At all Masses Feb. 13 and 14, St. Anthony of Padua, Hightstown, will host two School Sisters of Notre Dame for the parish’s annual PROJECT Love for Africa event. 

While they have outreaches in five countries including Nigeria, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Ghana and Kenya, Sisters Rosanne Rustemeyer and Comfort Anum will share their experiences of working with HIV and AIDS orphans in Homa Bay Diocese, Kenya.

“Because the culture is family-centered, we chose not to put up orphanages but schools,” said another member of their order, Sister Kathy Schmittgens, who visited St. Anthony of Padua in 2014 and 2015. “Often children who were orphaned were taken in by relatives, who used them as servants. We make sure that they are in school and are protected.”

The schools of Homa Bay Diocese accept children from one tribal region, although some students may come from homes 30 to 40 miles away.

In 2015, 82 children were enrolled in primary schools at an annual cost of $250 per student, which included uniform, books and supplies. The secondary schools enrolled 84 students, costing $600 per students yearly, although that figure increases when students prepare for the national tests which determine entrance to college.

Since 2009, the parish social justice ministry has invited School Sisters of Notre Dame to visit the parish on behalf of Notre Dame Children’s Outreach to Africa. Three years ago, the visits to the Hightstown parish became a Valentine’s Day weekend tradition.