BUILDING BRIDGES, WEAVING HOPE

Our Lady's Missionaries in Benue State, Nigeria

By Sr. Gwen Legault, O.L.M.
Summer 2004

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Since her retirement from teaching at St. Francis School for the Deaf and Blind, Sr. Gwen Legault works with the St. Vincent de Paul Society to help those most in need in the community, especially those who fled to Vandeikya from northern states where there was tribal fighting. Sr. Gwen also brings the Eucharist to shut-ins and visits the lonely. Vandeikya, Benue State, Nigeria.

Bag, bundle and bucket. These were the sole possessions of a stranger who recently came to our compound in Vandeikya.

Mary's journey had been long and exhausting, carrying her loads on her head, a baby on her back and a little son in tow. She had fled an area of tribal conflict in Cross River State where her husband had been killed.

For Mary to come to Vandeikya seemed to me a poor choice as we already had some of the influx of almost one million Tiv refugees who fled here from similar ethnic wars in northern states in 2001.

However, the various parish organizations and the staff and children at St. Francis School for the Deaf and Blind welcomed Mary and her children, providing them with accommodation and food. As the baby girl was suffering from malnutrition and trauma, one of my former deaf graduates generously donated blood, which greatly improved her condition.

Since retiring from St. Francis School for the Deaf and Blind in Vandeikya, Nigeria, I have been exposed to more of the indignities suffered by those on the margins, especially the internally displaced people here in this region. These Tiv farmers lost everything during the ethnic conflicts in neighbouring northern states.

Many years ago farmers left the Vandeikya area to seek more and better land in the north where they successfully farmed for nearly three generations. However, due to ethnic conflicts, they returned here to their ancestral land in 2001, only to encounter many difficulties. Today, they are still struggling for their daily subsistence.

The Benue State government introduced poverty alleviation programs, but there are enormous challenges yet to be overcome, particularly joblessness.

St. Louise de Marillac, who collaborated with St. Vincent de Paul to leave us a legacy of faithful love and respectful service, wrote these words:

Sr. Patricia Kay produces educational videos-biblical dramas and AIDS awareness dramas-with local young people. Thousands of people have been entertained and instructed through these videos. Now she is working on a documentary in the local language on living positively with HIV/AIDS.

"We are the planks on a bridge. We move between the rich and the poor; between those who have and those who have not."

Our challenge is to share hope and compassion with the people of Tivland "where throbbing drums and dancing feet" welcome all. Every day we grow more grateful to our community, our families and our friends for the privilege of being here in Nigeria and sharing in the sorrows and joys of our fellow travelers.

In some ways we are all refugees searching for a home, walking like Mary with only our bag, bundle and bucket.

A promise of new life

By Sr. Suzanne Marshall, O.L.M.

Sr. Suzanne Marshall with AIDS support group members.

In December 2003, the Nigerian government, which had been subsidizing antiretroviral drugs for a small number of Nigerians for a 12-month period, suddenly cut off the supply. This created a terrible and frightening suffering for 60 people in our community who had been fortunate enough to be included in the list of recipients for the drug.

As their caregivers, we shared the pain of people who originally thought they would die quickly, and who had replaced that certainty of death with a promise of new life. Now they plunged once again into the reality of death.

After massive protests, the Nigerian government reordered the drugs and we received our shipment in March. However, no new drugs have been added and we have hundreds who need them if they are to live much longer. So please keep this intention in your prayers.

We are seeing more children around five years of age infected with HIV. At first we thought that babies who were infected at birth died by the age of two. But not so in every case. So we have put some of these children on antiretroviral drugs and hope that we will be able to continue this program.

Canada is the first country to pass legislation allowing for export of generic drugs to countries without sufficient pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity. In May 2004, the passing of Bill C-9 amending the Patent Act to export low-cost generic medicines to developing countries, potentially offers a breakthrough for the six million people in developing countries who are suffering from HIV/AIDS and cannot afford brand-name drugs.

However, the bill contains serious flaws that could hamper its effectiveness. KAIROS, the Canadian Churches' justice initiative, continues to work on advocacy issues related to the HIV/AIDS pandemic, alongside other nongovernmental and Church organizations.

For an analysis of Bill C-9 go to: www.kairoscanada.org under Global Economic Justice/ Trade. Or contact John Dillon, program coordinator, Global Economic Justice, 416-463-5312, ext. 231.
Also contact: Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network: www.aidslaw.ca, Tel: 514-397-6828 and
The United Church of Canada, Beads of Hope campaign: www.united-church.ca, 1-800-465-3771, ext. 4078

Sr. Rosemary Williamson works in the formation of lay leadership who are responsible for their remote mission churches. She also participates in a social justice group with young people as they look at human rights issues and provide a ministry to prisoners. Sr. Rosemary is also involved in a project with local women to build solar powered ovens.

Sr. Mary Deighan enjoys the company of this little one whose mother belongs to an HIV/AIDS support group.

Sr. Mary says: "We now have six support groups of persons living with HIV/AIDS who meet monthly and receive treatment at the Centre every Wednesday. These days are all consuming, trying to be with each person in her or his pain and suffering. Some are living positively and doing well. Some newly diagnosed are afraid, angry and sad. They worry about what will happen to their children and families in the future. I must say their courage does more for me than I can ever do for them."

Sr. Mary also founded and developed the Primary Health Program in the diocese, training staff and opening health posts in rural areas.

Sr. Rosemarie Donovan with a young patient at a physiotherapy centre. Sr. Rosemarie runs a program for the physically disabled. Her goal is to help them become respected members in their communities, and to increase their mobility through such measures as corrective surgery and physiotherapy; by providing walkers, crutches and wheelchairs; and by providing assistance for schooling and apprenticeships.

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