My yearning fulfilled
01.08.2008
Angela tells us how a childhood longing finally came into fruition.
Beginning
My interest in working overseas was with me throughout my school days; this may be due to the fact I went to a school run by the Presentation Sisters and was influenced by many returned missionaries.
In 2001, I completed a training programme for overseas work with Viatores Christi in Dublin. I came in contact with many returned lay missionaries and started on my journey looking for a placement overseas. It was through Viatores Christi I came in contact with Sr Monica Kelly who is the Irish lay missionary contact for the Columban Sisters. Over a period of time Sr Monica and I had much discussion looking at opportunities to work overseas with the Columban Sisters. Peru was coming up as the best placement for me with my skills as an intellectual disability nurse.
First Steps
On arrival in Lima I received a great reception from the Columban Sisters who are presently a big part of my life here in the sierra. I spent my first month in language school and each weekend in a different Columban House. These weekends were a great learning curve because I was receiving a greater awareness of the mission work of the Columban Sisters in Peru and getting to know my new family. When I’m down in Lima I have a Columban community where I know there is always a welcome for me.
After my language study I was en- route to the city of Ayacucho in the Andean Mountains, the place of my new mission. Here I met the Columban Sisters in Vinchos - Mary Nolan, Sophia Kim and Anne Carbon.
In December 2006, our existing service, “The Path of Hope” in partnership with the Columban Sisters, opened its doors for the first time to young people with an intellectual disability.
In my work, I am happy to say we have 66 young people benefiting from our service. It’s wonderful to watch the children make progress. We now have three staff, two nurses who have received further training in Lima in the field of intellectual disability and a physiotherapist.
In the future we hope to employ a speech therapist. Recently, we invested in new premises. This is a positive move for the stability and future of “The path of Hope.”
Challenges
I experienced many challenges with culture, time keeping, and lack of services for people with an intellectual disability. There was little support and education for parents; the injustice that this special group of people tolerated, had a profound effect on me initially. Thankfully I’ve experienced the continuous support of the Columban Sisters on this journey.
Despite all the cultural frustrations, I feel I’m making a little difference to a child twice a week when he/she comes to the clinic. My placement here in Peru, has made me less materialistic and very aware of how good we have life in Ireland. I have such admiration and affection for the people despite their poverty.
Gifts received
I have received many benefits from my experience here: my relationship with God has become stronger, my patience is increasing, my need for material things has lessened, while I have more space for reflection. Within my heart I will never lose the experience gained and shared with the Peruvian people
On a final note, I’ve received the gift of contentment. The respect that children and parents now receive, the support and commitment of my three local staff continues to enable the service to progress towards a brighter future. I will always appreciate the Columban Sisters and their acceptance of me as a lay missionary.
“A pilgrimage is a journey where every step has meaning. It is not a holiday and it is where new and old places are revisited. Blessings are received and healing takes place. On return from the pilgrimage, life is seen with different eyes. Nothing will ever be quite the same again.” - (Macrina Wiederkehr).
Angela Keane is a member of Viatores Christi. It was founded in 1960 and recruits, prepares and sends lay missionary development workers to work in areas of need overseas.
