‘Kazi ni Heshima’ – a Retiring Luanda Formation Cook Shares his Wisdom

The year 1997 is when Valentine Owino Owili set foot on the ground of the formation centre at Luanda for the first time. For the past 25 years Valentine has served the formation house devotedly and tirelessly.

Valentine was born in Nyakach village of Kisumu county in 1946.

Valentine came from Kajiado where he had worked with some Mill Hill Missionaries. He came to the centre courtesy of Fr. John Creagh who was his first rector. Many students have gone through this centre and tasted Valentine’s delicious food and fatherly care. Many rectors have come and gone recommending Valentine. In total 9 rectors.

He remembers vividly the time of Fr. Dominic as rector, not because he is recent but because he helped him understand the issue of taxes in Kenya and also because under his rectorship, Covid came calling and students had to spend more time around affecting his holidays. All in all, he has had a fulfilling time.

The only advice he has for his fellow support staff remaining behind is; ‘kazi ni heshima’ which translates as work demands respect for your bosses and your colleagues. Having been with Valentine as a student and one year as the rector, I can confirm that Valentine is truly a good man. He will be missed greatly.

As Valentine remains grateful to the Mill Hill Missionaries for believing in him all this time, we on our part want to equally to thank him and wish him well in retirement. Fr. Sylvester Odhiambo is the first priest of the first group of Valentine at the centre.  Congrats Valentine. God’s blessings always.

Francis Makuba mhm