The Volunteers of the Works of Mercy of Ngozi | Second part
The story of the first meeting of the Ngozi Volunteers for the Re-evolution of Works of Mercy continues
Testimonies and Sharing of Experiences
Sister Maria Assunta shared her experience with the mothers in the neonatology ward.
Sister Maria Assunta’s concrete Work of Mercy concerns mothers who have premature babies. These mothers are forced to stay for several months in the hospital, in the neonatology ward, waiting for their babies to be discharged.
During this time, they have nothing to do; they wait for everything to be provided to them. Something that is not always possible, especially since many of them come from other municipalities, far from the hospital.
They cannot count on anyone to come and supply them every day. They are just there, waiting for the kindness and sharing spirit of the other hospitalized people to reach out to them during meals.
Faced with this situation, Sister Mary Assunta took the initiative to collect them at the convent.
She sought paid manual labor.
For example, during the corn and bean harvest season, she hired these mothers to prepare and arrange the harvest products. In this way, they are gainfully employed. They feel able to work to meet their essential daily needs. For example, they can buy food and soaps for their hygiene.
This work is very important for these women, who find a time to get out a bit and an opportunity to talk together outside the hospital. They feel integrated by other people and weave new relationships.
In a word, Sister Mary Assunta’s initiative, however humble, has become a work of her whole community, which is slowly embracing the integration of these mothers.
Moreover, in community, they can find comfort and encouragement. Indeed, the Works of Mercy is a community mission; it is a mandate that the Lord Jesus gives us: “After this, the Lord still appointed seventy-two and sent them out two by two… The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few” (Luke 10:1-12).
Initiatives
Here are some initiatives resulting from the meeting to concretize the Works of Mercy together:
- Prayer Ministry for sick people
- Visits to the sick in the Hospital
- Creation of a solidarity and aid fund for sick people
- Collection of material aid: soaps, linens, clothes, sandals, food, kitchen utensils, blanket
- Assistance to people who lose loved ones in the hospital.
The meeting ended at 1 p.m. with a time of sharing. They set a schedule to meet once a month. Booklets of the Works of Mercy by Carlo Miglietta, biblical of spazio + spadoni, were distributed.
Participants at this meeting took careful notes of all the speeches, which indicates their interest in this new common mission.
“ God’s Mercy is at work. Always.”