Mar 20, 2019
In January 2019, MSC Missions Office Director Fr Michael O’Connell spent three weeks in Venezuela, visiting MSC parishes in the cities of Maracaibo and Caracas. Here, he shares his experiences and his thoughts on a country in crisis.
“Having spent time with local families in Maracaibo and Caracas, it’s clear that the new measures put in place to help the economy in Venezuela have essentially done nothing; the government have great ideas, but they just don’t happen, and many aren’t realistic. For example, the president recently announced a new law stating that nobody could be made redundant for the next two years, and during my stay, he announced a new measure to end inflation – a wage rise from 5,000 bolívars per month to 18,000 bolívars per month. Sadly, this is something that many businesses just can’t accommodate, and these are unfortunately not economically viable solutions.
Similarly, during my stay, the government announced that they would solve the country’s milk shortage with 40 pure-bred cows that would form the basis of a new milking herd. They also recently said that they would be commencing a new scheme to make their cities beautiful. All of these fabulous plans are suggested, but at the end of the day, people are suffering terribly in reality.
The value of the bolívar changes daily and fluctuates wildly. When I arrived in Caracas on January 4th, the average monthly wage of 5,000 bolívars was worth USD $7. A week later, on January 11th, the same 5,000-bolívar wage was worth just USD $2. When you think that a loaf of bread costs around 1,200 bolívars, a kilo of cheese costs 3,000 bolívars, and 24 eggs cost 6,000 bolívars, it’s a mystery as to how people survive.
Most purchases are made by debit card. The money system changed last year, when the government took five zeros off their money and reprinted the notes as a measure to tackle inflation – now, nobody wants a 2-bolívar or a 5-bolívar note, when you think that one US dollar is worth thousands of bolívars. Everybody checks the rate of the bolívar daily – but it’s the black market rate, as the official rate means nothing to people trying their best to get by.
I might price an item one day, but the following day, the value of the bolívar has gone down and the price of the item has gone up. Because of this, many people and businesses have bank accounts abroad, particularly in the US. People depend hugely on charity from family members aboard, and money is deposited in US dollars in these accounts for them. Families are very linked up at home and abroad, and they help each other, depositing money in USD because the value of the bolívar changes so frequently.”
“Really, it’s a mystery as to how people survive from day to day.”
“People aren’t wheeling and dealing – they’re just surviving, and really, it’s a mystery as to how people survive from day to day. Families tend to live together, so they have multiple wages coming into the house. One of our students was telling me that he went home to visit his family for a few weeks last summer, but he was embarrassed to be there because he was an extra mouth to feed and he wasn’t contributing anything. He told me that his family were not poor, that they were a comfortable, middle-class family, but now, he said, ‘we are becoming poor middle-class’.
In terms of economic measures, it’s estimated that it will take Venezuela 20 years to recover from this crisis. Back in the 1990s, Venezuela was ranked around 29th in the world for its standard of living. Last year, they ranked in the mid-40s. It took them 20 years to get to that point, and now it will take another 20 years to get back to where they were. In the meantime, people are left with no real end in sight to their daily struggle for simple survival.”
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Read more about Fr Michael’s visit to Caracas
Find out more about our missionary outreach in Venezuela
Mar 11, 2019
Sincere congratulations are in order as Sr Orla Treacy IBVM has received the International Woman of Courage Award 2019, having been nominated by the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See.
The awards ceremony took place in Washington D.C. on March 7th, with ten women in total being honoured. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo hosted the ceremony, while First Lady Melania Trump addressed those in attendance.
According to the official website, the International Woman of Courage Award “recognizes women around the globe who have demonstrated exceptional courage and leadership in advocating for peace, justice, human rights, gender equality, and women’s empowerment, often at great personal risk and sacrifice”. Sr Orla’s work in education and healthcare in war-torn South Sudan has made her a truly worthy nominee.
The official website gives a short biography highlighting Sr Orla’s work:
“Born in Ireland in 1973, Sister Orla Treacy was, at a young age, inspired by the lives of service and compassion of her teachers who were religious sisters. After studying to become a teacher of religion, she joined the congregation of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (IBVM), known as the Loreto Sisters. In 2006, while teaching and offering pastoral care in Ireland, Sister Orla joined other Loreto Sisters who were starting a new mission in Rumbek, South Sudan–an area besieged by civil war and violent inter-clan conflict. Touched by the plight of girls who were being forced into early marriage and denied the right to an education, she took action. Sister Orla and the Loreto Sisters started a girls-only boarding school with 35 students. Today, Sister Orla serves as the head administrator of the Loreto Rumbek Mission in Maker Kuei, overseeing a boarding secondary school for girls, a co-educational primary school, and a women and child-centric primary healthcare facility. Sister Orla is a part of a diverse multinational team of religious sisters, educators, nurses, and other support staff, who all share a vision for improving the lives of the most vulnerable in the community. Despite the devastating consequences of war in Rumbek, and the many barriers to women and girls in the community, Sister Orla remains filled with hope, and the Loreto Schools stand as a beacon of light for future South Sudanese generations. She continues to work in faith, striving for a world in which girls are not forced into marriage, are allowed to complete their education, and can pursue their dreams.”
