Category: Serving The Poor

MALAIKA: HOPE FOR A SICKLE CELL CHILD

Marriage, a sacred union instituted by God for procreation, often brings the joy of parenthood. Yet, families in Malaika Village and beyond, face the harsh reality when their newborns are diagnosed with severe health conditions like sickle cell anemia. Sadly, many are unaware of their child’s condition until medical aid is sought. Follow the heartwarming journey of hope for children with sickle cell anemia in Malaika Village.

CITY OF HOPE: A SAFE HOME FOR GIRLS AT RISK

In societies globally, like in Lusaka, vulnerable children, particularly girls, have been pushed to the sidelines due to the profound impact of HIV/AIDS, family struggles, and poverty. Addressing these voids, caring individuals such as the Salesian Sisters have set up a safe haven. The City of Hope, overseen by Sr. Mary John, is a haven providing comfort for young girls aged 7 to 18. These girls are rescued from the harsh streets and the injustices of the powerful and privileged. With Sr. Mary John at the helm, their aim is to provide solace and assistance amidst challenges.

SISTERS ATTENTIVE TO THE CRY OF THE POOR

As one way of preparing for their final vows, the Franciscan Sisters of Assis, namely: Sr. Josephine Mukosa, Sr. Yvonne Chileshe, Sr. Magret Shabongwe and Sr. Agness Mumba spent three months of serving the poor in various apostolates at Mitanda home for the aged, children with special needs and the street children at Luigi Drop-in Centre in Ndola. Sr. Yvonne recalls the 25th of November,2023 as a great day, when they committed themselves totally to God through the profession of the evangelical counsels. She adds that serving the poor is a great experience of renewal as it helped them to step back into the Franciscan boots of serving the poor with love. We began our preparations three months prior to the day and in the process a number of workshops were held. Among the workshops held included: Non-violence Communication, Psychological counseling, Formation of conscience, Challenges of understanding living religious and vowed life, the Healing Family Tree and values. Sr. Yvonne Sr. Yvonne adds that the experience was like a second novitiate. While the sisters were doing their apostolates at the drop-in center for street children, they encountered two orphans with two different stories on how they found themselves on the streets. Sr. Margret narrates: One orphaned boy, who chose to go to on the street and beg, said he wished to go to school but he was living with his grandmother who could only afford one meal a day. And another boy, who had a father who could afford to take care of him run away from home because he could not bear the treatment from his stepmother. He added that the streets were more peaceful than his home. Sr. Margret. And Sr. Agness says she realised that not all street children are there because they are happy but because of the different situations they found themselves in. Meanwhile, the sisters say they were elited at the warm reception of the old people at Mitanda. It opened our minds to see how hospitable we could be despite the challenges we might be faced with. We felt a sense of duty to pray for the children from the streets, children with disabilities, and the aged. Some situations may be chosen whilst others are not a matter of choice. Sr. Agness Sr. Josephine concludes that the experience of the renewal program for their final vows helped them to step back into their Franciscan boots of serving the poor with love.