“It is when I am in the midst of people experiencing trouble and hardships and I am feeling vulnerable and powerless myself, that God takes me by surprise and I become ‘bowled over’ by the power of God’s love.” (Living the Just Soul Today)

Dear Friends, So much of the news in our media today carries the story of our world in conflict, pain and struggle - ‘trouble and hardships’ for so many. Often we feel powerless and vulnerable in the midst of it all, unsure and questioning. Then we are touched by the story of a life saved, an act of kindness, the laughter of a child. God surprises us! As you read our MWI Newsletter may you be ‘bowled over’ by the power of God’s love moving in the lives of our sisters and in the lives of the people they serve. Let us remember to pray for continued blessings on our IBVM mission throughout the world and for the safety of those working in conflict areas. The devastation caused by the Nepal Earthquake was felt worldwide. Sabrina Edwards IBVM talks openly below about how the local communities are rebuilding and picking up the pieces despite their unfathomable loss. With every good wish, The Editorial Committee—Brigid Tunney IBVM, Sabrina Edwards IBVM and Elouise Hahn

Nepal Earthquake Update Many thanks for all who supported us during the time of emergency through your prayers, words of encouragement and donations. Our communities in Dharan (Nepal) as well as our communities in Darjeeling, Panighatta, Lolay, Sadam and Champasari were all affected by the Himalayan earthquake that rocked the region in April 2015. Many aftershocks continued which further traumatized the people already trying to deal with the massive disaster. Slowly but surely families and communities are picking up their broken lives and are moving forward. Though the IBVM communities and missions are not located near the epicenter they experienced the shaking caused by the seismic waves. No deaths were reported but a number of houses and buildings were cracked and damaged. The IBVM Province of South Asia now has to deal with reconstruction of earthquake damaged schools in Darjeeling, Panighatta, Lolay and Sadam as well as two development centers in Champasari and Dharan (Nepal). The schools that have been damaged (except for Loreto Convent, Darjeeling) cater for the less privileged children, most of whom are first generation learners. Their education is subsidized by the Province so the additional burden of repairs and reconstruction is a cause of concern. For the people of the Himalayan regions, who are already struggling, the arrival of the monsoon rains brings the fear of impending landslides.

Children of Loreto Lolay, one of the schools in urgent need of repairs.

Southern Africa

Income Generating Activity in Lukulu, Zambia

In recent years we have had

a small group of impover-

ished women, mostly HBC

(Home Based Care) Caregiv-

ers, engaged in soap making

for their own income. The

soap is made from the oil of

a plant called Jatropha and

initially came from biofuel

companies in Lusaka. When

this biofuel industry failed

no oil was available in Zambia for nearly a year. The wom-

en, unable to make soap, lost their income.

As the soap is very popular and in high demand, and since

the Jatropha plant grows locally, we felt it was a good

investment to procure an oil press to try and produce our

own oil in order to support the women making the soap.

After much work a Jatropha oil expeller and an industrial

electricity supply to power the machine were set up. Two

local men were trained to operate the machine and finally

we are now producing our own oil! Production is limited

only by the current supply of seeds from the villages but

this will increase as people engage with the new

enterprise.

It is very satisfying to see the seeds gathered locally by

villagers being turned into pure oil and then that being

transformed into beautiful soap by the women, for sale. It

means we now have a small sustainable industry which

provides income for many; for those who collect and sell

their seeds, for the machine operators, and the women

who make and sell the soap. In addition, we also have a

local supply of soap for our HBC clients. This is a small

beginning with much potential. We look to the future with

hope.

Seed Oil Soap

Likeka Community School

Loreto have links with ten rural community

schools. These community schools, started by

communities who have no access to other school-

ing provide a foundation on which the Ministry of

Education and NGOs can build.

One of our most recent projects in the schools has

been classroom furniture. In August 2014 a survey

of furniture needs was done in the ten schools. In

four schools there was no furniture at all. We

sought funds for furniture to be made from local

timber by local carpenters.

The community contribution is to transport the

desks by ox or donkey cart. These carts can only

take four desks at a time and can only travel at

night because of the heat.

Ox cart is ready to transport the desks

AND

The children admire their new desks.

MWIA AT LORETO FEDERATION

Now would it not be a good thing for all Loreto

Girls to federate in a great league for a noble end …

Federate to lend a helping hand to whatever is

good and beautiful, noble and useful in the world

around.

It was with these words in

a letter from 1897 that the

idea of Loreto Federation

was born. As Australia

moved towards the federa-

tion of its colonies to become an independent

nation, Mother Gonzaga Barry was inspired by the

notion of "uniting in a league" by bringing Loreto

girls from across the country together to listen for

the challenge to greater freedom and generosity

that lies at the heart of the Loreto spirit.

With a capacity filled

audience The Honourable

Dame Quentin Bryce AD

CVO (pictured right with

Kim Nass) opened the

conference with MC and

Loreto College Ballarat

past pupil, The Honourable Mary Delahunty. Other

speakers shared their own inspiring stories.

MWIA Executive Officer Kim Nass spoke passionately

about the importance of MWIA in supporting the

work which our Loreto Sisters are engaged in around

the world, as they bring justice and development to

disadvantaged communities.

Australia & South East Asia

The makings of a dream in Timor Leste...

After years of careful planning with the local communi-

ty, Government Leaders, Bishops and the Australian

and South East Asian Province the first interim Loreto

pre-primary school was opened in the remote area of

Gari-uai in Timor Leste.

The interim pre-school will provide the children in this

isolated region with educational opportunities prior to

the official building opening in 2016. The temporary

pre-primary school will be transformed into a communi-

ty centre next year.

Gari-uai, situated in the province of Baucau, is quite

remote and educational opportunities are limited.

Other than a pre-primary and primary school, the vil-

lage is in desperate need for a pre-secondary school

(years 7-9) and senior secondary school (years 10 – 12)

as the children have at least 7 kilometres to walk to the

nearest pre-secondary school and have to travel into

Baucau daily or stay in Baucau to attend senior second-

ary school.

Gaining approval for this project has been a significant

accomplishment for the small community of Gari-uai.

For almost ten years the village had been unsuccessfully

asking the Government to establish a pre-school.

Building of the pre-primary school is just one of three

visions the Loreto Sisters have, with construction set to

commence on the first Loreto primary school to be

opened in 2016 followed by a secondary school. MWIA

is proud to be providing much needed funds to this

project with the help of Loreto Schools around Australia

and other generous donors.

Loreto Sister Natalie Houlihan with local Timorese

students attending the pre-primary school in Gari-uai.

CANADA

Twinning: A Mutual Benefit

In 1988, the American Generalate agreed to assist the

repatriation of refugees from war in El Salvador. Thus

began our twinned relationship with the families who

resettled La Bermuda in February, 1989. As a “twinned

community,” we prayed for them; wrote to the Salvador-

an Government demanding an end to human rights viola-

tions; asked the Canadian and U.S. Governments to

direct aid to NGOs rather than to the Government and

pressurised the Government to negotiate an end to war.

The presence of foreigners offered protection so Sisters

participated in SalvAide Delegations, bringing moral

support and material aid and serving as Electoral Observ-

ers. Projects included: emergency housing; establishment

of a dairy herd; tools and seeds for planting; training

“popular” teachers and health workers; the purchase of a

tractor; and money to purchase the land.

Challenges in post-conflict reconstruction are enormous.

Guided by SalvAide we began to focus on sustainable

projects with long term benefits. A Youth Leadership

Training Project ensures leaders for the future of the

Communities. A Cashew project will provide employ-

ment for the 25 year life of the trees. A Microcredit pro-

ject empowers women and is self sustaining.

Enforced Government policies have led to social conflict

and for many the suffering continues. Basic health care

and education still remain unfulfilled dreams for the

majority.

We are told that we will find God in the poor. This is true

for those who have come to know the poor of El Salva-

dor. Faithful supporters of La Bermuda will join us again

on October 25 for the Annual Mass and fundraising

Luncheon to celebrate 25 years of a grace-filled relation-

ship that has been mutually beneficial.

