Apr 29, 2020
South Sudanese ladies carrying water containers
The risk of the pandemic virus in a developing country like South Sudan is very high as they have very poor medical facilities and are steeped in traditions that involve the handshake. It represents peace and respect among their communities and proves to be difficult to avoid , all be it necessary to contain the spread of the virus.
Creating awareness to the community about Coronavirus becomes an urgent need as most of the people are illiterate and they are not informed of what is happening around the world, therefore proper orientation and health education for preventive measures are required.
On 31st March, 2020, nine former interns returned to Loreto. Among the group are five trainee nurses, two medical students and two development students. All have returned from their various learning institutes to help prepare for the Coronavirus in the Mary Ward Primary Health Care Center (LPHCC).
Each week the group divides and enters into the community trying to educate them on the Coronavirus disease, how it can be transmitted and how to try to prevent it happening in the area. These graduates are finding this extremely difficult as many villages are constructed in a way that social distancing is not possible. Many of the families have to share beds, bedding materials and all household utensils.
They are also finding it difficult to guide the males section of the community but they are hoping to change this as it is vital that the community works as a whole to protect themselves against this virus.
“Over the last 3 weeks, the medical team has been able to outreach to different 49 water points, boreholes training total number of 3,010 people, mostly women.
The medical team is motivated by the willingness of the community members to take up the preventive measures in controlling the spread of the virus and they look forward to targeting a bigger group in the next few weeks.”
Information via www.loretorumbek.ie
HELP US TO TRANSFORM LIVES IN SOUTH SUDAN
Apr 8, 2020
This is a testing time for all of us and our missionaries let us know that it is yet another hurdle on the other sides of the world where life is already challenging enough. Here are a few messages from our priests:
From Cameroun:
Dear Fr Carl,
Know that we are together in prayer with you particularly for our old confreres of your Province. We think of them and the Benefactors, we do pray for them. From today on and every Thursday evening, we will be having our HOLY HOUR combined with the evening prayer. We would like to do that for this whole difficult period. Thank God that we are still able to celebrate the mass with the whole community. We are really trying ourselves to be aware, to be well and to stay safe.
With our love and prayers,
Jean Manga MSC
From India:
Dear Fr. Carl,
Greetings of the day.
The outbreak of COVID-19 has shaken the whole world. Yesterday our Indian Prime Minister ordered a nationwide lockdown for 21 days and we are not allowed to go out of our houses, all our states and district borders are closed down. I’ve heard on the news that the whole of Europe is also experiencing a similar ‘lockdown’. We are in this together and we will be coming out from within this crisis enriched and full of even more awe and wonder for the God who is ever present – with us wherever we go. I hope and pray all our MSC confreres in England and Ireland are fine and safe. My thoughts and prayers are with you, the MSC community, our friends and Benefactors. Please know that I will remember you all daily in my prayer.
Your brother in Christ,
Darwin Thaddeus MSC (Union Superior).
From Fiji:
Hi Carl!
I hope you are all safe and well at this difficult time. Yesterday, the Prime minister of Fiji has confirmed 4 COVID 19 cases in Fiji. This creates fear and panic to many people. But we are also advised to remain calm and look after ourselves at this time. There has been a ban to all gatherings in the country and people are very much aware of what coronavirus will bring to the islands if we are not careful. We will continue to pray for our supporters, benefactors, all the victims and families affected by coronavirus around the world.
Peace and prayers for you,
Tamati Sefo MSC (Pacific Union Superior)
HELP SUPPORT OUR MSC MISSIONS
Mar 31, 2020
“Pandemic Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) has paralized all human activities. The world’s longing to rest indeed happen, unfortunately great crisis on the part of humanity. This alarming rate of change is too difficult to pinpoint the cause and effect, we may not have seen the worst of it. But one thing is clear, this WORLD WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN. It has hurt most human pride and reminds us again that we need to care for one another.
Before the lockdown so the postponement of our on-going renovations and activities at the Center – we’re able to gave some food provisions to at least 25 construction workers and after a week there are already clamoring for food subsidy from our neighbors or urban poor community. The situation really is challenging since most of our brothers and sisters are just meeting both ends or enduring a hand to mouth existence.
Because of COVID-19 something invisible came and put everything in its place. Suddenly the cost of gasoline went down, pollution went down, people started to have more time – so much time that they do not know what to do with it – parents are spending time with their kids as a family, work is no longer a priority, or traveling or social life either. Suddenly we silently see within ourselves and understand the value of the words “solidarity”, “love”, “strength”, “empathy” and “faith”. In an instant we realized that we are all in the same boat; rich and poor. That the supermarket shelves are empty and the hospitals are full.
New cars and old cars also stand in the garages, simply because nobody can get out.
Empty streets, less pollution, clean air, the land also breathes. The human returns to his origins, realizing that with or without money, the important thing is to survive.
Today, health is the main thing, even in spite of wanting to have or possessing.
It took 6 days for the universe to establish the social equality that was said to be impossible. Fear invaded everyone. At least this happened to realize the vulnerability of the human being. Nature is forcing us to clean up the mess made by ourselves.
What the coronavirus is teaching us:
– Our best protection: GOD
– Our best refuge: HOME
– Our best company: FAMILY
– Our real time: TODAY
– Nature’s call: STOP US
– Its message: WAIT, RESPECT
We do not have the power of controlling everything. The situation is simply telling us to go back to the basics, to the essentials, that the peace of your soul guide you towards what you are: a CREATION.”
Fr Richie MSN
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR MSC MISSIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES
Mar 27, 2020
Yes there is fear.
Yes there is isolation.
