AFRICAN MINISTRY CALLS WICHITA SISTERS

Who would want to leave the security and comforts of life in the U.S. to spend a year working in an underdeveloped country? Sister Diane Leary and Sister Rita Marie Thissen would.

In May, Sister Diane resigned from Newman University where she has spent the past 13 years as history professor, volleyball coach and athletics director. She is trading her home in Kansas for one
in Malawi, one of the world's least developed countries.

Sister Diane loves teaching and coaching but believed she needed something
new.

"I believe it will revitalize me." She has seen the need and feels she has gifts that
can help in this impoverished country.

Sister Diane's interest in Malawi began ten years ago, when she was elected to
teach a course on East African studies at Newman University. She traveled to
Africa, including Malawi, and dreamed of being able to return someday.

In July, Sister Rita Marie Thissen decided to accompany Sister Diane. The two
sisters will be the first CSJ's from Wichita to be in ministry in Malawi.

Unlike Sister Diane, Sister Rita Marie is going to Africa sight unseen. "I'm just
going to journey with Sister Diane," said Sister Rita Marie. I'm going to work
with the sisters there in whatever capacity."

 

 

 

 

 

Sister Diane and Sister Rita Marie plan to leave for the east central African country the first week of December. They'll live with a native community of religious women, the Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In January, Sister Diane will begin teaching at Providence Secondary School for Girls outside Limbe. While the education of boys is a priority in Malawi, the Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary are dedicated to the education of girls and young women. Sister Rita Marie will be helping wherever she is needed.

When asked if the students she'll teach are well-enough educated to go on to college when they graduate, Sister Diane said, "Students from African nations that have been in my history classes have been very well prepared, sometimes even better than those from U.S. high schools."

Both sisters will be traveling light. "When we go to Malawi, we will adapt to their way of living," said Sister Rita Marie.

Sister Rita Marie isn't worried about what lies ahead. "God will be with us," she said. As for Sister Diane, her biggest concern is the African climate.

"I hope that we will be able to absorb some of the joy of the Malawian people," said Sister Diane. I was so impressed with their joy and their caring for one another. I knew I wanted to return."

(Dec 29, 2005)
We are surrounded by the Mount Mulanje mountain range and different shades of green are everywhere you can see. It truly is magnificent! God's creatures are evident everywhere. Insects that I have never seen before. The flying ants are the most numerous. Lots of goats and chickens (raised for food) and seven cows here on the school campus. The weather is hot and it rains every day, usually about 5 p.m. At that time, the mountain is covered in clouds. Actually, we are also in the clouds as we are high enough. Happy New Year! 

(January 1, 2006)
New Year's greetings from the majestic mountain range of Mulanje, the rolling hills of maize, the flowering plants and trees, the muddy red clay rocky roads, the crawling insects, and the colorful birds and crows!

This New Year will bring forth spiritual growth as well as educational experiences for me.  The students, grade 1 through grade 8, will arrive January 8. Many of them are boarding on the grounds around the school.  Sister Patricia is the headmistress of these classes.  Her demeanor is one of quietness and of calmness, so I shall follow her example as she directs me in the Primary library.  Blessings and graces to each of you as we live out our charism of Unity and Reconciliation.  The future holds many challenges and opportunities as we journey to be present to those we serve in the name of Jesus!

Continue to pray for me as I daily remember you.  You are all very special to me.

Merrily in Christ, 
Sister Rita Marie  

Greetings from Chisitu, Malawi! We had a wonderful gift on the last day of the year. Father John Louis Nimba, a Holy Spirit priest from Mozambique, presented some reflections, gave opportunity to receive the sacrament of reconciliation and had a liturgy where we were able to gather around the altar and receive under both species. We then went to the convent for dinner about 2:00 p.m. Everything was in English!! It was just what I needed. Now I can return to the Chichewa (and not understanding any of it) of daily liturgies a little refreshed!

