News from Solidarity with South Sudan

VALIANT WOMEN

Photo Credits_ Paul Jeffrey

NEWSLETTER

JULY 2016

Dear Friends and Benefactors,

Welcome to our latest newsletter. Despite the unsettled situation in South Sudan, our members on the ground continue to express their unswerving dedication to the people they serve. Our strategic planning process has been completed and the New MOU between Solidarity with South Sudan and the Bishop's conference is on the verge of being signed. This commits Solidarity to at least a further 10 years of service and ministry in this struggling country. In this editon you will find articles updating you on how events that have taken place in South Sudan have impacted on people's lives in particular women.

Look out for the attempts we are making to expand our presence in Social media. We are encouraging people to use it as a tool to raise awareness about the situation in South Sudan while also publically expressing our support for the people.

Once again I would bring o your attention our need for personnel who are able not only to deliver the services that we are offering, but also create the structures we need, while empowering the local people so we can attain our goal of sustainable programmes. In addition to the support for personnel, we also need to continue to call upon the generosity of your financial support that allows us to ensure we continue the work which has begun. You will find the details below.

And finally, in preparation for our AGM this year in which we will be seeing a number of the Board Members completing their service on the Board, we need you to begin to discern if your congregation is prepared to offer personnel to participate in this important service.

Yours faithfully

Paul Smyth cmf

President of Solidarity with South Sudan

Valiant Women

by Br Bill Firman

I am writting about women. So much can be achieved if opportunities are given. There are currently just over 400 missionaries in South Sudan.

Sr Veronica was killed in South Sudan: she was shot in the waist on May 16th in the southern town of Yei as she drove to a nearby hospital with a patient. She a member of the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters, has been the head of St Bakhita's Medical Centre in Yei, South Sudan.

Each would say with Sr Veronica, 'We are called to be a sign of hope especially in the time of darkness'. What hope would other girls have, in similar situations to Mary Theresa in this polygamous society, if the Loreto Sisters had not chosen to go the Rumbek and, with the generous support of many donors, develop a quality boarding school for girls? It is not easy to be a girl or woman in South Sudan but missionary sisters certainly bring genuine hope that life can be better.

Sr Veronica wrote: 'He (Jesus) did not abandon them. He was even ready to accept the death, because he loved them.' Veronica, an immensely talented woman gave her life so that others may come to know,

Mary Theresa, a graduate from Loreto School in Rumbek said, 'that even in the darkest hour of life, God can still show his might and power,' a might and power, not imposed by soldiers with weapons, but delivered with the profound tenderness of one who cares for others.

We salute these two valiant women in their resolute belief, and in the power of their love.

- Br Bill

Sr Veronica, a missionary whose life was tragically ended in unprovoked violence.

The first is Sr Veronica SSpS, a Holy Spirit Sister, a medical doctor and hospital administrator well known to many of us. I attach a brief summary of the event of her tragic death last week, as written by her congregation. In early 2014, not long after violent conflict erupted in South Sudan, Veronica herself wrote the following, faith-filled words:

Recently somebody asked me why I am staying here under such circumstances. Why- Because Jesus continued his way and did not give up when it became difficult. He accepted suffering, hardships and carried the cross till the end. He remained obedient to the will of the Father. He was always with the people. He did not abandon them. He was even ready to accept the death, because he loved them. Being a woman disciple of Jesus I am following the footsteps of Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit. I cannot leave the people of South Sudan because I love them. They are happy that we stay with them, pray with them and work together building this young and fragile country. The people need our support, prayer and help. At this junction I would like to thank to all who supported us with their prayers, sacrifices and finances. We are called to be a sign of hope especially in the time of darkness. God will never abandon us because he is he is our Emmanuel=God with us.

- Br Bill

Mary Theresa, a young woman who, against the odds, has just graduated from Loreto School in Rumbek.

'I am Mary Theresa Legge. I am the first born in a family of quiet a good number of children, six stepmothers and several aunts and uncles. The size of the family made it too hard for me to attend my studies regularly. This was because I had to do my domestic duties which at times prevented me from going to school. this was worst especially when I was in primary because I was in a day school.

My stepmothers with whom I stayed wanted me to sit at home doing domestic work as my young step siblings went to school. My mother got pregnant when she was a young girl by my father. Her father did not want my father so he gave her to another man as my father took me. He gave me to my stepmothers with whom I stay today. This women were not good to me and kept pushing me from one person to another working for them. Sometimes,

read more

No-one to Cry

by Br. Bill Firman

D enis had seen the man a few times. He had appeared occasionally outside of our fence in the evening, apparently homeless, finding a place to sleep. He did not beg or ask for anything but Denis had given him water and a bread roll. On Saturday afternoon, he died there on the street - alone. Our neighbours alerted us. The police came and took the body away. Nobody knows his name or where he came from. Another life ended in South Sudan. For somebody, somewhere, he is a missing person, perhaps a father, brother or son, just another statistic in a nation where all too many die and nobody knows. They just disappear.

A few days ago, a father of six, the brother of a Malakal priest, was shot and killed. The man was on his way to stay with his brother, because he did not feel safe. A killing based on ethnicity. Earlier this year, we welcomed South Sudanese-born married Deacon. His cousin often came to meet him here, an impressive, upright man. His cousin was stopped at a checkpoint eight days ago and killed - simply because he was from a specific tribe. There is no accountability for these actions, no effective system of justice. But at least these men who died have loved ones who mourn their passing. A small consolation. Many people here have one or more relatives who have simply disappeared, probably dead, victims of a senseless conflict. How is it that so many can die, so much fear can exist, when the great majority of people long for peace? Can the dead rest in peace when the living do not live in peace?

- Br Bill

Solidarity with South Sudan at UISG and USGPlenary

Solidarity with South Sudan inaugurated its first Photo Exhibit during the last UISG Plenary Assembly on May 9th -13th that was held in Rome with the presence of 870 Superiors General of female congregations. From May 25th to 27th it was showed in the USG Assembly.

It was an important occasion to share information and news of Solidarity and South Sudan with all the participants. In a permanent stand the Rome Office staff offered promotional materials and information about our current needs and activities, printed in different languages.

In addition Sr Yudith Pereira, our Ass. Executive Director, had the opportunity to speak to the UISG Assembly to promote collaboration and support to the project, sharing its history, mission vision and values as well as the latest development and events. The experience learnt by all who form Solidarity with South Sudan, was presented using the words of Sr Cathy Arata, and showed how Solidarity is a living example of the theme of this UISG Plenary Assembly, "Weaving Global Solidarity for Life".

Personnel Appointments and Needs

We announce that Angelo Pittaluga has been appointed as new Fundraising Director. We thank Anne Carthy for her hard work and commitment with Solidarity.

We are looking for the following Community members in South Sudan:

1. Nurse and midwifery tutors, or Clinical supervisors, to live and work in CHTI in Wau.

2. A trained nurse to assist in clinic in rural, Riimenze community, preferably one who can drive.

3. Tutors for primary teacher training in any areas of the curriculum, but especially for Science, Professional Studies, or Early Childhood development in Yambio

4. A religious committed to pastoral ministry in the area of Justice and peace

5. Semi-retired religious happy to be support persons in community, overseeing hospitality in Juba or Riimenze communities.

6. A teacher of philosophy in the major seminary in Juba.

We thank you for considering your participation in the projects in this time of big needs in South Sudan.

For these candidacies please contact our office in Rome.