Sr. alberal Soosai Nayagam fmm from India, Chennai Province sent on mission to Ghana in 1995. Presently she is in Liberia. She shares her life in the Mission in Ghana.
Mission
I am Sr. Alberal Soosai Nayagam was sent to Ghana/Liberia Province. When I arrived in Ghana at the end of 1995, I was assigned to teach Mathematics in St. Francis Girls Senior Secondary School, Jirapa. I enjoyed my teaching there. During my encounter with people, students and children, I realized that most of them feared the subject ‘Mathematics’ itself. Hence in dealings with my students I encouraged them saying not to fear the subject Mathematics since it is part and parcel of our daily life. I had many chances to interact with my students personally and their parents, which helped me to know better their culture, customs and their way of life. There were a number of opportunities to serve the parish that brought me closure to the people.
In September 2000, I met with a major accident. For a year I was only able to unite myself with the suffering humanity in the world around. To continue my treatment I had to return to my home province, Chennai. This important event in my life taught me a lot and strengthened me with great enthusiasm and courage to come back to mission. Here I started helping in the pre-novitiate community at Wa, Upper West region of Ghana. Since it is being a centre for this region, I came in contact with people of various denominations, young and old alike and also FMM Sisters from different mission stations. Young girls come to us to discern about their life. Thus I tried to do what I could in the mission.
Ghana
Ghana was formerly called Gold Coast because the land was full of gold, which attracted the foreigners. After gaining independence from the colonial rule the country was re-named as Ghana. Ghana is a democratic country. It is the gateway to all other African countries because it is located in the centre of Africa. Ghana enjoys political stability and peace. Among almost all African countries Ghana enjoys peace and freedom. All have the right to choose their own religion. Culture of Ghana often invites outsiders to come and witness their cultural festivals in all the regions for which some kings and chiefs dress in gold and others in animal’s skin which enrich each culture with meaning and beauty. As a nation Ghanaians have a common national culture too.
Ghana is blessed with abundance of rich food. The main food items of food are corn, maize, yam and cassava, which are locally made, and every tribe has unique ways of preparing their food. Each region has different dialects for communication, though official language is English. Traditionally men wrap themselves with 12 yards of material and women wear slit and a kabah. Ghanaian’s hospitality is highly appreciated. All feel at home in the country even foreigners.
Charism
From the time I started to follow the FMM way of life, I feel and experience the power and strength of Bl. Mary of the Passion within me. Our Constitution Art. No. 41 says, “For the mission and its risks, Mary of the Passion wanted us to be disponible and strong in faith, ready to leave everything and to go wherever we are sent.” This element of our charism helps me to move forward giving myself in my small way, for the Church in Wa, Diocese, Ghana. During my adoration I bring the whole world at the feet of the Lord, in particular, those who come to me. trying to follow Mary our mother in her “Ecce and Fiat”, accepting the will of God in my daily living. Like St. Francis, in my small ways try to embrace all who come to me and find enrichment in the community with different nationalities, cultures, languages and customs.
Empowerment of women - this was the one aim of Blessed Mary of the Passion in serving the less fortunate that led her to open educational institutions, health-care services and set up small income-generating works for women. We respond to the cry of the poor, the oppressed and the marginalized, especially the women through the same services today. We work for the integrity of creation through non-violence and eco-justice, sharing God's gifts with all.
Her farsightedness in establishing a printing press in the 19th century itself, to publish The Annals of the Institute as a means of sharing news and views with the wider public has set the trend for us to utilize the potent means of the media to communicate the compassionate face of God to all peoples thereby promoting communion and human relationships.