Teaching will be a challenge. There are 550 young women, mostly of high school age, although there will be some as young as 12 and as old as the early 30's!! There are four classes, each divided into three sections. Form 1 is first year students and Form 4 would be seniors. I will be teaching history to Form 3. There are 50 students in each section. It is possible that I will also teach an English literature class to either Form 3 or 4. The school day starts at 7 a.m.

Term 1 is from January 9 through April 13. Term 2 goes from May 1 to July 21. Term 3 runs from August 21 to November 17. All the students live in hostels on the "campus" which is on the side of the mountain, and they will be like high school students anywhere! A group of 18 was suspended from school toward the end of last year so they will start classes two weeks late. I think that is harder on the teachers than the students!!!

It is hard to stay clean. It rains so much and the red dirt gets all over our clothes--especially our shoes. Shoes can be ruined quite easily. I have to do laundry very frequently as my clothes get so wet with perspiration … and laundry is done the old-fashioned way, in a bucket, with a washboard if you're lucky!!

Electricity goes off when it rains and that is usually every day during this season. We have a small stove, but it is electric, so we can only hope we have electricity at meal time! When there is light, it is quite dim at best. However, we thank God we have light, as most people in the surrounding area do not.

People walk most places, but they have a number of mini-buses that go into Limbe and Blantyre (the former is about 45 miles from here and the latter 52 miles.) We have been to Blantyre for groceries about twice. We go in the secondary school truck (which is not running now as it needs tires) as the Sisters tell us the mini-buses are dangerous!! They are packed with people and go about 90 mph!  I'm not exaggerating!! Since there are so many people walking on both sides of the road, there are many accidents--some fatal!

There are also markets where families sell their products. This is the pineapple season, so they sell that, plus potatoes, tomatoes and mangos. There is a black market here, but I haven't figured it out as yet! They sell watches, cell phones, etc.--jut like New York and Boston. They are there one minute and gone the next if the police are close!

Malawians are very friendly and hospitable. They love their country and refer to Malawi as the "warm heart of Africa." They do not usually use utensils for eating, but do provide us with a fork if we are eating somewhere else other than at home. When we go to the city, the Sisters or the driver have to protect us from the many youngsters and others who are continually asking us to give them money. It seems they think anyone with light skin must be wealthy. They are learning fast that we do not fit into that category. It is hard to refuse little children, but it doesn't help to just hand them money.

That's all for now. It has been said that you can't discover new lands without losing sight of the shore. This is definitely a time of "letting go" of what we know and trying to embrace the new. It's hard, but it is the only way we can fully experience what the days ahead will offer. Let us keep each other in prayer.

Love to all,
Sister Diane

(Jan 20,2006)
It is hot and it seems that a relative of one of our teachers dies a couple of times a week!  Our principal has malaria, but that is common and usually the medicine helps them recover.  We are in our 15th day without running water - not a good situation. 

The school is situated on a mountain side and the buildings are at various levels.  We live at the top and the church is at the bottom.  Believe me, mountain climbing can get old.  The hostels for the girls are at different levels as well and they have to carry water up and down.  School is going as well as can be expected with the heat and no water.  We also need books so badly.  I have 48 in each class with no books and no maps.  We are hoping to change that situation, but everything takes time and there are so many needs.

(February 20, 2006  )
Greetings once again from Chisitu, Malawi! We are thinking of you and hope everyone is well. 

You are probably enjoying some winter weather! No snow here - unfortunately! At present we are in the summer season and are having rain about every day. Actually, we are having a bad storm as this is being written - lots of wind and lightning. I'm surprised we still have electricity as it usually goes off when there is any wind or rain ... it also goes off when it's a beautiful day, so we never know!!

The secondary school (which is one level down from us on the mountain) has no running water as of today. We are blessed to still have it, but who knows for how long. We were told this morning that eventually we would run out! We have had running water for a week after 20+ days without, and believe me a hot shower never felt so good!

Malaria is a major concern at present with students and faculty either in the hospital or in sickbay. There are frequent funerals, one of which I (Diane) attended this week. It was about an hour and a half drive from here. The liturgy was held in a home which consisted of three small rooms. The casket was placed in front of a table which was used as the altar. The deceased had died from malaria the previous day.