The children welcome Sr. Evanne

Broadcasting Live from Foothills of El Salvador

Youth have taken a note from Oscar Romero,

beatified on May 23, and described in the NCR as

“journalist of the poor”. Romero used radio

broadcasts to give “voice to the voiceless”

through his homilies and 75% of the Salvadoran

population listened every Sunday. Today, the

youth of La Bermuda use their “Radio Collectiva”

to voice the needs, hopes and dreams of their

Community.

An investment of $2500 provided training for 10

young people and the purchase of equipment to

enable them to manage and operate a communi-

ty radio station. Most of them are working on a

High School Diploma, are actively engaged in

sports and participate in the agricultural work of

the Community.

Programming is aimed at preserving cultural

memory; informing about community assem-

blies, religious activities, committee meetings

and communal work days. It raises awareness of

social and political issues and promotes youth

participation in community organisation and

leadership. It provides information about sexual-

ly transmitted diseases, effects of drug abuse,

causes of family disintegration, good parenting

practices and maintaining mental and physical

health. Birthdays, feasts and achievements of

community members are also celebrated on the

airwaves! The radio played a significant role in

preparation for recent municipal elections.

Community Leaders believe it is very significant

that the young of La Bermuda are staying home

and resisting the allure of the gangs wreaking

havoc in El Salvador today. They give credit to

the Radio Station, the Leadership Training

Project and the Soccer Field!

Young people involved in Community Radio project

ENGLAND

Yarl’s Wood IDC (Immigration Detention Centre)

Luton United Kingdom

Yarl’s Wood IDC, situated in a corner of Bedford called

Clapham, is the only Immigration Detention Centre in the

UK for women, and accommodates approximately 300-

350 women. The centre opened in 2000 to contain

women, from Northern and Southern Hemisphere

Nations. including, South East Asia (Thailand, Indonesia,

Singapore, Vietnam, Philippines), North America, USA,

Canada (South America, Venezuela, Columbia, Bolivia,

Guyana, Brazil), East-Africa (Eritrea, Kenya, Ethiopia,

Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Sudan, Tanzania), West Africa

(Congo, CoteD’Ivoire, Cameroon, Gambia, Namibia,

Morocco,Guinea), Europe (France, Poland, Romania,

Hungary, Germany, Portugal, Netherlands, Belarus,

Albania, Kosovo), West Indies (St. Vincent and the Grena-

dines, Grenada, Barbados), Central Asia (Kyrgyzstan,

Afghanistan, Iraq, Turkmenistan, Nepal, Georgia), North

Africa (Nigeria), Japan, China, Korea, North and South.

Most do not have English as their first language. They are

held for various reasons having failed to fulfil their

immigration credentials.

During my early days in Luton I became aware of pressure

groups, in the Luton and Bedfordshire area, campaigning

against the concept of imprisoning vulnerable women in

this way. In fact the building was burnt down by protes-

tors but, to the consternation of many dissenting voices,

was quickly re-built. I was, from the start, conscious of

the controversial nature of the establishment but soon

realised that our contribution as chaplains was unique and

compassionate. Lonnie, our lead chaplain, has a fantastic

ethos of complete availability to the women and they in

turn rely constantly on the openness of the chaplaincy

room to share their emotions and seek support with their

concerns. It is also clear that the staff value the availability

of the chaplaincy to share their concerns re the running of

the centre. I was inducted into the Chaplaincy Team for

the Centre in 2007.

The team has a special role offering support for every Reli-

gion/Faith, including Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism,

Islam Judaism, Sikhism. These are all represented by

members of the chaplaincy team and all receive equal

respect. The Catholic/Christian community is the largest

faith group after the Muslim community.

All faith/religious festivals, holy days and

observances are celebrated with great respect and

sensitivity.

For example, in the chaplaincy there are available

22 different language Bibles and Quran as well as

rosaries, prayer mats, Incense sticks and ‘Catholic

Simple Prayer’ books which the catholic women

love! Every woman is allowed to possess a copy of

the Bible or Quran as well as other items of

religious practice. The Chinese women deck out the

chapel with beautiful paper sculptures.

As catholic chaplains we provide a ‘Communion

and Word Service’ every Monday which, for the

catholic women, takes the place of Sunday Mass.

This gives us a privileged opportunity to use the

readings of the liturgical season to open up the

Gospel message and speak to the women of the

unique and consoling message that the scriptures

can provide for their particular circumstances. Je-

sus’ own experience speaks loud and clear to them

and their response is magic. I am evangelised by

them. PS. Lonnie, the lead chaplain, has a project

providing each woman leaving the Centre, with a

suitcase, to replace the identifying laundry bags,

provided by SERCO, the centre's authority.

These cases ensure the anonymity of the women

when they are being deported and are a source of

dignity and respect. The Catholic Women's Union

has taken this Project to heart and has supplied

hundreds of cases to the chaplaincy - maybe we, as

IBVM, could do something in this regard?

Sister Jackie Gleeson IBVM, fourth from the right,

together with the Chaplaincy Team at Yarl's Wood

Immigration Detention Centre.

South Asia

Bangladesh: Courage to Move

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single

step”. In answer to the call of ‘Courage to move’, the

first step on the journey to begin our mission in

Bangladesh was taken in 2005. Today, our sisters run a

diocesan school, in Padrishibpur, Barisal District, that

caters up to 1600 young girls and boys. The state

religion is Islam and the majority of the population are

Muslims. In the initial years some were suspicious that

the Sisters had come to convert the people. However as

the days and the years flew by, the relationship

strengthened and prejudices melted away.

The socio-cultural environment of Bangladesh contains

strong gender discrimination, so girls and women face

many obstacles to their development. Education is

essential to reducing discrimination and violence against

girls and women. Through the school, gender stereotyp-

ing was challenged with a woman headmistress for the

first time. This change has led to an increased awareness

at different levels in the school community. “It is heart-

ening to see the girls taking their studies more

seriously”, says Sr. Monica Rozario IBVM, Head Mistress

of the school.

Sr. Monica making presentations at Prize giving

Bangladesh is now widely recognized to be one of

the countries most vulnerable to climate change.

Since independence in 1971, the country had

endured almost 200 disaster events – cyclones,

storm surges, floods, tornadoes, earthquakes,

droughts and other calamities – causing more than

500,000 deaths and leaving a serious impact on

quality of life, livelihoods and the economy. Sr.

Archana IBVM, who experienced cyclone Sidr in

2007 observes that “natural calamities are affecting

the economic growth of the poor as they loose

everything and have to start all over again.”

Women at work in the fields

The country is part of the South Asia-Gulf Region

trafficking route. It is primarily a source, and, to a

lesser extent, a destination country for men,

women, and children subjected to forced labor and

sex trafficking. The Sisters are now looking into

working on raising awareness about this issue

as some cases of trafficking have been identi-

fied by them in the village.

The grain of wheat that falls and dies bears

much fruit. There is life and hope for this

mission in Bangladesh. Many young local girls

have expressed their desire to join the jour-

ney, mission and ministry of the IBVM sisters.

May God who has begun this work bring it to

its fulfilment.

IRELAND

Rumbek, South Sudan

As conflict escalates in the new independent state of South Sudan and the world seems uninterested, we focus on our mission in Rumbek. Orla Treacy IBVM writes: Conflict In December 2013 Vice President Riek Machar and President Salva Kiir clashed and the struggle for power continues. Other rebel groups are emerging. Three of the northern states have been devastated by fighting. Our own state in the centre of the country has received thousands of displaced people. We have seen an increase in the number of guns in our area. Community clashes are common and each day we hear the sound of gunshots. The Secondary School Despite the gunshots our school is a haven of peace, joy and friendship. We came to Rumbek in 2006 at the request of the Diocese to provide secondary school education for girls. In 2008 we opened the school and since then 64 students have graduated. The 24 most recent graduates are currently applying to universities. Among the earlier 40 graduates, 38 are in university or nursing. One is a Primary school teacher in her home village and one is working for the government.

Orla talks with the girls in the secondary school

Today we have 184 students, all boarders, from all over

South Sudan. The girls do not talk politics. They know that

their brothers are outside killing one another. They know

that people are dying of starvation. The girls dream of a

better future for themselves, their families and their coun-

try. Each day they pray for peace and for just leaders.

They love Mary Ward’s saying that women in time to

come will do much. These young women are the future

and we pray that they will do much.

