Hearts Open to the World (HOW) started in 2011 with 7 parishioners and Father Francis
traveling to Kenya as an initiative of St. Denis Catholic Church in Hanover, NH to befriend and
serve the people of western Kenya. From this trip and guided by our principles of caring for all
of God’s people, solidarity with the poor and the vulnerable, and the call to family, community,
and participation, HOW was born to serve those in need.
Our partners and initiatives include:
St. Denis Konditi School: Working with the Konditi Development Initiative (IKODI), HOW
supports the education of 450 students as well as a lunchtime feeding program, offering lunch
three times per week to students; an AIDS Orphans Feeding Program, which supports 61
students; High School Scholarships for 18 students, including sanitary pads and panties for the
young women in high school receiving a scholarship; our newly formed student enrichment
program which includes Art, Music, Home-Economic and Physical Education; a Girls
Empowerment Program; Leadership and Business Training for a Women’s Sewing Initiative
Group; and a new cooking facility for their lunch program.
In 2024, HOW purchased computers for a new computer laboratory at St. Denis Konditi,
promoting the students’ education and career aspirations.
Our Lady of Grace School: HOW is currently educating 328 students in Pre-Kindergarten
through 8 th grade plus 20 high school students through scholarships. HOW contributions help to
provide a tuition-free quality education, spiritual growth as well as breakfast and lunch each day
for these needy and vulnerable children. We contribute to classroom repairs, provide books, new
desks, and chairs for classrooms, and fund additional food for our growing student population.
Nyakach Sub-County Hospital: The hospital established a strategic plan to improve hygiene
and sanitation throughout its facility, which serves 45,000 people in Nyakach County. In 2017,
HOW committed to help the hospital fund the construction of a deep water well to provide a
consistent source of clean water. In 2021, HOW provided additional funds for the construction of
5 modern bathrooms for patients to replace the existing pit latrines throughout the hospital
facility.
Thanks, from the Kenyan community: Through your generosity, vital improvements that have
and continue to take place are making a difference in the lives of children at the St. Denis
Konditi School, Our Lady of Grace School, and patients at Nyakach Hospital. On their behalf,
we the members of HOW sincerely thank you for your continued kindness and generosity.
Asanté Sana (thank you!) to the parishioners of St. Denis!
Further information:
Contact: Haley Goeckel Lipinski (hg.lipinski@gmail.com), Mary Durand
(maryd56205@gmail.com), or Bridget Mudge (bomudge51@gmail.com)
2024-2025 Committee Members:
Members: Chair: Haley Goeckel Lipinski, Chuck and Madelyn Wira, Suzanne Lyons, Fred and
Mary Ann Salvatoriello, Mary Durand, Theresa Bryant, Father James Cuddy, Janice Pilon, Peter
and Joyce Flanigan, Tracy Walsh, Stephen Suh, Ruth Perrinez, Randy and Bridget Mudge,
Elisabeth Diallo, Sam Estes, and Ingrid Barrett.
Donations to HOW:
You may donate by check or online. If by check, Please make it payable to “Hearts Open To The
World” and if online, please note there will be a fee for paying by credit card. The fee is waived
if paying by ACH.
Feb 2024