There were two bishops, close to 20 priests, some sisters and many, many people from the village. Of course, the large number of people could not get into the home (reminded me of Sunday's gospel), so some tarp-like material was extended out from the house. It was raining very, very hard and the mud was about 5-8" deep!! I was lucky enough to be just inside the door of the house.

Following the liturgy everyone who wished walked in procession to the cemetery. It was about 5K (3 miles) and since it was a solemn procession I thought it would be slow enough for me to walk. The sisters were concerned and did not think I should try to walk that distance. Of course, that made me all the more determined!! However, as I walked (and it kept raining hard), I could hear the words of my spiritual director, "Remember to be wise and know when and when not to be stubborn." Believe me, I was very careful with each step!!

Because it was raining so hard, negotiating the mud was a trick. The tall grass and the rocks were very slippery. The village women were all dressed in purple skirts and headdresses and chanted as we processed. When we arrived at the cemetery, family members and others sat on the wet, muddy ground and the rest of us stood in the mud! The men from the village proceeded to dig the grave. 

After that was completed, the casket was lowered into the grave. It was then covered with a type of straw mat and two of the men got into the grave while the others handed them the shovels of earth to fill in around the casket. The two men then joined the others who filled in the grave. Prayers were said while some of this was taking place, but mostly it was done in silence. As I stood there, so far from all that was familiar, I was very aware of being surrounded by Presence.

Members of the family were then called forth and each group placed flowers on top of the grave. The children from some of the families placed lighted candles on the grave and then the village women encircled it, added more flowers, and sat down on the ground in the circle. A choir of young boys and girls (teenagers) from the village of the deceased sang as they stood behind the women. In the background, above the sound of constant rain, was the crying of a newborn (as we later learned) baby!

Both bishops were there and one had walked with us in procession. The other bishop led some prayers and then one of the village men (probably the chief) spoke. I think it was a eulogy, but since everything was in Chichewa I had no idea!! 

Overall, it was a good spiritual experience for me. I was so grateful for the opportunity to be present. There was not transportation for everyone who wished to attend and the weather and the very muddy roads prevented many from being there, so I was fortunate. I thought everything was done in such a respectful manner. I would have liked to have taken pictures, but did not think it was appropriate.

School is going well. Sister Rita Marie is teaching music at the primary school and seems to be enjoying it. She wanted me to let you know that she is busy teaching 6th and 7th grade music theory … songs she can remember that have accompanying actions. This week she will begin the history of six African dances, including, she mentioned, the "malipengd" and the "kilwata."  These movements include bends, stretches, hops, shuffles, trots and jumps. I think I would stick with the shuffle; everything else would be too much for me to handle!!

Rita Marie asks you to imagine having students do these actions in a classroom of sixty, plus benches and desks. She says she is not doing too well with 2-3 part singing of the scale. However, she mentions she hopes to improve and I know the children are excited to be able to sing and dance!!

I am teaching history and doing some educational and personal counseling at the secondary school. I also attend the girls' religion meetings on Tuesdays, debate on Thursdays (very interesting) and the sports programs (sometimes) on Fridays. The sports program is definitely in need of organization … but they have plenty of people to do that!!! I've been to the Catholic, Muslim and LDS religion meetings. It's a good way to get to know the students better, but may not do it every week. 

Rita Marie has to walk a greater distance than I do to get to school, but we both have to go up and down the rocky hills. The church is at the bottom of the mountain and after a good rain it can be a dangerous walk. We do not get there every day! There is a chapel not too far from where we live, but liturgies there are not too frequent. 

The rainy season will be over in April and we will be getting ready for winter which is May through July. We have a two-week break at Easter and then start Term 2 on May 1. Our next break is for a month (July 21-August 21) and Term 3 is August 22 - November 17. Time seems to be flying by!!!!
 
