News#4-06

RNDM Mission Solidarity News is published four times each year – March, June, September and December.
RNDM Mission Solidarity is the RNDM office that promotes mission solidarity in communications and in funding
For the missionary works of the 900 Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions in 20 countries world wide.
ALL are invited to contribute to our RNDM mission solidarity funds.

In this Holy Family scene by Beate Heinen, Germany 1989, we find Mary and her Son gazing lovingly on our broken world in the supportive presence of Joseph. We know that this loving gaze, and this supportive presence, are always focused on us too – citizens of this broken world. So as Christmas approaches, our RNDM prayer is for each one of you who have focused, during 2006, on our RNDM missions, praying with us for our missions, working with us in our missions, and contributing financially as you can to our mission works. May Mary, Jesus and Joseph continue to inspire you into solidarity with our world, and intercede for all your needs during the coming year.

Report from Australia – Euphrasie Barbier Art Exhibition and Auction <by Sister Catherine>

Early in 2005 the Australian Sisters resolved “to raise a
substantial amount of money for the support and education
of women, including RNDM women, in disadvantaged parts
of the world.”

Sister Helena Brabender was the driving force behind this
venture – her energy and enthusiasm was contagious – and
with all the sisters participating in some way it was a wonderful
collaborative effort. Helena worked tirelessly to gather 48 works
– including 3 of her own - from professional artists, for exhibition
and auction. Photo: Helena with some of the exhibits.

Maureen Dwan, member of the Congregational Leadership Team,
officially launched the event in the former Highgate convent,
speaking enthusiastically about the need for such a Fundraiser,
to assist with the formation of our young Sisters, most of
whom are from disadvantaged parts of Asia, Africa and
Latin America. In November 2006 the Sisters would be opening their new Formation House for Final Vows Sisters in Davao Philippines, she said.

Two Australian Sisters, Helena and Mary Evans, had recently won Multi-Media International Awards for their communications work, and Maureen was able to present these awards from Rome, in person on this occasion.

The auctioneer – a former ABC Radio announcer, George Manning – raised the level of enthusiasm and participation of the guests so that at the end of the day some A$10,000 was promised for the chapel in Davao – a credit to all concerned.

Photos: Maureen Dwan presents Mary Evans with The auctioneer and Sister Madeleine raising interest
her Awards

In January 2000, during an RNDM assembly, the Sisters decided to use the empty rooms on the Machakos Novitiate property for a project for local women. The rooms had previously been used for the nursery school which had provided income for the local community of Sisters, and they were suitable for a small group to meet and to have some workshop training.

Sister Anna Regina conducted an extensive survey around the wider area of Machakos to assess the needs of the women. It was decided to open classes in sewing and bead work to enable women to learn skills to make a living. It was also decided to set aside one day each week for input in such areas as: peace building, budgeting, human rights, women’s rights, the environment, leadership, behaviour change etc.

In the light of the experience of a trial period, a Plan for the next three years was drawn up : 2004 – 2006. The overall aim was stated as follows:

The empowerment of the women of the Machakos area to become
                        aware of, and to live fully,
Their human right to appreciate their dignity of womanhood,
             And to develop some leadership skills with
                         a peace-making thrust.

Some initial funding was obtained to get started, and one expected outcome was that the project would be almost self-funding by the end of 2006. With this in mind a small business – sewing school uniforms – has been established and some of the women with sewing competence, having graduated from the training programme, are being employed.

Even though the women – now mainly young adults who are not able
to afford secondary education - graduate from the training programmes with skills for beadwork and sewing, they find that there is little chance of local employment, and they would be at risk if they decided to go to Nairobi for jobs. One solution would be for as many of them as possible to set up their own business.

Some of the early graduates of the programme are now employed to help run the current programmes, and they provide excellent models and leaders for the newcomers. These leaders have also decided that other groups of locals that need help are the widows of Machakos, who in turn can offer help to the AIDS orphans of the district.

Clearly the original buildings are inadequate now for this project. So the next goal is to obtain funding for a more adequate facility.

Photo: Project leaders: l-r - Sister Selina, Christine, Sister Elizabeth, Caroline, Sister Clare, Rosalie

BUON NATALE --- SHUVO BARO GIN --- JOYEUX NOEL --- SHUB CHRISTU JAYANTI --- CHUC MUNG GIAN SINH --- BIKPELA HAMAMAS BLONG DISPELA KRISMAS --- IA MANUIA LE TAUSAGA FOU --- HAPPY CHRISTMAS