Fr Patrick Ryan's School in Kenya

Fr Patrick Ryan is a Missionary priest based in Kenya.

He has spoken over the years of what life is like in Kenya, the trials people face, and his work to help build a future for the children of Kenya. He remarked when he first arrived in Africa there were children everywhere, washing windows at traffic lights, washing clothes for a few cents, taking care of other children, sniffing glue. Young girls were and still are particularly vulnerable and subject to sexual violence. Children had no education and no future to look forward to. In the 1980's, Fr. Patrick opened an orphanage for children whos parents were victims to AIDS. These were children who faced homelessness, hunger, trauma, hopelessness. In 2018, he opened ‘Busy Brains’ school, to provide education and hope. 18 children came on the first day. Two months later, it had grown to 55. They arrived in rags, hungry for food and education. His needs are growing as he strives to hold on to and expand all he has achieved.

His first orphan, Mary, whom he found on a rubbish dump at 3 years of age sifting through rubbish, is now his first student to enter college in 2020, studying Pharmacy. Mary's hope is to qualify as a pharmacist and set up a pharmacy in the slums. The poor people don't go to a doctor Fr Ryan says, they go to the local pharmacy for help and advice. This will be a huge achievement and step forward if it happens.

Mary's college fees are 3,500e per year, and are attained by constant fundraising.

The land the ‘Busy Brains’ school sits on has now been put up for sale by the owner. This puts the school, and the education of children in jeopardy, with new ownership, and the future and livelihood of these children will become hopeless once again.

Please help Fr Patrick raise the funds needed. Any amount is much appreciated