenary year this year; a century of God’s faithfulness. This is a significant milestone for our school which was the first Loreto School to be established in Eastern Africa. As we celebrate this 100th anniversary, we share our pride in our foundress’ achievements. As a result of her vision and sacrifice we can enjoy the fruits of a Loreto education for our children. We give our gratitude to the Loreto Sisters who have continued to sustain and grow Mary Ward – our foundress’ vision in bringing Loreto education to Kenya and beyond as attested in the growth of many Loreto schools. This is affirmed in the award Loreto received in 2013 during the celebration of Kenya’s 50 years of independence. A recognition of the most conspicuous, outstanding and exceptional service rendered to the Republic of Kenya: Award for services in the field of education.
Loreto Msongari School opened on November 15th 1921 with 9 boarders and 7 day pupils. The first pupil to arrive was Eva Blowers wearing a blue tunic and white blouse. This was adopted as the uniform of Msongari. Today Msongari uniform colours remain a blue skirt and white blouse. Our uniform and the school concert hall built in 1929 the first of its kind in Kenya are constant reminders of our tradition and rich history. Though many things could have changed in the past 100 years of our school, what remains a constant is the Loreto Spirit that liberates, empowers and motivates learners to use their individual gifts and reach their potential with confidence.
In the early years, the future envisaged for the Loreto girl in Kenya was that of a gracious motherhood. Manners and music the locals said were learnt at the Convent. Even today music and character formation are at the heart of a Loreto education. Loreto always lays great emphasis on care of Faith, inculcation of values and outreach to the less privileged. We at Loreto pride ourselves in a formidable alumni who include eminent persons, religious persons, business people, political leaders and great home makers, etc. They continue to set the world on fire with their great contributions of skills, expertise and service in different fields all over the world, making the world richer. Indeed a great heritage of Loreto education as our school anthem goes education for the girls, excellency for the world, Mary Ward had a dream that brought the Loreto stream.’
Among our alumni just to name a few are Wanjiku Kabira an associate professor of Literature at UON and also actively involved in women affairs and gender issues, Sheila M’mbijjiwe who has served as the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya, Julie Gichuru a Kenyan entrepreneur and media personality, Prof. Judy Wakhungu who served as a Cabinet Secretary of Environment and Regional Development Authorities and was appointed as Ambassador to France, Emma Miloyo a Kenyan architect who was the 1st woman to qualify as an architect and the 1st female president of the Architectural Association of Kenya, Rosemary Odinga an entrepreneur and only snail farmer in East Africa, Wandia Gichuru CEO & co-founder of Vivo Active wear, Njoki Ndun’gu a Kenyan lawyer and an associate justice of the Supreme Court of Kenya, Irene Koki Mutungi a professional pilot and the first African female to become certified as a Captain of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, and the list goes on and on.
Loreto’s celebration of 100 years also gives us an opportunity to impress upon our students the importance of having a vision and pursuing it against all odds as did our foundress Mary Ward and hopefully embrace her values of justice, freedom, sincerity, truth and joy. May they all attain the most rewarding aspect of Loreto education which is realizing that all around are possibilities of doing good and making the world richer for you having lived in it. “Do good and do it well” as goes the Mary Ward saying. As we celebrate the 100 years of God’s goodness, we mark this with a project to build a Loreto school in Kilifi. We call on all Loreto alumni, students, parents, well-wishers, friends of Msongari to join us in raising funds for this project. We will give details in due course. Be a part of touching another child’s life. I take this opportunity to thank all those who have contributed or enriched Msongari in one way or another. We give all the glory to God for His goodness. May he continue to shower his blessings upon Loreto.
Mrs. M. Mbugua
Principal.