During the Golden Jubilee of India Province in 1997, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth (SCN) discussed the possibility of going beyond their territories –an African mission- and soon it became a congregational dream. It happened that during that time Bishop Boniface Setlalekgosi, the then Bishop of Gaborone, Botswana, invited the SCNs to minister in his diocese.
Once the congregation opted for Botswana Mission, a circular was sent out to the whole congregation, asking for volunteers for Botswana Mission. And I too volunteered. However I was not one of the five selected from India and the US to be pioneers in Botswana in 2000.
In 2003, Sr. Teresa Kotturan, the then provincial asked me if I was still interested in Botswana mission. And of course, without any hesitation I said ‘yes’. Ministering to the less privileged and venturing into new possibilities have been my passion.
Knowing that my ministry would be working with people living with HIV and AIDs and orphans, I had no reason to delay in saying ‘Yes”. I joined Botswana Mission in January 2004.
The quote, “I have no hands, but yours; I have no legs, but yours,” inspires me to reach out to the people living with HIV and AIDs and Orphans, in Botswana.
I had one-month orientation to overseas ministries in Pune, before I came to Botswana. At this program, we were introduced to many different cultures, some of the difficulties we may face in a strange culture, and the need to study, understand and respect another culture.
Settling in Botswana was not so difficult since there were other SCNs who helped me to feel at home. Even then I felt homesick and sometimes lonely, far away from family and friends.
Learning the language was a big challenge. African languages are very difficult. Since the official medium of communication is English in Botswana, and quite a few people speak English, I got away without learning the local language. It is shame to say to this day I have not learned to speak ‘Setswana’ (the local language) fluently.
African culture is very different from Asian culture. Africans in general, particularly Batswanas are very friendly, affectionate, and fun loving. They are so peace loving and patient. They live one day at a time. They neither worry about the past nor are anxious about the future. There are two differences in the culture things that surprised me or rather I took time to accept:
1. The nature of family life: Most of the families are dysfunctional (according to my understanding of a family). Many families are women headed with single mothers. Co-habiting families are common. Teenage pregnancies are also common. Marriage is not a social or cultural norm to begin a family. Divorce and multiple partners are also common. Since they are not bound by marriage, they easily break their relationship and pretty soon they will find another partner. If there are five children, they could be from five different partners. The early
Church has not been able to bring any changes in this matter. However, now the church is trying to bring some change. Church marriages are promoted. In the past 12 years I have never seen a marriage where couples got married before they had children.
2. The religious belief system: Nearly 70 percent of the people identify themselves as Christians. There is a small percentage of Muslims and Hindus. One fifth of the population does not identify themselves to any religion. However I feel this could be a much higher percentage. Many of those who identify themselves as Christians do not practice their faith. They do not go to church. If there are five members in a family – they belong to five different denominations. Religion /faith do not bring the family together.
It took me a long time to reconcile to the fact that this is a cultural difference, and I need to accept the people as they are without any judgment.
Botswana is the second highest country in Africa in HIV prevalence. Sr. Nalini Meachariyil and I along with Divine Word Father Anthony Rebello started to work with people living with HIV/AIDS in 2004
We started support groups for them in the villages, where they came together as a group, shared their God experiences using scriptures, shared their pains and frustrations, had meditations and stress relief exercises, and had fun through recreational games.
Some volunteers came forward to cook and they also shared a meal. This program improved their quality of life. This continued until 2010. During these years we realized that we were able to reach out only to those who were ambulant. We were not able to reach out to bedridden and home bound patients especially those who were terminal with AIDS and Cancer.
Over crowded government hospitals discharge terminal patients and send them back home. They get some care by our volunteers who would periodically visit them in their homes. As a result we dreamt of a home where we could provide them quality care.
We have witnessed patients dying in pain and filth, in an inhuman condition. We even saw patients locked up in their homes during the day because their only family care giver had to be at work.
We requested the Bishop for a care home. Our dream became a reality when Gaborone diocese built a 10 bed in-patient facility for the terminally ill patients. We called it ‘Pabalelong’ meaning Home of Love and Care. The administration and management of Pabalelong Hospice was given to Sisters of Charity of Nazareth. This is the first and the only hospice in the country with in-patient facility.