Yes there is panic buying.
Yes there is sickness.
Yes there is even death.
But,
They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise
You can hear the birds again.
They say that after just a few weeks of quiet
The sky is no longer thick with fumes
But blue and grey and clear.
They say that in the streets of Assisi
People are singing to each other
across the empty squares,
keeping their windows open
so that those who are alone
may hear the sounds of family around them.
They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland
Is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound.
Today a young woman I know
is busy spreading fliers with her number
through the neighbourhood
So that the elders may have someone to call on.
Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples
are preparing to welcome
and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary
All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting
All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way
All over the world people are waking up to a new reality
To how big we really are.
To how little control we really have.
To what really matters.
To Love.
So we pray and we remember that
Yes there is fear.
But there does not have to be hate.
Yes there is isolation.
But there does not have to be loneliness.
Yes there is panic buying.
But there does not have to be meanness.
Yes there is sickness.
But there does not have to be disease of the soul
Yes there is even death.
But there can always be a rebirth of love.
Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.
Today, breathe.
Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic
The birds are singing again
The sky is clearing,
Spring is coming,
And we are always encompassed by Love.
Open the windows of your soul
And though you may not be able
to touch across the empty square,
Sing.
Brother Richard Hendrick, 13 March 2020
Source: Catholic Bishops
Mar 6, 2020
On February 19th, the American Ambassador to South Sudan, Mr. Thomas Hushek visited the Loreto school in Rombeck that is run by the Loreto sisters and commended them for their efforts in keeping the young Sudanese girls in school. The school has been giving support to the young girls by providing a secure learning environment without the threat of child marriage. The drop out rate for girls and young women in school is very high in Sudan and the director Sr Orla Tracey has done magnificent work in her efforts to provide education and support for the people of South Sudan.
The US department of state awarded Sr. Orla Tracey, Loreto Rumbeck’s director an international women of courage award for her work in in March last year, an annual honor that recognizes women who have shown exceptional courage and leadership in advocating for peace, justice, human rights, gender equality and women’s empowerment.
During his visit the American ambassador was shown all the various projects run by the Loreto Sisters including the recently launched clinic and malnutrition programme established for mothers and babies, a primary school school and a girls’ secondary school with boarding facilities in the country’s Catholic Diocese of Rumbek.
In Mr Hushek speech, he encouraged the girls to be courageous in the face of discrimination against women in their country and revealed that Loreto has a nice model for young girls in South Sudan because the girls are taught to be united from various communities and that their main benefit from the school as the freedom to access education. “A year ago, Sr. Orla was nominated for an award and won on behalf of the entire school. I have been wanting to come up here ever since because of the work that is going on here especially focusing on girls’ education,” the U.S. national said, “Going forward, this is the key to development and peace for the country.”
An intern from the The Mary Ward Primary Health Care Clinic that was lauched in February said “In South Sudan, healthcare providers continue to deal with the challenge of health care versus traditional doctors. Having been enlightened through my internship at this clinic, I feel there is a need for more people in South Sudan to access health education”.
Other students spoke about the challenge of girl child education and how school has given them the chance to grow and to become people who can help their respective families ,more spoke about the issue of inter clan conflicts and how boarding in Loreto has allowed them build bridges between fellow students of different tribes in the classroom regardless of ethnic differences.
Addressing the audience that included the U.S. diplomat, teachers and students, Sr. Orla acknowledged the struggles that South Sudanese girls who choose to go to school face and the odds they have overcome saying, “We have great hopes and I know the girls are very ambitious for the country of South Sudan.”
“It is not easy for the girls in this country to be in school , but they are strong, courageous, ambitious and peaceful women who are looking for a better South Sudan,” she added.
The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart are always proud to support the wonderful work done by the Loreto Sisters for the young women of South Sudan.
For more photographs and further information about Loreto Rumbek, visit their website or visit their Facebook page.
You can also find out more about how MSC Missions work with Loreto Rumbek – and how you can help to make a difference to the young women of South Sudan.
PLEASE HELP US TO TRANSFORM LIVES IN SOUTH SUDAN
Feb 24, 2020
Msc Phillippines shares an appreciative message from their Outreach Programme for for the victims of the Taal volcano eruption earlier in the year where the community of Taal in Batangas were on permanent lockdown.
January 27, 2020 – The MSC Mission Office posted A Call for Donation campaign in various social media platform to gather funds for the project. “With the help of a company, organizations and generous individuals, we were able to collect amount of funds in just a span of few days. We also received handful of grocery items from a private organization who have been very supportive to our missions”. Having enough resources, the office decided to schedule a relief operation as soon as possible.
February 6, 2020 – The MSC Mission Office with the help of the MSC Scholastics & MSC staff started the repacking of relief items for Taal evacuees. A total of 200 families were expected to receive the relief packages which contain of rice, canned goods, noodles, monggo beans, biscuits, dried fish, bottled water, toiletries, bed mat, blanket, towels, pail and water dipper.
February 8, 2020 – The MSC Mission Office Philippines together with some volunteers from various organizations distributed relief items in Bgry, As-is, Laurel, Batangas. Through this project, a total of 200 families received relief packages. In addition, we were able to also give milk supplement and clothing for the children in the evacuation center.
“The evacuees were thankful as they received the relief packages. They had big smiles and were saying endless pasasalamat as they took their own relief goods. We appreciate the help of our volunteers and of course, a million thanks to you our donors for your generosity and support to this project. As we worked together for this Mission Outreach, we became witnesses of Christ’s heart here on earth.
Thank you and God bless us all.”
-Msc Mission Office Philippines.
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR MSC MISSIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES
