Alice Ahenda: A tribute

Alice Ahenda at Whitby during her visit to the UK in 2009, where she inspired thousands of young people with her life story [CAFOD]

We are saddened to hear that Alice Ahenda, who worked for our partner the St. John's Sports Society (SSS) in Nairobi, Kenya, has died in a road accident

The car Alice was travelling in crashed near Eldoret on the morning of November 18. Two persons travelling with her were also killed, one other passenger survived the crash.

From her work with SSS in Korogocho, Nairobi, Alice knew at first hand the challenges faced by more than one million people living in makeshift housing in cramped conditions without access to basic social and economic amenities.

An inspiration to young people

She helped inspire hundreds of young people living in the slums to make a difference to their communities by getting involved with sport, drama and peace-building in order to build a better future.

In the summer of 2009, Alice travelled to the UK and spoke to more than 1,500 young people at events across the country , sharing her stories, challenges, and her motivation.

Peter McGeachie, head of CAFOD Nairobi office, says: “This has come as a great shock to all of us. Alice was an inspirational leader in her community. She was a talented sportswoman, being captain of the netball team as well as ‘captain of captains’ for the women's teams at SSS.

“It was in these capacities that she travelled to England and Wales just a few months ago to work with the CAFOD Youth Team supporting our work in the dioceses and reaching out to the youth at home.

“I know she met many people in Brixton and in the diocesan offices when she was there. I'm sure many of us have fond memories of having known and worked with Alice. She will be sadly missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Alice's family, friends and all who knew her.”

Monica Conmee, CAFOD’s youth programme manager, says: ”Alice will always be remembered for her amazing sense of hope, her contagious passion, vitality and energy.

“While in the UK, Alice spoke of her incredible work and inspired young people to recognise that despite the odds being stacked against them it is possible to be the change you want to see in the world.

“She will be remembered with great affection by all those who met her and will be very sadly missed.”

If you would like to leave a message of condolence, please either leave a comment below or on her blog and we will ensure they are sent out to Kenya

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