I must admit that it took a while to recover from the surprise of having been asked to write an article about myself for the  JPIC - Mary Ward Woman in the Field. I truly feel honoured.

My life journey in the spirit of the IBVM began in La Paz, Bolivia where I was born, long before I came to South Africa as I was practically raised by the Jesuits. All the boys in the Baudoin family attended the Jesuit school, starting from my grandfather, and the tradition still continues today with the youngest generation. Although we, the girls went to the “Sacres Coeurs” a French convent, the influence of the Jesuits in our lives was significant.

The concept of Liberation Theology passed on to us by the Jesuits in our youth, made us aware of our responsibility toward those who were discriminated against economically, socially or racially – to be the voice of the voiceless poor.

intention was to be here for the duration of the contract and then go back home. But it seems that there was a different design for us. In 1979 my youngest daughter was born and we saw the benefit of staying on in the country. Here I am 35 years later, a very happy granny with a perfectly joyful and satisfying life.

South Africa, as wonderful as it is, was a shock to my system. The Apartheid regime was quite hard to bear. Taking care of my family and adapting to this new way of life took my attention away from the reality of the suffering people of the country. My involvement with the Loreto community, as my daughters attended school there, brought it all back. It was through them and the Queenswood Parish community that I came to be better informed about ‘the struggle’.

I began teaching RE at Loreto Queenswood in 1985 and a few years later I did a RE Formation course with the CIE. Soon after I was asked to take the post of RE Co-ordinator at Loreto Queenswood. My objective was to uphold the Catholic ethos of the school in the absence of the Loreto sisters.

The immense poverty experienced by the people in the rural areas led me to involve the school community in outreach programmes. The IBVM mission in Kwa Guqa offered us the opportunity to put into practice the Institute’s ‘Option for the Poor’.  This project came to be known as ‘Children Working for Children’.  We worked in cooperation with the Loreto sisters Marian, Eileen, and Elizabeth. Each class had a money box which was used to collect money for school fees that was allocated at the discretion of the sisters. Food parcels and gifts for the children were sent at Christmas. Stationery – new and second hand was donated by all classes at the end of the year, as well as second hand clothing.

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that the pandemic has in the poor communities of our nation. Therefore we embarked on a new quest in conjunction with the Mercy Sisters who have a mission station in the Winterveldt, Northern Province. The school adopted HIV families who did not have a source of income, until the time when they were able to receive the Government Grant, thereafter new families were given to us to take care of. We provided monthly parcels of food  for each family. We collected second hand clothes specially selected according to the family’s description. Later on we created a fund to cover the children’s need for school fees, uniforms and school stationery.

While the outreach programme was running quite well, and it still is very well managed by the Loreto Queenswood staff, I saw the opportunity to relocate to Somerset West where my daughters and their families had moved to previously. Providentially I was offered the post of RE Co-ordinator at Loreto Primary Strand, Western Cape, in 2005.

 Here I am, four years later still ploughing the fields for the seeds of the ‘Option for the Poor’ to be scattered, and with the Grace of God, see them sprout, grow and bear plenty of fruit.

Worldwide, sisters are involved in the ministry of counter-trafficking activities, whether it is in prevention, protection or lobbying at the UN level.  In the previous 5 years, UISG have organized several training workshops in collaboration with IOM (International Organization for Migration).  At present there is a move to establish a worldwide network of religious sisters involved in counter trafficking.  The idea is to connect with one another as an international network.  (More about this network later as it is in its initial stages.)

In June 2008 there was an international Congress of women religious in Rome on Human Trafficking.  The aim of the congress was to hear from the UISG and to continue to strengthen mechanisms and communication which is particularly important as the trafficking syndicates change their structures all the time.  During the debates it was felt that men must play their part too and consequently men religious are being invited to work with the women religious.

Sister Patricia from Nigeria is the link in Africa as she has been involved in counter-trafficking for a long time.  A statement from the congress was sent to all governments, bishops’ conferences, major superiors and other relevant organizations – a statement not yet to hand.

A very heartening move has been made by the SACBC (Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference) in their issuing of a comprehensive pastoral letter – FIGHTING HUMAN TRAFFICKING – OUR CHRISTIAN RESPONSIBILITY – which was read in churches on Sunday 14 December 2008.  It states that ‘we must all stand together, educate ourselves on this issue and work to eliminate this terrible crime from our world……  South Africa is considered a major destination within the SADC region … it is estimated that at least 1000 Mozambican women are trafficked each year, mostly to South Africa… other reports say that every month thousands of children are smuggled across our international and provincial borders….’  There are many more grim facts and information in the letter which ends by reminding that we join the Good Shepherd in His search for the lost and scattered ones when we work to ‘eliminate this terrible crime from our world.’

Monica Shanley IBVM

The facts and concerns about water in South Africa and some suggested responsible actions with regard to water that are outlined in SACBC’s publication ‘Stand Up and Speak Up’, are summarized  below.

