When telling the story of the Consolata missionaries in Kenya, we trace a decades-long history of selfless evangelization, service, human promotion, and the silent and enduring witness of men and women who brought the Gospel to many communities.
Today, that story enters a new chapter, written not only by missionaries, but by the lay faithful who have in turn been formed, inspired, and transformed by the Consolata charism.
The newly formed "San Giuseppe Allamano Foundation" is, in many ways, a spiritual return to its roots, an act of gratitude, responsibility, and faith. It is a reality dreamed of, hoped for, and quietly hinted at by missionaries, which has gradually grown into a concrete reality available to future generations, thanks to the contributions of so many faithful.
Many lay men and women, trained in the Consolata parishes, schools, and communities, stepped forward to bring that dream to life, without hesitation, inspired by the mission. This sense of gratitude is beautifully expressed in the letter from the Superior General, Father James Bhola Lengarin, IMC, written on July 2, 2025, formalizing the Foundation: "After years of dreaming, planning, and perseverance, the birth of this Foundation marks a monumental milestone, a dream born of dedication, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to the service of humanity."
Read also: Saint Joseph Allamano. A Century of Light
His words go beyond a simple affirmation; they offer a blessing and a call to accountability: “Every name above is not just a trusted trustee, but a bearer of the light of compassion, a builder of opportunity, and a custodian of grace. May this mission continue to grow with the strength and spirit you have instilled since its inception.”
A vision born of gratitude and faith
One of those who helped revive this vision is Anne Wambui Mwicigi Muya, whose life has long been intertwined with the spirituality of the Consolata. She recalls how the missionaries welcomed the renewed interest in the foundation with a humility that surprised even her.
“One of the strongest indicators that this Foundation will be successful is the humility of the Consolata missionaries,” he said, adding: “They have deliberately chosen to step back and let the laity lead, while also offering spiritual guidance and supervision. Our Regional Superior, Father Zachariah Kariuki, often emphasizes that priests should not carry the entire burden of every project alone. Their fundamental mission is evangelization. When they find reliable and competent lay people, they willingly allow them to take the lead.”
He also reflected on how their founding documents enshrine this trust, placing missionaries in the role of caretakers rather than decision-makers. “They lead; we deliver. This shifts responsibility to the Christian faithful, truly making us the beating heart of the Foundation. The missionaries have intentionally empowered us. They are entrusting us with their name, their legacy, and their dream. This gives the Foundation a strong structural advantage,” Wambui says.
The Foundation is supported by a distinguished group of trustees. Together, they embody the best of lay leadership: professionally experienced, spiritually grounded, and deeply grateful for the missionary influence that has shaped their journey.
The trustees, whose backgrounds span law, finance, governance, engineering, business, and public service, represent a diverse team, united not by professional ambition but by a shared sense of spiritual responsibility.
They include Senior Counsel Fred Ngatia, Paul Russo, Ruth Kulundu, George Kamau Kihara, Gerald Museti Masese, Mark Michael Macharia Ng'aru, Peter Munga, Jane Michuki, Agnes Wambui Mwicigi, Mwaniki Gachoka and Elijah Githinji Itegi. Their humanity emerges clearly in the way they talk about mission, not as an obligation, but as a calling.
Each brings with them not only skills, but also heart, and each cherishes memories of the Consolata missionaries and their work that shaped their formative years. Many speak of feeling indebted in the purest, most spiritual sense of the word: a desire to give back to those from whom they have received so much.
Giving back with faith: personal and spiritual renewal
What is emerging is a vibrant collaboration: on one side, the missionaries who preserve the spiritual vision, on the other, the lay collaborators who create the structures that will carry that vision to future generations. This is why the Foundation bears the name of Saint Joseph Allamano , founder of the Consolata missionaries, whose simplicity and humility reflected this model of collaboration.
Wambui recalled that the choice of name wasn't simply symbolic: "Choosing the name San Giuseppe Allamano Foundation , rather than the Consolata Missionaries Foundation, was very intentional. Allamano wanted the missionaries to be highlighted, not him. Part of our mission is to make his story known again: his life, his spirituality, his call to holiness even before his mission."
