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Augustinian World Leader Dedicates Baba Dogo Sacred School

	A Kenyan Augustinian friar makes a presentation to Prior General Robert Prevost, O.S.A. during the blessing ceremoney of the addition to Baba Dogo Sacred School. Father Prevost blessed a seven-classroom addition to the school October 12, 2008.
Augustinian Prior General Robert Prevost, O.S.A. examines the plaque commemorating the blessing of Baba Dogo Sacred School, located in one of the poorest areas of Nairobi, Kenya. The Augustinian Parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus sponsors the school.
	Two children, students at Baba Dogo Sacred School, present gifts during the celebration of the Eucharist which was part of the blessing ceremony of the new addition to the school. Severe overcrowding made the seven-room addition necessary.
Augustinian Prior General Robert Prevost, O.S.A. attaches a ribbon to a locally grown plant as part of the blessing ceremony of Baba Dogo Sacred School. The school serves children from one of the poorest areas of Nairobi, Kenya.
	Augustinian Prior General Robert Prevost, O.S.A. blesses a new classroom in the new addition to Baba Dogo Sacred School. The school enrollment is 905 boys and girls.
Children of Baba Dogo Sacred School sing during the blessing ceremony of a seven-classroom addition to their school.
	Children of Baba Dogo Sacred School look attentively at their choir director as the prepare to sing during the blessing ceremony of their newly expanded school.
More children of Baba Dogo Sacred School perform as part of the blessing of their school.
	Traditional dances were part of the blessing ceremony of the addition to Baba Dogo Sacred School.

Needy children in the Baba Dogo section of Nairobi, Kenya, - one of the poorest areas of the country - now have access to a quality Catholic-based education in a newly expanded facility.

Prior General Robert Prevost, O.S.A., world leader of the Augustinian Order, dedicated a seven-room addition to Baba Dogo Sacred School October 12, 2008. The Augustinian Parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus sponsors the school.

The school had become severely overcrowded, and more space was drastically needed. The expansion of the school, first proposed in 2005, did not get under way until 2008. First, it was necessary to acquire the funds to pay for the construction. Then, getting the building plans approved by the municipal government resulted in more delays. Finally, violence following the December, 2007 elections in Kenya further delayed the start of comstruction.

Augustinians of the Midwest organized a Lenten almsgiving project in 2007 to help raise funds for the construction. The three Catholic high schools operated by the Augustinians of the Midwest used varying means to raise funds for the Baba Dogo school from their students, faculty and staff. Several Augustinian parishes collected donations from members. In addition, many Augustinian communities and friars contributed generously. More than $24,000 was collected.

The photos show various aspects of the dedication ceremony, which included a celebration of the Eucharist and featured songs and dances presented by several school groups.

Inscribed on the plaque attached to the building are the words,

Baba Dogo Sacred School enrolls 905 students (477 girls and 428 boys). When it was started in 1992, many children of the area were not attending school. Besides the promise of a good education, the school's feeding program attracts many children and helps to ensure regular attendance and student achievement.

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