From South Africa

Sr Christine Martin shares:

The Graduation Day photo below, from the Skills' Centre Ametur Project in Tzaneen, South Africa, shows the young women dressed in traditional outfits they made.  Those chosen for the training were either orphaned girls with younger siblings to be provided for or unemployed, single mothers  with children to feed. Behind them on the display panel are some of the other garments they learnt to sew during their twelve week course. The idea is for them to take their machine home and get orders from the local villagers and try to become economically viable ... their main problem with this is that neighbours are also poor and do not wish to pay for the garments!! Srs Helen Armstrong and Christine Martin guided the women in all aspects of their training along with some more experienced local women already able to sew.

From Australia

Sr Rob Reynolds shares:

Sometimes, in striving to be ‘His Heart on earth’ we feel, that with God’s grace, we have been able to empower other women; more often I think, we are inspired by the empowering women who have inspired and challenged us in our lives.

This happened – and continues to happen in the Candance groups I lead. In our dance workshops,  women with cancer are empowered – and are certainly empowering… when hearts are open, the Spirit breathes.

From South Sudan

Sr Mary Batchelor shares:

I live in a country where the state of women is not very high on the pecking order – lower than the cows which constitute their bride price. Education of girls has been almost non–existent, as the number who enrol in grade one continue to diminish year by year as girls are given in marriage to the ‘highest bidder’ (most cows), the girls themselves having no input into the marriage transaction.

Over recent years our efforts have begun to bear fruit and this year 33 girls are enrolled in our secondary school. The girls themselves want an education, and in order to remain at school, they are willing to overcome all obstacles: opposition from relatives, beatings, pregnancy, nursing babies, cooking, collecting water etc.

In Mapuordit we are invoved in many projects to empower women and so we can all ‘take our hats off’ to the women of South Sudan, who are fighting a winning battle (albiet slowly) to claim their rightful place in society and in the Church.

Let us remember women everywhere
and may we,
through the intercession of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart,
do the good that is in our power
to help all women sense their dignity
and know deep within that they are loved by God.
May we continue to empower women
through our prayer, actions and words.
The love of the Heart of Jesus urges Mary on.
The will of God is everything to her.
May we have the same zeal as Mary
to do the good that is in our power.

(Fr Jules Chevalier MSC)