“This award belongs to the young women of South Sudan with whom I have the privilege of working.”
In November 2017, Sr Orla was awarded the Hugh O’Flaherty International Humanitarian Award, and this year’s nomination for the International Woman of Courage Award is yet further recognition of her tireless work with vulnerable families in Maker Kuei.
The Loreto Rumbek website recounts Sr Orla’s thoughts on receiving the International Women of Courage award: “This award belongs to the young women of South Sudan with whom I have the privilege of working. Our students embody all that is courageous – they are young women of vision, strength and hope. Young women who dream of a better country for themselves and their families, who are prepared to challenge old structures and work towards making South Sudan great. I am grateful to all who have made this possible.
Our work in South Sudan is not possible without the ongoing support of our partners, our wider Loreto family, past pupils, students, staff and our local community in Rumbek. Our Church leaders, community leaders and local government leaders have all played a significant role in supporting our mission.
Today, I was very aware of our girls as I was receiving the award. I pray that I am paving the way for them. My hope and dream is to see one of them with this award in the future.”
Working together for a brighter future
Since the summer of 2017, the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart have been working together with Sr Orla and the Loreto community of Rumbek, South Sudan, to provide financial support for the tremendous work being done in education and health care there.
On a visit to the MSC Missions Office in Cork, Sr Orla extended her gratitude to the MSC community for their support. “It is unique for one congregation to financially support another one, so this contribution to our work in Rumbek is extremely generous,” she said. “Sincere thanks for your generosity and for your willingness to collaborate in helping us with this challenging yet worthwhile mission.”
We are proud to support Sr Orla and the wonderful work of the Loreto Rumbek community, and we are sending our very best wishes on this great achievement!
Read RTE’s report on Sr Orla’s award.
The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart are 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 SAVE LIVES IN SOUTH SUDAN
Mar 5, 2019
Abraham Palpialy is a student at Siwa Lima St Joseph’s Technical School in Langgur, Indonesia. Built in 1970, the school is run by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart with the aim of educating young people in the region so “they can do something good for themselves and for their families”. In a region where poverty is a pressing issue, St Joseph’s provides the youth of the community with hope for the future. Here is Abraham’s story:
“My name is Abraham Palpialy and I am 16 years old.
My father is a farmer. He had a great desire for his children to attend St Joseph’s Technical School because, for him, this school is the most effective one and is exactly what he wants for his children. When I am finished my studies, I can do something useful at once, as my qualifications will facilitate me to get a new job.
I wish to become a creative technician. If I am a qualified technician, I will be able to get a good job and make my family and my teachers proud of me.
I chose to study electricity. I already have skills and a good capability in the department of electricity, and I am sure that when I finish my studies, I will be able to get a new job at once. This is my great wish.
In addition, I must learn to be responsible, trustworthy, to have self-discipline, and to respect my teachers and my fellow students.
Above all, I would like to express my great thanks to St Joseph’s and all the teachers who help me to develop my knowledge, my skills, and my abilities. For me, St Joseph’s is the best school in the province. Viva St Josephs Siwa Lima!”
PLEASE HELP US TO TRANSFORM LIVES IN INDONESIA
Jan 22, 2019
The MSC Pre-Novitiate Formation House in Righini, Congo, currently houses 15 MSC students and two formators. It is a place of reflection, of learning, and of prayer, as young men embark on the missionary journey.
The residents of the formation house live primarily on a grant provided by the MSC French African Union – a grant which allows each person a sum equivalent to €11 per day. The formation house also owns an old minibus, and until recently, the students and their formators used this to attend the local university daily, as well as travelling for parish ministry.
In April 2018, the minibus broke down and is now beyond repair.
The pre-novitiates now travel on public transport every day, a situation which is unpredictable and time-consuming. The students are unable to travel together, and often cannot keep to their daily schedule.
The MSC community in Righini are now raising funds to purchase a new minibus, which will allow the pre-novitiate students to travel safely and securely. This will also save a significant amount of money, as the minibus requires $30 worth of fuel per week, as opposed to the $10 per day spent on public transport.
MSC pre-notivitiate students in the Congo are in great need of a new minibus to transport them safely and securely as they undertake their daily studies and go about their parish ministry.
MSCs in the Congo have already raised a significant portion of the money
needed to pay for the minibus, and are now €15,000 away from the total cost.
Can you help them to raise the funds they need to reach their goal?
