Acts of transformation

Mission has become a journey of transformation as life is enriched, changed, and certainly challenged

By Sr. Ann MacDonald, CSJ
September/October 2011

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Sr. Ann with Form 4 students (now graduates) (L-R): Thumbiko, Harris, Robert and Philip—her “favoured ones” who, in their final year, tutored and mentored other students.

How does one become transformed? Is it the same journey for everyone?

As a Religious Sister for the past 45 years, these questions formed the basis of my discernment as I looked at volunteering with Scarboro Missions more than four years ago. In June 2008 I was assigned to Malawi and my life has been enriched, changed and certainly challenged living here. Since joining the teaching staff at St. Peter’s Secondary School, I can say this journey of transformation has continued to call me into a surrender of all that was familiar and a total reliance on God working in my life. I had previously worked with youth, so being asked to teach Life Skills to the students at St. Peter’s seemed like a good fit for me.

Coming from a country where education is available for everyone and at times perhaps taken for granted, I have noticed the value that Malawians place on education. Here, in one of the world’s poorest countries, having an education means something better may be possible for your family.

Benjamin (Form 2) with his tutor Isaiah.

Studying at the After School school held at Sr. Ann’s home.

There are certainly not enough schools in the country for the number of children, but here in the northern region many Church schools (mostly private) as well as government funded schools are offering education to those who have the marks to qualify for entrance. Tuition at the government run schools is less than one-third of the cost to attend a private school. Many of these students are orphans and are sponsored by extended family members or organizations who support the education of children.

I have often heard my colleagues at St. Peter’s say that education is the contribution of the North to the entire country. It is our natural resource, providing educated youth and adults who will eventually be the new leaders of Malawi.

In Canada, there are levels of learning offered within the Secondary School system where students are able to excel at their own rate and within their own ability. Here in Malawi, all are expected to learn the same material and write the same examinations. This is a difficult task for most of the students at St Peter’s and puts a tremendous amount of pressure on them to be successful. After chatting with several students who were struggling with their courses, I decided to offer after-school classes at my house in the hope of increasing their possibility of success.

So, Sister Anna’s “After School” school has been operating Monday through Friday this past school year, and students at the Form 4 level (Grade 12) have been coming during holiday time as well. After school, 17 students from Forms 1 through 4 come on their assigned days for extra help in English—both Grammar and Literature—as well as Mathematics, Physical Science and Biology.

Students from Sr. Ann’s Form 1 (Grade 9) Life Skills class at St. Peter’s Secondary School.

Over the months, I have noticed a community of caring and concern growing among these young people since they began coming to the “After School”. If one of them is ill, another will take that person to the hospital or visit the person at home. When a friend’s younger brother died there was an immediate response to visit the family and be a consoling presence. They listen with respect to the students who act as their tutors—hearing often from them about the value of hard work and about gratitude for the gift of being able to go to school. All are acts of transformation that have personally affected my life and my call to be with and among the people of God as I continue my journey here in Malawi.

Sr. Ann MacDonald, a Sister of St. Joseph of London, Ontario, completed Scarboro’s lay mission preparation program in April 2008 and joined Scarboro’s Malawi mission team.

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