Teaching Staff Our teachers are accommodated in rooms on the compound, known as “the Embassy” as they come from South Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, American and British Guyana. We are happy to welcome others too! The Primary School Primary school began under a tree in 2010 with

76 pupils, local girls and boys. By 2012 there were

250 and today that number has grown to 545. All

their teachers come from the locality.

New Building Construction began on the primary school build-ing in January. The plan is to build eight class-rooms in the first phase. Over the next few years we hope to build another eight classrooms and two kindergarten classrooms. Food, cooked by local women is provided for the children. For some, this is their only meal in the day.

Life continues amid the conflict and gunshots. Thankfully, our people are strong and stubborn. They will not be moved or defeated easily. We trust in their great spirit to carry us through. We trust in God to watch over us. We ask for your prayers for an end to conflict in South Sudan and for a lasting peace.

Our love and gratitude to all for your support.

MAURITIUS

Empowering women to be self sufficient through training

During 2015, we are pleased to have set up training for

unemployed women in Pastry and Kitchen techniques.

These women came from a poor region, where we already

have a development centre caring for the education of

children. We also opened on Saturday afternoon the same

training for already employed women.

The training is free, based on a two day practical (3 hours)

and one day theory (3 hours) for those coming on week

days. On Saturdays, it is a mixed of practical and theory

for 4 hours.

The objective is to empower them by providing training to

improve their pastry skills. They can afterwards start to

prepare and sell cakes to the neighborhoods. This will

bring an additional income to their family budget. In

addition, the food they prepare at the centre is used by

the children of the vicinity who come to receive free

tuition from our volunteers after school hours, thus

creating a win-win situation.

NEPALI SOLIDARITY

In Mauritius, there was a national effort to help

our friends from Nepal after the earthquake. In all

schools, the Government provided a box for Nepal

Donation. In solidarity with the Indian Province, we

at MWI (Mauritius) invited all our students from

our colleges and our primary schools, for prayers

and support.

During school assembly, thousands of students

prayed for those who lost their families and their

homes. Small fundraising activity was also orga-

nized in at least two colleges (including one where

they have few resources for themselves).

OTHER PROJECTS

We are preparing a plan to make our students leaving the

colleges this year to understand the need to volunteer for

their country and in our province. They will be invited to

be part of our mission to be doers of justice.

PERU

Empowering communities in Peru

On the weekend of 16 and 17 May a Leadership Train-

ing course was launched in two venues in the parish of

Lamud, one in the higher pueblos and the other in

Lamud where we live.

Nothing moves here without a conversation, so you

can imagine the number of conversations Wini had in

order to involve about 50 men and women from 12

pueblos along with the various facilitators who would

deliver the course. The enthusiasm of the participants

is catching and attendance is good despite the fact that

some have to walk 2 or 3 hours to get to the venue.

Wini writes in IBVM Mary Ward Peru/Facebook:

"These participants in the Leadership course are the

‘salt of the Earth’. They bring the wisdom of their

pueblos to bear on what they hear; they and are en-

riched; and in turn enrich each other in the inter-

change”.

“Thank You” to Misean Cara and Mary

Ward International.

Another expression of community is this wonderful

patchwork poncho for Our Lady. A basket of patches

and a few markers left in the Church; Irene’s willing

hands to sew them up; and there you have a special

poncho for Our Lady for the Dawn Rosary Procession

in May; it holds family intentions, hopes for the na-

tion and prayers for the suffering people of the world.

Women creating beautiful things in Lima

With the help of a teach-

er provided by Miros

with the help of Ward

Mission Funds these

women in Lampa de Oro,

are learning to create

the jewellery you see here.

Without any help, other than

their own creativity, women

whom Mercedes meets on her

visits to a prison, make these very

attractive purses: they sell them

to pay the costs, often exorbi-

tant, of their appeals or other

services.

SPAIN

Education for a global citizenship in Loreto Schools

In Spain, besides collaborating with the projects on the

ground (Asilah, Perú, India) Fundación Mary Ward dedi-

cates a great part of our time to work actively with

Loreto schools in the field of Education for Sustainable

Development.

