Report from a Lay Missionary

By Angela Keane Viatores Christi

Beginnings
My interest in working overseas was there 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.

Angela, left, and Sr Anne, second from right,
with Peruvian friends.

In 2001, I completed a training programme for overseas work with Viatores Christi in Dublin. During this course 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 Monica and I had much discussion looking at opportunities in working overseas with the Columban Sisters. Peru was coming up as the best placement for me with my skills as an intellectual disability nurse. As part of my journey in preparation I spent a day in dialogue with the Columban Sisters in their home in Magheramore, Co Wicklow. Finally prior to my departure through Viatores Christi I held my sending ceremony Mass in Cahirciveen, Co. Kerry, my home town. My Mass was concelebrated by Columbans Fr. Jack Dennehy (Rathmore, Philippines) and Fr.John O’Connell (Rathmore, Peru).

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 was spent in a different Columban House. These weekends were a great learning curve, I was receiving a greater awareness of the mission work of the Columban Sisters here in Peru and getting to know my new family. Today when I’m down in Lima I have a Columban community where I know there is always a "bienvenida" (welcome) for me.

After my language study one day in mid October 2006, I was en route to the city of Ayacucho in the Andean Mountains, the place of my new mission. Here I met with the Columban Sisters in Vinchos, Mary Nolan (Kilkenny), Sophia Kim (Korea) and Anne Carbon from the Philippines. In December 2006, our existing service "El Caminito de la Esperanza" (The Path of Hope) in partnership with the Columban Sisters opened its doors for the first time for young people with an intellectual disability. Here in Ayacucho I work very closely with Columban Sister Anne Carbon who is the director of the mental health clinic.

In my work, I am happy to say we now have 66 young people benefiting from our service. It is 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 near future we hope to employ a speech therapist. Recently, we along with the mental health clinic, invested in a new premises. This I feel is a very positive move for the stability and future of "El Caminito de la Esperanza".

Challenges
During my journey I experienced many challenges with culture, time keeping, lack of services and government funding for people with an intellectual disability, the lack of support and education for parents, and the visible poverty which I see and experience on a daily basis. Not forgetting the injustice which is continually being tolerated by this special group of people had a profound effect on me initially. Thankfully I’ve experienced the continuous support of Sr. Anne Carbon and the Columban Sisters on this journey.

I feel I’m making a little difference to a child twice a week when he/she comes to the clinic despite all the cultural frustrations. 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 appreciate so much the wonderful caring and financial support from my family, the community of South Kerry and the Irish Pilgrimage Trust. My mission has brought them a new awareness of the shared collaboration with the Columban Sisters and me as a lay missionary.

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 loose the experience gained and shared with the Peruvian people and the Columban Sisters.

On a final note, I’ve received the gift of contentment. The respect and dignity which the 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 acceptance and mission ethos of the Columban Sisters and their acceptance of me as a lay missionary which has made my journey so fulfiling.

"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.

Columban Sisters www.columbansisters.org

Viatores Christi www.viatoreschristi.com

Email Angela Keane allakeane@yahoo.co.uk