Rostro de Cristo Fellow Kieran Rigney

As Rostro begins our work to be in solidarity with Haitians and Dominicans of Haitian descent in the Dominican Republic, we could not have found someone more suited to this mission than Kieran Rigney.

Kieran spent his early childhood in Haiti. At four years old he learned to speak Creole. After that, his family moved to the Dominican Republic, and he started speaking Spanish with his mother and English with his father. Along the way, he also picked up Italian, French, and Arabic, further expanding his linguistic abilities.

From a young age, Kieran and his twin brother understood the importance of giving back. Their parents, who met while volunteering in Haiti, instilled these values in them. Kieran’s father hails from Ireland, while his mother grew up in Mexico. Both of Kieran’s parents work for Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH), which means “Our Little Brothers and Sisters.” NPH operates orphanages dedicated to supporting poor and vulnerable children in several countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.

At just twenty-five years old, Kieran brings a wealth of experience to his role as a Fellow. He graduated from the University of Northern Arizona with a degree in International Affairs. After completing his Peace Corps tour in Guinea last December, he began working with Rostro de Cristo in February.

As a Rostro de Cristo Fellow, Kieran will be establishing the Rostro de Cristo retreat program and collaborating with ASCALA (Asociación Scalabriniana al Servicio de la Movilidad Humana). Having grown up just down the street from ASCALA, Kieran feels a deep connection to the organization. “I knew the sisters who worked at ASCALA, and I’m excited to team up with them,” he shared. “I’m also grateful for the opportunity to engage with students attending the retreat programs. After living in Guinea, a predominantly Muslim country, I want to dedicate more time to participating in my Catholic faith.”

Rostro de Cristo’s retreat program aims to foster deep, lasting commitments to service, faith, and social justice. Participants in the retreat program will spend 7 to 14 days fully engaging with the community. During this time, they will take part in daily activities that help sustain their environment, such as visiting local markets, preparing meals, and cleaning shared spaces. Participants are also encouraged to join parish liturgies and dedicate time for daily prayer and personal reflection.

Kieran’s first week working with ASCALA was a whirlwind of emotions, filled with both challenges and triumphs. “Considering the recent cuts to US foreign aid funding, ASCALA was forced to make the difficult decision to lay off several employees who play crucial roles in assisting Haitian migrants facing significant legal challenges in the Dominican Republic,” said Kieran. “Many of these individuals are understandably anxious about the possibility of being deported back to Haiti, a fear that weighs heavily on their minds. Amidst this unsettling atmosphere, I had the opportunity to help organize and meticulously sort through 287 passports for Haitian migrants. The excitement is palpable as we prepare to distribute them this Wednesday; it feels like a small but vital step towards restoring hope and stability for those we serve.”

Kieran contributes a wealth of valuable skills and an uplifting spirit to the Rostro de Cristo team. His dedication and enthusiasm not only enhance our efforts but also foster a collaborative and enjoyable environment. We are very pleased to have him join our team!