facebook A Sincere Thank You from South Sudan - Missionaries of the Sacred Heart
21 Nov 2017

This summer, the MSC reached out to support the Loretto Sisters in Rumbek, South Sudan, where they have made huge strides in creating a better life for residents with life saving medical care and essential educational facilities.

 

During her recent visit to Ireland, Sr Orla Treacy IBVM visited the MSC Missions Office, to personally thank Fr Michael O’Connell MSC and all of the MSC mission friends for their financial support from their recent fundraising Summer Appeal.

 

Sr Orla, far left, with some of the Loreto School students

 

“It is unique for one congregation to financially support another one, so this contribution to our work in Rumbek is extremely generous” she said. In 2008, the Loretto Sisters began working in the rural community of Maker Kuei, Rumbek, where daily life is a constant struggle for 1,000 families. During this period they have built a Primary School that caters for almost 900 students, both male and female, where students are guaranteed to have clean water, nutritious meals, access to health care and a quality education.

 

“A sincere thank you for your generosity and for your willingness to collaborate in helping us with this challenging yet worthwhile mission”.

 

The Loretto Secondary School is an all girls’ boarding school, where students are educated in social and life skills as well as receiving a full academic tuition. Currently, 240 girls attend this school, and the demand for places is increasing as principal Sr Orla works with families to protect these young women from enforced marriage. As a result of the very successful MSC Summer Appeal the funds collected have been sent to the Loretto Sisters and work has begun on the foundations for a new dormitory which will accommodate 16 girls each year as they embark on an additional internship year and vocational opportunities.

 

The foundations for the dormitories which will house 16 of the Internship Programme students

 

In recognition for her work in South Sudan, Sr Orla was the recipient of the 2017 Hugh O’Flaherty International Humanitarian Award, at an event in Killarney on the 4th November 2017. “It is very humbling to accept this award and I do so on behalf of our sisters, staff and students at loretto School in Rumbek, South Sudan” she told a large and appreciative audience who came to honour her inspiring work.

 

Sr Orla with the statue of Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty and her Humanitarian Award

We are calling on all our mission friends to join with our MSC community in supporting this crucial work in a country that’s crying out for urgent aid.

PLEASE HELP US TO SAVE LIVES IN SOUTH SUDAN

Read more about the Loreto Sisters and their incredible work in the war-torn South Sudan.Â