Sr. Tessy was sent on Mission nine years ago to Angola from Delhi Province. She shares her life in the mission
I am in the Province of M’banza Congo, in the country of Angola. The neighboring countries are Congo, Zaire Namibia and Zambia. Angola is a republic and ruled by a democratic government (multiparty democracy).
The capital of Angola is Luanda
Population – 12.5 million (in 2005)
Currency – Kwanza
Literacy – 40 %
Climate – tropical: there are two seasons, dry with low temperature 18° C and hot season with high temperature 33° C
The official language is Portuguese. There are five other main languages.
The main religion is Christianity.
Agriculture is the main occupation- the main cultivation is tapioca, maize and sugarcane.
People especially the women are very simple and hard working. They practice polygamy due to the large population of women than men which was the result of the aftermath of war when many of the women became widows. Unfortunately majority of women and children are abandoned. Many a time these children are accused of witchcraft and the mothers themselves would kill their children. We have 26 children who are accused of witchcraft who escaped from the ill treatment of their parents and we the church together with the government have started a centre for them to be secure.
My Mission
I am very happy here in this mission though in the beginning I had a lot of struggles- sickness and living in the international community. In my community we are six sisters from six different nationalities- Portugal, Peru, Mexico, Poland, Angola and India. Many a time I felt to leave this mission and return to India; I felt lonely especially when I was admitted twice in the hospital with malaria. But as we believe, if God has called us to work for His people, He would give us the courage to face the reality in spite of the struggles we may have to endure. Only prayer can make to survive in the missions. I thank each one who is praying for us in the far away mission and sending letters and Province journals regularly. I am a High School teacher and also work with refugees who are migrating from neighbouring countries. I help them to get land from the Government. I am also is in charge of constructing houses for the vulnerable group especially those who are abandoned and orphaned which is the project of the province. Last year six houses were built. People are very happy with this help extended to them. I also offer my service in the Cathedral as the accountant, sacristan, teaching Catechism, and assist different committees in the parish. Visiting families and prisoners to kindle hope and build up strength and courage.
Challenges
Lack ofcommunication facilities is one of the major problems.
Sicknesses like malaria, typhoid, sleeping sickness and cholera undermines the well being of the people. Within four years of my stay here I had malarial attack 95 times. When I see the suffering of the people here, I just forget my pains and try my best to help people.
Hopes
Thirty years of civil war in the country had devastated the country and people were broken psychologically. Now however the spirit of enthusiasm and the sign of life is evident everywhere. There is a lot of progress and development. I am hopeful that when the political situation improves in the country and the production of natural resources rises, the country will become rich.
Sr. Tessy Thomas fmm |