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Jan 22, 2019
An important part of the Sacred Heart family, the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (OLSH) work all over the world under our shared motto: “May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be everywhere loved.”
OLSH Global Outreach Programmes
Survivors of domestic abuse in Kiribati
Kiribati is a country in the Pacific Ocean, composed of many separate islands. The Daughters have ministered there for many years.
One vital role they play is in the area of assistance to women escaping situations of domestic violence. In many cases, women often have to leave their homes in a hurry, without time to pack essentials such as clothes, toiletries, or food for their children.
€15 will provide a family with the essentials they need in an emergency situation of domestic abuse.
Catechism books in Maranhão, Brazil
In Maranhão, Brazil, the Sisters are in great need of books to help them with the teaching of the catechism. The people there are very poor and would greatly appreciate the gift of books.
€10 will buy one of the 30 books needed.
Street children in the Philippines
The Sisters in Manila provide an after-school tutoring programme for young children from a local slum area.
Many of the children work on the streets during the day, selling sweets or flowers and other small items, and so they miss out on a formal education.
This programme helps 80 children keep up with some formal study, while also providing a simple feeding scheme and a health and hygiene programme to teach these youths important life skills.
€10 will help to teach a disadvantaged child essential life skills.
Kurisanani Education Project, South Africa
The Kurisanani outreach project is run from Tzaneen, in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. One element of this outreach programme is the provision of funds for vulnerable children to access education. 200 children are currently benefitting from the programme.
€15 will provide a child with a school resources pack, including pencils, pens, exercise books, and a backpack.
Educating women in South Sudan
In Mapuordit, a remote area of South Sudan, three Daughters minister to local communities. Many young women here are forced into marriage and are denied a basic education.
The Daughters here support young mothers in their return to education by providing them with bicycles and solar lamps.
The bicycles allow them freedom to travel to and from school, as well as helping with chores such as collecting water and gathering firewood. The time saved by cycling long distances, rather than walking, helps them them to keep up their studies, while the solar lamps allow the young women to study at night, despite the fact that there is no electricity in their village.
€90 will buy one bicycle and €30 will buy one solar lamp to help the education of vulnerable young women.
Convent repair in Venezuela
Three Sisters from Brazil currently minister to locals in a remote area of Venezuela. The convent here has fallen into disrepair, and the Sisters are raising funds to paint some of the damaged areas.
€100 will buy the paint required to repair the ruined areas.
OLSH saving young lives in Africa
The Holy Family Care Centre is situated at the foot of the Drakensburg Mountains, in the far north of the Limpopo Province of South Africa. The Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart founded the centre in 2001, in response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
Currently, 70 children are in care there.
“The children in our care come for many reasons, but always because it is a last resort – when all other avenues of care have been explored,” writes Sr Sally Duigan OLSH, Director of the Holy Family Care Centre. “They are admitted with a court order after their local social worker takes their case to the nearest magistrate.”
“The reasons for admission vary, but many children have been abandoned, sexually abused, physically abused, orphaned, or made vulnerable because of HIV/AIDS.”
“This is a place where we OLSH can really live our charism of compassionate love,” says Sr Sally. “Here, we learn to love these children unconditionally.”
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Jan 22, 2019
In 2018, the people of Indonesia suffered the devastating effects of a series of disasters. On September 29th, an earthquake and tsunami killed almost 2,300 people in the regions of Palu, Sigi, and Donggala. With over 220,000 displaced, over 1,300 are still missing. On December 22nd, a deadly tsumani swept along Sunda Strait, injuring over 14,000. MSCs in Indonesia are working to rebuild lives in the wake of these catastrophies.
Drilling water wells
The lack of a clean water supply is an urgent issue. MSCs in affected regions are raising funds to drill water wells in three points, including water storage tanks and public toilet facilities for use by local communities.
Each water well will cost approximately €18,200, and will provide vital clean water and essential hygiene facilities for the affected areas.
Building houses
Thousands of houses have been destroyed beyond repair, and many survivors are currently living in temporary accommodation. The Indonesian Province of the MSC propose to build seven houses in affected regions.
Each house will cost approximately €3,050 to build and will offer renewed hope to a displaced family.
Scholarships for affected children
Education has been severely impacted by the disasters, as children have been orphaned or have been forced to leave school in order to work and help to support their families. Together with the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, the Indonesian Province of the MSC will provide scholarships for vulnerable children to allow them to continue their education. The MSC will have the responsibility of funding 100 students for three years.
€15 will cover the cost of one month’s education for a scholarship student.
Essential household goods
Many families affected by these disasters have lost everything, even the most basic necessities. The Indonesian Province of the MSC will help 100 affected families by providing essential kitchen tools for cooking and eating.
€50 will provide kitchen essentials including cooking and eating utensils for one family.
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