“This is historic.” Silvano Borruso was overheard muttering these words over and over. Historic indeed was the day and will remain etched in the minds of that small crowd that gathered on the parched piece of land close to the Jogoo Road – Outering Road roundabout. The occasion also marked the 10th anniversary of the Eastlands Centre, a project of Strathmore Educational Registered Trust (SERT). Ten years of constant work. Ten years of patience. Ten years of dreaming.

 

Emmanuel Oduor from the Eastlands Project office succinctly summarized these ten years in a wonderful speech. Many of those present were there from the inception of the project such as Andrew Olea, Moses Muthaka and Fernando Aizpun. Others, though not present, were also mentioned: Prof. Terry Ryan and Bernard Nderitu. The motley of attendees spoke volumes. From dignitaries that included the main speaker, who is the Chairman of Strathmore Educational Registered Trust, Dr. Caesar Mwangi; Rev. Fr. Silvano Ochuodho, the Regional Vicar of Opus Dei in Kenya; the Project Manager; the Architects, the Project’s Quantity Surveyor, amongst others, to the boys who showed up from their soccer training in their full kit with their coach, as well as Eastlands and Hodari Centres’ teachers, volunteers and students.

 

 

 The Architect explains the future college using a model

 

The College will be built in 3 phases. The first phase is estimated to cost approximately Kshs. 300 million. Emmanuel reminded us that the amount may seem much, but considering the last ten years and the effort of doing things one step at a time, then yes we can. No wonder there is an M-PESA Paybill No. 974450 to which anyone can send a donation. Money can also be sent to Strathmore Educational Trust (Eastlands Project).

 

With an excavator and a truck working in the background, the event went on as planned. Dr. Caesar gave his speech in which he highlighted the events being commemorated. He struck a resonating chord with a story about jelly fish. Millions of them were strewn on the beach. A man went tossing them back to the sea one by one. An observer told him he was wasting his time and that it made no difference. He answered by picking one jellyfish and tossing it back saying that he made a difference to that one, and to the life of the next one and so on. With this story, Dr. Caesar encouraged that we  continue making that difference one by one in a society strewn with so many living in poverty and the efforts will be rewarded by the ripple effect as well. Caesar acknowledged the intercession of the soon to be beatified Bishop Alvaro del Portillo as well as that of St. Josemaria.

 

The ground was blessed by Fr. Silvano and finally the groundbreaking ceremony took place before refreshments were served. Although it was a short event, the joy of the day was to last and was so evident in the faces of all who participated.