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The
MSOLA in ZAMBIA
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In
2002, the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa,
have celebrated the centenary of their arrival to Zambia.
100 years of service at the people and the Church of
Zambia.
During
these years the sisters have attended at different needs.
They have opened and worked in: hospitals, schools,
health centers, formation of women, pastoral, catechetics,
Bible courses, saving schemes, care of AIDS patients,
prevention of AIDS, work with youth, etc.
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A
hundred years of presence in Zambia
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bishop offers a gift to Sr. Marie McDonald, superior general
of the MSOLA for the gift of faith, for the development
that the sisters brought to the country, and for all the
services they offered to the people and to the Church
of Zambia. |
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| Sr.
Marie McDonald, superior genera of the MSOLA, thanks the
Church of Zambia for all the effort they had put in the
celebration of this anniversary, and for their commitment
to follow Christ. |
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| Sr.
Aheza (MSOLA from Ethiopia) carries the candle symbolising
the light of Christ that the MSOLA sisters brought into
Zambia. |
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general superior, the provincial and the local superior
have been decorated with the "horn of arrows"
the trophy the winner warriors got when coming victorious
from battle. Now the bishop offers the sisters the gift,
representing Zambia. |
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| Entering
procession: women and sisters dance as a sign of joy for
all that the sisters have done for the women of Zambia,
for the education, and the awareness they foster and for
the development of the local religious congregations.
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| During
the celebrations of the Centenary of the MSOLA arrival
in Zambia, the sisters went to the cemetery where quite
a number of MSOLA are buried. They gave their life for
the spreading of the Good News in Zambia. The gift of
their life, the way they lived the mission, are an encouragement
for the sisters living that same mission today. |
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When women become aware things start
to change
Juliana
Karomba is a missionary sister from Tanzania. She is working
in Kalilo (Zambia) in a rural set up. In Zambia many people
are infected with HIV/AIDS, with a very high mortality rate.
Sr. Juliana creates awareness among women, so that they
can protect themselves against the sickness.
I meet
with different groups of women at the parish for a variety
of activities. This coming together creates an opportunity
to address issues related to AIDS.
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| Sr.
Juliana Karomba |
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On one occasion
women were invited to attend a three days workshop on Behaviour
Change organized by the diocese. Two women from the group were
chosen to represent the group and I joined them. The whole group
was eagerly waiting to hear their feedback. So when we came back
we organized a day workshop for the whole group. It was a very
lively workshop. After a role-play on how HIV spreads, many things
came to light.
For the first
time the women saw the need to challenge their own culture where
usually men and women met separately. They requested that similar
workshops be organized and attended by both husband and wife.
They saw that the coming together of men and women would allow
both of them to start sharing on this burning issue.
Another issue
that came was the custom of the women having "water in the
mouth" - meaning that women may not speak - and how this
is a source of death in the couple.
I realized
how important it was for the women to see things in a different
way and to be able to share among themselves on issues they are
not used to talk about. This was a very good starting point. These
women need to open up to other women and share their fears as
well as the steps they have taken to save their lives. These women
come mostly from the poorer places, where some cultural aspects
have a very strong influence on people.
After that
workshop a number of the women who attended were more open and
requested to have a test. They want to know their health status.
I link them
up with the people working at the Voluntary C Test (VCT).
Juliana Karomba
- Kalilo (Zambia)
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