Fr. Lazarus Kirigia, originally from Kenya, has been serving at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Imogene, Iowa, since 2017. He established a connection between the parish and Holy Family Parish in Mukothima, Kenya, which serves over 5,000 parishioners.

 

In 2023-2024, a small group from Imogene traveled with Fr. Lazarus to Kenya to assess the needs of the local community and observe the progress of projects funded by donors from Southwest Iowa, including new drinking water wells, kiosks, solar-paneled irrigation system, and a newly built girls' dormitory.

 

This journey inspired the formation of Nuru Ya Maisha-Kenya, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Rita & Pauline Laughlin spearheaded the creation of Nuru Ya Maisha-Kenya. We recognized the pressing needs of the Kenyan people and are dedicated to enhancing their quality of life in Kenya by raising funds for clean drinking water, food security, improved access to quality education, and accessible healthcare services.