Yesterday as I was hanging the laundry outside, I was attacked by ants!!! They were large brown ants and swarmed around my feet and up my legs!! I dropped the laundry and ran for a towel to get them off me as they definitely were biting!! I had bites all over my legs and around my waist! 

When Sisters Cathy and Ruth (with whom we live) came home, they said those ants are very dangerous and probably were flooded out of their ant hills by the heavy rain. They mentioned that they have seen them eat a frog and that they have been known to eat chickens!!! Believe me, I do not want any more encounters with those critters!!!

That's all for now. We hope this finds everyone happy, healthy and ready to begin a profitable Lenten season. We can "feel" your prayers, so keep them coming! Know we also hold you all in prayer.

With much love,
Rita Marie and Diane

(February 25, 2006 )
Everything is going O.K. here. It is very hot and we are still in the rainy season. School is great, although discipline is not a word the students have heard very much!!! They are typical high school girls and will try anything just to see how far they can go!! However, they can be fun and most are very interested in learning and would like to go on to college. That will not be possible for most. They have to pass national examinations after Form 2 (sophomores) and Form 4 (seniors) or they cannot continue in school. Only the academically best students survive.

Primary education is free, but not compulsory. Secondary education is not free and Providence Secondary School has to rely on tuition and there is not much backing from the National Education Office. They are supposed to pay the teachers and fail to do that frequently. Books are expensive and not available for most classes. I have seven history books for over one hundred students!!!

Let us continue to keep each other in prayer.

March 28, 2006
Our phone lines have been out for over two weeks, so no internet - hence, no email. We never know when we will not have access to the internet, or phones, or electricity, or water! So, we just take what comes, but if we do not answer emails it's because we probably can't get online!

Sister Diane

April 2006
Sister Rita Marie teaches music at the primary school which is supported by the Malawian government and is a day school. I teach history and do academic and personal counseling at the secondary school which is supported by the government to a small degree, but is tuition driven and tuition does not cover the costs… We both are so happy and excited that the Associates will be addressing some of these needs. It makes our work here seem all the more worthwhile. The secondary school is a Catholic school--to a degree--probably about 220 girls are Catholic. The others are of varied Christian denominations and many (quite a few) are Muslim. It's an interesting mix--lots of Muslims in this area and the population is growing. We do have a Catholic chapel on campus.

The students I encounter come from varied backgrounds and they have had very, very sad experiences. Just being able to educate these young girls is a step in the right direction. They have so many obstacles such as malaria, HIV/Aids, pregnancy, and being part of a patriarchal society that just wants them to stay in the village, have babies, and work in the fields. Death is a part of their everyday life.

Education is not compulsory and students do not go beyond Standard 8 (comparable to our 8th grade) unless they pass national examinations. However, their educational standards are not very high! Educating girls and young women will go a long way to helping this country recover economically. The corruption in government is another story!!!!

Thanks so much for all you are doing--I am so proud of our Associates! Keep the prayers coming!

Blessings and love,
Sister Diane

April 28, 2006

Greetings from Providence Malawi. I hope you are fine. Providence is fine and I am enjoying the presence of Sisters Diane and Rita. The girls also like them. In appreciation I would like again to say thank you for all that your community has done for our community through the school. I am failing to express my feelings on this regard. The stationery money and the photocopier has been a great contribution to the success and smooth running of some of the school. The school really is appreciating. I am and with my sisters praying for your Sister Maria Theresia. Nice Easter to you and all the Sisters. Extend our thanks.

May 2, 2006

Sister Arlys just sent us an email stating she will be wiring money from the Associates and Sisters. That is a tremendous outpouring of generosity and we are so very grateful! Please let the Associates know what a wonderful gift this is to the people here.

One of our greatest needs (besides school supplies) is determining the stages of advancement of HIV/Aids. There is a machine that will do just that (it will count the CD4+T cells) and we will contribute a small amount toward that machine.
The indicator will help determine the status of the disease in our students and get them some help. 

