Volume 34, Nr. 3, October 2004 Richardton, ND 58652
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ABA 2002 Proceedings
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Tanzanian Sisters Study in United StatesEducation is a key for the advancement of all people, and especially women in countries where opportunities are limited. One of the ways that American Benedictine women are holding out a hand to their African sisters is by their commitment to assist in their education. Sister Judith Ann Heble, of the Conference of American Benedictine Prioresses, explains the origins of this joint effort as "the original 'brain child' of the Federation of St. Benedict to better coordinate the many educational efforts for African Benedictine women in the United States." The AECC (African Education Coordinating Committee) was established by the Conference of Benedictine Prioresses in 2003 as a research group whose task, in dialogue with African and United States Benedictine women, is to explore the needs of the African monasteries in the areas education, formation, formation, programs and facilities. AECC has been working closely with AIM-USA in this effort. In 2003, the council of presidents of federations/congregations of both women and men agreed to fund the research and Sister Jacquelyn Ernster, OSB, (Yankton, SD) has been chairing the committee. Fourteen women from Tanzania have been students in Benedictine colleges over the past few years. A gift from an anonymous donor made it possible for five of them to gather from July 30 to August 10 at Mount St. Scholastica in Atchison. All are members of the Congregation of the African Benedictine Sisters of St. Agnes in Chipole, Tanzania. Visits home to their community in Tanzania and school schedules prevented all ten of the current US residents from attending the gathering. Five days were devoted to an acculturation workshop led by Kathryn Pierce, IHM, of Cross Cultural Services, sponsored by the Maryknoll Society. The purpose of the workshop was to develop a framework for the Tanzanian sisters to understand United States culture as they adjust to their new environment. In addition, they enjoyed cooking Tanzanian dishes for themselves and guests, doing some touring, and simply being together to catch up on one another's experiences. The local hostesses were Sisters Presentasia Chipeta and Susana Kindole, who have recently completed language studies at Donnelly College in Kansas City, KS, and are entering Benedictine College in Atchison, KS. They welcomed two of their sisters who are residing at St. Placid's Monastery and attending St. Martin's College in Lacey, WA, Sisters Anamaria Haule and Redempta Ndunguru. The Lacey communities were among the first to assist the Chipole sisters. Sister Redemista Ngonyani has graduated and is to begin studies in canon law this fall. Sister Beatrice Kapinga graduated and begins MA studies at St. Martin's. Sister Gotharda Nyoni, who is at St. Scholastica's in Duluth, also attended. Her companion there, Sister Valentina Pilla, was not available for the gathering. St. Benedict's Monastery and the College of Saint Benedic in St. Joseph, MN, graduated Sister Atukwzwe Nyirenda, the first participant, and are currently hosting Sisters Mediatrix Mapunda and Tarsisia Salve Ponela. Sacred Heart Monastery and Mount Marty College in Yankton are the American home of Sister Gloriosa Komba. Sisters Beatrice Kayombo and Afra Mgwama, are living at Sacred Heart Monastery in Lisle, IL, and attending Benedictine University there. They are members of St. Gertrud Imiliwaha Convent, Njombe, which is part of the St. Agnes Congregation. The sisters have many interests and backgrounds, but they share an enthusiasm for the opportunity to further their education. With their various areas of study, they are eager to help their community and the people it serves. "When I go home, our school will not have to hire someone," explains Sister Anamaria. Sister Susana wants to study science because their dispensary "helps the community and the orphans. There are people who are weak and sick and have many problems." Sister Presentasia, who has worked as a community secretary, looks forward to studying business and knows that "good English is needed for corresponding and doing community business." Although the initial experience can be overwhelming, the Benedictine bonds make the adaptation easier. "Our community is very big and St. Placid's is very small," notes Sister Redempta, "but the prayers are at the same time of day and they are almost the same as ours." Asked if they had a message for American Benedictines, each had a similar comment they summarized as: "Thank you for how you want to develop African Benedictines." |
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Judith Sutera OSB |
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