The impact of the fruitful ministry of Sydney CMS missionary the Rev Canon Helen Hoskins. continues to be felt in the Diocese of Mara.

So much so that Mara’s bishop, Dr George Okoth, has declared that Helen will be annually celebrated on May 12, which he has declared Helen Hoskins Day.

Canon Hoskins worked in the diocese for more than 24 years. She was the founder of Bunda Girls’ Secondary School, ACT Shalom Primary School and the Girls’ Brigade Centre Technical College.

The diocese described the day as a unique honour and, when it was first celebrated in May this year, the Girls Brigade service included a text selected by Bishop Okoth, Hebrews 13:7: “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith”.

Canon Hoskins’ dream was to have a guest house enabling school groups from other countries to visit.

With the help of funds from Anglican Aid, it was completed in January. In July, the first school group visited – from Helen Hoskins' alma mater, Abbotsleigh.

The school’s senior chaplain, the Rev Sarah Hobba, was in the group as were various girls from Sydney Anglican families – appropriate given that some of Abbotsleigh’s families have also supported bursaries for Bunda Girls’ Secondary School. Roseville College is also a supporter, and has a sister school relationship with Bunda Girls’ and the new Shalom co-educational junior school.

Canon Hoskins also previously donated her house to the Diocese of Mara in 2020, upon learning that she had cancer and needed to return to Australia permanently.