One year later the scar of that terrible wound is still not healed, because the massacre caused social damage still to be mended. "Before the attack, 85% of health workers came from other parts of the country, as well as half of the teachers. Because the terrorists killed non-residents and non-Muslims many of these professionals have fled (...). In the county of Garissa alone they are now short of about 800 teachers and an undetermined number of health personnel. Some schools have closed and health centres are also closed ... “The word 'Garissa' is now associated with a threat,” says Tommy Simmons, speaking on Vatican Radio. He is the founder of AMREF Italy, an organization that has been present in Kenya since 1957. A year ago it intervened from the first moment to bring relief to the victims.
Many initiatives were organized in Kenya to remember in prayer this tragic anniversary. In the Archdiocese of Mombasa, of which the Diocese of Garissa is a suffragan, the victims were already mentioned during Holy Week - in particular in the Way of the Cross, together with the four Missionaries of Charity killed in Yemen and other victims of terrorism - and then on the exact day of the anniversary there was a special moment of prayer.
In Garissa itself, Bishop Joseph Alexander, celebrated Mass on Divine Mercy Sunday to pray for the victims, for their families and for the conversion of their killers.
