I think the things that drive Father Marty are his care for people,
his belief in what he's doing.
Clearly this is faith-filled man with incredible values who lives the Marianist Charism.
Interested in people, what you're doing, where you're going and to generate some energy around
your development and development of institutions and the development of our world.
Father Marty is warm, caring, generous, has a wonderful smile and very contagious and joyful laugh.
In 1967, Father Marty Solma professed vows as a Marianist.
After graduating from the University of Dayton, he became a teacher.
Brother Tom Pieper worked with Fr. Marty at Purcell Marian High School in Cincinnati.
Whenever he would walk into a room it was just his presence, because you knew
he was there for everybody else. And he was there for you.
Yeah, people just loved him.
In 1982, Fr. Marty was asked to go to Africa to work with novices -- African men who wanted
to join the Society of Mary.
And he goes, "Tom, I gotta tell you something.
They asked me to go to Africa." And it was like, "Marty, we just got started here!"
So he said, "The Province needs me to go, and I'm going to be saying yes."
And he would say, "It's just for three years, I'll be back after three years," well 26 years later...
He was asked to go to Africa for three years and spent over 20 years there.
He just kept responding to needs that they had there.
And so he worked with formation, he worked developing people,
he worked developing systems and institutions.
Eastern Africa now is an independent region of the Society of Mary and many of the leaders
there were mentored by Father Marty.
Ministering in the slums of Eastern Africa, the Marianists looked for ways
to partner with the poor and give them a path to hope. They started skills training programs for adults
and schools for children, including Our Lady of Nazareth in Nairobi, Kenya.
We're helping these kids physically, we're helping them educationally, we're helping
them socially. And you can see the difference.
It's tangible.
I think it's making a huge difference. And they're just giving people hope, and then
they can see there are possibilities to move on.
For me it's a real charge to see kids take their God-given talents, to see those develop,
and to see them able to live a dream.
Karen Spina travelled with Fr. Marty on a recent trip to Africa.
It was incredible to see these schools that the Marianists support.
Seeing where these children come from and seeing that their homes have no electricity,
no plumbing, and to come to a school where now they have opportunities for computer training, and art, music.
Without a doubt, this school is making a difference.
And the way these students greeted Father Marty was just wonderful to see.
They love him, he's like a celebrity there.
Fr. Marty was appointed Provincial of the Marianist Province of the United States in 2010.
He approached this new role with the same passion and vigor he displayed
for so many years in Africa.
He keeps up a pace that is incredible.
If there is any person that somebody could say, "Are there two of you? Because you
were just in Mexico, and here it is Dayton, Ohio and you're back the next day."
When he's committed to something, he gives all to it. He gave a lot of time to visiting
institutions, and reminding people about the vision for Marianist Catholic education
to empower students, to create community, to transform the world.
Throughout his time as Provincial, Fr. Marty has been a valued member of
the University of Dayton Board of Trustees.
Very thoughtful, very insightful, people listen when Father Marty has something to say because
you know it's not only coming from the right place,
but it also really carries an important kernel of wisdom.
Father Marty is a leader. And he's such a strong thinker, with such a caring heart.
He's a servant leader who welcomes the rest of us to join him as servant leaders.
And to me that is powerful.
Some people want to make you be better. Father Marty makes you want to do better.
Do better.
Make a difference. So anyway, he's a... he's an amazing man.
He's an amazing man, and he really touches your heart.
For more infomation >> Making A Difference: KY Teen Picked To Represent Shriners - Duration: 1:48. 
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