Mission in Malawi 1959

 At the beginning of 1959, the Bishop of Nyasaland (later called Malawi), met the superior of the Congregation in Amersfoort. He requested the sisters to educate the women and girls particularly in home economics. It was also expected that the sisters would open a hostel for children.

The request "Africa is calling" very much attracted the sisters. So many sisters offered themselves for this mission, but only six sisters were selected and sent to Nyasaland. The sisters in the Netherlands strongly supported the mission in Africa. They had fancy fairs and other social activities for the success of this new mission. The "Africa is calling" challengeechoed in the hearts of the sisters!
 
the sisters of missionaris Malawi

On September 13th, 1959 the first three sisters departed from Amersfoort. They were Sr. Annetta Verhoef, Sr. Gonzalina Schwieters and Sr. Rosa Kamphuis. All the sisters could not go together, because the temporary place in the bishop house was only available for three sisters. One month later, on October 20th, 1959 the second group of three sisters landed in Nyasaland. They were Sr.Gertrude Walenkamp, Sr.Melania Kraaijkamp and Sr. Werenfrida Adema.

Although the first house in Stella Maris, Blantyre, had not been completed and there was no water for cooking, drinking and bathing the sisters moved into the house. They could immediately adjust themselves to the hot weather. They lived in a simple way and struggled to communicate in English.

In keeping with the mission goals, their activities were among others, to teach and open a hostel for the children, to teach sewing and handwork in some schools, to control the construction of the new building for the school, etc. On May 22nd, 1962 the school "Stella Maris", Blantyre was officially opened by Governor Sir Glyn Jones.

In the following years, the number of sisters who were sent to Malawi increased. They were open to the needs of the local people: serving the children in Jacaranda Children's Home, teaching handwork to mothers and girls in several villages. The sisters eagerly opened ta mission in a very hot area, Bangula. There was no electricity and it was far from the crowded city. The sisters opened a workshop for handicapped people in Sorgin and Kalemba Health Centre in Bangula.

From 1959 until 2006, there were twenty-seven sisters from Amersfoort who dedicated their lives for the mission in Malawi.

The convents of Sisters of Our Lady in the Region Malawi since 1959
1959                          Blantyre                    Stella Maris
1964                          Limbe                        Jacaranda
1968 - 1987              Blantyre                    Regina Pacis                      
1970                          Chiromo                    Bangula
1972                          Blantyre                    Chimwemwe

source: the notes Sisters of Our Lady in Malawi 1959 –1987, written by Sr. Simplicia Swart and Sr. Werenfrida Adema)

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