This spirit of collaboration is also shared by Mark Michael Macharia Ng'aru, one of the trustees, who emphasized the Foundation's close integration with the missionary family. "The trustees are the Consolata Missionaries themselves. This is not just any foundation operating outside of missionary work. We will work hand in hand with the missionaries to identify projects, raise funds, and mobilize resources, including the capabilities of each. This Foundation is an extension of their mission, not an autonomous and separate entity. The missionaries retain oversight and direction, but operational leadership rests with us."
His belief is that it's not simply an administrative matter, but one born of faith. Indeed, he states: "When you look at the Foundation's priority areas—evangelization, education, healthcare, humanitarian aid, peace and justice, and the protection of creation—these are all ways to love and serve God. Saint Joseph Allamano taught that, before being missionaries, we must be saints. And holiness is simply living the Christian virtues in daily life."
The mission, beyond fundraising
This sense of calling resonates deeply among the trustees, many of whom bring decades of professional experience to the service of the mission. Elijah Githinji Itegi, whose academic and professional background spans finance, management, and business, spoke passionately about the dire need for a reliable mechanism to channel people's desire to give.
“Years ago, when Strathmore was still a college, I studied there for a CPA and later earned a Master's in Finance. I also ran businesses for many years. Along the way, I noticed one thing: many people genuinely want to give back to society, but they simply haven't been offered a reliable way to do so. Every time I mention this Foundation to friends, the response is almost always the same: 'When it gets up and running, let me know. I want to be part of it.' People are willing. They're ready. They just need a credible, transparent, and well-structured channel.”
For Gerald Museti Masese, the Foundation sits at the intersection of talent and mission. He sees it not simply as a financial instrument, but as a comprehensive and professional institution. "That's why I keep saying that the Foundation should be seen not just as a fundraising entity, but as a comprehensive organization, with departments just like a company: finance, administration, operations. And the beauty is that we already have people filling these roles."
His background in engineering and project management influences his approach to the mission. "I'm very detail-oriented and love starting new projects. But ultimately, what motivates me here is the opportunity to give back to God the very talents He entrusted to me," says Masese.
He emphasized that the Foundation has a broad scope. “This Foundation is broader than the Camisassa project, which many people are familiar with. It's a series of activities aimed at uplifting communities. And when people with different professional skills—finance, law, management—come together for the glory of God, the whole truly becomes greater than the sum of its parts.”
Gerald also sees the Foundation as a space for learning and mentorship: "We also have a wide age range among our members, which creates opportunities for mentorship and skill transfer. Personally, I've never worked in a Foundation before. So, even as I donate, I'm learning. And I know this experience will allow me to replicate this work in other communities, including rural ones. Africa is full of opportunities to give back to society."
A future built on faith: everyone is welcome
The official launch took place on February 28, 2026, an event that sparked renewed energy in Consolata parishes in Nairobi and the wider missionary community. Wambui described the purpose of this inauguration.
The vision is to present it to the parishioners of the four Consolata mission parishes in Nairobi, with the participation of other missions throughout Kenya. Between now and then, we aim to finalize our strategy, mission, vision, and goals. We may not have accomplished much yet, but it's clear how parishioners can participate, not only in fundraising, but also by sharing skills, volunteering, and collaborating with us. It's also envisioned that trustees will take on key roles in various mission projects, especially where their professional skills are most useful.
As the Foundation prepared for its public debut, the trustees began making an initial appeal to parishioners and a broader audience. Gerald clearly shared the heart of this invitation. “The heart of the message is simple: we invite parishioners to offer their skills, their time, and their experience to serve God and transform lives. Not just money. People's talents. Their abilities. Their compassion.”
Githinji's previous reflections on people's desire for a reliable way to give back amplify the weight of this appeal. And Wambui extends this invitation to something even deeper: the sense of gratitude.
The Consolata missionaries have profoundly impacted the lives of many people, through education, healthcare, village development, or simple encouragement. To whom much is given, much is required. Our calling is to repay that generosity, to strengthen what has strengthened us.
Marking the centenary of the Founder's birth into heaven, the San Giuseppe Allamano Foundation is more than an institution. It is the blossoming of decades of missionary work meeting decades of lay gratitude. It is a dream once cultivated only by missionaries, now embraced by the people they trained. It is the future of evangelization carried forward by those who once received the Gospel and now offer themselves to ensure its continuity.
It is wonderful, a mission of the faithful to the missionaries who first served them, a legacy reborn, and offered to God.
Paschal Norbert, journalist, Editor of CISA News, Kenya.