Society
Of The Divine Word

As our community is so big, five brothers were chosen to represent us: Sylvio, Laureano, Bernardo, Beda, and Manuel. They carried with them more than just the small things we had collected. They also carried the love, prayers and support of the whole community.

Listening Before Giving
Before we offered our gift, we sat down to listen to the people. Their stories of suffering and resilience pierced our hearts and reminded us of the Gospel call: “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink” (Mt 25:35).

One of the most striking encounters was with a young woman, only 20 years old. Once full of dreams of pursuing her education, her life changed tragically when her father was killed on the streets of Kibera. Soon after, her mother fell seriously ill and became unable to work. Forced to abandon school in Class 4, she now struggles to care for her younger brother, who also dropped out. For them, having even one meal a day is by the grace of God.

We also met a father abandoned by the cruelties of life. Once employed and with a family, he lost his job, and soon after his wife left him with their children. With no steady income and visible signs of exhaustion, he struggles daily to provide the basics for his little ones. His weary appearance spoke louder than words, a man who longs to care for his children but is chained by poverty and helplessness.

Lessons Learned
These encounters were not just stories, they were faces of Christ crucified in today’s world. We realized that while our material contribution was small, the greater gift was the time spent listening, embracing, and showing that they are not forgotten. In the end, we were only able to assist four families with the little we had. Yet Kibera is home to countless others with similar or even greater sorrows, waiting for compassion and hope.

A Call to Solidarity
Our mission does not end with one visit. These families and many others in Kibera continue to live in desperate need. Education, food, health care, and above all, hope. These are things that every child of God deserves. As a formation community, we commit ourselves to keep them in our prayers and to continue reaching out with the little we have.

Together, we can make Christ’s presence felt in the streets of Kibera. Together, we can restore hope where despair reigns. As St. Joseph Freinademetz said “The only language understood by people everywhere is the language of love.”