Sr. Elisabeth Herkommer (in the pink cardigan) taught women to produce a precise and beautiful work in kabyl embroidery.
Sr. Franceline Hien from the community of Hydra/Algiers, visited Sr Elisabeth in Larbaa-Nath Iraten
The presence of the White Sisters in Kabylia has had a positive impact on the population who still value our presence, as a congregation, at their side.
For around twenty years our sister Elisabeth has remained alone in Larbaa-Nath Iraten where she started this Berber embroidery and sewing training center. Training at the time lasted three years, to obtain a diploma as craftsman or instructor.
Several women benefited from quality training which offered them work. Currently, the center operates with 14 women (Artisans and Instructors) Sunday April 21, I went to visit the center with the intention of writing this article in honor of our sister Elisabeth without realizing that shortly afterwards she was going to leave urgently for health reasons. Here are some comments collected from instructors and artisans.
“What has been most important to you in this center”? The women responded:
“This center offered us work thanks to the sisters and especially thanks to Sr. Elisabeth.”
“We learned a good profession here, sustainable and remunerative work. We are proud of ourselves and of our Sr. Elisabeth who gave us the opportunity to work…”
“For more than 30 years I have not needed to ask my husband for money for my own needs, because this center allows me to meet my financial needs, to provide for the needs of my family. I bless God for this and I ask for Elisabeth the grace of good health and a beautiful reward. She deserves it.”
“This job allows us to get out of our house, to be with each other as women and to earn money for our financial needs. We have gained both in terms of human relations and materially.”
“Sr. Elisabeth has become a second mother to us. She deserves to be paid tribute because she allowed us to earn our daily bread. We love her and she loves us very much too. May God give her health, that is our prayer…”
“What were your difficulties or most difficult moments”?
“During the period when the Center was under the responsibility of CASAP (state body), we experienced many difficulties. But with the help of Sr. Elisabeth, we fought to get out of the problem. Our biggest fear was losing both the center and Sr. Elisabeth because if she had left at that time, the center would have closed.”
“Currently the difficulty that we are trying to overcome is to think that Sr. Elisabeth will no longer stay with us. Our hearts bleed at the thought that she will soon leave due to her age. Her departure will cost us, but we know that she gave everything and that she now needs to rest, to take her age into account by taking time for herself. We cry, but she has to leave one day. We will promise to do our best to keep the center going.”
“We are very grateful to her and we believe that it is God alone who will fill her with his grace for her life given here, in Kabylia and Algeria.”
And you, my dear sister Elisabeth, how do you see your life in the future without getting up early in the morning and being at work at 8:30 a.m. every day despite your age and your state of health?”
Elizabeth responds: “Some of my sisters have told me that I will not be able to live without thinking about work, but I believe that once I leave here, my life will be focused on this preparation to meet my Lord. I will have more time to pray because I have spent my whole life at work, without thinking about myself. I will have time for Him and for me…
I really loved Kabylia and the aesthetics of its art and I did everything to express it and bring it to life. I carry it in my being.”
I can testify that our Sr. Elisabeth was really well integrated in Kabylia and I thank God for what she is for these people. May this seed of love and friendship that she sowed continue to grow in our hearts. Thank you, my dear Sr. Elisabeth.