Catholic Church is proud of its contribution to the country. And we SCNs are proud too for being an instrument in this pioneering venture. The hospice is owned and financed to some extend by the diocese. Catholic Church and the government appreciate the contribution, commitment and dedication of the SCNs in the Hospice.
Presently Sr. Sunila Erumangalathu and I work in the hospice. It is fully staffed with professional nurses, nurse assistants, and other supportive staff. We help terminal patients to have quality life during their last days, and have a dignified death.
We also have home based care for those patients at home. We also admit patients who are initiated to antiretroviral drugs, those severely wasted, those with drug complications and those from poor socioeconomic families. We help them with good nutrition, counseling, and other psycho-social support. They stay at the hospice for one month to a maximum of three months. We have seen miracles.
Running a hospice was not easy. In Botswana, citizens get practically everything free. Free education in the government schools (Government sponsors education up to degree level, if one performs well) free medications in the village clinics and hospitals, social welfare facilities for the orphans, elderly, handicapped and so on. Paying for a service that one received is not a priority or they haven’t learned that.
Also those who were admitted to the hospice were from very poor socio-economic background. Therefore running a private, charitable institution/facility was a challenge. We had to knock on every door asking for help to run the hospice. I should say people especially, the non citizens came forward with cash and kind donations.
Some made pledge to adopt a staff (pay the salary), provide monthly and weekly food and other supplies, medical supplies, and donated things needed for the patients. Some volunteered to give free services- doctors visiting the facility weekly, physiotherapy, counseling and soon.
The country also promotes social responsibility in the public and private sector. Many Government and Non Government Organizations and groups come forward to make one time donations and take up projects. The hospice largely depends on donations.
Being a foreigner has its disadvantages. We need permits to work as a missionary which is renewed every three years. We have to play safe role in all our activities and involvements. Sometime I feel my hands are tied, and I keep my mouth shut, thinking of the consequences it can have. Being a foreigner, you cannot be in the forefront, to challenge the unjust, unfair systems. Batswana people are tolerant and passive. They do not oppose anything and take any action. Strikes are uncommon in Botswana.
I also coordinate a center for orphans and vulnerable- children whose parents live with HIV/AIDs. People accept me. I am fondly known by a Setwana name ‘Bonolo’ which is the translation of Vinaya (humility).
We do have an Association of Women Religious of Botswana. We are about 80 religious working in the diocese of Gaborone and vicariate of Francis town. Of that about 35 belong to a local congregation. Until 1998 the whole Botswana was just one diocese.
There are two other Indian sisters in the vicariate who belong to Sisters of the Holy Spirit. There are some Indian Divine Word priests both in the diocese and in the vicariate. We do not have any formal forum as Indian missionaries. We are not in touch with any other Indian missionaries in other parts of Africa.
I have been an SCN since last 36 years. I am professionally a social worker. In fact I did my MSW in the University of Botswana. I have worked as a social worker- in Sangsay, Darjeeling, in Delhi slums, in Rajgir, Bihar and so on. In most places I have been coordinating socioeconomic development programs for women, and adult education programs.
Africans especially Batswanas generally do not like Indians. Before the Independence Botswana was one of the poorest countries in Africa. They got independence without any effort or struggle. Three years after the independence diamonds were found. Government invested the income from the diamond in developing the country, in education, health and infrastructure.
During early post independence period government recruited teachers, doctors and nurses from India. Indians were encouraged to invest in Business. Indian business thrived in Botswana. Later when the government localized the post of teachers, doctors and nurses, many Indians went into business, started private schools and private clinics. Indians are rich in Botswana and Batswanas look at them with envy.
There is also other side of the coin. Indians work hard and save. Batswanas are not hard working. They are easy going and fun loving. They are not ambitious. They are just content with what they have today. There is no competitive spirit. That is their make and culture. We cannot blame them for what they are.
We have empowered many women to lead a quality life- especially those living with HIV. Women who joined the support groups in the initial years are our employees today in the hospice, in the home based care program and at the children’s center.
When I see them caring for the sick and the orphans, I feel great joy. They are so committed, and compassionate in their work. They are an asset in our ministry and I feel proud of them.
And to this day I do not regret that I said ‘yes’ to this mission. I only feel that I have been privileged that God chose me for this ministry.