“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