Leah Genita (1955-2023)
We were deeply saddened to hear the news of the unexpected passing of Leah Genita (one of the honorary IFES vice-presidents) on 16 May 2023.
Leah - on the left of the photo above with friends from the IFES International Excutive Committee - was dearly loved by many across the IFES family. Annette Arulrajah (IFES Associate General Secretary) remembers meeting her over thirty years ago, when Annette was a new, young staffworker. “I remember staying at your home after the East Asia Regional Conference in the Philippines... And you laughed! Yes, you laughed at me when I told you how difficult staffwork was and I was struggling. You laughed me out of my pity pot, and you modelled for me resilient staffwork.
"You were simply an exceptional, visionary, and compassionate leader. More than that your eagle eyes observed everything! Then your soft heart would reach out and stand in solidarity with persons on the journey. You never failed to use your voice to speak for justice and to speak comfort.”
Leah became a Christian through the ministry of IVCF Philippines. She served the movement as a student leader, graduate volunteer, full-time staff, and board member. But her influence extended beyond the confines of the local movement. She was frequently invited to regional East Asia conferences and meetings as a resource person. She also served on the IFES International Executive Committee (now known as the Board) from 2003 to 2011, including a time on the Steering Committee.
Leah championed the cause of student witness both in the Philippines and across the globe. She was careful to share her strength and wisdom in ways that enabled rather than suppressed the younger leaders.
In her working life, Leah was a development manager, mentor, and trainer, involved in leading community organisations, developing leaders, and serving diverse organisations and networks both in the Philippines and abroad. After her retirement, she worked as a freelance management consultant and trainer, and wrote for Scripture Union’s annual devotional, “Light to My Path".
Tim Adams (IFES General Secretary) remembers Leah as “a wise and faithful IFES board member who also became a friend.” He invites us to pray for all those in the Philippines, East Asia and beyond who will be grieving her death.
IVCF Philippines have set up a memorial book where we can share our memories of and tributes to our “Ate” Leah: https://bit.ly/RememberingAteLeah