FACTS AND CONCERNS

• South Africa is a water-stressed country.  It receives approximately 460 mm of rain each year in comparison to the world average of 800mm.
• About 2 million tons of waste is dumped into South Africa rivers, lakes and streams every day.
• 19% of the South African population still lack access to safe water, and 33% lack basic sanitation services ( UN World Water Development Report 2006)
• 60% of water in South Africa is used to irrigate farmland.
• Implementation of the Free Basic Water Policy started in July 2001, to ensure delivery on water as a human right.  The policy recommends that 6000 litres of free clean water is provided per household per month.  But implementation of national water policies and strategies by Local authorities particularly in rural and peri-urban areas is often slow and inadequate.

RESPONSIBLE ACTION

• Don’t let the water run when washing dishes, brushing teeth, shaving etc.
• Use the dishwasher and washing machine only when they are completely full.
• Take a shower instead of a bath.  You will save nearly half the amount of water.
• Plant indigenous plants in your garden – they need less watering than alien exotic plants.
• If safe, drink water from the tap and save our environment from plastic bottles.  If you do buy bottled water, reuse the bottles or buy bigger bottles.

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Gabrielle Murphy IBVM spearheaded the establishment of a Safe Park in Kwaguqa Witbank, South Africa, working in conjunction with National Association of Child Care Workers. One of the biggest challenges was negotiating with the local council for the use of municipal land for the safe park.  The safe park ended up being quite an unusual shape in order to accommodate residences of people who had squatted on the municipal land, but even so there had to be one forced removal.

The NACCW has developed the following concept of safe places for children to play.

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In South Africa, the HIV/AIDS epidemic has forced many children to take on adult responsibilities.  They care for dying parents, look after younger siblings, learn to cook and clean. Children have a right to be children and play and dream.

Article 31 of the UN Convention of the Rights of Children requires all ratifying countries to; ‘Recognize the right of the child to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts.’

Article 85 of South Africa’s Bill of Rights states, ‘every child has the right not to be required or permitted to perform work or provide services that are inappropriate for the person of that child’s age; or place at the risk of the child’s well being, education, physical or mental health or spiritual, moral or social development.

Historically these rights may have been relatively simple to protect.  But today, HIV/AIDS is robbing children of their right to childhood.  Society is obliged to consider innovative and creative ways to negate the effect of the epidemic on children

THE NACCW HAS DEVELOPED A CONCEPT OF SAFE PLACES FOR CHILDREN TO PLAY – SAFE PARKS WHERE CHILDREN HAVE ACCESS TO ADULT SUPERVISION AND CAN PLAY IN PEACE

• Children heading households have a safe place to play with their peers/friends and be assured that their siblings are safe.

• Adults in the safe park provide respite for older children by caring for the little ones so that their siblings play freely and without adult responsibilities for a little while.

• Children have access to adults, informally, who are available to talk to them, play with them and provide them with support, advice and direction.

• The safe park is a place where organized sports and games take place to promote skill and excellence in sporting activities –channeling their energy into constructive activities.

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• The safe park is a place for reclaiming traditional cultural activities and practices.  At the safe park indigenous games can be taught and played.  Cultural dances and songs can be taught and facilitated.  Grannies and other adults can engage in story telling.

• At a safe park homework supervision and tuition can take place for groups or individual children.

• Group and individual discussions on teenage pregnancy, substance abuse, HIV/AIDS all take place creatively in the safe park on selected days.

• After care services from the Isibindi Project can be offered when families don’t require intense services.

• Community food gardens can be developed at the Safe Park where children can be taught gardening skills.  They can be encouraged to assist in the garden (or have their own small vegetable plots) and at the end of the day/week) take vegetables home for their supper.

• Medicinal herbs can be planted in the garden and children can be taught the healing properties of the different uses for them and take them home for members of their family that are ill.

• Holiday programs and Youth Trade Fairs can be held at the Safe Park.

• Most importantly, the Safe Park can be a place where the community embraces community members, children and families affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic and counters stigma and discrimination.  It can be a wonderful place of healing, support, and belonging.  Sharing, teaching – a true circle of courage for all.

See page 4 for photos of the children’s activities at the Kwaguqa Safe Park

Photos taken at Kwaguqa Safe Park. See story on page 3

Some Isibindi children at play with child and youth care worker Joyce.

Children being taught cultural dances by child care workers

Children enjoying a swim at the Kwaguqa Safe Park.

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Bernadette Wilczkiewicz IBVM and Eileen Gallagher IBVM

photographed before setting out on a protest march

in Pretoria on National Women’s Day, August 9, 2008.

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PRISON CARE AND SUPPORT NETWORK

POLLSMOOR PRISON    CAPE TOWN

Marie Brady IBVM, the volunteer leader at Pollsmoor Prison, among other things, conducts the programme THE INWARD JOURNEY.  In 2008 she did the programme with different groups of offenders as well as with the volunteer staff.  Through reflection on the story of David the participant is offered a new way of viewing his/her life. At the evaluation at the end of the programme in the Women’s Sections these are some of the comments that were made:

• Like David I also gave into temptation, but I have learned how to resist temptation and I now know how to distinguish right from wrong.
• I have learned to acknowledge my weakness and mistakes.  I now realize I have the power within me to achieve better in life.
• I take full responsibility for my actions and choose to stay positive in mind, thoughts and actions.  With a positive attitude I can achieve any goal I put my mind to.

The photo below was taken during the intercessions at the end of year Mass in the Men’s Section at Pollsmoor Prison.

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