Dear Colleagues, the support staff,
Warm greetings from the principal and myself, this afternoon!
I stand here to convey to you the gratitude of the whole University College for who you are and for what you do for this Learning Community to be what it is: secure, clean, healthy, well-fed, well-managed administratively materially and financially, technologically up-to-date, and rich with a resource with sources of information and knowledge, it is thanks to you all. Let me repeat this: Hekima cannot be what it is without your tireless and professional effort. For this reason, only this simple but deep word: “THANK YOU” can express and duly reward. Thank you is not lip-service on our part but a heart-felt attitude of deep respect and Christian brotherly consideration and gratitude.
The principal promises to continue to endeavour and create a spirit where everyone feels respected, as we, ourselves in the top Management show you daily by gently greeting and all signs of noticing your presence and your commitment. Each one here and other teaching fellows are invited to develop the same attitude towards all others in various sectors of service to the college. He will have low tolerance towards rudeness in a Catholic institution such as ours.
He also promises to continue building capacity in accordance with the means our generous God through our benefactors and partners will provide. Father Marcel insists on saying that everyone is equal in his sight. He does not have favourites; (now I am adding ‘except for those who excel in their work’ – which he did not ask me to say but I know he appreciates those who excel – which is a quality for a good leader). In general, or equal before him. If by any unfortunate circumstances, you habour such feelings, please think again! I would say, “Be healed today!” Here at Hekima, we all belong, each one according to the grace of our Lord and according to the post of operation he or she occupies. They would be happy if we could always inquire for true information (discarding all gossip unless you want to “gossip” in praising the excellent performance of your neighbor – another edition of mine). Don’t tell the principal that I told you this, but you may gossip but only if you are praising another colleague. For shortcomings, talk wisely to them if you can; and hold back judgment until you really know why they act or appear the way they do. Each one of us is always running an invisible battle in some corner of our existence, just as our heavenly Father has been merciful to us!
Father Marcel is very grateful for your support and gift of his final voice in July 2023. He has explicitly asked me to thank you sincerely for your generosity. I add: May God himself reward you a hundredfold.
Our Principal is really concerned about your lunch as I also see it as a symbol of the bond we have been talking about, beyond your biological activity of body sustenance. Sharing meals as true brothers and sisters do is a human and spiritual activity. He deplores the fact of not having found an adequate solution to this day. Whenever he gets a chance to meet you to work out a plan about this, I humbly in encourage you to give it due attention beyond the financial implications to its family-making dynamics of bonding among colleagues in the same mission. He appreciates our enhanced cleanliness and requests everyone to maintain this through creative collaboration.
The principal announces, that in the physical year 2024, he may change a few Heads of Departments for more efficiency and increased creativity. (did I not tell you in his back that he favors great performance?!). He adds that some others may become heads of different departments. He exhorts all of you to gently be open to any changes in view of the good of the institution – for that is the bigger vision in which our individual pursuits can be
Finally, Father Marcel wishes you all, your families, and loved ones a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year 2024, thanking you once more; and asking for your prayers.
At this point I will add nothing in his back, but just wish you the same in my own voice: Thank you for a great collaborative year 2023 ending, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year 2024!
Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Foro, S.J.
Deputy Principal, Academics
Hekima University College, Nairobi.
