Materi Girls School

The School Director - Brother John Koczka (1930 – 2014)

Religious order: Brothers of the Sacred Heart, and Order of Christian Educators founded in 1821 in Lyons, France by Fr Andre Coindre, a diocesan priest. The order has three houses in Kenya, a scholasticate in Lang’ata for young Brothers doing their studies; another at the United States International University for Brother Vincent teaching Spanish their; and a third at Nkubu where Brother John lived.

Born: December 1939 in New York City, Citizen: American, Parents: Irish born mother and Polish born father, Family: parents + 3 boys and a sister. Brother John is the second born, NY/home neighborhood: Mostly lower middle class, immigrant community of Irish, Italians, Germans, Jews, Afro Americans and Spanish.Education:Eight years of primary school, taught by the Dominican nuns and Brotherthers. Four years of high school, taught by the Brothers in a Juniorate or Seminary.University:Undergraduate B.SC:Graduate: A.A Theology - Jesuit trained throughout university studies.

Unfortunately, we received very sad news that brother John died on Tuesday, September 9, 2014. Claire and I have been corresponding with him for almost 34 years, during those years we have been supporting his school. We have handed over the support of the school to PASS Inc. so the legacy of support will continue through PASS Inc.

Psalm 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

In our eyes he was a great man and has done marvelous things over his lifetime. Perhaps an example of a modern day Saint! Please keep him, his family, faculty and students in your thoughts and prayers. Please watch the video by following our link on our website page “newsletter” and hopefully we can all continue to support for his life’s work!

Jim and Claire Burns

#PASS