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Meet the Kenyan Nun Who Built a State-of-the-Art HIV/AIDS Facility from Scratch
Introduction: A Legacy of Love and Hope
Upendo VillageSr. Dr. Florence Muia, ASN (Ph.D) – Founder of Upendo Village—Upendo meaning love in Swahili—is a sanctuary of hope for people living with HIV/AIDS in Naivasha, Kenya. For nearly two decades, the center has provided holistic care, dignity, and empowerment to thousands who once faced stigma, rejection, and despair.
The vision and determination behind this life-changing project is that of Sr. Florence Muia, a Kenyan Catholic nun of the Assumption Sisters of Nairobi (ASN).
Life at Upendo Village
Every Thursday, Upendo Village comes alive with songs, prayers, and the laughter of men and women who gather for their support group meetings. They share meals, empower one another economically, and carry home food packages filled with maize, beans, flour, and cooking oil.
The songs of encouragement they sing—“Even when it is dark, know that there is light”—echo their personal journeys of resilience, survival, and newfound hope.
From Despair to New Beginnings
Many of the beneficiaries once believed they were condemned to die after their HIV diagnosis. They recall the moments when Sr. Florence found them—frail, abandoned, and rejected—and cared for them with compassion.
Margaret, one of the earliest support group members, remembers:
“Sister found me lying alone on a mat in my single room where I had been abandoned. My CD4 count was only 2. I was dying.”
Today, Margaret and many others live healthier, fuller lives because of the care and love they received at Upendo Village.
In the 1990s, HIV/AIDS was shrouded in fear, ignorance, and stigma in Kenya. Those infected were often secluded, fired from their jobs, or abandoned by family. Some were even buried in polythene bags by strangers.
As the first nun in Kenya to serve as a probation officer, Sr. Florence witnessed firsthand the discrimination faced by infected individuals. Determined to act, she began advocating globally for access to treatment and dignity for those living with HIV.
Her lobbying efforts in the U.S. contributed to the passage of a bill by Congressman Henry Hyde, which later became a landmark HIV/AIDS relief initiative, ensuring free or affordable ARVs for developing nations.
Humble Beginnings
Returning to Kenya in 2002 with a mission, Sr. Florence approached Bishop Peter Kairo of Nakuru Diocese. He donated three acres of land in Naivasha for her project.
What started in two dilapidated classrooms soon grew into a vibrant facility—thanks to her determination and support from the Wheaton Franciscan Sisters in the U.S.
She began by visiting patients in their homes, armed with porridge, water, and compassion. Soon, volunteers joined her, and in 2003, the first training of health workers was held. By 2004, the project had its first nurse.
Today, the facility boasts:
To date, Upendo Village has touched the lives of over 13,500 individuals, including orphans, widows, and children born with HIV.
Sr. Florence’s Journey of Faith
Born in 1957 as the fifth of nine children in a humble family, Florence Muia faced poverty but never lost her thirst for education. She walked 16 kilometers daily to school, dropped out due to fees, and later resumed studies, eventually excelling academically.
Her faith journey began with her grandmother, who introduced her to the Catholic Church. Inspired by the humility of nuns she met as a young girl, Florence pursued her calling and joined the Assumption Sisters of Nairobi in 1976. She professed her vows in 1978.
Her path included service as a probation officer, further studies in sociology and anthropology at CUEA, and later a Master’s degree in Pastoral Counseling in the U.S., where her passion for serving HIV patients deepened. She has since earned a Ph.D. in Peace and Conflict Studies.
Recognition and Impact
Through her tireless efforts, Sr. Florence has received numerous awards, including:
In 2014, Kenya’s First Lady Margaret Kenyatta officially opened the Upendo Village administration block and water plant, a symbol of how far the dream had come.
A Nun Sent from Heaven
To many, Sr. Florence is more than a nun—she is a lifeline. Whether cleaning an abandoned patient’s room, feeding a child, or distributing food to widows, her presence is a beacon of God’s love.
She has become, in the words of one journalist, “a nun sent from heaven.”
Conclusion: A Legacy of Love
Upendo Village stands as a testament to Sr. Florence Muia’s unwavering faith, resilience, and compassion. What began as a small outreach has transformed into a state-of-the-art facility that restores dignity, hope, and life to thousands.
Her story is not just one of personal sacrifice but a reminder that love can heal, empower, and transform entire communities.