Every year we establish a new ‘Solidarity Project’. We

started in 2010-2011 with a project in Kenya ‘Put a brick

on Mathare and later we focused on Asilah ‘Right to

Education’, Nepal ‘Developing Sukumbasi’, Peru

‘Medical assistance in Jicamarca’ and Kolkata with the

project ‘Rainbow Sealdah’.

We offer teachers and students information about

these projects with a particular focus on women and

girls. We create a didactic guide for teachers, adapted

to different levels so they can tackle their lessons in an

easy way.

We also encourage the students to look for infor-

mation, watch movies about this topic and draw a

picture about the project or issue being explored.

Different activities make the pupils think about differ-

ent realities, depending on their age.

Every year we organise a visit on the ground. We

invite up to two people, working directly with the

project we are dealing with, to travel to Spain and

visit our schools. This is one of the most interesting

activities for the pupils, as they are able to under-

stand first hand, other peoples realities.

Over the last years, our guests have organised a play

to show how they would like the health service in

Peru to operate. They have also created songs and

dances to welcome the guests and have always pre-

pared lots of pictures and presents.

Last year our schools focused on Kolkata, especially

the Rainbow Project, which offers shelter and educa-

tion for girls aged 4-18 years living on the streets. We

have been able to explain to our pupils how difficult

life is for girls and women in India and all around the

world. To help with awareness raising, we have had

the visit of Monica Suchiang and Veronica Makhal.

For two weeks, they have travelled all around Spain

visiting our schools, sharing not only their work but a

bigger picture about the reality of women in India.

Because our main objective is not fundraising, but

raising awareness.

On the other hand, he have also worked with families

and teachers, thanks to the initiative ‘Awareness rais-

ing Talks’ in which our guests have the opportunity to

meet with mothers, parents and school workers to

talk to them about their situation.

For the next course, we are trying to change the

approach to the Educational Program: not only do we

want to depict the reality, we want to show them

how we, in the developed countries, are part of the

unfair situations that make other peoples realities

worldwide.

United States

This is Modern Day Slavery

“You can look the other way but you can never say again that you did not know” a quote by William Wilber-

force, an 18th century English philanthropist and slavery abolitionist, had it right back then. In our country and

around the world, human trafficking, or modern day slavery, has become a hot topic. As more people become

aware of this issue, we realize that we can share information with everyone we come in touch with.

While the United States has taskforces through government agencies we too have created a focus through our

JPIC networks to communicate what is being done on different levels and taskforces.

Churches, schools and workplaces are beginning to recognize that this social issue has many faces in our

country. Some of the frightening statistics on Trafficking are:

1 in 7 runaway children are believed to be sex trafficking victims

Over 14 million people are trapped in forced labor industries including domestic work, agriculture,

construction and manufacturing

600 and counting: the number of women given shelter by women religious all over the world

Some of our IBVM Sisters work directly with women who have been trafficked, finding them shelter and the ser-

vices they need to heal and recover. Because many of our IBVM Sisters cannot be in the front lines of helping,

our JPIC committee has designed a prayer calendar that comes out monthly focusing on several justice issues,

including trafficking. Sisters and Associates have the opportunity to raise awareness of these inadequacies with

co-workers, family and friends as the calendar is emailed to all. The lobby of Wheaton Loretto also has a plaque

displaying the IBVM Corporate Stance on Human Trafficking for all who enter to read. Later this summer, our

retreat bedrooms at Loretto Center will have a postcard size handout that speaks to the IBVM Calls, JPIC and

what we are doing to share the Gospel message with all who come to find peace and respite here.

Mary Ward International apologies for any inconvenience caused if you have received this publication twice

Contributions by:

Southern Africa: Pat Hanvey and

Elizabeth Donnan IBVM

Australia: Kim Nass and Elouise Hahn

England: Jackie Gleeson, Jacinta Daven-

port and Kathryn Keigher IBVM

Canada: Evanne Hunter IBVM

South Asia: Sabrina Edwards IBVM

Ireland: Orla Treacy IBVM

Mauritius: Stephane Luchmum

Peru: Mary Elizabeth Quirk

Spain: Maria Llinas and Aurora Moreno

United States: Anne Delaney