The Volunteers of the Works of Mercy of Ngozi | Third part
The testimonies of the Volunteers of the Ngozi Works of Mercy for the Re-evolution of the Works
The volunteers who gathered at the Bene Mariya Sisters Congregation headquarters on Sunday, February 23, are animated by great enthusiasm.
There are several testimonies from which the great commitment and generosity of these people who put themselves at the service of those who are less fortunate in an area where “the problem is serious, and there is a lot of misery and frequent and chronic cases of malnutrition,” as Sister Hyacinthe Manariyo puts it.
Here is an excerpt from the talk by Ms. Béatrice, a OPERAM volunteer from Ngozi:
“For several years I had been working alone on behalf of sick people.
Sometimes I did not see clearly what I was doing.
With my husband I shared the concern I had for people who were suffering,
in total solitude, far from their families.I remember the cases of mothers who gave birth without having anything to cover their newborns.
How many times I gave my clothes!
My husband always understood me and even helped me to have something to give.
But through it all, I was encouraged and strengthened by praying the holy rosary in the hospital chapel. I am infinitely grateful to the Sisters of Social Work.With this group of volunteers, I know we will do so much more for our sick brothers and sisters.
Because unity is strength.”
The testimony of Sister Claudine of the Bene Mariya Sisters:
“ We have a mission to spread wherever we are.
And a widespread spread is strongly possible because the volunteers who are reaching out to us come from different walks of life, from different workplaces, from different neighborhoods of the city, from the surrounding hills, and from different religious communities, which continue to express themselves.So, I see our mission as a “contagion”
of our neighborhood, in our living environments,
a battalion engaged in all the existential peripheries of our area,
of different age groups and living conditions, social situations.”
Mr. Thierry adds:
“In general, this mission will cover all the realities of our locality.
We will be able to help many people. Gradually the group will also grow.Soon we will have more volunteers to join us.
As I see, it will not be long and we will win others.The focal point, which is the starting point, the hearth of compassion and mercy,
is already lit inside the hospital.It is up to us, the first volunteers, to keep this fire burning
of compassion and mercy where we are and where we go.”
Sister Generose, a member of the congregation’s regional council, who has a long and rich experience in social work and vocational training for young girls, says:
“Our mission is very important because it affects everyone.
It also touches the body and the spirit.
It is worthwhile for it to be spread everywhere to be known by everyone.
This will alleviate much suffering.For this reason, we volunteers are called
to live radically and through works the Word of Jesus:
Because the beneficiaries will also become our ambassadors,
returning to their families, neighborhoods, hills, areas, municipalities and provinces of origin.”Above all, we are the light and salt.
Let us strive to live the values of the Gospel, founded essentially on brotherly love.”“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).