Right at the start of the new year, a delegation from Salzkotten and Paderborn will travel to Dowa in Malawi to take part in the inauguration of the new formation house for religious sisters (formation house) of the Salzkotten Franciscan sisters. Among other people present are Paderborn’s Auxiliary Bishop Matthias König, Episcopal Vicar for the tasks of the Universal Church and World Mission, Sister M. Angela Benoit, Provincial Superior of the Salzkotten Franciscan sisters, and Andreas Cramer, Administrative Director of the Congregation.

The Archdiocese of Paderborn supported the new building in Dowa in the central region of Malawi in East Africa with 100,000 euros. Sister M. Angela Benoit thanked the Congregation on behalf of the Congregation for the generous support. For two years, the sisters from Salzkotten have been building a new convent there in collaboration with their international congregation. In the future, African women will also be admitted to this convent. Sister M. Susanne Schrammel is a sister from Germany and two sisters from Indonesia. “This new beginning in Dowa secures the future of our mission in Malawi,” says Sister M. Angela, emphasizing the importance of the planned admission of interested African women into the religious community.

Since 1984, the Franciscan sisters of Salzkotten have been living and working in Madisi, Malawi. Together with their sisters from Indonesia, they provide a wide range of help to the population of this very poor country, particularly in relation to the consequences of HIV and AIDS. In 2000, the sisters founded the school for AIDS orphans in Madisi, which is attended by 60 percent of orphans. In addition to a good education, they receive two meals a day there before returning from school to their village communities. The sisters also run a kindergarten in Madisi, which is attended by 300 children.

Many other forms of help have been added in recent years, such as accompanying and financing the orphans’ attendance at secondary schools, studies and training, building numerous wells and renovating roofs and houses in the surrounding villages, and recently increasing emergency aid for victims of flood disasters.

In Dowa, the new formation house has created an important prerequisite for the training and later acceptance of African women. “Up to 16 young women who would like to join our path of religious life can live here alongside three sisters,” explains Sister M. Susanne. There is also a chapel, lounges, guest rooms and utility rooms, as well as a sewing school. Fruit, vegetables and corn can be grown in a large garden for self-sufficiency. The sisters have already started offering the sewing school on site and have already made initial contact with young women. They also work closely with the Franciscans living nearby and with the local parish.

Written by  Sr. M. Alexandra Völzke FCJM

Photos: FCJM Sisters