A Journey of Hope Against Human Trafficking
By Sr. Justine Akampamya This year’s theme for International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking was PEACE BEGINS WITH DIGNITY. Indeed, without dignity accorded to every individual, there is no peace. I was glad to participate partly in the prayer against human trafficking in Rome. I was touched by the engagement of the youth from different continents working towards the prevention of human trafficking through networking and education for young people. Part of the prayer was what was termed as “a Walk for Humanity.” Here, the participants had a guided tour to the Colosseum, and a link between current and ancient human suffering through slavery was made. All along this journey, the personal invitation was on how each one can make a contribution to protect life. During the vigil prayer, a survivor gave a witness about her long journey from Darfur, fleeing for her life and risking being snatched…
XII International day against human trafficking
The International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking takes place every year on February 8th, the day in which we celebrate the liturgical memory of St. Bakhita, the Sudanese nun who as a child had the dramatic experience of being kidnapped and enslaved and became the universal symbol of the Church’s commitment against trafficking. It is promoted by the International Union of Superiors General (UISG) and the Union of Superiors General (USG). The coordination of the network of partners and adherents is entrusted to Talitha Kum, the international network founded by the UISG and committed against trafficking in persons. We are committed to the work of UISG and Talitha Kum and we share with you some material for preparation and reflection All the material are from this website https://preghieracontrotratta.org/ which is in five languages. Peace and dignity are inseparable. In the words of Emily Greene Balch, Nobel prize for…
Jubilee for Refugees in Northern Uganda
By Sr. Magdalena Orczykowska, MSOLA In communion with the whole Church, the Diocese of Arua joined in celebrating the Jubilee Year with a special focus on the World Day of Migrants and Refugees under the theme: “Pilgrims of Hope – a hope that never disappoints.” The celebration took place in Maaji Refugee Settlement, which is under the pastoral care of the Missionaries of Africa and the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa. Preparing the Jubilee Preparation for this great day began long in advance. A team of missionaries, together with Christian communities within the settlement, followed the guidelines of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development to ensure the celebration would reflect the spirit of the Jubilee of Migrants and Refugees. The aim was to deepen awareness, strengthen faith, and renew hope among the displaced communities. The Celebration The climax of the event came on October…
From Rome to Congo, with Hope
News from our sisters’ participation in the International Network of Consecrated Life Against Human Trafficking “Talitha Kum” Sr Nadine Nana at the opening of “Talitha Kum” the DRC In October, the International Network of Consecrated Life Against Human Trafficking “Talitha Kum”, was established in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It was a great honor for me to participate in the opening session of the network. For more than ten years, many consecrated people in Congo did not know about the existence of this international network, but thanks to the dedication of Father Bernard Ugeux M.Afr, the Talitha Kum leaders decided to open the network in Congo with the approval of monsignor Willy Ngumbi, Bishop of Goma. The Talitha Kum session took place in the diocese of Goma and was held from October 16th to 20th. It was led by Sister Angela Kapintingana, MSOLA, and coordinated by Professor…
Ambassadors of hope: together against human trafficking
Ambassadors of hope: together against human trafficking Every year on 8 February, in the liturgical memory of Saint Bakhita, we celebrate the International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking. People on all continents unite their prayers against human trafficking. Among them, we, the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa, as members of Talitha Kum, the international network of religious against human trafficking. Join us and other Ambassadors of Hope in praying against human trafficking. Join the Online Pilgrimage of Prayer and Awareness against human trafficking on the 7th of February. For more information and prayer materials visit preghieracontrotratta.org
Empathy in Action: Lessons from the World Day of the Poor
Sr. Valérie Kaboré on mission in Algeria “While part of the world is condemned to live in the depths of history, while inequalities increase and the economy punishes the weakest, while society is dedicated to the idolatry of money and consumption, the poor and the marginalized often have no choice but to continue to wait (cf. Evangelii Gaudium, n. 54). … It is us whom his grace makes shine; it is our life, imbued with compassion and charity, which must become a sign of the Lord’s presence, always close to the suffering of the poor, to soothe their wounds and transform their destiny.” Link to the PDF https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2024/documents/20241117-omelia-giornatamondiale-poveri.html I feel very inspired by this quotation from Pope Francis. He recalled these words recently, on 17 November, during the World Day of the Poor. Several events and celebrations that we have experienced in these days can be linked…
“Bare feet, bare hands” Collaboration in mission
From Sr. Mariette Macozi, Kinshasa, DR Congo Since 2001, our Kinshasa community has collaborated with the SVD Fathers (Divine Word) in the mission of supporting children living in the street. This bond was forged thanks to three of our sisters who preceded us in the work of Reclassification and Protection of Street Children (ORPER in acronym). Sister Anosiata Keneema and I continue the apostolate initiated by our Sisters in this structure which has been in existence for more than 43 years. We are welcomed and fully integrated in this. Arriving in Kinshasa in 2021, I was sent to work at ORPER where I easily integrated into social work serving street children. At the local level, collaboration takes place as a work team where each educator makes their contribution to the success of the mission which we carry out together. The center manager, who is like the eye…
Celebration of St Bakhita in Madrid 2023
The Vigil of St Bakhita in Madrid organized by the Diocesan Commission against Human Trafficking of which Begoña Iñarra is the coordinator, is celebrated every year in a different parish, to create awareness in the different parts of the town about human trafficking. This year it was celebrated in St Cayetano parish, in the heart of the traditional and well-known Rastro (flea market) district of Madrid. There were about 100 people and many people all over Spain and Latin America followed the video in streaming. The members of the Human trafficking commission animated the vigil written by one of the members. The social vicar of Madrid Archdiocese introduced the vigil that was very symbolic. A beautiful image of Ste Bakhita was before the altar. Four people put up five posters with the words “Freedom” “Dignity”, “Caring Paths”, “Inclusion” and “Empowerment”, at St. Bakhita’s feet. All along the prayer, we…
When the Bishops get involved!
Sr. Vicky Ciharhula, in Bamako, Mali, tells us about how the Bishops got involved in her work for the environment and against human trafficking. Environment Animation in the Diocese of Sikasso In October 2021, the Justice-Peace-Integrity of Creation – Interreligious Dialogue (JPIC-DI) (a workshop of the Union of Catholic Religious of Mali, of which I am a member) received a request from the diocese of Sikasso to animate two days in the week of the Diocesan Pastoral Days. The theme given by the diocese was: “Laudato Si’: The question of the environment in a pastoral perspective”. On the appointed day we went to the centre where the pastoral agents were gathered. The welcome was very warm and the atmosphere was relaxed. We started by pointing out the theological basis of the environmental issue in the Scriptures and in the social doctrine of the Church. Then “Laudato Si’” received special attention.…
At the forefront against human trafficking
After working against trafficking in Burkina Faso, Sr. Angela continues in her new community in Nairobi. In 2019 I followed online training on Human Trafficking and Project management organized by Talitha Kum International at the UISG (International Union of Superiors General). This training was an eye opener to the complexity of human trafficking in our society today. The knowledge received empowered me to collaborate with the Good Shepherd Sisters to form a network in Burkina Faso that extended to the surrounding countries who are source, or transit or destination of human trafficking. I was also very much involved in creating an awareness program within the Bobo Archdiocese and the other dioceses in the country. I have also participated in accompanying trafficked persons. The direct contact with this group made me burn with zeal to do what I can to contribute to fight against Human trafficking. The disfigurement of the human…