There is a doctor here, Dr. Sue Markin from Florida, who has worked in the Congo for seven years and has been in Malawi for four years. She works with HIV/Aids patients and recently I asked if she would come to our school and give our students physicals. She works through the Presbyterian Church. She has agreed and will help with general health education here. It is just so sad to see so many young people dying.

Most of the funds will be used to help fulfill the needs here at the primary and secondary schools and in some of the clinics where the Sisters are really struggling to help the people in the villages. A thank you seems so trite, but believe me it is sincere and from the heart!  Please let the Associates and the Sisters know how deeply we appreciate all they have contributed, not just in money, but in support.

Blessings, Sister Diane

May 17, 2006

Dear Sisters, Associates and Friends,

Greetings to you from Central Africa where the weather is beautiful!  As we move into the winter season (June and July) it is getting a bit cooler even though the afternoons are still a little warm.

This letter is one of deep appreciation and sincere gratitude for your generous donations to our ministry here in Mulanje, Malawi.  Believe me, the need is great and we were simply overwhelmed by the tremendous support we received from you. 

Just so you are aware of how your donations are helping, the money is being used for: roof guard so the roofs won't leak in the classrooms and hostels, ceiling tiles, curtains for the hostels (badly needed), doors and windows for classrooms that do not have either, furniture (plastic) for the dining hall, sick bay needs, a freezer for the secondary school kitchen so food will not get bad, paint, calculators, and bedding for needy students.  The primary school plans to purchase recreational equipment (balls, etc), pails and cups for water, hoes and slashers and a computer and printer along with miscellaneous items. Water tanks (2) need to be renovated and pipes replaced, so that is also something the school plans to do.  We are hoping that with better water pipes we will have running water more consistently.  A couple of weeks ago we didn't have water for 10 days because vandals cut the pipes!!

Also we are donating a small amount toward a machine that will determine the CD4+T-cell count in HIV infected individuals so medical personnel will know the stage of the disease in each individual and those infected (including our students) will receive treatment sooner!  There are so many, many needs and your donation will go a long way to fulfilling some of these needs.  

Besides your monetary gift, we are extremely appreciative of the support you have shown us by your encouraging phone calls, emails, cards and letters!  Keep them coming as we both love to get mail even though it isn't delivered regularly! 

We started Term 2 on May 8th after three weeks off.  Actually, it takes about a week for all the students to get here, so not much teaching is done the first week of the term.  It is nice to have the students back - the atmosphere certainly changes when the hostels are full of 15-19 year olds!!!!

Again, we both are so very grateful that each of you are not only part of our lives, but now are playing a major part in the lives of the people here in Malawi. 

God's blessings to you!
With love and gratitude,
Rita Marie and Diane

( June 22, 2006)

Sisters Mary Ellen Loch and Karen Salsbery traveled to Malawi for a week to visit Sisters Diane and Rita Marie. This is Sister Mary Ellen's account of their arrival:
We made it to Malawi. Our trip was great, although we were pretty tired when we got here. We were met by Sisters Diane and Rita Marie and a whole group of the sisters from here. We rode in the back of a truck. I haven't done that since I was in high school. It was great fun, although I got a bad cramp in my leg and we had to stop the bus so I could walk around. There are many people walking on the road and everyone stopped and watched. I guess they hadn't seen things like this very often.

The sisters sang us a welcome song when we arrived at the house. It was great.  We have had several visitors already this morning. There is a young girl here from Germany, volunteering her time here for a term and teaching in the school. She is 20 years old and is quite a girl. She can really make her way around even by herself. Her name is Jenny.

Well, I will close. I will write again. It takes quite a bit of time to get connected and to keep everything going. I will write more later. Karen says hi. Keep praying for us. The conditions here are pretty poor. 

I think of you all. The country is beautiful and the people are very friendly.

Love,
Sister Mary Ellen

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Tax deductible contributions to support the sisters' ministry in Malawi may be sent to:
Sisters of St. Joseph of Wichita
3700 East Lincoln
Wichita, KS 67218
Please indicate that you would like your gift to be used for the Malawi ministry.