Board Member Spotlight: Sr. Josephine Muthoni Kwenga

For 32 years, Sister Josephine Muthoni Kwenga, of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Tarbes in Kenya, has lived her vocation with one guiding purpose: compassion.

"I saw disadvantaged people suffering," she recalls. "I saw Sisters assisting them. I admired their selfless love and generosity, and I desired to be like them and serve those in need."

Today, Sister Josephine serves as the Development Coordinator for her congregation's Kenyan Province, guiding development initiatives, building partnerships, and securing resources to strengthen the congregation's ministries. Her work directly supports nearly 150 Sisters and women in formation across 19 convents and reaches more than 500,000 people through schools, communities, and ministries throughout Kenya.

Throughout her ministry, Sr. Josephine has witnessed both extraordinary challenges and extraordinary hope. Among the experiences that shaped her most were eight years serving in northeastern Kenya before and during terrorist attacks while working alongside Muslim communities, as well as six years with the Justice and Peace Commission of the Association of Sisterhoods of Kenya.

Those experiences deepened her commitment to serving communities facing poverty, instability, and overwhelming need.

"The biggest challenge facing the people we serve today is material poverty," she explains. "There are multiple needs, limited resources, and very high economic demands on families and communities."

As a member of the Sisters Rising Worldwide Board of Directors, Sister Josephine has experienced firsthand the power of a global Sisterhood united by shared purpose.

"I have learned so much through sharing knowledge and interacting with Sisters and board members from different congregations and backgrounds," she says. "Submitting our projects to the PeaceRoom has helped me address some of the needs of the people my Sisters and I serve in Kenya."

Looking ahead, her hope for Sisters Rising Worldwide is simple but bold.

"I pray for continued growth in membership, collaboration, partnerships, and resources so we can support more Sisters and strengthen their mission in communities around the world."

Sister Josephine offers this heartfelt message to every donor and supporter who stands beside Sisters worldwide: "Thank you for walking with the Sisters. Thank you for strengthening the hands and hearts of the Sisters as they continue Christ's mission among God's people."

She wants supporters to know that their generosity does far more than fund projects.

"Your generosity and partnership give hope, dignity, and new life to the communities we serve. Every act of support becomes a blessing to many. By supporting the Sisters' work, you become co-missionaries in bringing healing, empowerment, and compassion to the world. May God bless and reward your generous hearts for standing with the Sisters in their mission of faith, service, and human dignity."

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