Pokot | Cranleigh and Bramley Parish

Mission Updates from Fr. Sean and Fr. Francis – March 2025

From Fr. Sean: Good afternoon, Eugene,

Apologies for the delay in updating you. We’ve started building a classroom at Rotu Primary School, even though the government funding has been delayed. The water project at Chesawach is also nearing completion.

Our medical outreach program continues to grow with 6 clinics now in operation, reaching remote areas like Kulal, Chesawach, Sogut, and Akarapet. Patients not only receive vaccines and prenatal care but also food supplies. While the government typically provides vaccines, we are concerned that funding cuts may impact this supply. The two mission clinics, Rotu East and West, are also in full operation. We’re still waiting to hear back from those offering maternity services, but I hope to have an update soon.

Loise, sponsored by one of your members, is returning from her course in Nakuru this month and will soon begin nursing studies at Chemolingot College.

Two Rotu girls, one of whom is sponsored by your group, have completed their diplomas in early childhood education and are now teaching at our pre-primary schools. They earn Sh. 10,000 each (approx. £65) per month, and I would be grateful for any help towards their salaries.

The weather has been extremely hot, with temperatures above 40°C, and although we had a brief shower at the end of February, we’re still waiting for the March rains. I’ve purchased 100 kilos of maize seed, ready for distribution once the rains arrive.

Thank you all for your ongoing support. God bless, Sean

From Fr. Francis at Barpello: Good evening, Eugene,

Thank you for your recent funding of £4,000, which included £1,765 for discretionary purposes. This helped pay school fees for some of the most needy students, including Cecilia Muthio and Paul Arekai. Both wanted me to express their sincere thanks to everyone in the POUND A WEEK GROUP.

Cecilia was rescued from a forced marriage, and Paul was struggling with suicidal thoughts due to his family’s inability to pay his fees. Thanks to donations from your group, we’ve covered all their 2025 fees and additional costs. Thank you for your continued support. Francis

Your generosity is making a significant difference in the lives of many. We are grateful for all your support.

The project currently supports two Missions run by the Holy Ghost Fathers in East Pokot, a remote and impoverished region of Kenya. The predominant tribe there is the Pokot people, hence the name of the region and our project. The area is subject to frequent droughts and food shortages, at times approaching famine proportions.

You can find out about the Barpello Mission and Rotu Mission on these pages, along with the Camel Project. You can also read the POKOT diary of the development on these areas through the generosity of the Pound a Week Group amongst others.

The Pound a Week Group was set up specifically to raise funds for selected projects in East Pokot. As its name suggests, members try to give a £1 each week or whatever they can afford. Donations are made in little orange envelopes put in the collection baskets at weekend Masses. Some parishioners prefer to pay monthly or yearly. Donations can be Gift Aided and apart from recording those donations for HMRC purposes, no separate record is kept of members or their donations. Parishioners simply give what they can afford whenever they can afford it.

Since our new Parish was formed in 2006 from the Cranleigh and Bramley parishes, the Pound a Week Group has sent the Missions in East Pokot more than £93,000. We have supported the camel project, the medical and food programmes; and nine members of the Group are currently paying the fees for thirteen children at the Barpello school. The Mission there played a major role in tackling a cholera outbreak a couple of years ago and Fr David told us that the Pound a Week Group was the first to respond to his appeal for emergency funding to help tackle the disease.

Reports from Pokot about the work of the Missions are included in the Parish Newsletter from time to time and in the POKOT Diary, but if you would like to know more about “Pokot” and the Pound a Week Group, please contact the Parish organiser of the Group , Eugene McGivern, at emcgivern@btopenworld.com